If you’re still not sure who you’re going to vote for in the general election, take a look at the information below before making a decision
Political parties are full of promises around election time but it’s up to each and every one of us to decide what issues are most important to us and who we think we can trust to make it happen.
With that in mind, here are the headline topics from the main party manifestos along with a link to each if you want to delve a little deeper.
Fine Gael
New Family Carer Payment
Fine Gael has said that carers ‘save the State billions every year’ and it has vowed to recognise their work and sacrifice if re-elected into government. Taoiseach Simon Harris is promising to introduce a new Family Carer Payment of €325 a week – up from the current cap of €248 – and get rid of the current means testing model. This means a couple could earn €2,500 per week and still qualify for the full carers allowance payment.
Read the full Fine Gael Manifesto here.
Fianna Fáil
Reduce Childcare Fees
Among their various policy areas, a key issue for Fianna Fáil is making childcare more affordable and accessible for families. Over the course of the next government, it plans to reduce childcare fees to €200 a month with an increase in the National Childcare Subsidy. The manifesto also states that it will establish a new National Childcare Price Register to ensure that there is transparency in fees for parent.
Read the full Fianna Fáil Manifesto here.
Sinn Féin
Abolish the Universal Social Charge (USC)
Sinn Féin plans to abolish the Universal Social Charge for the first €45,000 of people’s incomes. It will be removed for the first €30,000 of earnings in 2025 and increase to €45,000 in 2026.In order to do this, Mary Lou McDonald said there will be a rise in tax for those earning over €140,000. The party is also promising to deliver 30,000 homes over the next six years priced between €250,000 and €300,000.
Read the full Sinn Féin Manifesto here.
Social Democrats
Install a Government Accountability Office (GAO)
The Social Democrats have vowed to make the running of the Irish government more transparent with the introduction of a Government to Accountability Office to address how the public money is spent. They have described the outgoing government’s handling of funds as a ‘wanton waste’ of taxpayer money and have a range of measures planned “to restore trust and accountability in politics.”
Read the full Social Democrats Manifesto here.
The Green Party
‘Super Charge’ the Transport System
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has said that it is ‘action that counts’ when it comes to climate change and ensuring the future for generations to come. His party have a €10 billion plan to “super charge” transport in Ireland, with €7bn of the Apple tax money and €3bn coming from other sources. As well as funding for Bus Connects and a start to construction of the Dublin Metrolink, Dart+, it is also proposing a ‘climate ticket’ for public transport to replace the ‘taxsaver ticket’.
Read the full Green Party Manifesto here.
