News

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, has demanded an explanation as to why the Government took a full week to confirm that two errors had been identified in the Leaving Certificate predicted grades marking system. Deputy Gannon said: “Today’s scandalous development has needlessly added to the stress levels of this year’s Leaving […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, today proposed the Social Democrats’ Dáil motion calling for the eradication of child poverty in the lifetime of this Dáil, in contrast to previous Government targets which sought to merely reduce numbers. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, has responded to the Government’s counter motion, […]

The Social Democrats will bring a Private Members’ Motion before the Dáil tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, calling on the Government to set an ambitious target for the elimination of consistent child poverty in Ireland by 2025. Jennifer Whitmore TD, the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “Our motion calls on the Government to firmly state that […]

Speaking after the announcement that Fine Gael Senator Michael D’Arcy has resigned from the Seanad to lead a lobby group for financial investment companies, Social Democrats TD and co-leader Róisín Shortall commented: “Michael D’Arcy’s appointment appears to be a clear violation of the Standards in Public Office legislation, and the public deserves an immediate answer […]

Commenting on figures released today, Social Democrats spokesperson on Housing, Cian O’Callaghan TD, said: “The latest figures released by the Department of Housing show that the number of people becoming homeless and living in emergency accommodation remains high. During August, the numbers of adults living in emergency accommodation for homeless people increased marginally while the […]

Social Democrats councillor for Rush-Lusk, Paul Mulville, has demanded immediate support for residents whose homes are at acute risk from coastal erosion and flooding in Portrane. Cllr Mulville said: “I have serious concern about the lack of urgency from Government about a buyout scheme for the residents, which now must be put in place as […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has called on the Government to legislate on necessary reforms needed for the Fair Deal scheme to ensure it works for farmers and small business owners. Holly said: “In the financial assessment for the scheme, the value of farm assets is taken into […]

Reacting to today’s publication of the HSE Winter Plan, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said that while the level of investment is significant, the recruitment of staff will be critical to get additional services up and running. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson on Health, said: “The investment of €600m and […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Agriculture, said that today’s revelations that workers in a meat plant were charged for personal protection equipment (PPE) further highlights the need for a taskforce for the sector. Holly said: “Today we learned that one of the country’s largest chicken processors is not only charging staff for PPE, […]

Social Democrats Brexit spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, said it is worrying that the UK Government is seeking to put the blame for severe delays and tailbacks at ports from next January onwards on the shoulders of UK businesses. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “This blame game is deeply unhelpful and irresponsible. We need leadership from political leaders […]

Cork South-West TD for the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns, is continuing to put pressure on the Government to have Covid-19 restrictions lifted in maternity hospitals. Holly, who has been one of the most prominent voices in highlighting the issue, said: “It is important that we continue to raise awareness of the mental toll that these […]

A cross-party leaders’ forum should be established by the Government to build consensus on a strategy for controlling and managing Covid-19 outbreaks, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, told the Dáil today. Deputy Shortall said: “Issues such as cutting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or extending protections for tenants are political issues – but […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has today called for a reversal of cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and immediate income supports for parents whose children are sent home from school due to Covid-19 outbreaks. Deputy Murphy said: “For most of those who were laid-off last Friday, this will be their […]

The Social Democrats are pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Dillon as our Senior Political Director. Paul will join the Social Democrats from the Financial Services Union, where he was Growth and Communications Manager. He has almost two decades experience in campaigns, communications, and policy. He is a graduate of UCD and DIT. A […]