The Social Democrats today highlighted 40 measures in their election manifesto to reduce the cost of living in Ireland.<\/p>\n
Party candidates Gary Gannon (Dublin Central), Eoin \u00d3 Broin (Dublin Mid-West) and Sin\u00e9ad Gibney (Dublin-Rathdown) set out proposals across several areas, including childcare, health, transport, education, energy and housing, that will meaningfully bring down the cost of living.<\/p>\n
To take pressure off families, childcare fees would be capped at \u20ac250 per month, or \u20ac200 for lower income households. Paid parents\u2019 leave would be increased by four weeks for each parent, while maternity benefit and related payments would rise to \u20ac350 per week.<\/p>\n
The party wants to make primary and secondary education truly free, and reduce third level costs. This would be achieved by phasing out the student contribution fee and increasing SUSI grants.<\/p>\n
In health, proposed measures include reducing prescription charges to 50c, with a \u20ac5 per month cap; bringing down the maximum payment under the Drug Payment Scheme to \u20ac60 per month; extending free GP care to all age groups; and reforming the public dental scheme to improve access.<\/p>\n
In government, the Soc Dems will introduce a weekly cost of disability payment of \u20ac30 and abolish the Carer\u2019s Allowance means test.<\/p>\n
To reduce household energy bills by as much as 40%, the party would create a scheme to install solar panels on 100,000 homes across the country every year. The 9% VAT rate on energy would also be retained.<\/p>\n
Travel costs would be reduced through the introduction of a \u20ac1 off-peak fare, while public transport would be free for under-18s. The Bike to Work scheme would be extended to those not in employment.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the party\u2019s cost of living proposals, Gary Gannon said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Irish Times poll published this week confirms what candidates are hearing every day on the doorsteps \u2013 that the cost of living is, by far, the dominant election issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor all we hear about Ireland having full employment, the reality for most people is that they don\u2019t feel any better off than they did in 2020 when the outgoing government first took office.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs wages have failed to keep pace with inflation, this has dramatically increased the number of so-called \u2018working poor\u2019 in Ireland. As a result, many households across the country are struggling to make ends meet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr Eoin \u00d3 Broin said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it\u2019s true that governments cannot control the price of everything, they can ease the financial burden by taking action to reduce the cost of living. Recent budgets have attempted to do this through once-off payments and short-term election gimmicks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWelcome as they may be at the time, these benefits quickly evaporate and result in people feeling as badly off as they did before.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe measures outlined in our manifesto are designed to insulate households from future economic shocks by bringing forward permanent solutions to the cost of living crisis.”<\/p>\n
Sin\u00e9ad Gibney said:<\/p>\n
\u201cA society should be judged on how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. That is why eliminating persistent child poverty and deprivation in Ireland will be a priority for the Social Democrats in government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis can only be achieved by putting targeted supports in place for low-income households and investing in proper public services in areas such as health, childcare and education.\u201d<\/p>\n