SF economic policies to cost E5bn more a year

SINN FÉIN’S economic policies would involve an immediate increase of almost E5 billion per annum in State spending.

An analysis by the Irish Examiner of recent Sinn Féin policy documents (particularly its manifesto for the 2002 General Election and its pre-budget submission of December 2003) shows the specific measures proposed could cost the Exchequer E5 billion per year in current spending.

The party's proposals to reduce the numbers on the housing list, as well as the homeless, by 70% within two years would involve major capital expenditure. This could cost at least a further 5 billion, albeit as a once-off capital cost.