Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not know if we are living in the same country at all. I have listened to the passionate plea of Deputy Durkan. He is rolled out at the end of debates all of the time. Fair play to him, he is a likeable rogue. Fine Gael puts him out there to defend the Government at the very end but to borrow his boxing analogy about those outside the ring, perhaps it is time for this Government to retire, move out, let us in and judge us on our record.

Spending in budget 2022 is focused on making it seem like the tough issues are being tackled when really the Government has just stuck with the old Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael way of doing things. We see the disastrous results of those policies today. We are in a housing crisis, waiting lists are through the roof and people are faced with a rental market that is either non-existent or overpriced. This budget did nothing at all for renters. Sinn Féin proposed to cut rents through a refundable tax credit and to ban rent increases for three years but the Government chose to continue its old ways by prioritising landlords. However, it does not stop there. The lack of rental properties means that many renters are living in unsuitable accommodation. Of the 765 private rental properties inspected in my own constituency of Tipperary last year - an inspection rate of only 10% - only 91 were compliant with minimum standards. That is the result of the failed policies this Government is intent on continuing to pursue. These people will join countless others struggling with soaring rents and energy prices, as well as the added burden of the increase in carbon tax. There has been barely any expansion of the eligibility criteria for the fuel allowance, leaving many people struggling to heat their homes without support.

This Government is obsessed with the optics rather than the substance of the budget. Instead of benchmarking spending against the cost of living, the Government hopes that we will be duped by increases that will prove worthless in light of the rising cost of living. The €5 increase in core payments for lone parents, jobseekers and carers will not help to meet rising costs. It just keeps those rates well below the poverty line. People need to be able to cover the cost of basics and live life with dignity. Sinn Féin wants to get everybody to at least this level as fast as possible.

I welcome the fact that the carer's allowance income thresholds have been raised, having remained stagnant for 13 years, but where is the increase to the carer's support grant? Where is the introduction of the long-term carer's pension as Sinn Féin had proposed? On the cost of childcare, the Government's plan will only reduce fees for some families. Our proposal would have reduced fees for all parents, while also ensuring a living wage for all workers.

We constantly hear that mental health is a priority for this Government, but the level of increase in this area has actually fallen. Of the €37 million announced in additional funding, only €24 million represents real additional funding. This compares poorly with the additional €113 million that Sinn Féin committed to spending on mental health. That would have been the biggest increase in the history of the State. I am right in saying that the budget only commits the Government to two child and adolescent mental health services next year. This is despite the fact that in April there was no clinic room large enough in the Tyone health centre in Nenagh to allow an occupational therapist to facilitate developmental assessments and interventions. This has only contributed to growing waiting lists. In the overall health budget, I see mention of building up the capacity of our National Ambulance Service. What is the plan in this regard? The term "enhancement" is used in reference to plans for community and rehabilitation beds. What does that mean? Is this the same enhancement that led to the closure of St. Brigid's District Hospital in Carrick-On-Suir and the loss of beds at Roscrea's Dean Maxwell community nursing home?

In the context of agriculture, there are no new supports for suckler farmers, sheep farmers, areas of natural constraint, farmers or recipients of farm assist. Our budget would have provided an increase in spending of 12% as opposed to the Government's meagre 1% increase.

This budget is further confirmation that this Government is totally out of touch with the needs of people in Tipperary and across the country. Earlier today, a Fianna Fáil Deputy said he was happy that Fianna Fáil's hoofprints were all over this budget. Let me remind him that these hoofprints are stamped all over renters and ordinary families who struggle with childcare, health and carbon tax. They have been forgotten again but his hoofprints and those of this Government will not be forgotten at the next election.

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