Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The constituency of Dublin North-West, which I represent, is a diverse constituency with varying needs and requirements among the constituents. It has its share of social problems, yet with a sizeable population, Dublin North-West is one of the most under-resourced constituencies in the country. We have a growing young population in the constituency. With that comes a need for increased services and resources. However, the reality on the ground is individual families, community organisations, and young people are struggling to avail of what services exist at the moment. While the constituency has many issues to contend with, some of the main issues are, for example, the urgent need for proper housing, proper healthcare, a decent transport infrastructure, climate change measures, good mental health and addiction services, additional Garda resources to tackle increased complaints of antisocial activity, and additional supports for those with special needs.

However, for many in my constituency, this budget would prove to be a major disappointment. Despite the spin from the Government, the budget fails to tackle the core issues affecting most people. This budget does nothing to alleviate the housing crisis, the rental crisis, the hospital crisis and the soaring cost of living.

Dublin North-West has seen scandalously insignificant numbers of social and affordable housing being built. It is an area that is densely populated and crying out for such housing. The cost of a new home for the vast majority of people is way out of their range. We are seeing ever-increasing numbers on the housing waiting list. It is not uncommon to see many waiting a decade or more for a house. It is even more important that priority is given to building more social and affordable housing. The housing and rental crisis has resulted in many families and individuals in Dublin North-West unfortunately falling into homelessness, through no fault of their own.

The constituents of Dublin North-West can rightly feel neglected, as they now have to wait until 2034 for the completion of the MetroLink. This project should have been completed and up and running by 2027. As I said here only recently, this project has a history of promises made and promises broken, with delay after the delay in its construction starting time. This has huge implications, not just for the areas the MetroLink passes through, but the whole of Dublin North-West. The population growth across the constituency has a number of obvious implications. It would give rise to increased demands for more housing, more health services, additional school places, and better transport services and infrastructure. This new delay to the MetroLink will have a huge knock-on effect across the constituency, adding to congestion and affecting housing projects which are dependent on good transport links.

Dublin North-West also has a sizeable ageing population and this budget does not improve their quality of life. The paltry €5 increase in the weekly State pension is not sufficient to meet the increased cost of living for older people and it does not keep pace with inflation. For many older people in my constituency, the State pension is often their only income, as they have no other income supports. Similarly, for those on welfare, the small increase they received in the budget will not make them better off. They will continue to struggle to make ends meet, especially with escalating fuel costs and increases across the board to the cost of living. Once you get past the Government spin, it is clear this budget is ineffective and does not help those in society who are most in need.

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