Key promises in Soc Dems election manifesto

The Social Democrats is promising to deliver 145,000 affordable and social homes over five years if it is elected to government.

It also says it would introduce free public transport for all children under 18.

The party's election manifesto, due to be published today, says it wants to build 50,000 affordable purchase homes, 25,000 affordable rental and 70,000 social houses over a government term.

It also says it would end no-fault evictions and introduce a temporary three-year rent freeze.

The party wants to replace rent pressure zones with a reference rent system.

The Social Democrats also says it would introduce a wealth tax which could raise between €150 million and €200 million.

The tax would be levied at a rate of 0.5% on assets above €1 million (net of liabilities), excluding the family home, business assets and farm land.

The levy would rise to 1% on assets over €2 million.

On disability, the Social Democrats says it will increase funding for disability services by an additional €1.1 billion per year.

And it would abolish the means test for carers and introduce a statutory right to homecare.

The party has already said it would insist on a full Cabinet Minister for Disability as a condition for entering any coalition government.

On childcare, the Social Democrats says it would move towards a fully public model, capping fees at €250 per month.

On health, the party says it would insist on the full implementation of Sláintecare in any government formation talks.

The party says it would also decriminalise possession of small quantities of drugs for personal consumption.