News

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Agriculture, said that today’s revelations that workers in a meat plant were charged for personal protection equipment (PPE) further highlights the need for a taskforce for the sector. Holly said: “Today we learned that one of the country’s largest chicken processors is not only charging staff for PPE, […]

Cork South-West TD for the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns, is continuing to put pressure on the Government to have Covid-19 restrictions lifted in maternity hospitals. Holly, who has been one of the most prominent voices in highlighting the issue, said: “It is important that we continue to raise awareness of the mental toll that these […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West and party spokesperson for Agriculture, Holly Cairns, has expressed concern that the agreement reached today between Meat Industry Ireland and SIPTU on safety protocols for workers in meat plants does not include provision for sick pay. Holly said: “The aim of this agreement is to suppress Covid-19 infections in […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Department of Community and Rural Development and the Islands to extend funding for rural areas and provide specific investment for villages. Speaking in the Dáil, Holly said: “The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which has been tailored to address the challenges associated with […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, and Gary Gannon TD, the party’s Education spokesperson, have called for meaningful reform of the college entry system following this afternoon’s release of first round CAO offers. Holly said: “Today marks a critical milestone after a very difficult and uncertain period for this year’s […]

Cork South-West TD, Holly Cairns, today highlighted the serious challenges faced by people with disabilities during the pandemic and called on the Government to address their needs when it publishes its ‘Living With Covid’ strategy next week. Speaking in the Dáil, Holly said: “The past few months have been an incredibly challenging time for people […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, has called for targeted funding for colleges and universities to establish hubs or micro-satellite campuses which would enable rural students to complete courses online. Holly said: “One of the main barriers for students in rural Ireland is poor or non-existent broadband. With most courses […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, and Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, have called on the HSE to ease the restrictions in maternity wards that prevent partners being present for the entirety of the mother’s labour and for the duration of the hospital stay. Deputy Cairns said: “In the past few weeks […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has said that the Government’s new penalty points system for the fishing industry is deeply flawed and not fit for purpose. Holly said: “The penalty points system is designed to target breaches of fisheries rules but those working in the industry are concerned that […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, has said that any increase in third level places this year must be matched by additional State funding. Holly said: “The reopening of third level institutions will be as challenging as the reopening of our schools. Colleges and universities are doing the best they […]

Two Social Democrats TDs – Gary Gannon and Holly Cairns – have called on the Minister for Higher Education to clarify issues raised by CAO applicants who sat the Leaving Certificate in previous years but will not benefit from predicted grades inflation when results are released next week. Gary Gannon TD, the party’s spokesperson on […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, has called on the Government to fund a reduction in third level registration fees in light of the emerging shift to online lectures for the upcoming term. Holly said: “I strongly support the Union of Students in Ireland’s call for a minimum €500 reduction […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, Holly Cairns TD, and the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Environment, Jennifer Whitmore TD, believe that the Government’s new Forestry Bill is significantly flawed and in direct contravention of EU Directives and the Aarhus Convention which protect people’s rights to appeal decisions in environmental planning. Deputy Whitmore and Deputy […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, has called for measures to support students seeking accommodation who have less protections than other renters. Holly said: “Students and their families are facing an incredibly hard year with uncertainty about how teaching and learning will be delivered in colleges. This means students are […]