Deputy Pringle
Deputy Thomas Pringle attacked the Government’s record in Donegal highlighting increases in fuel and food poverty in the county and blaming it on what he calls are ‘anti-rural policies’ of the Coalition.
Speaking in the Dail, the Independent TD said 31,000 people in the county now suffer from fuel poverty.
“That’s up 10,000 from the previous year and in addition to the 18,000 who suffer from food poverty according to a 2013 poll’ explains Pringle. ‘I think the coalition needs to take a closer look to see the real consequences of their anti-rural policies.’
‘Waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital have soared by 70% for out-patient and 50% for day case appointments and 16,241 people are now on the live register. Meanwhile up to 20,000 young people have emigrated in search for work. The Coalition can’t be proud of its work in rural Ireland to date’ says Pringle.
He added that his real concern is the increase in income inequality in Ireland.
“In the case of Donegal, only 8 out of 149 Electoral Divisions are above the national average of deprivation indicators and disposable income is at 80% the national average’ continues Pringle.
‘I have advocated time and time again for a Donegal-focus in the regional Action Plan for Jobs and national policy with a prioritisation of broadband roll out to rural and remote areas. I’ve also called for an investment in biomass to create rural-friendly jobs however, we are still in a situation where 52% of households in Donegal will have to rely on state intervention to get broadband and could have to wait until 2021 under their government’s plan. Donegal can’t afford to wait that long.’
‘The Tánaiste’s response to fuel poverty was to praise the low oil prices and the effects the exchange rate will have on tourism in the area. My answer to that is oil and exchange rates are out of the Government’s control and any future changes to these will make Ireland very vulnerable to market changes’ concludes Pringle.
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