Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)

In the area of health, which I know is expensive, let us get it right in terms of primary care. Access to primary care is a priority. A pressing issue is the need for changes to the income threshold for medical cards. That stands at a scandalous €184 for a single person. For a couple with two children - let us think about this - it is €342. When they go over that, they lose their medical card. These people have no basic health cover and cannot afford private health insurance. That should have been rectified. A portion of the large capital budget needs to be ring-fenced for new primary care centres. I highlight in particular Portlaoise, a town with a population of over 30,000, which is one of the few in the country that does not have a primary care centre. New health centres are also required at Mountrath and Rathdowney.

I acknowledge a sizeable budget was allocated in the area of housing, but what is being achieved with this is in question. Over €2 billion of this will be spent on rent subsidies to private landlords. This is year on year, not a one-year payment. It will go every year. It provides no tangible assets at the end of it for the State. Instead, resources need to be used to construct cost-rental and affordable homes to buy. The imposition of rent caps is urgently required. I recently highlighted that in the case of Laois, rents went up over 10% in one year alone. It was over 10%; that is according to the RTB. Runaway rents need to be capped to stop that from happening.

In the area of education, there was a welcome increase in the capitation grant, particularly for primary schools. I acknowledge that. I would like to have seen it go further, but at €50 it is a start. There is real pressure on additional accommodation for special school classes. I highlight in particular the Saplings school at Graiguecullen, which is half-built. It has been standing there for a year and a half and needs some money. The Minister of State's Department has funded some of it already through the justice scheme passport for investment, but it has been at a standstill for over a year now. It needs capital funding to complete it. I also highlight the need for funding of a four-classroom extension to St. Francis School in Portlaoise.

Overall, instead of targeting money to ease the burden on the working poor and squeezed middle, and to improve public services, the budget will have the effect of transferring a huge amount of wealth and public taxpayers' money to big business and private wealthy individuals. That is not what is needed. We need a social approach and fairness for workers and families, particularly the squeezed middle.

See this speech in context