News

Social Democrats TD for Cork-South West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Minister for Health and the HSE to clarify why tomorrow’s scheduled vaccination of frontline staff at Bantry General Hospital has been cancelled. Holly said: “I have heard conflicting reports as to why the vaccinations were postponed. Whatever the reason, it is deeply disturbing […]

Priority for in-person learning must be based on the wellbeing and needs of the students, according to the Social Democrats. Gary Gannon TD, spokesperson for Education, stated: “Throughout this week I have highlighted the need for us to prioritise our most vulnerable students by using a similar model to the UK. While I have welcomed […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has expressed concern that the HSE is not adequately prepared to ensure sufficient staff are in place to administer Covid-19 vaccinations. Deputy Shortall said: “The Minister for Health urgently needs to provide clarity about who will be administering the vaccines, the staff numbers required and where the […]

Responding to the news that the Government will abandon plans for Leaving Certificate students to return to schools for three days a week next week, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD said: “The decision of the Minister of Education and the Department to reopen schools for three days a week for sixth year […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to immediately bring together all stakeholders in areas such as childcare, education and child protection to ensure that the needs of vulnerable children and the children of essential workers are met during the current lockdown restrictions. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, […]

Responding to today’s Government announcement of additional Covid-19 restrictions, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, commented: “The absence of measures to mitigate the risks posed by international travel continues to be a key weakness in the Government’s response to the pandemic. “Minister Eamon Ryan needs to explain why the UK and South Africa […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, believes that the Government should use this opportunity to bring about permanent reform of the Leaving Certificate instead of concentrating on sending exam students back to school next week. Speaking after today’s Government’s decision to allow Leaving Cert students to return to school for three days a […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called on the Government to allow continued access to childcare for essential workers and vulnerable children. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “Our most vulnerable children were hit very hard during the first lockdown. It is hugely important that those children are not […]

With schools to remain closed until the end of January, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, has called on the Government to develop a national strategy to support remote learning for teachers and students. Deputy Gannon stated: “It had become increasingly clear that schools would not be able to reopen next week and […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called for the Minister for Children to brief members of the Opposition on the expected closure of the early childhood sector and creches until January 30. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “The Taoiseach indicated today that the early childcare and education sector […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has today called on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to clarify vital details of the vaccination programme for Covid-19. She asked the Minister to provide clarity in relation to the expected phasing of the delivery of the vaccine and the schedule to which he is working, as well […]

School leaders and communities should not be expected to have to come up with a solution for continuing with education during the Covid-19 crisis. That’s according to Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central and spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon. Speaking ahead of a briefing for Opposition spokespersons by the Minister for Education this afternoon, Deputy […]

Commenting on the return to full Level 5 restrictions, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said: “Yet again, due to the absence of a coherent strategy to suppress the virus, the country is entering another complete lockdown. This course of action has been inevitable for some time and is now necessary in order […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called for stronger consultation with the hospitality sector and extra financial supports for affected businesses as the country prepares to enter into another Level 5 lockdown. Holly said: “The very survival of this sector is under threat unless there is substantial State subvention and improved communication […]