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Local Labour Party councillor calls for Apple windfall to go towards housing crisis
Councillor Fiona Bonfield has today called on Government to make urgent action
Reporter:
Daniel Ryan
30 Sept 2024 4:30 PM
Labour CouncillorFionaBonfieldin Tipperary has today called on Government to urgently direct the Apple windfall towards solving the housing crisis and delivering key infrastructure projects.
“With a fully costed and radical alternative budget for 2025, Labour has laid out a clear plan to invest in homes, climate action, and healthcare. The party is committed to ensuring that these funds benefit local communities, especially in areas like Nenagh, Newport and Ballina, where housing shortages are acute.
“This Apple windfall must be used wisely. Labour is calling for €7bn to be earmarked for housing, to be invested in building homes that families desperately need. €6bn of this will seed a State Construction Company developed through the Land Development Agency (LDA), while €1bn will be allocated to supporting water infrastructure and land servicing. This will ensure that areas like Nenagh see real improvements in housing supply, allowing people to live and work in their communities.
“Labour's alternative budget sets aside an additional €6bn for climate measures, with €2.5bn going towards a National Retrofitting Plan. This plan will support energy efficiency upgrades on a street-by-street basis, helping local homes, community facilities, and apartments to become greener and more sustainable. By investing in energy efficiency, we’re not just tackling climate change - we’re lowering household energy bills and creating local jobs. We want to see real, tangible benefits for the people of Tipperary.
“Labour’s plan also allocates €2.5bn for major public transport projects, including Metro, LUAS, DART+, BusConnects, and regional rail upgrades. This will support balanced development across the country, while €1bn is directed to offshore wind developments through state equity stakes, with the Irish Strategic Investment Fund playing a central role. In Tipperary, we have the potential to be at the forefront of climate action and regional development. The funds must be used to build a transport and energy infrastructure fit for the future.
“In healthcare, Labour proposes a €1bn Sláintecare Transition Fund to deliver on the vision of a universal healthcare system, with €500m dedicated to rolling out digital health records across new Regional Health Areas. The future of healthcare is in digital transformation, and we want to ensure that our communities are not left behind. Labour’s plan is ambitious but realistic—we are ready to build better, together.
“Labour’s alternative budget for 2025 is fully costed and represents a radical but achievable vision for Ireland’s future. We are in a housing crisis, a climate crisis, and a healthcare crisis. The government cannot sit on the Apple windfall and delay action. Labour’s plan directs these funds where they are needed most—into homes, into climate measures, and into healthcare. We have a real, transformative, and urgent proposal that will make a lasting impact on communities . It’s time to build better, together.
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