Results 4,381-4,400 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is because it never happened.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Full details in this regard will be set out in the finance Bill. I am also introducing a package of measures to improve the effectiveness of the Revenue Commissioners in tackling the shadow economy, addressing smuggling and excise frauds and dealing with tax avoidance schemes. Carbon Tax The economic and social implications of climate change are immense. It is the responsibility of every...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The pension levy has reduced their pay by an average of nearly 7%. Their numbers have been reduced by the moratorium, the incentivised early retirement scheme and career breaks. Like many workers they have forgone pay increases. Unfortunately, more is required. The country can no longer afford a pay and pensions bill that accounts for more than a third of all day to day expenditure. Any...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the public service unions for accepting the need to reduce the public service pay bill and for their constructive and strenuous efforts to reach an agreement on how this would be done. Regrettably, a deal was not possible. The reductions we must now make do not reflect any lack of recognition of public servants or of the quality of the work they do for all of us. They are simply a...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----a reduction of 7.5% on the next €40,000 of salary and a reduction of 10% on the next €55,000 of salary.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The reductions range from 5% to 8% in the case of salaries of public servants of up to €125,000. The pay of Members of these Houses will be reduced in line with that of the equivalent public service grades. Provision for these reductions will be included in legislation that I will publish shortly. In order to avoid a destabilising rate of retirement among older public servants, the...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the case of working age rates of payment there will be a reduction of about 4.1%. Unemployment among the young is a particular concern to the Government. We want to encourage them to stay close to the labour market while at the same time providing a rate of assistance that compares very well internationally, particularly with payments in Britain and Northern Ireland.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We know from the bitter experience of the 1980s-----

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----how a welfare system out of step with labour costs in the rest of the economy can trap people in protracted joblessness.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is why we are making the following targeted changes: for new applicants, the rate of job-seekers allowance and supplementary welfare allowance for persons aged 20 and 21 years of age who have no dependent children is being reduced to €100 per week and for those aged between 22 and 24 to €150 per week; and for all other cases, the rate will be reduced to €150 per week where job...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In making adjustments to social welfare rates, we recognised that consumer prices have not declined at the same rate for all groups. Older people have experienced by far the smallest reduction in living costs. For that reason and in recognition of the contribution they have made to the State the Government has decided to leave the State pension unchanged.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Welfare dependent families will be fully compensated by increasing the qualified child allowance by €3.80 per week so that they will not be affected by this measure.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Low income families in receipt of family income supplement, FIS, will be also fully compensated.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The summary of budget measures gives further details of these and a number of other more limited changes on social welfare entitlements. Social welfare spending rose in 2009 to €20.4 billion. The measures announced today will reduce social welfare spending by €760 million in 2010. Despite this reduction social welfare spending will reach €21.1 billion next year due to the sharp rise...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Reductions have been offset by increases mainly due to increased unemployment and higher debt servicing costs.

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In this budget the Government has decided to reduce spending on public services by almost €1 billion in 2010 compared with the pre-budget estimates. We have sought to make savings through efficiencies rather than through reductions in services, €400 million of these savings arise in the health area where various measures, including a prescription charge of 50 cent per item under the...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister for Health and Children will provide details. The remaining savings in day to day spending will be achieved across other Departments, details of which are set out in the summary of budget measures. REVIEW OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES In framing this budget I have been guided by the McCarthy group's report. This group did not examine spending in the local authorities which provide...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This work will begin immediately and report by mid 2010. The full details of this review will be announced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. INVESTMENT FOR RECOVERY AND EMPLOYMENT Although public investment spending is being reduced next year, it still will be €6.4 billion or 5% of GNP for 2010 and €5.5 billion each year for the years 2011 to 2016....

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I want to draw particular attention to an initiative in the health sector. I am providing for a multi-annual investment programme in important mental health projects which are in line with the strategy set out in A Vision for Change. This investment programme will be funded from the sale of surplus HSE assets and I am allocating an additional amount of €43 million for this purpose in...

Budget Statement 2010 (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am providing nearly €136 million in funding to provide an additional 26,000 individuals with training places and supports; €56 million is being made available to FÁS for short-term courses-----