26 October 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie “I would like to send the biggest congratulations to Catherine on her resounding election victory, which is a seismic moment in our history. “Catherine is someone I have admired since I was first elected to the Dáil, not least because her values so closely align with those of... Read More
Category / SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
17 July 2025 By Valerie Ryan valerie@TheCork.ie Cork Soc Dems TD wants Govt action on high costs The findings of the 2025 Irish League of Credit Unions’ annual back-to-school survey show that parents now spend an average of €1,450 to send a child to primary school and €1,560 for a student in secondary school. These... Read More
5 July 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Homelessness figures once again have risen to a new high in Cork, with 655 adults accessing emergency accommodation at the end of May. Currently there are 193 children in Cork and Kerry growing up without a home. Commenting in recent days, Pádraig Rice, Social Democrats TD slammed the... Read More
5 June 2025 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie Local Democracy Taskforce established to reform and strengthen local government Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne and Minister of State with responsibility for planning local government John Cummins TD have confirmed the establishment of the Local Democracy Taskforce to finalise a programme of reform... Read More
5 June 2025 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie Local Democracy Taskforce established to reform and strengthen local government Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne and Minister of State with responsibility for planning local government John Cummins TD have confirmed the establishment of the Local Democracy Taskforce to finalise a programme of reform and... Read More
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
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