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The Social Democrats have launched their alternative budget, with a call for the Government to focus on ‘Survival and Revival’ across economic and social life. The party is calling for a focus on protecting jobs and incomes, strengthening public services, and investing to offer people hope in the future. The party’s pre-budget document lays out a […]

As we arrive at a point of national crisis in our fight against Covid-19, it is deeply concerning that our contact tracing system is on the verge of collapse, Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, told the Dáil today. Deputy Murphy said: “In recent days, Dr Anne Dee, a consultant in public health […]

Responding to the grave concern expressed this evening by the Chief Medical Officer about the deterioration in the numbers of Covid-19 cases even since Sunday last, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats said: “The country is in the middle of a very serious phase of the battle against the pandemic. Today’s figures are […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on Climate Change, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has welcomed today’s publication of the Climate Action Bill. However, she said it must be poverty and disability-proofed to ensure a just transition as part of our carbon reduction journey so that no workers or communities are left behind. Deputy Whitmore said: “This Bill has been […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Disability Matters, has backed a cross-party motion calling for the full reopening of support services for people with disabilities. Holly said: “This motion highlights underlying issues in the sector and the need for a rights-based approach to ensure sustainable capacity within disability services. “It is fair to […]

The complete absence of safeguards on international travel is extraordinary given the rising levels of the virus, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Raising the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “On a day when the entire country enters into Level 3 restrictions due to increasing […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed alarm at the latest social housing output figures. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Government set a target to build 7,736 social homes in 2020. In the first half of the year, they reached less than 10% of that target, building just 725. “This […]

The Government must work constructively with the health authorities and across the political system to get the country back on track in suppressing Covid-19, according to the Social Democrats. Co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “Yesterday was a bad day for the country. In the midst of a growing pandemic, it is very unfortunate that we […]

The Social Democrats called on the Taoiseach and Government to spell out clearly what measures they will take and which they want people to take to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus across the country, now that the whole country is to move to Level 3. Róisín Shortall TD, Social Democrats co-leader, said: “The […]

Government need to put in place supports for society and the economy Social Democrats Co-Leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall wrote to the Taoiseach this afternoon with 9 points which they said needed to be “urgently considered” with the aim of supporting society and the economy, and restoring hope among people. Commenting, Róisín Shortall TD […]

The Social Democrats have called on the Minister for Education to provide clarity and certainty to the thousands of affected students who had their Leaving Certificate results downgraded due to errors identified in the predicted grades marking system. Gary Gannon TD, the party’s spokesperson on Education, said: “Following yesterday’s revelations that around 6,500 students received […]

Speaking in the Dáil today, Jennifer Whitmore TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, called on the Government to commit to funding and implementing the National Breastfeeding Action Plan. Deputy Whitmore said: “Today marks the start of National Breastfeeding Week so I felt it was a good time to remind the Government of Ireland’s poor […]

During today’s Dáil statements on the Winter Plan, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, raised the glaring omission of mental health and disability services from the plan. Deputy Shortall said: “Disgracefully, the Winter Plan has conspicuously omitted any provision for mental health or disability services over the coming months. “Mental health services were […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has expressed her frustration at the Government for pushing through forestry legislation without proper scrutiny and not accepting amendments. Holly said: “Last night, the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020 was rushed through the Dáil. The whole process has been incredibly frustrating and it […]