Results 10,161-10,180 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: We are trying to deal with the consequences of policies that failed.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: I will answer the question on whether we agree with Ulster Bank's claims. Clearly, we do not know the data in respect of Ulster Bank and its claims, but we have put in place a requirement to have sustainable solutions by the end of the year for 50% of people who are in difficulty. This is overseen independently by the Central Bank. Furthermore, the process-----
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: Furthermore, if a banks fail to engage in a mortgage arrears resolution process, MARP, the situation can be appealed to the Financial Services Ombudsman.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: The banks' commitment to dealing with the regulations as set out is overseen.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: Individuals who have been unable to find agreements with their banks have the option of going to an independent personal insolvency service where the issues can be independently assessed and a procedure can be put in place to deal with their problems. Right along the trail, there is independent oversight of the different steps in this process-----
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: -----to ensure those who cannot pay are offered sustainable solutions. This is the route we have sought to pursue. If we fail to face up to these problems in our banks, we will have the sort of zombie problem within banking that traps families, banks and our economy in a situation in which they cannot move forward.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: The actions we are taking are designed to allow for a recovery-----
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: -----after the crisis created by policies about which Deputy Martin knows more than we do.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for his question. Medical card eligibility is set out plainly in law. The means test has not been changed. People have the right to present individual health cases, which are always addressed. If the Deputy wishes to draw a specific case to the attention of those assessing it-----
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: -----I would be happy to receive it. The broad picture is that an increasing number of people have medical cards. Never in the history of the State have we had as many as 42% of people eligible for cards. The figure has increased this year. Despite the difficulties in which public services find themselves and the economies that every part of government has needed to achieve, we continue...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: I am perfectly happy to arrange that the case the Deputy has raised be investigated.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: From what he indicated, it is being reviewed. Generally, anyone who is aged 70 or over is entitled to a medical card if their gross income does not exceed €600 per week. That is the income threshold. The other part of that assessment is that a person may have savings but savings up to €36,000 will be disregarded. The system therefore does attempt to provide for people of a...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: -----and more prone to illness, to have a much higher income threshold. That is set out in the legislation. In addition, they have the security of knowing that they can have savings and those will not be treated. If there are special circumstances, and undoubtedly there are in this case, those special circumstances will be reviewed in each case.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: That discretion is there and it will obviously hinge on the merit of the case. If the Deputy wants to give details of the case he cited, I will arrange for the HSE to examine those details.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: First of all, I acknowledge that we inherited an economy that was in an extraordinary situation.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: No, that is not the past.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: The economy we inherited was losing 90,000 jobs per year.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: I am happy to stay all day but I would like to get a chance to answer the question. The truth is that we inherited an economy that was losing 90,000 jobs per year. That is 7,000 jobs per month. The latest CSO figures show that we have added 20,000 jobs in the last 12 months. In respect of the private sector, we are adding 2,000 jobs per month. That is a dramatic transformation. If one...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: It is difficult to know where to start.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2013)
Richard Bruton: The Deputy said that the Government does not understand enterprise. The truth is that enterprise and predominantly small business have created 25,000 net new jobs in the past 12 months.