Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Budget 2017 provided the Government with an opportunity to invest in and create a fairer economy. It could have been about cutting the cost of living and improving our public services and infrastructure. Ar an drochuair, a mhalairt a bhfuair muid. The budget is not about what is best for our people, economy and services. It will not end the crisis in health and housing, it will not deliver tax fairness and it will not end water charges. The Government, with the support of its friends in Fianna Fáil, has crafted a budget that will benefit a wealthy minority that will reap the rewards in the form of tax breaks for landlords and a return of €20 million in capital acquisitions tax to a few thousand people, all to the detriment of those most in need. Plus ça change.A better way is possible. Sinn Féin brought forward proposals that would invest in our future, lift the burden on working families, ensure tax fairness and deliver homes, health care and education.

The announcements made regarding the provision of disability services are miserly. There is no mention of an increase in personal assistant hours or funding for housing adaptation grants. There is no investment in our neurological services.

Those with neuro-rehabilitation needs have been ignored for too long and they deserve to lead full and meaningful lives by giving them quality, tailored rehabilitation and support. It is for that reason that Sinn Féin, as part of our alternative budget proposed an additional €3.412 million for neuro-rehabilitation teams and transitional services.

I refer to the issue of broadband. I note with concern the strong indication from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, that there will be further delays in the procurement process of the national broadband plan, which is totally unacceptable. When the national broadband plan was initially announced in 2012 the Fine Gael and Labour Government indicated a completion date of 2018. The latest indication of a delay in awarding the procurement contract is just the latest in a string of delays to the national broadband project. All we have got in budget 2017 is another miserly €15 million.

Just over a year ago, I raised the rural broadband scheme with the then Minister, Mr. Alex White, emphasising the difficulties faced and the disadvantages involved for broadband users and aspiring users in rural areas. He told me:

The Government recognises that high-speed broadband network deployment is of strategic importance for growth and innovation in all sectors of Ireland's economy and society. On 29 September last, the Government approved an allocation of €275 million for the national broadband plan which will provide the initial stimulus required to deliver the State intervention. Combined with commercial investment, this will ensure 85% of Ireland’s premises have high-speed broadband by 2018, with 100% coverage by 2020.

Now the Minister cannot confirm the procurement process will be complete by this date, which means it is likely that the roll-out process will not have even commenced by 2018.

The provision of high-speed broadband to every home in the country would significantly benefit the economy. The Government has failed to ensure broadband is available to all the families and businesses across rural areas, so much so that we have the most pronounced two-tier coverage in Europe. Ireland sits in 20th place in Europe for national broadband connectivity and this situation is hampering job creation and development in many parts of the country - in particular in rural areas and certainly, as I know only too well, across the counties of Cavan and Monaghan. It is unacceptable and I have chosen to major on that point as so many of the others have been covered by colleagues over the three days of this debate. Ireland cannot afford further delays to broadband roll-out, as the Acting Chairman will know all too well.

See this speech in context