Social Democrats appoint Cork TDs as spokespeople in Dáil Éireann

There are a number of Cork TDs among the newly unveiled parliamentary party spokespeople for the Social Democrats in Dáil Éireann.

Party leader and Cork woman Holly Cairns will take up the position of being the party spokesperson for disability.

Meanwhile the Cork South Central TD Pádraig Rice has been announced as the Social Democrats’ new spokesperson on health.

One of his main priorities upon being elected was to see the reforming the two-tier healthcare system, to ensure that everyone has timely access to good quality healthcare that is free at the point of use. He also feels that a quicker implementation of Sláintecare must be a key priority for new government.

Mr Rice said: “I am honored to be taking up this important role, which was previously held by party co-founder Róisín Shortall, one of the key architects of Sláintecare.

“Delivering a universal healthcare system based on need, and not the ability to pay, will require ringfenced multi-annual funding and a significant focus on workforce planning for the health service.

“It is not too much for people to expect decent healthcare, which is a key part of the social contract. But instead, Ireland has a dysfunctional two-tier health service which is incapable of meeting patients’ needs.

“This has been characterised by long waiting lists for public health services on one hand, and, on the other, a large cohort of people feeling they need expensive private health insurance.

“Under the previous government we saw recruitment embargos place additional pressure on healthcare services; a deepening trolley crisis that continues to compromise patient safety; long delays for children with scoliosis awaiting spinal surgery; and constant underfunding of health in successive budgets.

“In taking up the health spokesperson role, I am determined to continue Róisín’s hard work to see Sláintecare delivered in full.”

Liam Quaide, Social Democrats TD for Cork East, has been appointed the party spokesperson for mental health; social protection; and rural and community development and the Gaeltacht.

Mr Quaide said on taking up the new position in the Social Democrats: “My first priority in mental health will be overturning the recruitment restrictions imposed by the government’s Pay and Numbers Strategy. This strategy amounts to a recruitment embargo that is undermining patient care and staff morale.

“I will have a particular focus on advocating for people requiring intensive support and specialised services - for instance, those with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, and people with eating disorders. We need to see the abolition of the mean’s test for carer’s allowance expedited.

“I will be pursuing an occupational injury scheme for healthcare workers afflicted with severe long covid who have not been able to resume their careers since contracting the virus.

“I will be pushing for action on dereliction, which blights our villages and towns. We need to see the development of over-the-shop living and the conversion of vacant properties to residential to repopulate the main streets of smaller towns. We need to see greater use of state-owned properties that could be opened up for community uses.”