Fine Gael unveils ‘new deal’ for young people

Fine Gael launched an extensive list of Election promises to the youth of Ireland today including a commitment to hold all future…

Fine Gael launched an extensive list of Election promises to the youth of Ireland today including a commitment to hold all future elections at the weekend.

Party leader Mr Michael Noonan outlined ten pledges in what he described as a "new deal for young people".

Under a Fine Gael-led government, Mr Noonan declared motor insurance would be made affordable with a €400 discount on the first year of car insurance to anyone who passed a new driver training course.

He said young people had grown disillusioned with politics.

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"In the long-term, this disengagement of young people from the political process will set a time-bomb ticking under the fabric of our society. A democratic system simply cannot survive in the face of a population who don't engage with it," he said.

He paid particular attention to education saying the Government had "close their eyes to the fact that being a student generally means being poor". He promised to double the higher education grant for most students, to make GP visits free to everyone under 18 and all full-time students.

In a move to appeal to both students and young people in the workforce, he pledged to set rent relief at the same level as mortgage relief and provide financial help to those saving for a house deposit.

He also promised hardline initiatives on drink, drugs and street crime, with more Gardaí on the street and better public transport.