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
  • Lorna Bogue

    Lorna Bogue

    Rabharta

    Money is not "being saved for future policy challenges". The government avoids collecting tax due from companies like Apple. The money simply exists now and should be spent on social priorities such as housing and healthcare, and also on infrastructure which has lacked investment historically. - source: candidate

  • Mick Finn

    Mick Finn

    Independent

    The rainy day is now...we can retain a portion in the rainy day fund' but there are huge deficiencies now that need fixing. Carpe Diem. - source: candidate

  • Donnchadh  Ó Laoghaire

    Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

    Sinn Féin

    Michelle Cowhey Shahid

    Michelle Cowhey Shahid

    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

  • Pádraig  Rice

    Pádraig Rice

    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
  • Laura Harmon

    Laura Harmon

    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

  • Anna Daly

    Anna Daly

    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

  • Shane Laird

    Shane Laird

    People Before Profit-Solidarity

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

Disagree
  • Graham de Barra

    Graham de Barra

    Independent

    We don't necessarily need more money invested, we need better management of existing budgets. We can solve multiple issues together and save for the future against becoming in debt. - source: candidate

  • Micheál Martin

    Micheál Martin

    Fianna Fáil

    Seamus McGrath

    Seamus McGrath

    Fianna Fáil

    Margaret Kenneally

    Margaret Kenneally

    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

  • Úna McCarthy

    Úna McCarthy

    Fine Gael

    Shane O'Callaghan

    Shane O'Callaghan

    Fine Gael

    Jerry Buttimer

    Jerry Buttimer

    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

  • Monica Oikeh

    Monica Oikeh

    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

  • Ted Neville

    Ted Neville

    The National Party

    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
no candidate selected this answer