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Social Democrats

@social-democrats.bsky.social
2.3K followers 38 following 930 posts

The official account of the Social Democrats - a new force for change in Irish Society. Our Values: Equality. Democracy. Sustainability. Progress #SocDems

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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 2h
On the one hand, Minister Patrick O’Donovan says the national broadcaster is being punished because of the slow pace of reform within the organisation. However, in the next breath, he blames budgetary constraints within his own department for the shortfall.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 6h
The escalation of industrial action by public sector workers is a mess of the Government’s own making. In solidarity with workers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, the Soc Dems will not be crossing the picket line if the Dáil sits on the day of national strike action next Wednesday.
socialdemocrats.ie
Social Democrats will not cross the picket line if Dáil sits on day of strike action - Social Democrats
In solidarity with workers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, members of the Social Democrats parliamentary party will not be crossing the picket line if the Dáil sits on the day of national s...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 9h
During the general election, Fianna Fáil promised a €12 increase in the pension every year. But this year, it was only €10. And the govt expect pensioners to be grateful after they floated a paltry €7.50 in a cruel kite-flying exercise before budget day. This is a deeply cynical game.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 11h
Kinship carers save the state millions each year, caring for children in their families when their parents can't. Yet they receive no state support, and are left with long delays before they're allowed access Children's or Guardianship Allowance. The state must step up and support these families.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The Gov and Media Minister need to get their story straight on why €20 million in funding for RTÉ next year is being summarily cut. What we have is Schrodinger’s Cuts, with the Minister contradicting his own rationale for blowing up RTÉ’s budget and Gov failing to shed light on the issue.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Our alternative budget stacks up. Fully costed measures. But Goverment ignored it and went ahead with their own pitiful budget.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Once again, the greyhound industry received more funding than domestic violence services. There is no clearer indication of this governments priorities. There is plenty of luxurious spending in this budget, but it is not going to the people who are hardest hit and most pressed to the bone.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Did you know dyslexia affects one in every ten people? This makes it the most common additional need in our classrooms. We were delighted to have Dyslexia Ireland in this Dyslexia Awareness Week, to discuss their research, and what we can do to improve services for people with dyslexia.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
This budget is a huge letdown. Artists are abandoned and with that, the richness of all our lives suffers. Furthermore families,workers, young people, pensioners are all let down by this shambolic budget.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Fianna Fáil's election manifesto in 2024 promised a €12 rise in the state pension year on year. This budget delivered only €10. When we asked the Taoiseach about this today, he spent his entire speaking time avoiding the question entirely. This is an insult to pensioners all over Ireland.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Budget 2027 leaves disability services too dependent on crisis responses and falls well short on planned capacity and supports for independent living. Government needs to stop waiting for families to break before it responds. @liamquaidetd.bsky.social
socialdemocrats.ie
Budget leaves disability services trapped in crisis mode - Social Democrats
Budget 2027 leaves disability services too dependent on crisis responses and falls well short on planned capacity and supports for independent living, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Dep...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
This budget can be defined as one of missed opportunity. It's lacking in vision. It's lacking in ambition. It's ludicrous how the Government keep doing the same thing over and over again and still expect a different outcome. Very little really changes with this budget.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Budget 2027 has failed to deliver for some of our most vulnerable citizens. They include pensioners, children living in poverty, disabled people and family carers. Instead of receiving meaningful supports, they are expected to make do with crumbs from the Govt's table. @eoinhayestd.bsky.social
socialdemocrats.ie
Vulnerable groups forced to make do with crumbs from the Government’s table - Social Democrats
Budget 2027 has utterly failed to deliver for some of our most vulnerable citizens, including pensioners, children living in poverty, disabled people and family carers, according to Social Democrats s...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Putting together Budget 2027 (and governing in general, it seems) is just a game to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Instead of looking at the impacts their decisions make, govt ministers are too busy fighting over announcements and briefings. And who wins in this game? Certainly not ordinary people.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
This budget shows that this Government has abandoned those struggling most from the cost-of-living crisis. It's a budget completely devoid of ambition and new ideas. Regrettably, Government has ignored our proposals and this budget that fails to provide short-term relief where it is most needed.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Budget 2027 is completely devoid of ambition and new ideas. The message that this budget sends out to households couldn’t be any clearer. It says: ‘fend for yourselves, you are on your own’. @cianocallaghantd.bsky.social
socialdemocrats.ie
Budget abandons those struggling most from cost-of-living crisis - Social Democrats
The budget delivered today shows that this Government has abandoned those struggling most from the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Tá easpa soláthair thithíochta ag lagú struchtúr na bpobal Gaeltachta agus ag cur thodhchaí na gceantar Gaeltachta i mbaol. A constitutional right to housing would allow these communities to begin rebuilding. But again, govt are shutting their eyes to the reality of the carnage they've caused.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A constitutional right to housing would provide a floor of protection in respect of access to basic, adequate housing and would provide recognition that a home is central to dignity. But why is the government continuing to ignore our solutions?
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Hearts collectively broke watching Virgin Media's documentary on Monday. The Taoiseach said that he had not seen it and that it would only give one side of the story. It is one side of the story where we are seeing children being educated in cupboards and undertaking regulation in bathrooms.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
There are 323,000 households in arrears on their electricity bills in Ireland today. People are afraid to heat their homes. At the same time, we have energy companies recording eye-watering profits. Government should prioritise addressing people's fears over the profits of energy companies.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
This govt continues to pick the side of CEOs and big business, and not the side of the people having to choose between heating or eating every winter. Our windfall tax would have allowed them to shift their priority and do the right thing. Instead, they all but ignored it, and voted it down.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
People with the most should pay their fair share. That is why we are proposing a tax on ‘super wealth’ as a key element of a progressive programme of taxation reform. We would introduce a 2% tax on multimillionaires with assets worth over €5 million.
socialdemocrats.ie
Budget 2027 must introduce a tax on ‘super wealth’ - Social Democrats
A new report from the Comptroller and Auditor General provides further evidence of the need for a ‘super wealth’ tax in Budget 2027, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
For far too long, disabled people have been abandoned by successive governments. Our Alternative Budget would deliver more than €1 billion in disability-related measures, alongside a separate €454 million package for carers. @liamquaidetd.bsky.social
socialdemocrats.ie
Social Democrats would invest over €1bn in disability and drive structural reform - Social Democrats
The Social Democrats’ Alternative Budget 2027 would deliver more than €1 billion in disability-related measures, alongside a separate €454 million package for carers. Liam Quaide TD, the party’s spoke...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
200,000 children living below the poverty line. That should be unfathomable in a country with so much surpluses and wealth. A windfall tax could at least make energy somewhat more affordable and stop gouging from the energy providers who are making super profits.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Time and time again, disabled people, carers and the services designed to make their lives easier, are left behind by govt budgets. Our Alternative Budget would change that. We want to invest in disability services so that people don't just see benefits in the short term, but in the long term too.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This Government lack courage. They are scared. Afraid to give people the constitutional right to housing we so desperately need to tackle the homelessness catastrophe and to simply give dignity to all our citizens.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It's official: Ireland has the most expensive electricity in Europe. Yet govt seem happy to bury their heads in the sand, and ignore calls for windfall taxes and targeted energy credits. In our Alt Budget, we have a wide range of measures that would make energy more affordable for you, right now.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Sport is a universal language built on respect. We cannot respect a genocidal regime. We cannot respect violent settlements. We cannot respect racism. We missed an opportunity to show the world that Ireland does not sportswash. That Ireland stands in solidarity with Palestinian people.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Is it any wonder the country is going around in circles with housing policy? HOUSING SHOULD BE A HUMAN RIGHT. It is time to have a referendum to put the right to housing in our Constitution but what will Government have to say?
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Four days since the CHI scoping inquiry was published, serious concerns of families have not been addressed. Worse. They've been ignored. Children, with scoliosis and spinal bifida, were repeatedly failed by both the health service and Gov. Critical surgeries were delayed, sometimes for years.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Today, we launched our Alternative Budget for 2027. It's not just a budget though – it's a plan to make life more affordable for people. And not just right now, but permanently.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Today we launched our Alternative Budget 2027. Year after year, record budget surpluses have been squandered by FF/FG. Next week’s budget must be about making life more affordable for people who need support right now, as well as providing solutions for the future.
socialdemocrats.ie
Social Democrats launch Alternative Budget 2027 - Social Democrats
The country requires a budget with immediate targeted measures while investing to permanently reduce costs for struggling households, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson and deputy lead...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The govt say that they will listen to constructive proposals from the opposition benches. Yet when we proposed to tax excess energy profits, they responded with a counter-motion that wiped out the text of our motion entirely. So why tell us – over and over again – that they're willing to engage?
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
There are no plans for an EU-wide windfall tax on energy companies. So why are govt telling us they're working constructively towards one? Today, we put forward plans for a national windfall tax – but the govt won't support it. It's nothing short of baffling.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
We are facing a public sector worker strike on 14th of October. Many of those striking are on the frontline of public service and do vital work for all of us every day. We, in the Social Democrats, support this strike which is happening due to Government's failure to engage in meaningful talks.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Our motion to tax energy companies' windfall profits was rejected by govt. People are struggling all over the country, not just with the cost of living, but with the sheer lack of fairness in govt's approach. But Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are continuing to close their eyes to these struggles.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Pensioners can only expect to see a €7.50 weekly increase in their pensions. That would be a paltry increase, which doesn't even keep pace with inflation. It would tip a huge number of older people, many of whom can already barely scrape by, into poverty.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
We stand with the day of action for LGBTQI+ rights in Türkiye outside Europe House today at 6pm. What we are witnessing in Türkiye right now comes at a time of deepening concerning backsliding on LGBTQi+ rights globally, including in the United States under President Trump.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The FAI and the government had every opportunity to decide not to let our football team play Israel. But they failed to make that call. They have failed the players, and put the burden of making that decision on those players' shoulders. Shame.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Whether you’re commencing the work to rule today or not, we’re standing in solidarity with all public sector workers who have been utterly disrespected by this government with continued delays to public service pay talks. Gov must urgently engage with unions in negotiations to avoid escalation.
Solidarity 
With Nurses
special needs assistants
public servants 
social workers 
teachers
civil servants 
Firefighters
all workers
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Dáil debate on our motion calling for the introduction of a windfall tax on the excess profits of energy companies has just started. 📺You can watch it live here. tinyurl.com/mp7x7bu
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Children with special needs, their parents and schools are continually being failed by the Government. Cupboards and converted toilets are ridiculously unacceptable places to use as spaces for children with additional needs. Will the Taoiseach not take responsibility?
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We've heard racist chants. We've heard chants for the IDF. Their football captain has spoken out in support of their soldiers. Yet we are told to keep politics out of football. We are calling for the resignation of FAI senior management for the debacle that has been the past 72 hours.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It's been a busy week so far, and it's only going to get busier. We're introducing a motion to tax energy companies' windfall profits, and a bill that aims to guarantee a right to housing. To boot, we're launching our Alternative Budget on Thursday. Stay tuned to our socials to keep up to date.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Last night's expose on Virgin Media should serve as a catalyst for this Government to sort out inclusive education in Ireland. We are seeing completely inappropriate spaces being used for children with special needs in schools. Parents should not have to fight and fight on and on anymore.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Plans for an inquiry into the State’s care of children with spina bifida and scoliosis will be meaningless without the buy-in of families. Minister must now sit down with them and address their unanswered questions and concerns. Govt has one chance to get this right. @padraigrice.bsky.social
socialdemocrats.ie
Minister must sit down with families and address their concerns about spina bifida and scoliosis inquiry - Social Democrats
Plans for an inquiry into the State’s care of children with spina bifida and scoliosis will be meaningless if the concerns of families are not addressed, according to Social Democrats health spokesper...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Child poverty is a major scourge within our society, and an issue the Government claims is a priority. Yet time and time again, FF/FG fail to focus on the most vulnerable families. The upcoming budget must include proactive solutions identifying and supporting these families.
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The ESRI has reported that in 2024, there were 200,000 children in poverty. It's an absolutely scandalous number. What are the government actually going to do in Budget 2027 to ensure that we see this level of inequality drop?
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Statement from Daniel Ennis TD on Republic of Ireland squad's decision to proceed with tomorrow's Nations League game against Israel.
socialdemocrats.ie
Statement from Daniel Ennis TD on Ireland squad’s decision to play Israel - Social Democrats
“The decision by our international squad to fulfil Ireland’s fixture against Israel in the Nations League tomorrow is disappointing – but our players should never have been put in such a difficult pos...
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The ongoing situation around Gazan student visas is an embarrassment. One government department has offered these students scholarships, but another won't approve their visas. The Minister for Justice and the Minister for Foreign Affairs must communicate, and resolve this fiasco.
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