Failures in public services linked to low taxes

A trade union economic thinktank has linked the hospital emergency department crisis and other public service shortcomings to low levels of tax.

Tom Healy, director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, said the country gets “what we pay for or don’t pay for”.

“Overcrowded A&E, lack of nursing home places, seasonal factors, under-investment in community health, emergencies in public mental health services, large classes, limited public childcare supports, limited public transport, rural areas under pressure, homelessness growing visibly on the streets every night, a direct provision system that will be the subject of high-level apologies in the 2040 — might there be a link to the taxes we pay (or don’t pay?),” said Mr Healy.