News

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Disability Issues, has expressed disappointment that core welfare payments for people with disabilities have not been increased in Budget 2021. Holly said: “We all welcome the €100 million increase in funding to assist people with disabilities, which will help with the reopening of day services and move people […]

Covid-19 has refocused people’s priorities – but this was not factored into Budget 2021 Speaking in the Dáil today, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said that Budget 2021 underinvests in public services and the economy. Deputy Murphy stated: “The budget ignores the fact that Covid has focused public priorities on public services, particularly around health and […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed serious concern about the absence of a direct-build affordable housing scheme in Budget 2021. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The budget failed to address the issue of housing affordability. There is no provision for the direct building of affordable homes by the State – this […]

Calling out the Government for not grasping the opportunity in Budget 2021 to move to a public model of childcare provision, Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for children said: “Our childcare system fell apart on its first major test in the early stages of Covid-19. The privatised, under-resourced model which successive governments have created […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has said that the speedy implementation of green infrastructure projects announced in Budget 2021 will be key to delivering on our climate action ambitions. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “Today’s budget promised investment in retrofitting, EV infrastructure and energy efficiency programmes. While […]

Social Democrats TD spokesperson for education, Gary Gannon TD says that Budget 2021 has not addressed the legacy of chronic underfunding in Education, shown in stark relief through Covid19. Deputy Gannon said: “There will be much talk about welcoming news of Budget 2021, but there remain crucial systemic issues in each area. “There are new […]

Budget 2021 did not allocate sufficient resources to our ICUs or invest adequately in Sláintecare Commenting, Roisin Shortall TD, co-leader and spokesperson on Health said: “The investment in ICUs flowing from Budget 2021 will fall far short of what is required. While capital expenditure in additional beds is welcome, there is a shortfall of around 250 critical care […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has said that Budget 2021 has overlooked the children and stretched families who have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “A total of €17.75 billion allocated in this budget will be the largest ever in a budget, […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has warned that the measures announced by the Government in today’s budget will not make housing more affordable. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Today’s budget fails to deliver affordable housing as it lacks the ambition that is required. The Government should be taking advantage of the historically low interest […]

Budget 2021 shows lack of ambition in key areas Reacting to Budget 2021, the Social Democrats have said that it represents a “lost opportunity ” to make the choices that would lead to long term social and economic revival. The party have said that the budget missed key opportunities to invest for the long term in public services […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has highlighted concerns about larger fishing vessels operating in-shore on Irish coastal waters. Holly said: “Last week, the High Court overturned a 2019 Policy Directive which excluded trawling by fishing vessels over 18 metres from inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone. “The […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon is to ask the Oireachtas Arts Committee to call the Arts Council to appear before it over its decision to cancel a communications tender four months after it commenced the process. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for the Arts, said: “On June 30, the Arts Council advertised a […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, is calling for greater supports for third level students who are encountering difficulties with online learning. Holly said: “This year’s college experience is like no other and is proving to be a very uncertain and trying time for many students. With practically all teaching […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, has welcomed the Special Covid Committee’s recommendation that other Dáil committees should examine serious ongoing issues in meat plants. Holly said: “I have been calling for a taskforce to examine conditions for workers in this sector for months so am glad that this report reflects the serious […]