News

The Government’s budget is a missed opportunity to make huge and lasting improvements in the lives of those who need it most, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The housing disaster is the biggest challenge we face as a country. Nothing in this budget indicates that there will be any change in Government […]

Housing, children and climate take centre stage Read the full Alternative Budget here Housing, children and climate action are the main focus of the Social Democrats’ Alternative Budget, ‘Unlocking the Future’, which is published today. The party’s key priorities for 2024 include: Deliver 10,000 affordable homes next year – a near doubling of the Government’s […]

It is extraordinary that the Health Minister has opted to remain overseas while this crisis is escalating Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall has written to the Health Committee requesting that representatives of Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) and the HSE attend an emergency meeting of the Committee tomorrow. Deputy Shortall said: “Health Minister Stephen Donnelly […]

“The guiding principle that has always informed my work is that healthcare is a human right – not a commodity” Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall has received the inaugural Edward Kennedy Health Policy Award from the Centre for Health Policy and Management at Trinity College Dublin. The Edward Kennedy Health Policy Award recognises the […]

Children and adolescents experiencing mental health difficulties are being failed by the State Today’s damning report into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) must be a catalyst for fundamental change in how the HSE operates, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The independent review of CAMHS by Dr Susan Finnerty, the Inspector […]

Legislation underpinning assisted human reproduction is still not in place Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has called for additional funding to be allocated in next year’s Budget so that the eligibility criteria for assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment can be widened. “Today’s announcement that publicly funded assisted human reproduction will commence from September is […]

There are now more than 6,000 older people approved for homecare left languishing on waiting lists  The Government’s announcement of increased pay rates for those working in State-funded home support services has been described as deeply cynical by Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, indicated […]

Long term planning must be a central function of government – and this has sadly been lacking. The summer economic statement has again highlighted the government’s failure to sufficiently plan for the country’s future needs, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The headline figures reflect a healthy fiscal position – but they mask […]

Government must now fast-track safeguarding legislation for vulnerable adults  The catastrophic failure to investigate sexual assault complaints in a HSE nursing home must mark a turning point in how the State safeguards vulnerable adults, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The report by the National Independent Review Panel (NIRP), which was set up […]

Throughout his career, Christy stayed true to his Finglas roots The death of Aslan singer Christy Dignam has been described as a sad day for the Finglas community, by local Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall. “I would like to express my deepest condolences to Christy’s family, friends, bandmates and legion of music fans. “Throughout his […]

HSE has failed to reduce unacceptably long waiting lists The sharp rise in the numbers of children awaiting an assessment of need has been described as utterly unacceptable by Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The latest figures provided to me by the HSE are truly shocking. In the first quarter of this year, 4,206 […]

Oral health has been completely neglected by the Minister since he took office The Government is continuing to sleepwalk through a crisis in dental healthcare, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Oral health has been completely neglected by the Minister for Health since he took office. At a time when the Minister should […]

Even though Quinn Insurance is now legally defunct, its toxic legacy persists It is unacceptable that details of the €100 million cost of the administration of Quinn Insurance have not been published, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The collapse of Quinn Insurance cost the State in excess of €1 billion at a […]

Lack of funding has thrown pay deal into disarray  Serious questions must be asked about why the HSE has reneged on a deal to increase payments to home care providers and protect service provision, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The HSE is currently attempting to redesign work patterns across the health service […]