23 April 2025 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has warned the Department of Education not to proceed with a reduction in class sizes because of concerns about so-called “overspending”. This is at odds with the Programme for Government’s promise to reduce the general Pupil Teacher Ratio at primary level... Read More
Category / SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
3 March 2025 By Tom Collins tom@TheCork.ie The government must immediately develop a family homelessness strategy and reintroduce a no-fault eviction ban, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central, made his comments following publication of the latest homelessness figures. “The figures show that nationally there were 15,286 people living... Read More
26 February 2025 By Valerie Ryan valerie@TheCork.ie 10-year delay for treatment of child with additional needs highlights government failure – says TD The deepening crisis in public dentistry requires urgent action from government, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. The Cork South Central Deputy, who is the party’s Health spokesperson, said: “No family should... Read More
20 February 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Health Politics Growing Assessment of Need waiting lists mean that the HSE is struggling to meet its legislative obligations under the Disability Act, according to Cork South Central Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central and is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Figures provided... Read More
9 February 2025 By Tom Collins tom@TheCork.ie Cork South-Central TD Pádraig Rice was recently announced as the Social Democrats’ new spokesperson on health. Pádraig Rice TD said: “I am honoured to be taking up this important role, which was previously held by party co-founder Róisín Shortall, one of the key architects of Sláintecare. “In 2017,... Read More
17 December 2024 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Politics There are 2 new faces at City Hall, after the names proposed by the Social Democrats and Independent Ireland were formally accepted at a special meeting of Cork City Council this evening. Social Democrats At the special meeting, Niamh O’Connor of the Social Democrats was formally selected... Read More
26 November 2024 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie The Soc Dems have made the appointment of a senior minister for disability a dealbreaker for government formation talks Disabled people, their families and workers in the sector have all been failed by the outgoing government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “A woman who met Simon... Read More
19 November 2024 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie Politics The Social Democrats will today (Tuesday, November 19) publish their general election manifesto. Speaking in advance of the launch, party leader Holly Cairns said: “The Civil War parties are now the Phoney War parties. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are trying to derail this election by engaging... Read More
22 October 2024 By Bryan McCarthy bryan@TheCork.ie Social Democrats Councillor and general election candidate Pádraig Rice has called for the redevelopment of Cork City Library to be progressed as a matter of priority. In 2021, then Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced plans for the redevelopment of the library; however, the project has stalled since. Commenting on... Read More
12 October 2024 By Bryan McCarthy bryan@TheCork.ie Cork Cllr Calls for New Public Park in the City Centre Social Democrats Cllr and general election candidate Pádraig Rice has called on Cork City Council to explore the possibility of creating a new public park on Sullivan’s Quay on the site of the old Fás and Tax... Read More
18 September 2024 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie The dream of homeownership is slipping further away for most people New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today show that rising house prices are locking a generation out of homeownership, according to Social Democrats Councillor Pádraig Rice. Cllr Rice said: “The price of a home in... Read More
12 September 2024 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie Cork County Council has established a Derelict Sites Register for the West Cork Municipal District, which had been the last area in the county without such a register. Any derelict site needs to be placed on the register before the council can start charging levies against property owners... Read More