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
  • Nick Delehanty

    Nick Delehanty

    Independent

    Investing in the future is far better than saving for the future. - source: candidate

  • Peter Dooley

    Peter Dooley

    Independent

    We should invest in critical infrastructure such as housing, health, and basic public and social services now, as this will help solve present and future challenges to benefit society. How can anyone tust the Government to be fiscally prudent with our finances following the many spending scandals. - source: candidate

  • Chris Andrews

    Chris Andrews

    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

  • Eoin Hayes

    Eoin Hayes

    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
  • Ivana Bacik

    Ivana Bacik

    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

  • Alan Healy

    Alan Healy

    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

  • Brigid Purcell

    Brigid Purcell

    People Before Profit-Solidarity

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

Disagree
  • Daniel Pocock

    Daniel Pocock

    Independent

    Ireland doesn't have a good savings record so it seems foolish to erode savings - source: candidate

  • Kate O'Connell

    Kate O'Connell

    Independent

    We must be prudent in our approach while preparing our state for the infrastructural challenges of the next 20 years. This means investment in housing, hospitals, improved public transport and education. - source: candidate

  • Jim O'Callaghan

    Jim O'Callaghan

    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

  • James Geoghegan

    James Geoghegan

    Fine Gael

    Emma Blain

    Emma Blain

    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

  • Hazel Chu

    Hazel Chu

    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

  • Lauralee Doyle

    Lauralee Doyle

    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
no candidate selected this answer