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School-related costs putting household budgets under severe pressure Radical reform is required in next week’s budget to make education in Ireland genuinely free, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on Education, said: “Parents throughout the country know that the concept of free education is nothing more than […]

Social Democrats propose ambitious solar panel programme for 100,000 homes The Government needs to urgently ramp-up investment in solar energy in next week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity. Speaking after the launch of the Social Democrats’ alternative budget, Deputy Whitmore said: “Budget 2023 must have […]

Immediate threat to living standards and long-term challenges must be met Protecting the most vulnerable from the cost-of-living crisis is the key priority in the Social Democrats’ alternative budget, published today. The party’s alternative budget document, ‘Responding to the Crisis: A Social Democratic Approach’, aims to strike a balance between dealing with the immediate threat […]

Immediate clarity needed from Minister on several issues There are significant ambiguities in the Government’s pension proposal that need to be addressed, according to Social Democrats Social Protection spokesperson Gary Gannon. “I welcome the introduction of flexibility in the pension system – with workers being given the option of retiring at 66 or up to […]

SocDems propose an end to State subvention for the sector by 2025 State funding for the greyhound industry should be phased out over the remaining term of the 33rd Dáil, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said: “The annual report for Greyhound […]

Immoral to allow energy companies profit off the backs of consumers Exorbitant profits being generated by the Corrib gas field further underscore the urgent need for a windfall tax on energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “It has emerged that […]

Students will understandably feel abandoned by the Government Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on the Minister for Education to end ongoing uncertainty over when this year’s Junior Certificate results will be issued. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Education spokesperson, said: “The thousands of students who sat exams in June are fully entitled to know […]

Community-based midwives’ views need to be taken on board by HSE  The Minister for Health must urgently intervene to ensure continued access to home birth services for women living in rural communities, according to Holly Cairns TD. Deputy Cairns, who represents Cork South-West, said: “A recommendation by the HSE to exclude large swathes of my […]

A rotten partnership between the Irish State and Roman Catholic Church perpetuated abuses and actively opposed any form of accountability and justice Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Government to fully engage with survivors and campaigners ahead of the passing of legislation covering the excavation of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home […]

We are at risk of becoming a nation of emigrants again due to cost of living and housing crises New research carried out on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland paints a bleak picture of how young people view life in this country today, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, […]

Named individuals peddled mistruths, concealed information and engaged in behaviour that the report describes as “manifestly improper and wrong” The report of Mr Justice Brian Cregan is a devastating chronology of the Siteserv deal which reveals the integrity of the sales process was tainted from the very start, according to Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy. […]

The introduction of minimum rates of pay for Early Years workers is a welcome first step in improving employment conditions within the childcare sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, said: “I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Children that the first-ever Employment Regulation […]

It is truly despicable that survivors have found out, via the media, that this review has been scrapped Children’s Minister Roderick O’Gorman has again betrayed and failed survivors of mother and baby homes, according to Social Democrats Social Justice Spokesperson Holly Cairns. “In response to the considerable anger and distress caused by the manner in […]

Consumers and businesses need a credible plan to keep the lights on this winter Climate Minister Eamon Ryan’s strategy to prevent blackouts this winter amounts to nothing more than a wing and a prayer, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “At a time when the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRU) has warned that […]