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Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has said that the speedy implementation of green infrastructure projects announced in Budget 2021 will be key to delivering on our climate action ambitions. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “Today’s budget promised investment in retrofitting, EV infrastructure and energy efficiency programmes. While […]

Social Democrats TD spokesperson for education, Gary Gannon TD says that Budget 2021 has not addressed the legacy of chronic underfunding in Education, shown in stark relief through Covid19. Deputy Gannon said: “There will be much talk about welcoming news of Budget 2021, but there remain crucial systemic issues in each area. “There are new […]

Budget 2021 did not allocate sufficient resources to our ICUs or invest adequately in Sláintecare Commenting, Roisin Shortall TD, co-leader and spokesperson on Health said: “The investment in ICUs flowing from Budget 2021 will fall far short of what is required. While capital expenditure in additional beds is welcome, there is a shortfall of around 250 critical care […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has said that Budget 2021 has overlooked the children and stretched families who have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “A total of €17.75 billion allocated in this budget will be the largest ever in a budget, […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has warned that the measures announced by the Government in today’s budget will not make housing more affordable. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Today’s budget fails to deliver affordable housing as it lacks the ambition that is required. The Government should be taking advantage of the historically low interest […]

Budget 2021 shows lack of ambition in key areas Reacting to Budget 2021, the Social Democrats have said that it represents a “lost opportunity ” to make the choices that would lead to long term social and economic revival. The party have said that the budget missed key opportunities to invest for the long term in public services […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has highlighted concerns about larger fishing vessels operating in-shore on Irish coastal waters. Holly said: “Last week, the High Court overturned a 2019 Policy Directive which excluded trawling by fishing vessels over 18 metres from inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone. “The […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon is to ask the Oireachtas Arts Committee to call the Arts Council to appear before it over its decision to cancel a communications tender four months after it commenced the process. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for the Arts, said: “On June 30, the Arts Council advertised a […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, is calling for greater supports for third level students who are encountering difficulties with online learning. Holly said: “This year’s college experience is like no other and is proving to be a very uncertain and trying time for many students. With practically all teaching […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, has welcomed the Special Covid Committee’s recommendation that other Dáil committees should examine serious ongoing issues in meat plants. Holly said: “I have been calling for a taskforce to examine conditions for workers in this sector for months so am glad that this report reflects the serious […]

The Social Democrats have launched their alternative budget, with a call for the Government to focus on ‘Survival and Revival’ across economic and social life. The party is calling for a focus on protecting jobs and incomes, strengthening public services, and investing to offer people hope in the future. The party’s pre-budget document lays out a […]

As we arrive at a point of national crisis in our fight against Covid-19, it is deeply concerning that our contact tracing system is on the verge of collapse, Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, told the Dáil today. Deputy Murphy said: “In recent days, Dr Anne Dee, a consultant in public health […]

Responding to the grave concern expressed this evening by the Chief Medical Officer about the deterioration in the numbers of Covid-19 cases even since Sunday last, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats said: “The country is in the middle of a very serious phase of the battle against the pandemic. Today’s figures are […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on Climate Change, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has welcomed today’s publication of the Climate Action Bill. However, she said it must be poverty and disability-proofed to ensure a just transition as part of our carbon reduction journey so that no workers or communities are left behind. Deputy Whitmore said: “This Bill has been […]