News

The Social Democrats have today announced spokesperson roles for the 33rd Dáil. Co-leader Catherine Murphy said: “In announcing our spokesperson roles today, I am confirming that the Social Democrats will continue to work as we did in the last Dáil – by being constructive and practical but also by not being afraid to ask the tough […]

The Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, Gary Gannon TD, has expressed grave concerns for the mental health of young people in light of the three-week delay in the Leaving Certificate results. Deputy Gannon said: “The last Government was crippled by indecision when it came to whether or not State exams would be able to proceed. […]

The Social Democrats have strongly condemned the three Government parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for voting down their motion on Workers’ Rights today. The party’s first Private Members’ Time motion of the 33rd Dáil was debated last night. It sought to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including […]

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, have expressed concern at Minister Simon Harris’s statement that the cost of providing third level education will increase in the short-term as a result of COVID-19. Both TDs are seeking clarity on the matter and an assurance […]

The Social Democrats have strongly criticised a Government amendment to its Workers’ Rights Motion which is due to be debated in the Dáil this evening. Dublin Central TD, Gary Gannon, said the amendment from the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD, was a disgraceful attempt by the Government to undermine the SocDems motion, which seeks to have […]

The Social Democrats today publish the motion on Workers’ Rights that they will bring forward in their first Private Members’ time in the 33rd Dáil. The motion will be debated on Wednesday, July 15, at 8pm. The motion aims to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including low-pay, precarious work, collective bargaining […]

Gary Gannon TD said, “News of increased paid parents leave today is welcome, even though it does not fully address the calls for twelve weeks additional leave for women who had maternity leave during lockdown. These women didn’t have access to many postnatal supports, and the three additional weeks will not fully address these issues.” […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, Gary Gannon highlights the need for inclusion to mean inclusion for students with Down syndrome in July Provision. The Department of Education and Skills announced on the 5th of June that students with Down syndrome would be included for the first time in the July Provision, a measure welcomed by […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon today called on Minister Donohoe to immediately backdate the payments to women excluded from TWSS because they were on maternity leave. Gary Gannon TD said: “As expected, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has found that the exclusion of women returning to work after maternity leave from the Temporary […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has welcomed Minister Regina Doherty’s reply to him in the Dáil today regarding recent media discussions about a clawback on pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) for some groups including lone parents. Deputy Gannon has been pursuing this issue for some time now and has been highlighting the fear and panic it […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has said the continued exclusion from the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) of women returning to work after maternity leave is unacceptable, discriminatory and must be rectified as a matter of urgency.  Gary Gannon TD said, “The exclusion from the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) of women returning to work […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has urged Minister Heather Humphries to ensure Debenhams do not appoint a liquidator until the Covid-19 crisis has passed and the, almost 2,000, workers in Irish stores are afforded the opportunity for a full industrial relations process, which is not possible under current conditions. Mr Gannon pointed out that these […]

The particular challenges presented for students in the higher and further education sectors are highlighted by a call for a ‘No Detriment’ policy for third level education, which is supported by the Social Democrats. Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education said: “We strongly support a ‘No Detriment’ or ‘Help, Not Hinder’ approach for […]

The Social Democrats have tabled a number of amendments to the emergency Covid-19 legislation going through the Dáil today. In addition to formal amendments, the party has also submitted a number of proposals on issues which need to be considered in the context of this Bill and other future measures to address the evolving crisis. […]