We’re the youngest party in Ireland — but our roots go deep.

Social media may drive us towards brevity, smartphones towards off-shoring knowledge to google but there is a fundamental democratic principle that our First Dáil stated clearly in 1919.

And it isn’t 140 characters or less.

It shall be the first duty of the Government of the Republic to make provision for the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the children, to secure that no child shall suffer hunger or cold from lack of food, clothing, or shelter, but that all shall be provided with the means and facilities requisite for their proper education and training as Citizens of a Free and Gaelic Ireland

So it is with this in mind our first Pre-Budget Submission places at its heart. And if the Social Democrats Pre-Budget Submission is 23 pages too long for you right now, then perhaps we can boil it down a little

Tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts

It’s attention grabbing, isn’t it? And newspapers have been quick to seize on putting brass in pockets. But we believe a revenue neutral budget is more prudent: so the Universal Social Charge will get a 0.5% cut freeing €270m back to Irish pay packets

What the fliuch? An end to water charges needn’t leave us high and dry

An abolition of Water Charges now will cost €13m. Even with half a billion euro spent on water meters to date

Work hard, play fair, (and say goodnight to your kids)

As parents we put our children first. yet when it comes to Government investment, children are always last in line. That’s why we’d increase childcare provision, boost parental leave, cap the cost of childcare and invest in the QUALITY of childcare, too

Full house, empty homes

The housing crisis has been allowed to fester to such an extent that it now places on us both a moral and an economic imperative to act. So we will. Our budget allocates an EXTRA €300m in capital investment to provide new stock.

Edumacation, Educashun, Education

However you say it, it’s not free. Even when it claims it is. So we’ll boost classrooms with books and resources and the ‘voluntary’ contributions will be banished.

And 3,000 extra teachers.

Your health is our wealth

€75m towards a raft of new primary care centres that put health at the heart of the community where you live giving access to expertise sooner. That we have patients on trolleys is bad enough, that our nurses feel compelled to keep a running tally in Trolleywatch is a blight. We will target €40m to alleviate it.

Do the math

Revenue neutral? Yes, we can do it. And a levy on AIB and a tax on junk food will help pay for the national recovery

In Numbers

We believe the people of Ireland have the right to demand more from their government. So we made sure our numbers stack up.

And we’re not the only ones who think so:

We believe an inclusive, fair and just society in which dignity, respect and equality for our citizens is paramount, must be the end towards which we as a nation strive.

Do you?