Results 15,541-15,560 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan
- Other Questions: National Payments Plan Implementation (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: From 19 September 2014, e-day, public sector bodies such as Departments, State agencies and local authorities will no longer issue cheques to or accept cheques from businesses. This is being implemented as part of the national payments plan for Ireland to help reduce cheque usage generally in an effort to tackle late payments, improve cashflow and reduce costs for Irish businesses. E-day...
- Other Questions: National Payments Plan Implementation (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: I welcome the fact that Deputy Kyne has raised the issue because September is not far away. Public attention needs to be drawn to the fact that e-day is coming. Although it does not apply to the public in general or to social welfare payments it will apply to all businesses and State agencies. There needs to be increased public awareness and I hope Deputy Kyne's question gets some...
- Return to Writ: Dublin West - Introduction of New Member (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: I would like to be associated with the Ceann Comhairle's remarks of congratulation to Deputy Ruth Coppinger. I hope she has a long and distinguished career in the House.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: I thank Deputy Martin for his question. It is reasonable to accept that people want a system of medical cards that is sensitive to families' needs and can operate on a case-by-case basis. The Government will certainly examine this. Taking medical cards from very sick children is not acceptable. This cannot be changed overnight, but the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and Minister of State,...
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: The Government has made clear its commitment to delivering on the implementation of a GP service for the entire population as part of the move to universal health care. Everybody understands, however, that a medical card system that costs over €2 billion a year and where 42% of the population holds a medical card needs to be reviewed periodically. In 2013 alone, the Health Service...
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: The position is that over 77,925 discretionary medical cards were in circulation on 1 March. Their status on 1 March 2014 was as follows: 33% still held the medical card on the discretionary basis, that is, 25,398 people; 49% of those who had a medical card have retained their medical card based on an assessment of means. They still have their card but now on different grounds. That is...
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: Eligibility for medical cards has been somewhat fraught over the years and it becomes a political issue periodically but despite the review carried out by the HSE with the Department of Health, of all that were reviewed since budget time, 96.4% of those assessed continue to be eligible for medical cards, therefore, 3.6% of those reviewed lost their medical cards. One of the reasons the...
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: Fianna Fáil had a commitment to review medical card eligibility in its 2007 manifesto-----
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: -----an election it won, and it did not do it then either.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: The Deputy does not have to be sanctimonious.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: When that is added to the financial mess his party left behind when it abandoned office, the Deputy should take part of the responsibility.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: The Government has heard the concerns raised in recent months, and they were raised in a more magnified way in the past few weeks. The economic recovery we are working very hard to achieve is succeeding and we need to continue with stable conditions to ensure the economy grows and that we get our people back to work. In that context we must protect the most vulnerable in society but as I...
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: I am not impressed by the Deputy's proclamation of the new republic because it appears that he is committed to unrestrained public expenditure on all fronts-----
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: -----and the piling of taxation onto the shoulders of ordinary taxpayers, which will lead to people losing their jobs and, thus, increased unemployment. That is what will happen if we follow Sinn Féin's policies. I asked the Deputy a simple question.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: Currently, 42% of people in Ireland have a medical card.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: Is Deputy Gerry Adams saying the percentage should be 100%? If not, what eligibility criteria would he set? I am saying the most vulnerable children should retain their medical cards which should not be withdrawn in any review. Sick children should not be deprived of medical cards.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: We have not yet heard Sinn Féin's eligibility criteria. To whom would it not award a medical card?
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: Would Sinn Féin give them to everyone?
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: Deputies on all sides will be pleased to hear that we are not planning an election.
- Leaders' Questions (27 May 2014)
Michael Noonan: Members opposite should not pretend; most of them would run a mile.