Five key points from the Labour election manifesto

The Labour Party has launched its General Election manifesto.

The party has said there is an appetite for what it calls a message of “positive change”, which only it can offer.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said voters have a choice on polling day on how the power and resources of the State are used.

Here are the main points from the Labour Party manifesto, covering five key areas:

1. Economy

Broaden the tax base with increased taxes on wealth, not income.

No tax cuts or “shrinking” of the tax base, instead investing in services.

Return the USC to a health contribution, ringfencing for healthcare.

A new public sector pay deal from 2027 linked to projected wage growth.

Capital spending raised to 14.5% of total spending.

2. Housing

Build an average of 50,000 homes a year over the next five years

Create a State Construction Agency using €6 billion of Apple Tax money to build on State-owned land.

This agency would provide secure, well-paid and pensionable jobs to construction workers.

Introduce an immediate rent freeze.

Provide key worker housing in main cities for essential public servants, refurbish HSE vacant property to use as homes for health workers.

3. Workers’ Rights

Ensure a national living wage is set at 60% of median hourly earnings.

Ban unpaid internships.

Abolish the lower rate of minimum wage for younger workers.

Bring in reproductive leave fof 10 days for those undergoing fertility treatment and 20 days for those who experience pregnancy loss.

Hire 50,000 public servants over the next five years.

4. Childcare

A full year of parental leave.

A public system of childcare with 30,000 places.

Capital investment to build childcare places beside schools.

A second child benefit payment for children of lower income households.

Cap childcare cost at €50 a week.

5. Climate

A levy on the electricity use of data centers.

Zero rate of VAT on bikes and heat pumps.

A €2.5bn national retrofitting fund to finance street by street energy efficiency upgrades.

An SUV tax proportionate to the size of the car.

LUAS designs for five cities, with 15 new lines by 2040.

Read more stories about Election 24