Speaking in the Dáil on the Government Spring Economic Statement, Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, said that people are not fooled by the Governmnet’s economic spin statement and that it contains no let up for struggling families.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The simple fact is that people are not fooled by the economic spin statement.

“It is clear that this Government has unfair in its austerity and it plans to be unfair in its two-tier recovery.

“I listened attentively yesterday and there was nothing of any real substance in the Government’s announcement.

“It reminded me of a long term forecast for an Irish summer, it promises much, but you definitely can’t depend on its reliability.

“There was nothing in the Governments statements about tackling the huge social and economic crises affecting people.

“Homelessness is out of control and there was no mention of it.

“Housing lists are overwhelmed and 1,000 children were homeless and living in emergency accommodation in Dublin during one week last month.

“Hundreds of ill patients are stuck on hospital trollies across the State.

“The Government mentions it will support frontline services and the most surprised people at this staff are the staff and patients at the frontline of our failing health services.

“Yet the Government has stopped all Dáil business so it can congratulate itself for a week.

“It is the height of arrogance and disrespect.”

Crowe continued:

“A huge focus was supposedly placed on jobs.

“However there are large swathes of my constituency in Dublin South West which have some of the highest amount of long term unemployment in the State and the Government is offering them no hope. Except for exploitive Job Bridge schemes.

“Minister Howlin yesterday mention that 1,000 new nurses have been added to the Nurses Register. This will come as news to many of the nurses I know

“However the Nurses Register in 2013 was 66,409 and in 2014 it was 64,790. So we have lost 1,619 nurses not gained 1,000.

“Yesterday Minister Noonan’s made the bold claim that our young emigrants are coming back, but the facts tell a different story.

“The number of new graduates emigrating is higher than at any time in the previous six years. Only a fortnight ago over 7,000 young Irish citizens aged between 18 and 35 snapped up Canadian work visas in a matter of minutes.

“Furthermore, there are 60,900 less people aged between 20 and 34 in employment since Labour and Fine Gael took up office. The number of people actually in the workforce during this Government’s term fell by 14,000 in 2014 alone.

“There is nothing in these Government statements to entice them back home.”

ENDS