Carlow Election candidate says 'Budget 2025 shows government are out of ideas'

Sinn Féin candidate in the upcoming General Election for Carlow-Kilkenny Áine Gladney Knox has described Budget 2025 as a “missed opportunity to affect change in people’s lives”, criticising the government for failing to use a massive budget surplus to invest in radical reform in health and housing.

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Ms Gladney Knox said:

“Budget 2025 is further proof that we have a government that is out of ideas and out of time. They have thrown a lot of money around, but have no plan or vision about how to fix the big problems that are plaguing ordinary workers and families.

“Despite having a €24 billion budget surplus, they’ve not allocated a single cent more on housing. That surplus could have wiped out the housing crisis in the hands of a government who had the appetite for change.

“This Budget was a feeble attempt at a giveaway budget before an election and this government couldn’t even manage that properly.

“Ordinary workers, families and communities are asking if this budget will address the housing crisis, will it fix the health service, will it tackle the cost of living in a meaningful way or will it deliver fundamental change to our childcare system.

“The answer to all of those questions is no. This budget fails on housing, fails on health, fails on childcare, and fails carers and people with disabilities.

“In contrast, Sinn Féin’s alternative budget set out a real alternative for our people.

“We outlined how we would make housing affordable, delivering 300,000 public and private homes over five years - homes that are secure and affordable.

“We set out how we would fundamentally change our childcare system by introducing childcare at €10 a day per child, which would be a game-changer for families.

“Crucially, our alternative budget was an action plan to tackle the cost of living, one that gives workers and families a break and puts money back into people’s pockets.

“The choice is now clear in the upcoming general election. A vote for Fianna Fáil is a vote for child homelessness. A vote for Fine Gael is a vote for cancelled hospital appointments. Only Sinn Féin have the plan and the vision to enact radical reforms and provide the public services that the people need.