News

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Rural and Community Development, welcomes the Department of Rural and Community Development’s COVID-19 Stability Fund for community and voluntary organisations, charities, and social enterprises. She encourages organisations to apply for the support immediately as there is a very tight turnaround. Holly explains: “Community and voluntary organisations have been […]

Following a process of engagement regarding the Framework Document proposed by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, the Social Democrats have earlier today written to the leaders of those parties confirming that they will not be proceeding any further with negotiations for a Programme for Government. The Social Democrats made clear in the letter that they […]

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 and Spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, Jennifer Whitmore, has backed calls by Birdwatch Ireland and other environmental groups for the establishment of a Wildlife Crime Unit – something the Social Democrats themselves had proposed in their February 2020 General Election Manifesto. The call comes in the wake of the poisoning of 23 […]

Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, today raised serious concerns about Ireland’s readiness to begin reopening on the level proposed for May 18th under plans for Phase 1. Her concerns are based on three key areas which show little evidence to support the easing of restrictions to the extent envisaged: Test and trace […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore has called for a widening to other small Irish businesses of the postal rates now available to small bookshops during the Covid-19 crisis. Deputy Whitmore said: “Very many small independent businesses, including bookshops, have had to close their shop doors in response to the lockdown and many businesses […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed the announcement that the Sisters of Charity have received approval from the Vatican to transfer ownership of the site for the new National Maternity Hospital to St Vincents Holdings CLG.  However, this does not constitute public ownership of the site.  Deputy Shortall said today’s development should be […]

In the Dáil this evening Social Democrats T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Deputy Cian O’Callaghan highlighted the impact overcrowding is having on the spread of COVID-19 and called on the Minister to roll out systematic testing for high-risk groups who live in overcrowded conditions. In advance of the debate, Cian O’Callaghan said: “It is clear […]

Today in the Dáil, Social Democrats T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Deputy Cian O’Callaghan, questioned the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D. on the inclusion of climate change targets in the EU-UK trade deal. Deputy Cian O’Callaghan said: “It is really worrying that the UK is resisting the EU’s ask to include […]

Social Democrats TD and Spokesperson on Children, Jennifer Whitmore, has said it is a matter of extreme urgency that Government and relevant stakeholders meet to discuss the insurance implications for childcare providers who are considering participating in the proposed scheme for the provision of childcare to healthcare workers. She said information released today points out […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has told the Dáil that the response to the Covid crisis at EU level cannot be similar to the response to economic crash in 2008 which led to extreme austerity for some member states, including Ireland.  She said that all member states would have to appreciate the scale of the problem […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Jennifer Whitmore, and TD for Wicklow, calls for the establishment of a Transition Task Force to develop a plan specifically for children and young people to transition out of Covid-19 restrictions. Deputy Whitmore stated: “People often forget that children and young people have also been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 […]

Cork South West TD and Social Democrats Spokesperson on Agriculture Holly Cairns has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, sector leaders and representative organisations, to work together, in a serious and urgent fashion, to agree measures to reduce our carbon emissions, in a just transition that supports farmers.  Holly Cairns TD […]

Paul Mulville, Social Democrats councillor for the Rush Lusk Ward, has called for urgent changes to be made to Fingal County Council’s Housing policy, in order to ensure that separated parents are fairly treated. Cllr Mulville stated: “Separated parents on the council’s housing waiting list have long faced difficulties trying to access adequate support under […]