A Clare General Election candidate is urging the Government to declare a state of emergency for the over 4,500 homeless children in Ireland.
Housing, pensions and childcare have dominated the first of Clare FM’s General Election debates, in which six would-be TDs have outlined how they’d address the various crises facing the country, if elected.
With the average rent in Clare now above €1,400 and almost 3,000 on the social housing list here, housing is front-and-centre in practically all candidates’ manifestos.
Rural planning laws have long been a bone of contention in this county, with legislation currently prohibiting people from building on land which backs onto roads like the N67, N68 and N85.
Broadford farmer and Independent candidate Matthew Moroney believes the laws are “backward” and need to be reformed.
A initiative introduced by the last Government to assist first-time home buyers is the First Home Scheme, which aims to support those looking to buy a new home or building their first home.
Under the scheme, the Government and participating banks pay up to 30% of the cost of the new home, in return for a stake in it.
There have long been calls for the scheme to be extended to second-hand homes, and Clarecastle Fine Gael candidate Leonora Carey says if elected, she’ll work to deliver this.
There is now a record 4,561 children living in homelessness in Ireland according to the latest Government figures, 53 of which are in Clare.
Cooraclare-based Aontú candidate June Dillon insists the State has failed to treat the issue with the urgency it requires.
Turning to cost-of-living matters, the Department of Social Protection has confirmed this week that the new auto-enrolment pension scheme, which would see 800,000 workers automatically added into a private pension scheme, will begin on September 30th 2025.
It’s been reported that more than half of Irish businesses aren’t ready for the scheme, and Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe admits tweaks are needed before it comes into place.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have all pledged to increase the State Pension beyond €350 if in Government, while expanding fuel allowance eligibility has also been promised.
Ennis-based Independent candidate Amanda Major says energy poverty amongst older people must be addressed before any thought is given to altering the amount their receive in the pension.
The newly-established National Alliance, which is an amalgamation of small right-wing parties the National Party, the Irish People and Ireland First, says if in Government, it would increase tax credits for middle and low-income families “to offset the rising costs of childcare, healthcare and education”.
Despite this, its Clare candidate, Gort-based Stonemason Michael Loughrey, is arguing families should move away from a reliance on childcare as he believes “parents should be looking after their own kids”.
Five more candidates will take part in the second of Clare FM’s Election debates at Áras Contae an Chláir and this will air on Clare FM’s Morning Focus from 10am tomorrow.
You can listen to the full debate here:
