News

An enhanced grant support scheme would make EVs a more viable and attractive option The government should introduce an enhanced grant scheme for electric vehicles (EVs) for those living in rural Ireland, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Many people in rural Ireland have no transport option other than their private car. If […]

Most of the heavy lifting has been left to the public and the private sector The government’s Climate Action Plan is ambitious – as it should be – but lacks the financial firepower that would make it a success, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “I hope the government’s plan to address climate […]

My Bill would bring some long overdue reform to local politics If we want to increase the number of women in politics then we must introduce maternity leave for councillors on local authorities as an important first step, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns was speaking as she launched a Bill that […]

It is now time for council management and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to show some vision The proposed developer-led plan to deliver housing on public lands at Oscar Traynor Road is unaffordable and poor value for taxpayers, according to Social Democrats Councillor Patricia Roe. “Choosing to deliver this scheme through a private developer will result […]

Budget 2022 cut funding for homeless services by €24 million Housing for All is nothing more than a meaningless slogan given homelessness has risen for the fifth month in a row, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D “The latest homelessness figures, published by the Department of Housing today, show the number of […]

The government response can be summarised as chaotic and incoherent. The reopening plan announced today betrays an abject lack of planning and foresight by the government, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “With just three days left to go before many businesses reopen, for the first time in 19 months, the rules are being […]

This Bill would create transparency around land prices and developers’ margins Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan has launched a Bill that would create a Land Price Register for the first time. Speaking in advance of introducing his Bill in the Dáil today, Deputy O’Callaghan said: “If the Government is serious about tackling land hoarding, […]

How can the Minister solve a problem that she doesn’t accept exists? A crisis in subbing means children with additional education needs are missing out on teaching hours with their special education teachers, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. “Since schools returned in September, I have been repeatedly contacted about the huge problem principals […]

House price increases are now almost three times higher than the rate of inflation House price inflation is out of control because the government is pouring petrol on the fire of an already red-hot property market, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The Residential Property Price Index published by the CSO today shows […]

Why are the interests of big developers always put ahead of those who need an affordable home? The new Zoned Land Tax exposes the Government’s lack of urgency when it comes to delivering housing, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The two-year delay in introducing the Zoned Land Tax shows a complete lack […]

To see the crisis go unaddressed for a decade, while the Taoiseach flippantly states the issue cannot be addressed overnight, is deplorable Social Democrats Councillors on Dublin City Council have called for a special meeting of the local authority to be convened to address dismissive and condescending comments, made by Chief Executive Owen Keegan to […]

The forthcoming budget is an opportunity to prove we have learned the lessons of the Covid-19 and invest in public services, where deficiencies were so exposed during the pandemic, according to Social Democrats co-leaders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy. Our main priorities include: 10,000 affordable and cost-rental homes 10,000 social homes A new affordable model […]

The forthcoming budget is an opportunity to prove we have learned the lessons of the Covid-19 and invest in public services, where deficiencies were so exposed during the pandemic, according to Social Democrats co-leaders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy. Our main priorities include: 10,000 affordable and cost-rental homes 10,000 social homes A new affordable model […]

What is the point in releasing a National Development Plan without conducting a screening exercise in advance The National Development Plan is nothing more than a back-of-the-envelope wish list, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The government made history today – the first time an administration has announced a National Development Plan and […]