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8 October 2015

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Alternative Budget – costed by Department of Finance – launched by Sinn Féin

THE NEXT DÁIL ELECTION will be a battle of ideas between those such as Sinn Féin who want to see a fair society and a fair recovery versus Fine Gael and Labour who are implemening Fianna Fáil policies, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said at his party's Alternative Budget 2016 launch in Dublin on Thursday. “The Budget is all about choices,” the Sinn Feín leader said.

Emphasising that Sinn Féin's proposals have been costed by the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, Pearse Doherty TD said that Sinn Féin was setting out “an ambitious programme of investment in public services and capital investment whilst easing the taxation burden on workers and families”.

With deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald TD giving special attaention to the party's proposals to support families and their children, begin to address the cost childcare and education and put more resources into primary and secondary schools as well as supports for children with a disability, Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD majored on “Tackling the Crisis in the Health System”.

SF Budget 2016 launch MLM & COC

Mary Lou McDonald and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

All the Sinn Féin leaders referenced the housing and homeless crisis, the savage cuts to hospitals and public services, and the financial strain families still struggle to cope with on a daily basis while our sons and daughters look to emigration for a future.

Pearse Doherty detailed how the numbers worked in Sinn Féin's proposals, Delivering a Fair Recovery:

“In Budget 2016, Sinn Féin will invest €1.7billion in public services and an additional €400million in capital infrastructure. We will stop water charges and abolish the Family Home Tax. Our proposals include a net tax increase of €295million.

SF Budget 2016 Water Tax

“Sinn Féin’s Budget measures prioritise fair taxation and investment in public services. We believe the 5% who earn the most should contribute more, so that the necessary investments in critical front-line services can be made to the benefit of all.

“Over €30billion has been taken out of the Irish economy during the recession and up to two thirds of this was through cuts to public spending. It is this slash and burn approach to public services by Labour and Fine Gael – and indeed Fianna Fáil before them – that left 319 people languishing on a hospital trolley yesterday and 12% of families with kids in one urban school are homeless.

SF Budget 2016 Health

“It is clear from Fine Gael and Labour inaction that the prolonged crises in housing and health are now Government policy and they intend to do little about either in the upcoming Budget.

“Rebuilding the economy and delivering the recovery to all citizens will require a significant investment in public services targeted where need is most acute.

“Sinn Féin Budget 2016 proposals prioritise investment in health, education and childcare. That means more teachers, doctors, nurses and midwives.

“We will deliver 1,000 more gardaí for our communities and undo some of the meanest cuts to social protection imposed by this Government. We will invest €300million in social housing in 2016.

sf Budget 2016 Housing

“Sinn Féin’s Budget proposals also include measures to support and encourage small businesses and entrepreneurship and we call for the creation of a Border Economic Development Zone to harmonise trade and to maximise the return for Border businesses.

“We will introduce a tax credit of €500 for the self-employed and farmers and reduce the cost of education to parents by reducing the third-level student contribution fee by €500 and increasing Child Benefit by €5 per child.

SF Budget 2016 Education

“Citizens and businesses alike need solutions that are not only fair but will ensure stability for the long-term.

“Fine Gael and Labour policies in Government are creating deep divisions in Irish society and a chronic lack of funding in current and capital expenditure is holding back the real recovery.”

The easy-to-follow Sinn Féin Alternative Budget 2016 can be seen by clicking this link here.

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