Results 9,321-9,340 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Financial Institutions: Financial Institutions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Intensified oversight and scrutiny of financial institutions has been in place since the onset of the current turmoil in financial markets. I note that the Chief Executive of the Financial Regulator, appearing yesterday before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, stated the Regulator intends to increase further its focus on the management of credit and liquidity...

Written Answers — Home Ownership: Home Ownership (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will appreciate, mortgage insurance is only one of a number of factors that has the potential to increase home ownership for people requiring higher loan to value mortgages. Mortgage insurance for lenders is a financial product that already exists in Ireland and providers of the product must be authorised in accordance with the European Communities (Non Life Insurance)...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We find ourselves in one of the most difficult and uncertain times in living memory. Turmoil in the financial markets and steep increases in commodity prices have put enormous pressures on economies throughout the world. Here at home we face the most challenging fiscal and economic position in a generation. This budget sets out a plan to deal with this most unfavourable set of...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The qualified adult allowance rate for those of pension age will increase by €6.30 to €206.30 per week. Energy Costs We recognise the difficulties caused by fuel price increases to those on low fixed incomes. Accordingly, the duration of the fuel allowance is being increased by two weeks from next April, while the rate of payment is being increased by €2 per week, to €20 per week,...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The aggregate period for the payment of fuel allowance will be increased from 30 to 32 weeks from April 2009. People of Working Age The personal rates of all working age payments, including both the carer's benefit and the carer's allowance, are being increased by €6.50 per week from 1 January. This will bring the lowest full adult social welfare rate to €204.30 per week. The minimum...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Support will be available to this group to help them meet their health care costs.

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An annual cash grant of €400 per person will be paid to those over 70 who do not qualify for a medical card or a GP visit card, subject to an income threshold.

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister for Health and Children will give full details of this new arrangement which will come into force on 1 January 2009. I fully expect that the Commission on Taxation will examine options relating to the tax treatment of universal child benefit payments. I look forward to giving careful consideration to any progressive proposals it may make in this area. At this stage, the...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——and will be halved for that group to €83 per month from 1 January next. However, welfare recipients, including those on family income supplement, will be compensated through appropriate adjustments to their support payments. Early child care supplement will cease at five and a half years of age. The full details of these savings measures and the off-setting factors to assist...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The OECD estimates that spending in Ireland on pension and health care may rise from about 8% of GDP at present to about 18% by 2030. We cannot sustain such a huge increase without basic changes in how we achieve our common goals. I am determined to secure savings on health sector payroll and staffing numbers to provide for a greater concentration of available resources on the actual...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Investment in education is essential for our future prosperity. I have provided for an increase of €308 million in the total expenditure provision for education in 2009. A total of €230 million of this increase is for current expenditure, to provide for the additional costs across the system as a result of increasing student numbers due to demographic factors.

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The challenges facing the education system will be demanding in the years ahead. I have done the utmost to protect this sector in the prevailing circumstances. We have provided the maximum possible additional funds to this important area. Further details of the necessary changes are set out in the budget documentation and full details will be provided by my colleague, the Minister for...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The task force on the public service established by the Taoiseach has been preparing an action plan for the public service and its recommendations will be considered by the Government in November. In regard to public service pay and numbers, we must do more with less. Pay rates are a function of agreed negotiations. Our public servants, including teachers, doctors and nurses, often of the...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Since the establishment of the HSE the number of whole-time equivalent staff has increased by 12%. The Government has decided that a targeted voluntary early retirement scheme will be introduced for the HSE and discussions are under way on the development of such a scheme. This will initially be targeted at surplus middle management and administrative staff, but may be extended to other...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The details of this first round of rationalisation are set out in the summary of budget measures. My colleagues will provide additional information and details about each of the proposals in the days ahead. These proposals are but a first step. I will, in consultation with my colleagues, be examining the scope for further rationalisation of agencies. Decentralisation The Government has...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In excess of 2,500 public service posts have already moved to new locations outside of Dublin. The priority elements, coupled with the progress already made, will bring a total of 6,000 public service jobs to 40 locations around Ireland. We are deferring decisions on the timing of the implementation of the balance of the programme pending a review in 2011 in the light of budgetary developments.

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Full details of the projects which will continue to be progressed at this time and those which are being deferred are outlined in the summary budget material.

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I turn from current expenditure to the subject of public investment. Over the past decade, our rate of investment in public capital projects has been more than 5% of gross national product — double the rate of most EU member states. In our new financial position, we have to be much more targeted in our investments. We need to concentrate on capital projects that add significantly to our...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government capital investment programme in 2009 will support core capital investment priorities such as the improvements in public transport, including work on extending Luas services to the Point and to Cherrywood, completion of the Cork to Midleton commuter line and general capacity improvements; the continuing work on the major inter-urban roads, which are all on schedule for...

Budget Statement 2009 (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: These projects will help provide the foundations for future economic expansion and sustainable job creation. Direct Government capital investment will be complemented by the extensive capital investment programmes of the commercial State bodies such as the highly visible progress being made by the Dublin Airport Authority on terminal2 in Dublin Airport and the investment by the State energy...