Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD today announced the party’s commitment to put €1 billion of the Apple Tax money into an Equality for Communities Fund.

The money would be invested in working class communities that have been left behind by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Ms McDonald explained that the fund will be applied using the Pobal Index; not dissimilar to how DEIS areas are identified. It will be operated under the Department of Community and Rural Affairs, and administered by local Councils.

The Sinn Féin leader said:

“Sinn Féin will put €1 billion of the Apple Tax money into an Equality for Communities Fund to invest in working class communities that have been left behind by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and that bore the brunt of austerity cuts at a time when this tax should have been collected.

“This is about giving the same opportunities to build a better future to every community.

“This will be a targeted capital investment fund for sports facilities, play facilities, community facilities, youth facilities, arts facilities and public spaces to transform communities that bore the brunt of austerity.

“These communities live with the barriers created by austerity. They live with intergenerational disadvantage, poverty and young people denied access to opportunities.

“It’s time to repair that damage, to invest ambitiously in community development and build a better future for all.

“Such investment will be a key part of an overall plan to tackle poverty and disadvantage and ensure equal opportunities for all.

“Community is everything. It’s the beating heart of life in Ireland and Sinn Féin is absolutely committed to backing communities held back by neglect and cuts, ensuring they can reach their full potential.”