A new programme for government in Ireland outlines key priorities including reducing childcare costs to €200 per month, exploring a ban on energy drinks for children, and building over 300,000 new homes by 2030. The document, agreed upon by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Regional Independents, and the Healy-Rae brothers, also promises increased investment in healthcare, including free GP care for children up to 12 years old and the opening of the National Children's Hospital.
Reducing childcare costs to €200, exploring a ban on energy drinks for children and a push on “starter homes” have been promised in the new programme for government.
While the programme for government includes spending increases and a plethora of promises, it is heavily caveated with the words “explore”, “examine” and “seek” mentioned dozens of times. It also says the government will “work with schools to host before and after-school care, and examine start-up supports for groups involved in afterschool activities”.Fine Gael had proposed a State-back savings scheme for newborns. The programme for the government commits to “explore this” but not to implementing it.It also vows to continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government but not to abolish it.
Health The Government has committed to “exploring” “restrictions on the sale of high caffeine energy drinks, including a ban on their sale to children”, as well as a ban on the use of commercial sunbeds. There will be a “full digitisation of Irish healthcare records and information systems” and as well as the launch of a National Patient App to “give patients easier access to their health information”.
There will also be an “independent feasibility study” commission to examine “continuing MetroLink from the city to South West Dublin”. The much-delayed MetroLink has yet to open and is not scheduled to open until the mid-2030s. The government will also consider a “multiannual approach for disability services, which will be linked to productivity, staff levels and the delivery of services”.Social Protection Core welfare payments will be increased but “targeted at people who are unable to work”.
The establishment of a second garda college will be considered, while capacity at Templemore will be expanded. There will also be “clear timelines” to ensure applications are processed quickly and stronger border security will be introduced.
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