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
  • Violet-Anne Wynne

    Violet-Anne Wynne

    Independent

    We need to address the unmet need of housing and healthcare, especially with the growth in population and an ageing population. - source: candidate

  • Matthew Moroney

    Matthew Moroney

    Independent

    We need to fix our health and housing issues immediately and use whatever funds we can to achieve these goals. - source: candidate

  • Barry O'Donovan

    Barry O'Donovan

    Rabharta

    Investing some of this money in long term projects will improve quality of life now, improve security into the future build resilience against future shocks - source: candidate

  • Eddie Punch

    Eddie Punch

    Independent Ireland

    We need a new hospital in Ennis urgently with full A& E and model 3 status, probably with 350 beds+ We need local authority housing but we also need to reduce government caused inflation in construction - concrete levy plus VAT is a cost of €500+ per day on a readymix truck, reduce carbon tax - source: candidate

  • Michael Leahy

    Michael Leahy

    Irish Freedom Party

    Spending money on climate change policies is likely to be a waste and should be devoted to protecting our ageing population and improving healthcare, early learning facilities and early interventions for children. We also need to improve our infrastructure to make adequate provision for housing. - source: candidate

  • Donna  McGettigan

    Donna McGettigan

    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

  • Hilary Tonge

    Hilary Tonge

    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

Neither agree nor disagree
  • Caitríona  Ní Chatháin

    Caitríona Ní Chatháin

    Socialist Party

    False choice. You can do both with current budget surplus and a policy of taxing wealth. Also, end disastrous policies that contribute to climate change eg.building of data centres - source: candidate

  • June Dillon

    June Dillon

    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

Disagree
  • Leonora Carey

    Leonora Carey

    Fine Gael

    Joe Cooney

    Joe Cooney

    Fine Gael

    Tom Nolan

    Tom Nolan

    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

  • Cathal Crowe

    Cathal Crowe

    Fianna Fáil

    Timmy Dooley

    Timmy Dooley

    Fianna Fáil

    Rita McInerney

    Rita McInerney

    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

  • Roisin Garvey

    Roisin Garvey

    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

  • Michael Loughrey

    Michael Loughrey

    The Irish People

    Planning for the future is not mutually exclusive with providing a decent standard of living in the present. Both are very achievable by a government with the proper will and right policies. - source: party

No opinion
Kevin Hassett

Kevin Hassett

Independent

source: candidate