UNSIGNED PREVIEW — not a promoted public release.
Actor: Micheál Martin
insufficient_evidenceTopic: housing
Office: Taoiseach
Evidence: 23 events
Sources: 23
This promise by Micheál Martin has INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE for a rating. Only 23 evidence events were found. More research is needed before a reliable assessment can be made.
This promise is SPECIFIC (vagueness score: 40/100). It includes measurable targets or deadlines that make it trackable. Specific promises are easier to verify as kept or broken.
Issue category: housing
The School Transport 2030 review, published in early 2024, represents the most comprehensive assessment of the scheme since its establishment in 1967. It recommends phased implementation of changes including 14 pilot projects covering coordinated school opening times, flexible bus fleets, sustainable transport alternatives, and better integration of public transport with school bus services.
The Government published an Acute Inpatient Hospital Bed Expansion Plan in May 2024 targeting 4,367 acute hospital inpatient beds, including 3,352 new beds to be delivered through 2031.
Buildings emissions were up 16.7% in the first half of 2024 due to increased energy demand for homes, despite overall national emissions declining 2% in 2024.
Budget 2025 announcement included plans to hire 1,000 Gardaí and up to 250 civilian staff in specialist roles, along with a €25m increase to the Garda overtime budget.
The EPA's greenhouse gas projections indicate that built environment sector emissions are expected to decrease by approximately 23.9% by 2030 compared with 2018 — roughly half the 45% target. The built environment was the only sector that saw an emissions increase.
The Government approved Climate Action Plan 2025, reaffirming commitment to sectoral emissions ceilings including the built environment sector.
Between 2020 and 2024, Ireland opened 1,218 new acute inpatient beds. However, only 143 acute beds were completed in 2025, and critics describe the pace of expansion as too slow.
Only 12% uptake of free GP visit cards despite government expansion, with doctors warning that complex applications and patient doubts are preventing access.
Children under 8 in Ireland currently qualify for free GP visit cards. The Programme for Government commits to expanding free GP services to children up to at least age 12, with further extension kept under review.
EPA projections show Ireland is off track for 2030 climate targets, with total greenhouse gas emissions projected to reduce by only up to 23% (vs. the national 51% target), indicating significant shortfalls across sectors including the built environment.
Minister McEntee stated in the Dáil that 14 pilot projects commenced in the 2024-2025 school year and are continuing for the 2025-2026 school year. These will be evaluated in full at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the Government's decision not to include energy credits in Budget 2026, stating that continued universal one-off credits were 'not sustainable' and would lead to energy companies raising prices.
Budget 2026 included no energy credits or broader cost-of-living package. Instead, it featured a targeted approach: the Fuel Allowance increased by €5/week to €38 (from January 2026), eligibility extended to those on Working Family Payment, and the 9% VAT rate on energy extended to end of 2030.
Micheál Martin defended the decision not to give energy credits, arguing they would lead to energy companies inflating their prices.
December 31, 2025 was the deadline for private practice in public hospitals to cease for contract holders. The contract is described as a key step towards universal healthcare.
The Taoiseach ruled out a return of a ban on no-fault evictions, opposing the blanket approach proposed by Labour and other opposition parties.
The Defence Forces initially told the Gardaí they could not provide anti-drone security for multiple EU presidency meeting locations, highlighting capability gaps that the €19 million procurement is intended to address.
The December 2025 government press release stated the Government is committed to further reducing waiting times, 'targeting all patients to be seen within the Sláintecare target of 10 weeks for OPD and 12 weeks for IPDC and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (GI Scopes).' This remains a long-term target rather than one achieved in 2025.
McEntee stated she was 'absolutely certain' the counter-drone technology would be operational in time for the EU presidency, responding to opposition questions about the timeline.
The Irish government is on target to provide a C-UAS during the EU presidency beginning July 2026, with efforts to procure the system and military radar ramped up.
In an Oireachtas debate on 17 February 2026, McEntee stated: 'With Ireland assuming the Presidency of the EU from July this year, I have prioritised the delivery of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS).'
Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals are seeing low uptake of the public-only consultant contract, suggesting uneven implementation across the hospital system.
The State is making an unprecedented investment - €50 billion between exchequer and non-exchequer funding to Housing and Water infrastructure.
In April 2026, following an energy price spike linked to the Iran conflict, Martin outlined a targeted €250 million package of temporary excise cuts, diesel rebate reform, haulage support, and fuel allowance extension — but no return to universal energy credits.