Sinn Féin Publish Alternative Budget 2020

Sinn Féin's Alternative Budget 2020 will "give families and workers a break", Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty, has said.

Published today, the alternative budget proposals include a provision for two free GP visits for every person without a medical card, a rent freeze and a relief worth one month's rent, free travel on public transport for five to eighteen-year-olds and a reduction in the cost of childcare by an average of €100 a month per child.

Deputy Doherty said: "The upcoming budget needs to do two things: end the rip off and give workers and families a break and secure Ireland's future if there is a crash out Brexit.

"There is something seriously wrong when the vast majority of people have less money in their pockets now than they did when Fine Gael, supported by Fianna Fáil, came into power three years ago.

"The reasons for this are obvious – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are making bad, short term decisions that are costing the tax payer billions and they are failing to intervene to deal with out of control costs in childcare, rents and essential household bills like insurance and mortgage interest payments.

"The consequence is that insurance companies, banks and landlords are making billions while workers and families are being ripped off.

"Sinn Féin's Alternative Budget offers clear, realisable solutions to the rip-off living costs faced by countless families - sky-high insurance premiums, extortionate rents, and eye-watering childcare costs. Together, these ensure that Ireland's cost of living is among the most unaffordable in the developed world.

"The budget cannot be just about survival, it must be about ensuring people can have a decent life and enjoy their time with family and friends.

"Sinn Féin's alternative budget will give workers and families a break. We will:

• Help renters by introducing an emergency freeze on rents and bringing in rent relief which would save them the equivalent of one month's rent each year.

• Help families by reducing the cost of childcare by an average of €100 a month per child.

• Provide two free GP visits for every person without a medical card – so nobody delays going to the doctor because they are worried about the cost.

• Ensure there is No carbon tax increase in Budget 2020.

• End the insurance rip-off - first we're going after the government take and then we are coming after the industry.

• Invest an additional €300 million to give people with disabilities and their families a break.

• Introduce free travel for 5 to 18-year-olds on public transport."

(MH/CM)