Clarke disappointed at Budget 2021

The Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath has issued a gloomy response to Budget 2021 this afternoon.

Deputy Sorca Clarke, who is also SF spokesperson on defence, said: “It was a day for action, but what did we get?

“No relief for people who saw their PUP payment cut,

“No relief for renters,

“No right to a pension at 65,

“More new money for developers and landlords than for genuinely affordable housing,

“Nothing delivered for families paying the highest childcare costs in Europe,

“Not enough to help small businesses survive,

“Increasing costs for people across rural Ireland with carbon taxes and motor taxes

“And little ambition to get to grips with the crisis in our health service.”

Deputy Clarke said the government should have reversed the cut to the PUP payment for those who have lost their jobs as increased restrictions are reintroduced.

“But they didn’t. They should have reversed the cut to the temporary wage scheme. But they didn’t.

“This means we have businesses closing unnecessarily, this means families slipping into further debt and in some cases at risk of losing the roofs over their head.

“We are all aware that we have a housing crisis – unfortunately the measures announced in this budget will not alleviate this crisis.

“They should have grasped this unique opportunity to have the largest house building programme in the history of the state – stimulating the economy, addressing the affordable housing shortage, giving people real hope in these difficult times that they can secure a home for their families.”

Speaking as the elected representative of a rural constituency, Deputy Clarke added: “As for rural communities, the approach seems to be to kick us when we are down.

“Carbon taxes and VRT changes will come as a blow to people who have no option but to drive and who have no money to change to electric vehicles.”