“In General Election 2020, the key issues for Kerry were healthcare, housing and rural infrastructure. This has not changed but government seems to have no will to address the core problems,” according to Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly.
“In health, Budget 2023 will not deliver one single additional acute bed with only €4.2 million to address accident and emergency and hospital waiting lists, currently at well over one million.
The expansion of GP visit cards without an accompanying investment in primary care will result in weeks’ long waiting list for a GP appointment,” Teachta Daly continued.
Just €2M Extra for Retro Fitting
“In Housing there is only €2 million extra for retrofitting. There has been no ban in rent increases and there is a real concern that the €500 credit for renters will go straight into some landlords’ pockets.
“Sinn Féin would have put one month’s rent straight into renters’ pockets and banned rent increases for three years.
Rural Ireland Left Behind
“Rural Ireland is being left behind with only €5 additional for CE, Tús and RSS workers. These workers provide immense value to their communities and many can scarcely afford to travel to work at the moment.
“The Rural Water programme received a miserly €5 million which will set back development in our villages for at least another year. Castlegregory, Glenbeigh and Annascaul will remain in the long queue to improve their sub-standard water treatment. As a result, no social or private housing can connect to the systems there, holding back development and investment.
Energy Costs A Worry
“People on middle and low incomes are still worried about energy costs and they have little reassurance about rising costs in the coming months.
“Sinn Féin would have brought energy prices back to pre-crisis levels and capped them until February 2023.
Low Income Families Denied
“Despite promising much to the ‘squeezed middle’, there are 1.8 million workers who will not get one cent from the government’s main tax proposal.
“There has been no increase in the income threshold for social housing since 2011. This is denying low income families the ability to secure a place on the housing list or to avail of rent supports such as HAP.
Help Needed Now
“Department of Social Protection increases are lacking with only €12 per week being added, and people have to wait until January 2023 for this to kick-in. Social Protection recipients need help now. Sinn Féin would have increased working age and pension payments by €17.50 per week and those on disability payments by €20. In addition we would have invested significantly in disability (€152 million) and mental health (€82 million) services.
“Budget 2023 was about political choices. Government has chosen the wrong priorities and shown they lack the vision and ambition needed for Ireland’s future,” said Teachta Daly.
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