Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has said Budget 2025 will deliver targeted supports to people, families and businesses to alleviate pressures caused by the increased cost of living. 

Deputy Smith said, “In Budget 2025 we are implementing measures to protect the most vulnerable in society, give families and households a break, safeguard the economy and prepare for the future.

“We want to cushion people, families, pensioners and businesses from the impact of inflation over recent years. That is why we are giving every household €250 in energy credits this Winter.

“Fianna Fáil in Government has championed increases to the State pension and prioritised the well-being of older people and the most vulnerable. Budget 2025 sees a €12 rise in all weekly social protection payments and lowers the eligibility age for the Fuel Allowance from 70 to 66.”

Deputy Smith said Budget 2025 marks the most any Government has ever spent on housing. He said: “This budget sees the most any Government has ever invested in housing. Over 115,000 new homes have been completed since we entered government in 2020. We are guaranteeing the Help-to-Buy scheme will be in place to the end of the decade and for renters we are increasing the renters tax credit for both this year and next to €1,000 per renter to help them with the cost of rent.”

He said Budget 2025 builds on Fianna Fail’s reform of the healthcare and education sectors, while providing supports to low- and middle-income workers and SMEs. He said: “In healthcare we are focused on affordability and universal access based on need, not ability to pay. We are increasing investment in mental health services and addressing overcrowding and waiting lists by expanding surgical hubs, fully funding the National Cancer Strategy, and rolling out free HRT for women. 

“As a party, we believe in the power of education, and we believe in making education truly accessible for all. In Budget 2025 we have fully expanded the free schoolbooks scheme to cover all children in primary and secondary school, easing the financial burden on families, and we have increased investment in infrastructure, staffing, and special needs education including an additional 1,600 SNAs and 750 Special Education teachers.

“Budget 2025 prioritises those who need it most, offering significant income tax relief to help address ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Under Fianna Fáil, the average worker will be approximately €1,000 better off, thanks to a combination of income tax cuts and targeted cost-of-living supports.

“We have provided unprecedented supports to SMEs across the country which are the backbone of our economy, providing jobs and supporting local communities. Budget 2025 measures will provide direct cost-of-doing-business support grants of up to €4,000, reduce complexity, boost Ireland’s attractiveness as a place to do business, support innovation and provide (delete for) a range of new and enhanced tax relief schemes and incentives.”

Deputy Smith concluded: “Fianna Fail’s Budget prioritises helping people, families and businesses with the increased cost of living, and increasing investment in housing, water, energy and key infrastructural projects will protect Ireland’s progress and secure our future.”

Some of the key measures in Budget 2025 include:

• A €12 increase in the state pension.
• Over-70s are to benefit from a new “bring a friend” expansion of the free travel scheme.
• The point at which people pay the higher rate of tax of 40% will increase from €42,000 to €44,000.
• The personal, employee PAYE and earned income tax credits will go up by €125.
• The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge is reduced from 4% to 3% on incomes €25,000 to €70,000.
• Parents of newborns will receive a one-off payment of €420.
• €15 weekly increase in maternity, paternity and parents’ benefit.
• Free IVF scheme will be expanded.
• Two double payments of Child Benefit in November and December.
• A double payment of all welfare rates in October and December.
• A €400 lump sum for those in receipt of the working family payment.
• Weekly social welfare payments such as the state pension, Carer’s Allowance. disability payments and Jobseeker’s Allowance will rise by €12.
• Students will get €1,000 off their college fees and postgraduate students will see their fee contribution grant increase from €4,000 to €5,000. 
• Free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women.
• Renters tax credit will increase to €1,000.
• Expansion of free schoolbooks to all second level students.

14 April 2022

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has paid tribute to former TD Jimmy Leonard, following his passing.

Deputy Brendan Smith stated: “I was very saddened to learn of the death of my former Dáil colleague, Jimmy Leonard.  May he Rest In Peace.

“Jimmy was a tireless, diligent and loyal worker for all constituents. He was a powerful advocate for peace on this island and cross-border co-operation even in the darkest days.  Jimmy always championed the needs of rural Ireland and the less well off in our communities. He brought to his political work a great and incisive knowledge of farming and the agri-food sector.  I know that he gave great help to many start-up enterprises that went on to provide valuable employment locally.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “Jimmy was held in high esteem throughout our own country and by parliamentarians from other states.  He worked very well along with colleagues from the Oireachtas and from Westminster in the early days of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body when there were very difficult relationships between Ireland and Britain.

“Outside of politics Jimmy was a great family man, a community activist and a strong supporter of different sports including gaelic games. He was an extremely decent and honourable colleague to work with at constituency and national level. His daughter Ann, as a Senator, carried on that fine tradition of public representation.

“To Jimmy’s devoted wife, Tess, his children, Raymond, Joe, Colette, Ann, Ciarán and extended family I convey my deepest sympathy.” “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Under Fine Gael we have seen criminal activity rise to drastic levels. Last week we all read of the tragic and violent murders, lives thrown into disarray and families mourning loved ones.

In our neighbouring area of Drogheda we now know a teenager from the locality was violently murdered in a feuding gangland attack. This was a horrific incident which has no place in our communities. There is a real fear across communities as the nature of these murders ramps up.

In the border region, we have our own unique policing needs because of a long land-border with a neighbouring jurisdiction but Fine Gael do not get this. I introduced a Bill which would establish a Cross Border Crime Agency. This was introduced in the absence of any real political leadership from the outgoing government.

Gardaí can only do so much with the resources made available to them. The Force needs to stand at 16,000 Gardaí nationally. Gardaí must be resourced to operate 24-hour around the clock surveillance of the gang leaders that are controlling the sale and supply of drugs in our communities. They know who they are – they just need the resources to tackle them effectively.

Communities are being destroyed and families being left devastated by this epidemic. A new approach is needed as the Fine Gael approach to law and order has only allowed criminal activity to surge.