News

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, has backed calls by St Vincent de Paul for the establishment of a Special Oireachtas Committee on Poverty and Inequality. Deputy Gannon said: “Disadvantaged communities have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and there are now over 700,000 people experiencing poverty in Ireland. Poverty […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Higher Education, has called for immediate action after frightening levels of sexual violence and harassment in Irish third level education were highlighted during a meeting between Minister Simon Harris and the National Advisory Committee on Consent and Sexual Harassment. Deputy Cairns said: “The alarming rates of rape, sexual […]

Dublin North West TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, has welcomed the inclusion of Finglas as the preferred route for the Luas Green Line extension but has questioned the 10-year timeline for delivery of the project. The proposed route will link the Green Line between Broombridge and Charlestown, with additional stops at […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for the Environment, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson for Agriculture, have called on the Government to properly resource the National Parks and Wildlife Service and to establish a specialised Garda unit to deal with wildlife crime. The TDs have highlighted the fact that the number of successful prosecutions […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, has described the Government’s removal of pandemic protections for renters as premature and short-sighted. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The statement by the Minister for Housing in the Dáil today, justifying the removal of protections for renters based on Ireland moving out of a public health emergency, is extremely premature. […]

Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, has called on backbench TDs from the three Government parties to vote against measures in tonight’s Social Welfare Bill that will make it difficult for Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) recipients to return to their former employment. Deputy Gannon said: “The revelations over the weekend that PUP […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed alarm at funding cuts for the access community mental health team for the homeless. In reply to a parliamentary question, the HSE confirmed that funding for this service has fallen by €87,122 (or 13%) in the last two years. Deputy O’Callaghan said: […]

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, has expressed concern that there may not be enough substitute post-primary school teachers available in the event of a second wave of Covid-19. Reacting to the Government’s announcement of the €375m roadmap to opening schools at the end of next month, Deputy Gannon said: “While there […]

Speaking in relation to the publication of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020, which will be rushed through the Dáil this week, Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, said: “This bill unfortunately will do little to help renters who are at risk of eviction and homelessness. Most renters are evicted on grounds that […]

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, is to seek an urgent explanation from the Government after it emerged that passengers are having their Pandemic Unemployment Payment removed following airport inspections. Deputy Gannon said: “I was extremely concerned to learn that those receiving the PUP have been targeted by Department of Social […]

Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan, has warned that a decision by Dublin Bus to withdraw a number of dedicated school bus services in Sutton, Tallaght, Templeogue and Greenhills will hit families financially and lead to increased traffic congestion. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “For students who can’t avail of a lift from parents, […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D., responding to the publication of a Tenancies bill by Government stated: “The proposals by the Government to end the ban on evictions and rent increases for most tenants – while retaining some protections until January 2021 for those tenants who have been in receipt of a Covid 19 […]

Long term, substantial investment and innovative new ways of doing things will be required if schools are to reopen – and stay open – in the coming weeks, according to Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats spokesperson for Education. Deputy Gannon said: “The past number of months have been extremely difficult for students and parents and […]

Social Democrats Co-Leader Róisín Shortall TD has called again on the Minister for Health to urgently halt the proposed funding cuts to Disability Services. Deputy Shortall said: “The new Minister for Health has not provided assurance that the disgraceful funding cuts to the disability sector will be halted, or reversed where they have already taken […]