Smyth hails 'progressive Budget that tackles cost-of-living crisis and climate change'

Green Party councillor Hazel Smyth for the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District has welcomed the “many Green measures in this week’s Budget which include far-reaching initiatives to improve children's lives, combat the cost-of-living crisis and improve the environment”.

“There are a lot of measures in this Budget to help people and their families financially but there are also visionary measures that will have a long-term effect on combatting the climate crisis,” Councillor Smyth said today.

“The €3.1bn climate and nature fund, which will use the proceeds of windfall corporate taxes, means we can cut Ireland’s use of fossil fuels, retrofit our public and private building stock and help businesses decarbonise.

“In terms of nature, the money could be used to reintroduce once-common species like the osprey, remove barriers that stop fish swimming upstream, encourage healthier hedgerows for birds, insects, and small mammals, protect rural drinking water, and carry out bespoke management for important species and habitats.”

Other Green measures to help tackle the rise in the cost-of-living include cheaper transport for the country’s 24-and 25-year-olds and a commitment to look at cutting travel costs for the under-18s next year.

“This measure continues Green Party measures from previous budgets which cut transport fares for adults and young people aged 19-24. Tax reductions have been extended for electric cars and new funding for the retrofitting of social housing has been announced.

“The Green Party philosophy has always been focused on helping families to live happy, sustainable lives. This philosophy has been underpinned by measures in the Budget from Green Party ministers which keep funding in the arts and sport at record levels. This means that local arts and sports projects in our area will continue to be funded in the years to come.

“Other measures which are specifically due to Green Party ministers include a further 25pc reduction in childcare costs and the Working Family Allowance which helps to families as they move from welfare to work. The 25pc cut in childcare costs which takes effect next September, means the Green Party has almost halved the cost of childcare in the past two years.

“The Green Party has made a real difference in government. We have made sure that Ireland is a greener, cleaner, fairer society,” said Councillor Smyth.

“Every Budget since we entered government has been a progressive Budget that helps to redistribute resources from the wealthy towards the less wealthy. I’m proud that the party has been the most successful and influential junior coalition partner in Irish history.”

Green party leader Eamon Ryan said following the Budget that: “Halving childcare across two budgets is an indisputably significant move by the Green Party. This is our fourth Budget and I’m proud that, like the other three budgets, Budget 2024 is progressive and helps those most that need help most.

“The Climate fund is also significant because it makes it explains how the measures needed to fight climate change will be paid for in the years ahead. This makes it easier for individuals and business to plan accordingly.”