News

Ahead of tonight’s Dublin City Councillors’ vote on plans to privatise the redevelopment O’Devaney Gardens, Social Democrats Councillors have restated the party’s opposition to the current proposals which will not deliver homes at affordable prices. The SocDems’ five Dublin City Councillors are opposed to Council management’s current plans to privatise the redevelopment of O’Devaney Gardens […]

The Social Democrats today published a Budget2020 document which has prioritised key domestic issues which the party says must be tackled regardless of the current or future Brexit situation. SocDems Budget2020 priorities are: • Freeze Rents Nationwide • End Home-Care Waiting Lists • A National Home Retrofit Programme • Better Funding for Disability Services • […]

The Social Democrats will contest the upcoming by-elections in the constituencies of Cork North Central, Dublin Fingal and Dublin Mid-West The party will tonight hold the first of three conventions, when Sinéad Halpin will be selected as its candidate for Cork North Central. The other two Dáil candidates are Tracey Carey for Dublin Fingal and […]

The Social Democrats described today’s latest Brexit sop by Boris Johnson as a cynical and self-serving exercise which shows a complete disregard for the Good Friday Agreement and a lack of understanding or care for the delicate balance of the peace process. Party co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “These last-minute proposals put forward today by […]

“We know first-hand from working parents and guardians that they were impatient for the extended parental leave which we introduced in our Parental Leave Act, which took effect this month.” The Social Democrats today renewed calls for a national conversation on greater availability of a four-day working week along with government supports to get going […]

“Enough is enough. Today’s ESRI Report is yet another stark warning that the rental sector is out of control and so many families who are forced to rely on the sector as their only housing option are increasingly at risk of losing their homes. The Social Democrats by-election candidate for Dublin Mid-West, Anne-Marie McNally, has […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has slammed the Government for its failure to publish a new anti-poverty strategy. Deputy Shortall said: “The last anti-poverty strategy ran out at the end of 2017. It was a major failing of the Government and of the Department that there was no new strategy ready to replace it. […]

  The Social Democrats are backing the global Climate Strike demonstrations today, Friday 20th September, and encouraging our supporters and members of the public to take part in lunchtime protests across the country. The party’s TDs, councillors and representatives will join student demonstrators today for what organisers expect to be the largest worldwide mobilisation for […]

The Social Democrats today said the government must renew efforts to resolve the ongoing beef crisis so that farmers receive a fair price for their produce and jobs are secure. Fair pricing structures should be an essential part of any industry, particularly one as large as the beef sector. Farmers are protesting because they are […]

The Social Democrats today accused Fine Gael of failing families as new research shows that Ireland ranks among the worst in Europe for meeting people’s childcare and homecare support needs. The party’s Spokesperson for Children, Wicklow Cllr Jennifer Whitmore said: “Ireland’s appalling poor ranking in today’s ESRI study shows the utter emptiness of the Taoiseach’s […]

The co-leader of the Social Democrats has said she finds it staggering that Minister Regina Doherty and her Department reject the findings of the Data Protection Commissioner’s report into the Public Service Card and will refuse to comply with the recommendations of the report. Speaking following the publication of the report and the Minister’s appearance […]

Social Democrats’ Dublin City Councillors today voiced strong opposition to current plans for the development of O’Devaney Gardens and urged the council to come up with proposals for public housing on the site that is genuinely affordable. Cllr Gary Gannon said: “The O’Devaney Gardens site is one of the largest tracts of public land currently […]

[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text] The Social Democrats today called on the Minister for Disabilities to reverse the axing of the Rehabilitative Training Allowance for students with disabilities and to reinstate the €31.80 weekly payment for new students. Dún Laoghaire Councillor Dave Quinn said: “This modest allowance has enabled hundreds of school leavers with disabilities to undertake vital […]

Social Democrats Councillor Carly Bailey has said much more urgency is needed from government to tackle soaring insurance premiums that are damaging small businesses and social enterprises around the country. Rathfarnam-Templeogue Councillor Bailey said: “Today’s research by the Public Participation Networks shows that nearly half of community and voluntary groups have had to reduce their […]