Sinn Fein Unveils Its Alternative Health Budget

Sinn Féin is launching it's alternative health budget this morning calling for 828 new public hospital beds and 6,500 additional staff for the health service.

It comes as Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath will update the Oireachtas on his plans for the budget. Sinn Féin's Alternative Budget for Health would see a 1.4 billion euro package beyond expenditure for 2021 and money already committed.
The party says it would include an additional 114 million euro for mental health services. It wants to see 828 new build public hospital beds, 6,500 staff and universal counselling being available on referral from a GP.
Sinn Féin also says 120 million would be put towards removing private healthcare from public hospitals, and expanding free GP care.
Separately Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath is to appear before the budgetary oversight committee this morning. He'll update the Oireachtas on his thinking around a number of issues, likely including any pandemic bonus which has become one of the most contentious parts of this budget.