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Budget 2024 missed an opportunity to make primary and secondary school education in Ireland genuinely free, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Although the provision of free schoolbooks up to Junior Certificate level is welcome, it is baffling that the Government chose to take a […]

Today’s budget highlights the Government’s lack of ambition for families, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “After months of uncertainty over promised cuts to childcare costs, it is welcome that the further 25 per cent reduction is now confirmed. However, it has emerged that […]

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 […]

Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Gary Gannon has today (Monday, October 9) written to the Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Business Committee requesting time be set aside in the Dáil this week to discuss the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza. Deputy Gannon said: “The Government must facilitate statements in the Dáil this week on […]

Child poverty is corrosive and has lifelong negative consequences – but it is preventable  A DEIS-Plus model of funding for the early years sector is essential if we want to break the cycle of child poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “In the […]

Planned action by gardaí highlights the fragility of Minister for Justice’s temporary policing plan for the capital The impending withdrawal of voluntary overtime by gardaí next month underscores the fragility and inadequacy of the Minister for Justice’s policing plan for Dublin city centre, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin […]

Government must immediately re-engage with Section 39 workers’ unions and end two-tier pay system Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has spoken out in support of Section 39 workers in community and voluntary sector organisations who are to commence indefinite strike action from Tuesday, October 17. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: […]

Energy companies should no longer be allowed to ride roughshod over their customers while generating huge profits Households will only see a derisory reduction in their energy bills from November, despite a significant drop in wholesale electricity prices over the past year, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s […]

Vulnerable customers and local businesses have been greatly impacted by the erosion of banking services  The Minister for Finance should direct AIB to end the practice of operating cashless branches in parts of the country, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore made her comments after it emerged that all public bodies are […]

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 […]

Vulnerable customers and local businesses have been greatly impacted by the erosion of banking services  The Minister for Finance should direct AIB to end the practice of operating cashless branches in parts of the country, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore made her comments after it emerged that all public bodies are […]

If Children’s Health Ireland want confidence to be restored, it must be fully transparent The public deserves answers now about the circumstances which led to 19 children suffering serious complications, with one child tragically dying, after spinal surgery in Temple Street, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “At the outset, I want to […]

Absence of a defined budget for rehashed proposals is concerning  A new safety plan announced today by the Minister for Justice to tackle street crime in Dublin completely lacks substance and is full of rehashed proposals, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central, said: “While it […]