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
  • Alan Edge

    Alan Edge

    Independent

    People are in desperate need of public health services. 5000 children in CHO7 are awaiting assessments of need. Meanwhile money is being wasted. We need to invest in these services by ensuring public money is accounted for and deployed where it’s most needed - in frontline services. - source: candidate

  • Niamh Whelan

    Niamh Whelan

    Sinn Féin

    Seán Crowe

    Seán Crowe

    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

  • Ross O'Mullane

    Ross O'Mullane

    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
  • Ciarán Ahern

    Ciarán Ahern

    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

  • Paul Murphy

    Paul Murphy

    People Before Profit-Solidarity

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

  • Saoirse Ní Chónaráin

    Saoirse Ní Chónaráin

    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
  • John Lahart

    John Lahart

    Fianna Fáil

    Teresa Costello

    Teresa Costello

    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

  • Colm Brophy

    Colm Brophy

    Fine Gael

    Sarah Barnes

    Sarah Barnes

    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

  • Francis Noel Duffy

    Francis Noel Duffy

    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

  • Yan Mac Oireachtaigh

    Yan Mac Oireachtaigh

    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