Ireland debates €14bn Apple tax windfall ahead of election
Housing dominates Ireland’s election agenda, with billions pledged to address shortages using Apple tax funds.
Ireland‘s political parties are laying out ambitious plans for spending the €14bn tax windfall from Apple as they gear up for the general election. The funds stem from a landmark EU ruling requiring Apple to pay back taxes and interest for receiving unfair tax benefits.
Housing is a primary focus. Fianna Fáil proposes €4bn for social housing, while Sinn Féin plans €7.6bn for public housing and €1bn for a housing redress scheme. The Green Party and Labour have also prioritised infrastructure and housing development.
Transport, renewable energy, and regional regeneration also feature heavily. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil emphasise investments in water systems and electricity grids, while the Green Party focuses on enhancing public transport. Both Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil propose community-focused funds for underdeveloped areas, mirroring ‘levelling up’ policies.