Dublin: Ireland’s incoming coalition government, expected to be formally established this week, has announced a comprehensive 160-page programme outlining its plans for the next five years. The coalition, comprising Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and regional independents, now has the support of 95 TDs, including independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, securing a solid majority in the Dáil Éireann.
The government’s agenda includes ambitious targets such as the construction of 300,000 new homes and the creation of 300,000 jobs by 2030. The programme also addresses key areas including housing, childcare, health, justice, climate change, and economic growth.
Cabinet Structure and Leadership
Fianna Fáil will have eight full ministerial positions, while Fine Gael will hold seven. Regional independents will be allocated four ministerial roles, including junior and super-junior positions. Paschal Donohoe is expected to assume the position of Finance Minister.
Leadership of the coalition will rotate, with Micheál Martin serving as Taoiseach until November 16, 2027, followed by Simon Harris, who may also take on the Foreign Affairs portfolio.
Key Pillars of the Government Programme
Housing and Construction
- Launch of a Starter Home Programme (details pending).
- Revision and expansion of the Help-to-Buy and First Home schemes, including eligibility for second-hand homes.
- Extension of renovation grants for vacant and abandoned homes until 2030.
- Establishment of a Rent Price Register and increased enforcement powers for the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
- Construction of 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030, with a focus on affordable housing.
- Encouragement of modern construction methods and sustainable materials, such as timber, in 25% of government-supported housing projects.
- Strengthening the Land Development Agency’s compulsory purchase powers.
- Recruitment of foreign workers for construction through government agencies and embassies.
Childcare
- Reduction of childcare costs to a maximum of €200 per month.
- Consideration of a managed savings account for newborns, with government contributions to benefit low-income families.
- Investment in government-owned childcare facilities and reduction of administrative burdens on providers.
- Expansion of the ECCE Scheme and inclusion of childminders working in family homes under the National Childcare Scheme.
Health
- Expansion of free GP care to children up to 12 years old, with further consideration for broader eligibility.
- HRT drugs to be provided free of charge.
- Increase of inpatient hospital bed capacity from 4,000 to 4,500 and ICU beds by 100.
- Establishment of four elective hospitals in Cork, Dublin, and Galway, and six surgical hubs, with the possibility of a seventh in the northwest.
- Significant investment in paediatric spinal surgery and additional public dental doctors.
Education
- Reduction of the student-teacher ratio at the primary level to 19:1.
- Expansion of free schoolbooks to all children and improvement of the hot school meals programme.
- Development of an Irish Sign Language curriculum for primary and post-primary students up to Leaving Certificate level.
- Enhanced ICT capacity in schools, including the introduction of coding and modern foreign languages into the curriculum.
Social Protection
- Retirement age to remain at 66, with gradual increases to weekly pension payments.
- Improvements to the Fuel Allowance, Living Alone Allowance, and other welfare benefits to support vulnerable groups.
- Increased payments for families receiving the Working Family Payment.
Justice
- Establishment of a new department: Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
- Deployment of 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years.
- Creation of Garda hubs at major transportation points and introduction of electronic tagging for prisoners.
- Expansion of the Criminal Assets Bureau’s powers and introduction of live facial recognition technology for criminal investigations.
Climate and Energy
- Annual publication of a Climate Action Plan and quarterly progress reports.
- Delivery of 9GW of onshore wind, 8GW of solar, and 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
- Promotion of energy-efficient technologies and sustainable development initiatives.
- Tax measures to control energy costs for households and businesses.
Transportation
- Formation of a Transport Security Force under the National Transport Authority.
- Expansion of free public transport for children.
- Feasibility study for the Metrolink connecting Dublin’s southwest suburbs to the city centre.
- Development of bike and e-bike rental schemes across educational campuses.
Additional Highlights
- Economic Growth: A 10-year strategy for SME sector growth, expansion of foreign direct investment, and preservation of the 9% VAT rate for energy.
- Disability: Phasing out the means test, launching a national therapy service in special schools, and increasing personal assistance hours.
- Agriculture: Support for dairy and beef farmers, promotion of renewable energy generation on farms, and assistance for sheep breeders.
- Arts and Culture: Introduction of a Culture Card for teenagers, redevelopment of the GPO as a historical landmark, and commemoration of significant anniversaries.
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