BUDGET: Tipperary TD calls for greater investment for rural Ireland

The Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath, along with other independent TDs Michael Healy-Rae, Carol Nolan and Danny Healy-Rae have together submitted a strategic plan to address the pressing challenges faced by rural communities across Ireland.

The plan outlines a need for targeted investments in key sectors such as health, housing, rural development, infrastructure and agriculture.

HOUSING

The plan aims to tackle the housing crisis by proposing new laws in which persons interested in buying property can only do so if they have been living in Ireland for the past five years. This proposal is aimed at trying to tackle the problem of outside companies bulk buying properties in the country. 

The submitted plan for the 2025 budget also aims to tackle the lack of social housing in Ireland. The TDs emphasize the need for increased social and affordable housing supply incorporating a total construction of up to 60,000 new units per year.

HEALTH

The submission also calls for a €2 billion increase in mental health funding to address chronic underfunding and ensure timely access to services. In particular, rural villages in Ireland are suffering the most from a lack of access to healthcare services in these areas. 

"We need a strategic increase in the healthcare workforce, particularly in rural areas where the shortage of GPs and dentists is acute." says McGrath.