Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that the Budget 2021 next Tuesday is an opportunity for the Government to change direction and show that, to build a stronger, fairer, and better economy, they must protect workers and families and provide what they need, rather than continue to serve vested interests and the most well off in our society.

Teachta Crowe said that a failure to do so would show that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have learned nothing from the COVID pandemic.

Speaking after Sinn Féin launched their Alternative Budget 2021, Teachta Crowe said:

“A government led by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil together does not represent the change that people voted for in February. In fact, it is an attempt to deny change, to protect the status quo and to continue with the same broken politics that has so badly failed workers and families.

“That status quo cannot survive after COVID. We have seen the chaos in our health service brought about by decades of underinvestment and the stress and grief caused by unnecessary cuts to welfare supports as we are hit with a second wave of COVID cases.

“We need to ensure that we have all available capacity within our health systems, that we have sufficient ventilators and respiratory equipment, sufficient beds including ICU beds, and that our frontline workers are protected.

“Sinn Féin’s proposals would have guaranteed 100% of income up to €525 a week for workers and the self-employed who are laid off due to this crisis. The Irish Government instead cut the PUP across the board, piling pressure on families.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cannot be trusted to deliver on housing. Their records speak for themselves. Sinn Féin is committed to delivering the largest housing build in the history of the State.

“Sinn Féin will defend the change that the people voted for. We will continue to stand up for workers and families.

“North and south, Sinn Féin is that change for a fairer, stronger and united Ireland.”