TDs at odds over Budget's impacts on Waterford
Measures across housing, childcare, tax and transport were announced in the Dáil yesterday by Simon Harris and Jack Chambers.
Key points include a 79c increase to the minimum wage, €10 increase to weekly social welfare rates and a permanent €150 cut to third-level student fees.
Meanwhile, the reduced fuel excise has been extended until 28 February 2027, with a gradual restoration in four phases until 30 June 2027.
Minister Chambers said yesterday that Budget 2027 represents "a scale of investment in our public services and infrastructure not seen before in our State."
Infrastructure allocations which may impact Waterford include further investment into the BusConnects programme, a development which has been moving at a snail’s pace locally.
€15 million has been announced to support rural pubs, which may take pressure some off the struggling sector, and prevent additional public houses joining the list of close to 64 which have shutdown across Waterford over the last 20 years.
On the whole, Waterford TDs offered very different reaction to the string of allocations.
Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, John Cummins TD, provided an oversight into how the Budget would impact housing development, planning and the operation of local authorities.
He said that Budget 2027 will provide an “unprecedented” level of funding to deliver new homes.
Minister Cummins said that his Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has been allocated a record €11.92billion as part of Budget 2027.
He said the funding received is going to make a “tangible difference, building upon the progress that has already been made, and that we as a Government are determined to further improve.”
Among a number of housing measures outlined in the budget by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister Jack Chambers is an increase to the amount available under the Help-to Buy-Scheme, which will now be increased by €5,000 to €35,000.
Minister Cummins welcomed the increased allocation, and defended the scheme from political opposition.
“Measures such as Help to Buy, a scheme that Sinn Fein and all opposition parties want to abolish, have already supported over 60,000 people in purchasing their first home, including 1,904 home purchases/builds in Waterford. Rather than take the rug out from under first time buyers, this government will continue to support people in getting their foot on the property ladder”.
Additionally, a total allocation of €119 million is being provided for Planning in 2027.
Minister Cummins said: “A planning system that has the resources, expertise and capacity to make good decisions efficiently is essential to delivering homes and infrastructure across the county”.
A total allocation of €894 million is being provided for Local Government in 2027
Minister Cummins said this will give local authorities such as Waterford City and County Council greater resources and greater financial flexibility.
“This is about giving local authorities the tools to invest responsibly, unlock capital and deliver projects that will make a real difference in communities across the country.”
Minister Cummins said due to "Fine Gael’s management of the economy, and despite global instability, the country and Waterford continue on a strong and resilient path with more economic resources deployed to assist hard working families.".
Meanwhile, a very different picture of this year's Budget has been provided by Waterford Sinn Féin TDs David Cullinane and Conor D. McGuinness.
Deputy McGuinness is critical, saying Budget 2027 "fails Waterford families while providing insufficient investment in the infrastructure, housing and community facilities the county needs."
Deputy McGuinness said that “for the second year running, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have left the majority of workers worse off.”
He said that Government has failed to tackle the costs making life so unaffordable.
“More than 1.5 million workers are being left behind, receiving less than €250 over the year. That is less than €5 a week. For many families, it will be gone before they even receive it.
“Renters have been left with a €150 increase in the renters’ tax credit, while major developers continue to benefit from significant tax breaks. Home heating oil has increased by around €700 a fill this year, yet the Government’s response is a reduction of less than €43.
“This is a Government spending significant sums of money without properly tackling the costs that are making life unaffordable.”
Speaking on Waterford, Deputy McGuinness said the Budget also failed to address the N25 and that there remains a lack of certainty around investment in UHW and the BusConnects scheme.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has strongly criticised the Government’s Budget for 2027, saying it fails to meet commitments on reducing the cost of healthcare, improving services, or funding needed for health infrastructure.
He said that this budget will not deliver improvements to the healthcare system.
“There is nothing in this budget to substantially reduce the cost of healthcare. There is no increase in medical card income thresholds, no reduction in prescription costs, no expansion of free GP care to children under 12, and no action on excessive hospital car-parking charges” he said.
“Patients are already waiting far too long for care. More than one million people are on hospital waiting lists, with a further quarter of a million waiting for primary and community services. Yet this Budget does not provide the credible investment in staff, beds and services needed to turn that around."
