News

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, speaking on the Homeless Prevention Bill being discussed by the Dáil this evening, said: “We have to take proactive steps to prevent more people from becoming homeless. Over the last four years, spending on homeless prevention has fallen from 7% of the overall budget […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, has called for teachers, SNAs and school staff to be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine. Deputy Gannon stated: “Today, UNICEF issued a press statement calling for teachers to be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine worldwide, following healthcare workers and high-risk populations. “Yet, in our current strategy, they […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed an indication from the Minister for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, that she would be open to a future review of the assessment of needs model. Deputy Whitmore had called on the minister to suspend the roll-out of the new operating procedures under the assessment of needs model, […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has today welcomed the announcement of the Covid-19 vaccination strategy, saying there is huge potential to transform the way we are living. However, given that approval from the EMA is expected within the next two weeks, she has emphasised the need for early clarification from Government on […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore TD has called for tomorrow’s vote on the CETA trade deal to be postponed, warning that it could affect the Government’s ability to legislate for climate action measures. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “With this trade deal comes a very controversial mechanism […]

The Social Democrats are calling for tomorrow’s vote on CETA (Comprehensive European Trade Agreement) to be postponed. Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said: “We have huge concerns about CETA, particularly around the Investor-State Dispute Settlement, or ISDS. This effectively lays out a platform for corporations to sue national governments for creating policies that might negatively affect the corporation’s […]

Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed concern at today’s news that 440 staff at a pharmaceutical company in Baldoyle are to lose their jobs. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Staff at Viatris in Baldoyle Industrial Estate found out today that the plant is to be wound-down over a two-year period as part […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has welcomed the breakthrough on pay restoration for workers in the remaining 250 Section 39 organisations. Deputy Shortall said: “Section 39 workers do the same work as their public service counterparts and deserve equal pay. I now call on the Minister for Health to include union representatives in […]

Co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall TD, has asked the Government to consider moving teenagers with underlying health conditions further up the priority list when a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “Earlier this week, the Minister for Health released the first report in relation to the proposed […]

Social Democrats councillor for the Rush Lusk ward, Paul Mulville, has secured a commitment from Fingal County Council management to provide much-needed additional seating benches along Lusk Relief Road. Cllr Mulville said: “Following many calls from local residents, I have been pursuing the need for additional seating benches to be provided along the Lusk Relief […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for urgent reform of our immigration system following confirmation from the Taoiseach yesterday that there would be a stay on deportations for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis, Deputy Whitmore said: “While the Taoiseach’s statement in the Dáil yesterday was most welcome and a stay on deportations during […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has questioned the logic of the State entering into 25-year leases with developers for the purpose of providing social housing. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Murphy said: “Health has been front and centre this year due to Covid-19 and as a result the housing crisis has […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed today’s positive response from the Taoiseach to her call to suspend deportations during the Covid-19 crisis. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Whitmore raised the plight of a constituent living in Wicklow who was recently served with a Deportation Order back to his country of origin, which […]

Investment in mental health services needs to be front and centre of the Government’s response to Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on physical and mental health. At a time when demand has increased, service delivery […]