Parties talk workers pay, Irish unity a week from polling

With one week until polling day, political parties are set to publish policies on a range of issues including workers pay, decriminalising drugs and Irish unification.

Independent Ireland revealed its manifesto this morning in Athlone, with a promise to create a new Department of Efficiency and Reform aimed at cutting Government waste.

Independent Ireland's manifesto includes plans to reduce the lower rate of VAT 9% to help small businesses and the hospitality sector, and pledges €1 billion in additional support to the farming and fishing sectors.

The party also plans to offer new supports aimed at recruiting more healthcare staff and gardaí to address the crisis in health and law and order.

It also pledges to freeze all green taxes and establish a Department of Efficiency and Reform, to deliver 10% savings of 2024 government spend over the term of the next government.

5 key points from Independent Ireland's election manifesto

Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe will launch his party's plan to invest in Dublin city centre and other cities and towns.

The party says the plan will ensure they are vibrant and attractive destinations for living, working, business and tourism.

Meanwhile party leader Simon Harris will be on the campaign trail in Cork.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Mr Harris said his party is putting forward a €40bn housing plan.

Mr Harris said that while the Help To Buy and First Home schemes are "imperfect in some ways, they are necessary" to bridge the gap between the housing supply being built today and the supply that is needed.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will join party colleagues Louise O'Reilly and Matt Carthy in Dublin to outline how they would make the achievement of Irish unity a priority in government.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will be in the Meath West constituency, while Charlie McConalogue outlines his party's vision for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Ireland in Co Roscommon.

Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman will travel to Kilkenny to meet colleague Malcolm Noonan and publish their new Basic Income for Carers commitment.

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The Social Democrats will launch its youth manifesto, with a strategy that outlines how, in government, the party would increase funding for youth work services, restoring it to pre-austerity levels.

It also promises multi-annual funding of youth projects, including ongoing and evolving provision for support to retain and develop youth workers.

Labour will publish its plan to end low pay and give employees more power; while People Before Profit will unveil its plan to decriminalise drugs and make cannabis legal.