Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This programme for Government continues the failed policies of the previous Government. It lacks ambition. It is deliberately vague and has no costings and no timelines. That means a continuation of the housing and homelessness crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, hospital overcrowding, huge health waiting lists, a broken disability service and the health recruitment embargo, known as "pay and numbers".

The housing and homelessness crisis is the most fundamental issue facing this country. This programme continues the failed policies of its predecessor. There is no new urgency, no emergency measures, no reset of housing policy as recommended by the Housing Commission, and the commitment to hold a right to housing referendum has been reneged on. The section on disability services is weak, vague and non-specific. There is no proposal to eliminate the huge waiting lists for therapy services. In fact, the programme foresees those backlogs continuing. It also continues the situation where the law is being broken by the Government by depriving children with additional needs of their legal entitlement to an assessment within six months of referral. On these issues and many more, this Government is not fit for purpose.

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