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Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, has said that any increase in third level places this year must be matched by additional State funding. Holly said: “The reopening of third level institutions will be as challenging as the reopening of our schools. Colleges and universities are doing the best they […]

Two Social Democrats TDs – Gary Gannon and Holly Cairns – have called on the Minister for Higher Education to clarify issues raised by CAO applicants who sat the Leaving Certificate in previous years but will not benefit from predicted grades inflation when results are released next week. Gary Gannon TD, the party’s spokesperson on […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said today that the findings of a UNICEF survey on the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents highlight the need for the Government to invest in further supports for young people as our schools reopen. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The findings of the UNICEF […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, is calling on the Minister for Finance to end the special tax treatment for institutional investors like Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Government must scrap the favourable tax treatment for institutional investors. A report from the industry this week highlights […]

In the Dáil today, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, called on the Government to properly play its part in tackling the Covid-19 crisis by seriously addressing three crucial issues – testing and tracing; controls at airports and ports; and transparency about Covid-19 infections data. Deputy Shortall said: “The public continue to forego […]

The Covid-19 Data Hub should be updated on a weekly basis to ensure public goodwill in the event of further localised lockdowns, according to Catherine Murphy, Kildare North TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Murphy said: “It is clear that we will have to live with this virus until there is a vaccine […]

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, has said that difficulties in recruiting additional teachers has emerged as one of the greatest challenges as our schools reopen. Deputy Gannon said: “The recruitment of over 1,000 additional teachers for post-primary schools was one of the headline measures in the Government’s announcement at the end of […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed confirmation that localised restrictions in Kildare have been lifted but called on the Taoiseach to visit the county to hear first-hand what further financial supports will be required for impacted businesses. Deputy Murphy, who represents Kildare North, said: “Following advice from NPHET this morning, the […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, has called on the Government to fund a reduction in third level registration fees in light of the emerging shift to online lectures for the upcoming term. Holly said: “I strongly support the Union of Students in Ireland’s call for a minimum €500 reduction […]

The allocation of ringfenced funding for the implementation of Sláintecare is key to the delivery of free GP care for children, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “It is understandable that the planned extension of free GP care for children aged between 6 and […]

The second phase of unpaid parental leave brought in by the Social Democrats Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 comes into effect next Tuesday, 1st September 2020. Four additional weeks of unpaid leave is available to parents, following on from the four weeks that became available last September, bringing the amount of unpaid parental leave available to […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, Holly Cairns TD, and the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Environment, Jennifer Whitmore TD, believe that the Government’s new Forestry Bill is significantly flawed and in direct contravention of EU Directives and the Aarhus Convention which protect people’s rights to appeal decisions in environmental planning. Deputy Whitmore and Deputy […]

Following publication of the July figures of the number of people who are homeless, Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Housing, said: “The increase in the number of people who are becoming homeless is inexcusable. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, significant progress was made in reducing the number of people who are homeless. “It […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, has called on the Government to fast-track Covid testing for childcare staff. Deputy Whitmore said: “I welcome confirmation from the Department of Health that the testing of school children and staff for Covid-19 is to be fast-tracked to enable results within 24 to 48 hours. “However, this same […]