Q1. Money that is currently being saved for future policy challenges (such as climate change and an ageing population) should be spent now on things like housing and healthcare.
The government currently puts aside several billion euros a year into the Future Ireland Fund to help deal with future expenditure pressures such as ageing and climate change. Some say this is prudent, while others think the money should be used now to help address problems in housing and healthcare.
Q1. Money that is currently being saved for future policy challenges (such as climate change and an ageing population) should be spent now on things like housing and healthcare.
Agree
  • Darren Jack Kelly

    Darren Jack Kelly

    Independent

    I agree for a limited period of time. - source: candidate

  • Joan Hopkins

    Joan Hopkins

    Social Democrats

    While it would be impossible, and inadvisable, to spend all this money now, there is plenty of scope to use it in the shorter term on hugely important climate and infrastructure projects like upscaling wind energy, and building affordable housing. - source: party

  • Ann Graves

    Ann Graves

    Sinn Féin

    We have substantial infrastructural deficits in water, energy, transport, housing and health. It is prudent to save some of the substantial funds the State is accruing, but it is also prudent to invest in our housing stock, infrastructure, and public services. - source: party

Neither agree nor disagree
  • Dean Mulligan

    Dean Mulligan

    Independent

    I disagree with the premise of this question. We have been provided a golden opportunity with the Apple windfall surplus to invest massively in the immediate crises of housing and healthcare while still saving for future unforeseen policy challenges. - source: candidate

  • Margaret McGovern

    Margaret McGovern

    Aontú

    Some should be put aside for sure and some should be used to pay down the debt. But the government should use more of the money to invest in housing and transport infrastructure. - source: party

  • Duncan Smith

    Duncan Smith

    Labour Party

    Labour will establish a Strategic Investment and Development Bank deploying funds from the FIF to finance the climate transition, new housing and support SMEs. We will continue to save for the future and deploy the nature fund from 2026. - source: party

  • Ollie Power

    Ollie Power

    People Before Profit-Solidarity

    False choice. You can do both with current budget surplus and a policy of taxing wealth. - source: party

Disagree
  • Darragh O’Brien

    Darragh O’Brien

    Fianna Fáil

    Manju Devi

    Manju Devi

    Fianna Fáil

    These funds ensure future generations are not left to deal with the challenges facing us. They allow us to plan, while providing for those who need assistance, and invest in public infrastructure/services. They underpin ability to deliver housing and healthcare. - source: party

  • Ian Carey

    Ian Carey

    Green Party

    We are already investing a huge amount into housing and healthcare and will continue to increase this. It is important though that we keep some money from windfall revenue for future costs, such as climate action and future pensions. - source: party

  • Alan Farrell

    Alan Farrell

    Fine Gael

    We are helping people today, spending large amounts on housing and health. But we also need to prepare for the future. A growing and ageing population, along with global uncertainty, means Ireland needs to put some money away now to pay for future costs and risks. - source: party

No opinion
no candidate selected this answer