Programme for Government will deliver for families, communities and businesses

• Waterford Airport expansion a key commitment in programme for government

Waterford Fine Gael TD John Cummins has welcomed the publication of the new programme for government which was negotiated between Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and someIndependents. Deputy Cummins was one of the six lead negotiators at the table for Fine Gael, alongside Ministers McEntee, Donohoe, Heydon, Carroll MacNeill and Deputy O’Shea.

Speaking following its publication, Deputy Cummins said“Coming into the negotiations I had a number of areas that I wanted the incoming Government to do better on. Housing,delivery of infrastructure and supports for children with additional needs are just a few areas that I have been very vocal on over the past number of years and I’m glad that I was heavily involved in those topics during the negotiations for this programme for government.”

Deputy Cummins continued: “When I stood for election, I said I would fight tooth and nail to deliver key projects for Waterford and one of those was the lengthening and widening of the runway at Waterford Airport. It is a project I believestrongly in because I know how impactful it would be for the entire region. I’m delighted that agreement was reached to specifically name check the Waterford Airport Project in this programme for Government.

The programme for government states that the government will “work with all stakeholders to quickly progress the Waterford Airport project to lengthen and widen the runway, building on the previous government decision of 2019.”

Deputy Cummins continued: “As a former teacher I am incredibly passionate about access to education. Many will know that I utilised my last speech in the Seanad to highlight the need for more ASD classes across Waterford. This alongside the further reduction in the pupil teacher ratio at primary level and development of SETU were discussed at length during negotiations. There are now commitments around ‘streamlining the process for the delivery of special classes so they are delivered in advance of the school year’ and seeking to achieve a ‘pupil teacher ratio to 19:1’. I’m also happy with the language we arrived at around creating a borrowing framework for the Technological Universities which is key to the growth of SETU going forward.

“This government will develop a borrowing framework for technological universities and ensure a clear pathway for Technological Universities to access capital funding for initiatives including student accommodation”.

While not specifically referencing UHW, there is a significant nod to the further expansion of cardiac care within the programme for government with a commitment to ensuring ‘a new and ambitious cardiovascular plan that enhances patient care and timely access across all regions’.

Deputy Cummins concluded: “This programme for government has the potential to be very impactful for the people of Waterford and the country as a whole. It seeks to support individuals and families with the cost of childcare, education and other items; support businesses through a lower VAT rate; ensure law and order prevails; that work pays; better health outcomes are achieved; that Ireland continues to be an attractive place in which to do business, and that rural Ireland and the central role agriculture is supported”.

“I’m honoured to have had the opportunity to play a part in negotiating this programme for government. I’m grateful to the Taoiseach Simon Harris for placing his trust in me to negotiate on behalf of Fine Gael and finally, I’d like to once again thank the people of Waterford for all their support. I am very much looking forward to representing the City and County over the next 5 years.”