Results 14,421-14,440 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: To complement the Budget Statement by the Minister for Finance I am announcing the Expenditure Estimates for 2013. This Government continues to face a daunting challenge in repairing the economy and the public finances. Difficult decisions are still required. We are committed to meeting that challenge, and are confident that through good government we can lead Ireland back to independent...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: -----local government reform.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We are working too on revised budgetary procedures to enhance the role played by parliamentarians in our budgetary process. For the first time, this year Oireachtas committees debated the annual Estimates in advance of decisions taken. Changing budgetary processes for all eurozone member states may make this the last December budget in this country. Oireachtas committees are also...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: This is a real opportunity for us to build on the achievements of the current agreement and drive a range of workforce reforms which will support our public services into the future. Reforming public services is not just about reducing unsustainable cost. We need a public service that is flexible and responsive to public needs – a service that will be world class. Supporting Jobs and...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government is restructuring county enterprise boards to provide a one-stop shop through the local authority system. This reform will be supported by an allocation of more than €26 million next year which will facilitate this transition and fund schemes to support small businesses in every county of our country. A key challenge is to ensure new jobs will be created as our economy...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: This will improve employability and work readiness outcomes for participants by giving them opportunities to put their work skills into practice and to learn new skills. My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, will outline these schemes in detail later today. Capital Expenditure The five-year Exchequer Capital Framework published last year sets out a programme of Exchequer...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My officials are also engaging with the Council of Europe Bank on funding for the justice projects prioritised by the Minister for Justice and Equality in his PPP programme. I have reached agreement with the troika that the proceeds of State asset sales, which will come on stream next year, can be used to support investment and structural changes in our economy and develop and create jobs....

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is driving this project, which is due to start next year and will create 520 jobs during construction. On completion, it will mean that 17 year old boys will no longer be detained in St. Patrick’s Institution which is unsuitable for children and has been heavily criticised by many national and international bodies.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We have long recognised that energy efficiency measures in both the public and private sectors have the potential to generate jobs and to help Ireland meet its climate change targets. Ireland has challenging CO2 and energy saving targets to meet between now and 2020. The Government’s national energy efficiency action plan sets out the measures necessary to deliver the national 20%...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We need to protect the more vulnerable in our society to the best of our ability. Accordingly, the Government has decided to raise the expenditure ceilings for next year in two Departments that deliver social values in our society. Spending in the area of social welfare and in the Department of Health will increase by €150 million in each Department.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: This means that a lower adjustment is required for those Departments than previously stated in the budgetary outlook. These increases will be funded by a number of taxation measures, as set out by the Minister for Finance, and by an increased dividend payment to the State. Social Protection The social protection expenditure ceiling for next year will be more than €20.2 billion....

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: This means that all pensioners and all those under 66, such as people with disabilities and jobseekers, will have their weekly primary payments fully maintained.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In addition, there will be no change to either the rate or duration of weekly fuel allowances where payable.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Nevertheless, the pressures on our social welfare budget are considerable. It is, by far, the biggest component of current expenditure. For example, pensions will cost around €200 million more in 2013 than in 2012 and unemployment, while stabilised, has not reduced to the extent we envisaged last year. Even with the increase I announced to the social protection budget, measures must...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We will reduce the duration of jobseeker’s benefit by three months. This will save €33 million in 2013 and €82 million in a full year. The household benefits package comprises electricity allowance, telephone allowance and free television licence schemes. Given the universal element of the household benefits package, we have decided to reduce the supports available to the...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We have also decided to introduce changes to the electricity allowance to achieve savings of €20 million next year.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Deputies should know similar changes last year did not have an impact on any recipient. We got better deals from providers. We will reduce the child benefit rate by €10 per month. This measure will save €136 million next year. We are conscious of the impact it will have on many households. Therefore, we are providing for additional supports that are specifically targeted at...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As indicated, this includes an additional allocation of €150 million over what was previously indicated. The demand for health services continues to grow due to demographic pressures and we must make certain these services continue to meet the health needs of our population. For example, by the end of year, it is expected that expenditure on the primary care reimbursement service will...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: These measures will yield savings of €323 million next year. To contain the growth in the cost of medical cards under the primary care reimbursement service, we are increasing the prescription charge for medical card holders. This charge is being increased from 50 cent to €1.50 per item and the monthly cap for a family is being increased by €10 to €19.50. The...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Budget Statement 2013 (5 Dec 2012)

Brendan Howlin: People over 70 years, with an income of €600-€700 per week for a single person and €1,200-€1,400 per week for a couple, will have their medical card replaced with a GP-only card.