Sinn Féin has said it will not waste the public’s money on expensive bike shelters and security huts if in government as it launched its alternative budget this morning.
The party said it will ramp up public spending, in particular on housing.
Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty said housing was the party’s number one priority, adding the party would also abolish USC on salaries up to €45,000.
"That will mean that over a period of two years, the average worker will pay no USC," he said.
He said the measure would put money back into the pockets of all workers and would cost the Exchequer €1.1bn.
Sinn Féin said it would abolish the Property Tax gradually over five years, starting with a 20% cut.
On the cost of living, Sinn Féin said it would provide a €450 electricity credit to households, and not proceed with the Carbon Tax.
It would also abolish the TV licence.
The party said it will support renters with a month's rent credit and a ban on rent increases for three years - at a cost of €150m.
On housing, Sinn Féin said it will deliver 300,000 new homes over a government term, including 125,000 social houses.
The party said it will extend Parental Leave and Benefit by an extra four weeks, increase Child Benefit by €10 a month and provide two double payments in October and December.
It also said it will make childcare affordable at €10 per child per day.
Sinn Féin says it will abolish college fees, starting first with a 50% cut and says it can build affordable student accommodation.
It also aims to abolish apprenticeship fees.
Mr Doherty said his party's alternative budget is about making an immediate and lasting benefit to workers and families during a cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said his party would increase minimum wage and invest in housing to end the housing crisis.
"The big difference between ourselves and Government, obviously, is that Government aren't looking at spending anywhere near the type of capital investment, the investment in bricks and mortar that we're going to spend," he said.
He said Sinn Féin agrees that child benefit should be a universal benefit and has also outlined targeted measures aimed at helping lower earner families and lone parents.
Mr Doherty disagreed that his party's budget was similar in objective to that of the Government, adding that Sinn Féin's focus is on the lower and middle-income earners.
He said the party has proposals that will bring in additional revenue to the State.
"We have long argued policies in terms of a 3% additional tax on the individual incomes above €140,000 euro," he said.
"We believe that the banking levy is set far too low. It should be €400 million ... We also argued that gold-plated pensions should not be subsidised by the State," Mr Doherty added.
