News

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has called on the Government to use a portion of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund to offset the increased costs faced by low-income households. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on Brexit, said: “The complications caused by Brexit are resulting in increased costs for the supply of some basic […]

Welcoming the publication of the Commission of Investigation report into Mother and Baby Homes, Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, said: “This is a difficult day and week for survivors and the Government must put their needs at the centre of everything they do. Their voices need to be listened to. In responding […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed reports that Ireland will today join the High-Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC), which is seeking to protect 30% of the world in the fight against species extinction. HAC is an intergovernmental ‘coalition of the willing’ for ambitious global conservation, founded by France and Costa […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called on the Government to follow Germany’s lead by signing up to the High-Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC), which is seeking to protect 30% of the world in the fight against species extinction. HAC is an intergovernmental ‘coalition of the willing’ for ambitious global conservation, […]

– Need to establish how the leak occurred, according to Social Democrats spokesperson for Children The Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has reacted with concern to the publication of details of the commission’s report in the media today. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is extremely disappointing that the leak has occurred. Survivors were […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork-South West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Minister for Health and the HSE to clarify why tomorrow’s scheduled vaccination of frontline staff at Bantry General Hospital has been cancelled. Holly said: “I have heard conflicting reports as to why the vaccinations were postponed. Whatever the reason, it is deeply disturbing […]

Priority for in-person learning must be based on the wellbeing and needs of the students, according to the Social Democrats. Gary Gannon TD, spokesperson for Education, stated: “Throughout this week I have highlighted the need for us to prioritise our most vulnerable students by using a similar model to the UK. While I have welcomed […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has expressed concern that the HSE is not adequately prepared to ensure sufficient staff are in place to administer Covid-19 vaccinations. Deputy Shortall said: “The Minister for Health urgently needs to provide clarity about who will be administering the vaccines, the staff numbers required and where the […]

Responding to the news that the Government will abandon plans for Leaving Certificate students to return to schools for three days a week next week, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD said: “The decision of the Minister of Education and the Department to reopen schools for three days a week for sixth year […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to immediately bring together all stakeholders in areas such as childcare, education and child protection to ensure that the needs of vulnerable children and the children of essential workers are met during the current lockdown restrictions. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, […]

Responding to today’s Government announcement of additional Covid-19 restrictions, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, commented: “The absence of measures to mitigate the risks posed by international travel continues to be a key weakness in the Government’s response to the pandemic. “Minister Eamon Ryan needs to explain why the UK and South Africa […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, believes that the Government should use this opportunity to bring about permanent reform of the Leaving Certificate instead of concentrating on sending exam students back to school next week. Speaking after today’s Government’s decision to allow Leaving Cert students to return to school for three days a […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called on the Government to allow continued access to childcare for essential workers and vulnerable children. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “Our most vulnerable children were hit very hard during the first lockdown. It is hugely important that those children are not […]

With schools to remain closed until the end of January, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, has called on the Government to develop a national strategy to support remote learning for teachers and students. Deputy Gannon stated: “It had become increasingly clear that schools would not be able to reopen next week and […]