News

The Social Democrats Spokesperson on Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has reminded people to be aware that the updated advisory for those cocooning  is not just confined to over 70’s. Whitmore highlighted the fact that the phrase ‘cocooning’ also applies to medically vulnerable people and in many cases this includes children. She said she wanted to highlight […]

Following the closure of some testing centres over the weekend, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on Government to provide an explanation. She said, “The public deserves clear answers about the reason we are not operating at full testing capacity. The national strategy to combat Covid-19 is test and trace, […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children, Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore, called for the retention and enhancement of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, following media reports of a proposal to disband the department. Deputy Whitmore said “it would be a hugely regressive step for children and young people across the country if it were confirmed […]

A transparent test and trace strategy is crucial to Ireland’s fight against Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. During today’s Dáil sitting, she criticised the Government’s delays in reaching the testing target of 100,000 per week and its failure to adequately explain the reasons for the delays in the […]

Social Democrats T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Deputy Cian O’Callaghan, has called on the Minister for Finance to work with the Central Bank of Ireland and the commercial banks to extend the mortgage break from three months to six. Deputy Cian O’Callaghan said: “The three-month mortgage break offered to those affected by COVID-19 must be […]

Social Democrats T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Deputy Cian O’Callaghan, has called on the Minister for Housing to engage with the University of Limerick and the owners of purpose-built student accommodation to ensure that all third-level students who have vacated their accommodation early can avail of a pro-rata rent refund where rents have been paid […]

Following the Taoiseach’s announcement yesterday that restrictions may be eased in stages every two to three weeks, Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has repeated calls for an expert-led Task Force to plan a coordinated, cross-sector exit strategy. She said, “While public health authorities will of course have the principal input, other […]

Economic Response to Covid crisis cannot replicate the mistakes of the last recession Social Democrats co-leader Roísín Shortall said that today’s economic update from Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe did little more than set out possible scenarios but failed to provide any real detail regarding the Government’s response to the economic fallout of the Covid crisis. […]

The failure to quickly and efficiently redeploy HSE staff to nursing homes is leaving our most vulnerable citizens more susceptible to Covid-19. In light of the prevalence of Covid-19 in nursing homes and the high numbers of deaths, this must become the number one priority for Government, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of […]

Social Democrats T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Deputy Cian O’Callaghan, has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to do more for the people of Palestine who are at grave risk due to COVID 19: “The Irish people have a long history of standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine – now […]

It is time for the Taoiseach to intervene with the pharmaceutical companies that are holding propriety rights over a critical reagent used in the test for Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats. Calling on the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, she said, “There is a logjam caused at the […]

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 Social Democrats have called for the Minister for Health to provide full information to the public on the situation in nursing homes in respect of Covid-19. In the absence of this information there is growing public concern about how this important sector of the health service is responding to the health crisis. Making the […]

There is a need for clarity from the Government to fully explain the reason behind the long delays in testing for Covid 19 in order to respond effectively to this health crisis and to maintain public confidence in the ‘Test and Trace’ strategy, according to Róisín Shortall TD, Social Democrats Co-leader. Deputy Shortall said: “While […]