Longford-Westmeath TD says: "government is out of time and out of ideas"

Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, said Budget 2025 is further proof the government is out of time and out of ideas.

Deputy Clarke believes the government has “no plan to fix the big problems in society”, and they have “thrown in the towel” on housing and health.

The Longford-Westmeath deputy added: “It beggars belief there has been no additional funding to increase housing output when the State has a surplus of €24bn.”

Deputy Clarke said: “Budget 2025 is further proof we have a government that is out of ideas and out of time. They have thrown a lot of money around but have no plan to fix the big problems in society.”

She continued: “It's clear they have thrown in the towel on health and housing – it’s simply beggars belief that despite having a surplus of €24bn that the government has provided no additional money to increase housing output.”

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education said: “This budget is another example of a government incapable of delivering real change and unable to deliver value for money.

“Ordinary workers, families and communities are asking if this budget will address the housing crisis, will it fix the health service, will it tackle the cost of living in a meaningful way or will it deliver fundamental change to our childcare system.

Deputy Clarke derided the budget saying: “The answer to all of those questions is no. This budget fails on housing, fails on health, fails on childcare, and fails carers and people with disabilities.

“This is a government that has all the resources but is incapable and unwilling to deliver the change that is required.”

She made the case for her party's numbers: “In contrast, Sinn Féin’s alternative budget set out a real alternative for our people.

“We outlined how we would make housing affordable, delivering 300,000 public and private homes over five years - homes that are secure and affordable.

“We set out how we would fundamentally change our childcare system by introducing childcare at €10 a day per child, which would be a game-changer for families.”

The Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Crucially, our alternative budget was an action plan to tackle the cost of living, one that gives workers and families a break and puts money back into people’s pockets.

“That includes the abolition of the USC on the first €45,000 of income for all workers, which would benefit every worker, with USC removed from all or most of their income.

“We also introduced the most substantial package of support ever presented for carers in a single budget, increasing the thresholds for carers from €900 to €1,460 for a couple, and we have committed to abolishing the unfair means test for carers in government.

“Everyday Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael remain in office, we are squandering valuable time, and squandering valuable resources and when the general election is called, there will be a choice to make.

She concluded: “A choice between those repeated failures of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, or a new government that will roll-up its sleeves and get down to work, delivering real solutions and a better life for ordinary people and our communities.”