Sinn Féin launching their Alternative Budget proposals. Sinn Féin will not increase the Carbon Tax and would build 7,000 more homes than Government as part of their alternative Budget 2024 plans, finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has said. Mr Doherty stressed that their alternative budget, released later today, is “very clearly a housing Budget .
KEY MEASURES
Expand medical card cover to 400,000 additional people – €159m current in 2024. Cut the drug payment scheme threshold to €50/month and abolish prescription charges – €70.32m in 2024.
Deliver 1,800 additional hospital beds over 3 years and 2,400 over a full term of Government to address the hospital capacity deficit – €77m current and €213.5m capital in 2024.
Deliver a major investment in GP, pharmacy, and dentistry, including developing public GP and dentistry options – €43m current in 2024. Deliver a minor ailments scheme in community pharmacy – €11.4m current in 2024.
Invest in a significant uplift in health-related undergraduate and specialist training places, prioritise workforce development, and address retention issues – €31.4m current in 2024.
Radically overhaul mental health services and develop a world-leading child and youth mental health service within a decade – €31m current and €38m capital in 2024.
Fund Disability Services in line with the Disability Capacity Review – €81.2m in current and €95.6m in capital in 2024. Invest in home support and social care services which support independent living and ageing at home – €48.4m current and €10m capital in 2024.
Implement our 5-year community addiction and recovery strategy – €11.7m current and €12m capital in 2024. Deliver a major investment in targeted improvements across cancer, cardiovascular health, women’s health, digital transformation, new medicines, and specialist care – €121.8m current and €20m capital in 2024.
Resource the HSE’s Climate Action Strategy – €4m current and €20m capital in 2024. Target a significant saving in agency spending, consultancy, legal fees, and general outsourcing – save €100m current in 2024.