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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that this budget deals with three pillars: business, green economy and investment in public services.
He said this positions the country well for the future and is an investment for future generations.
A record € 17.75 billion budget package was announced today, with nearly half of all spending going to Covid-19 supports.
“The question must be asked: are we burdening future generations with unsustainable levels of debt?”
Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD He says # Budget2021 addresses business, public services and the green economy, and is an investment for the future | https://t.co/KF2iKYKrwV pic.twitter.com/GE3tT0ogxa
– RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 13, 2020
Speaking on RTÉ’s Nine News, Mr. Martin said that the government is investing heavily on the human capital side to invest in the future.
He said that this Budget has offered the opportunity to examine what kind of society the country wants after the pandemic.
Martin said that the Government is striving to maintain the economy and achieve businesses through Covid-19.
When asked if we can be sure that the money being injected into companies is money well spent if they do not have a post-Covid future, Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD says “If you support talent with good value for money … human capital is always the best investment you can make” # Budget2021 pic.twitter.com/SZWSFPh3Ci
– RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 13, 2020
He said there must be a fundamental shift towards a strong modern reformed healthcare service, a strong educational service and a shift towards a green economy.
Thousands of jobs will be created next year, he said, including 16,000 in the health and internship sector.
Mr. Martin said that all this is to give opportunities to young people.
“Housing is a high priority for this government … the criticism from the opposition is that we still depend too much on the public sector.”
Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD says the government aims to build 50,000 social housing in five years. | https://t.co/eH6WCd1HZP pic.twitter.com/Ew4Ti0gde6
– RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 13, 2020
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said it was a budget to deal with the invisible enemy of Covid-19, while Public Spending Minister Michael McGrath said the essential task was to give hope.
Delivering the 2021 budget from the Dublin Convention Center, Donohoe said the country had faced numerous difficulties since independence, but never one like Covid-19.
He said the pandemic was an invisible enemy that had caused great suffering and disrupted much of what is critical to our well-being.
Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson said the 2021 Budget has not provided certainty to people who needed it.
Speaking at the Convention Center, Pearse Doherty said the Budget needed to respond to the threats from Covid-19 and Brexit and give families certainty.
Meanwhile, Labor Party Finance spokesman Ged Nash said a form of austerity has returned for those who can least afford it.
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