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

This Government has had plenty of opportunities to build a legacy of competency, stability and fiscal rectitude. Instead of a legacy of achievement, this Government can boast of a legacy of crisis, ineptitude and incompetence. The Government has a responsibility to help the vulnerable in society, particularly those who struggle each day because of a disability, mental health issues or addiction problems or because they are elderly and infirm. The lack of supports and proper resourcing from the Government means people rely heavily on voluntary and community supports. The reality is that tens of thousands of vulnerable people across the country do not have access to proper care or vital services. This Government has not prioritised the need for investment in such services and supports. Instead of wasting taxpayers' money on projects that defy logic when it comes to their final cost, the Government could provide early intervention supports for mental health. It could expand youth mental health supports and the national clinical programmes in mental health.

This Government's careless disregard for spending is clearly reflected in the outrageous cost of the children's hospital. That cost is only for the shell of the building and does not include the fit-out cost. It is not the only HSE project to go over budget. The Irish Medical Times has reported that six recently completed HSE construction projects went over budget by more than €17 million. Modular homes for refugees originally estimated to cost €200,000 per unit are instead coming in at €436,000, 120% over the estimated cost, and they are only half the size of a normal house. The shocking cost of the bike shed, the phone pouches and the Dáil security hut are like a punch to the stomach to the homeless, the single parents struggling to put food on the table for their children, the parents trying to find a school place for their child with autism, and those looking for disability or mental health supports. This will continue while the coalition parties are in government. Clearly, it is time for change.

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