Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty has claimed that the Government’s mismanagement is jeopardising the construction of thousands of homes, reports RTE.
He pointed out that two top civil servants have now raised concerns about significant shortcomings in essential infrastructure.
Mr Doherty stated there are serious shortfalls in both water supply and the electricity grid, reports RTE.
“Money is not the problem, so the problem must be the incompetence and decisions made over and over again,” he said.
Tánaiste Simon Harris responded by saying housing remains the most significant domestic issue facing the country.
Mr Harris noted that over 133,000 new homes were completed between 2020 and 2024, reports RTE.
He told the Dáil the Government intends to accelerate planning and increase investment in utilities to help deliver 300,000 new homes.
The Tánaiste rejected Sinn Féin’s criticism on water services, accusing the party of spreading false information regarding the Government’s plans for Uisce Éireann, reports RTE.
O’Callaghan questions Tánaiste on assessments waiting list
In a separate matter, Cian O’Callaghan, deputy leader of the Social Democrats, criticised the Tánaiste over the Government’s inaction since a court decision three years ago ruled out the use of a fast-track method for need assessments, reports RTE.
He said the Government has failed to tackle the growing crisis, with 15,000 children currently awaiting assessments.
Mr O’Callaghan warned that the situation is worsening, predicting the waiting list could increase to 25,000 by year’s end, reports RTE.
In response, Mr Harris said the Government has agreed on a way forward and that legislation would be updated.
He said decisions about assessment durations should rest with clinicians.
Mr Harris added that a third of children assessed are informed they do not have a disability, and stressed the need to provide these children with faster answers, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
