Dáil debates

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Financial Resolution No. 13: General (Resumed)

 

6:00 pm

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Before the debate adjourned, I was about to make a point about the six weeks reduction in the fuel allowance. While I welcome the Taoiseach's announcement this morning to the effect that he will reverse the decision on disability payments, I call on the Cabinet to reconsider the fuel allowance issue. As the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, knows, this allowance is means tested and those who qualify for it must meet every criteria. To reduce it by six weeks is not in the best interests of old people in particular.

I welcome the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, on sports grants. Last year, we argued with the late Mr. Brian Lenihan that these grants should have been introduced on a smaller scale. I welcome that the Minister of State will re-introduce sports grants and I hope the details will be made available as quickly as possible to allow sporting organisations to apply. I also hope that the money will be spread more evenly instead of large sums being given to the major stadia. I look with interest to my county of Wexford where a significant amount of money was spent on Wexford Park, yet health and safety officers have reduced its capacity from 25,000 people to approximately 15,000. With this in mind, I wonder why we were allowed to spend that level of money in the first instance.

Will the Government consider the question of community employment, CE, and internship schemes? CE schemes are important for rural Ireland and many organisations avail of them. The reduction in the available grant aid for such schemes will cause problems. The amount of money involved is not large, but the funds for retraining and materials formed an important element of the schemes.

Will the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, spell out the cuts in his portfolio? There seem to be many hidden cuts. That people in their 90s have been forced to go to court to get a decision on the closure of the Abbeyleix Community Hospital is disgraceful. I hope the situation can be resolved during the next 12 weeks, the time allocated by the judge today. It is not a good omen that older people in nursing homes have been forced under this Government to go to court to protect their rights.

Today saw 40 people, the most ever, on trolleys in Wexford hospital. When we were in government last year and 20 or 25 people were on trolleys, the then Opposition Deputies from my county were very agitated about it and we were getting abuse from that side of the House, yet nearly twice that number are now on trolleys and the Minister is discussing further cuts in the health service. I do not know what he intends to do, but further cuts will impinge on those who must go to hospital.

This is not a fair budget, but I welcome the Taoiseach's announcement this morning. I hope people in receipt of disability payments will continue to receive €188 per week. They are special people who require special foods and must avail of taxis because most of them are unable to drive. They are in no position to take any reduction in the amount of money they receive. I welcome the Taoiseach's change of heart.

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