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- Dáil passes social welfare cuts after heated debate turns ugly12 Dec 2009THE CONTROVERSIAL Social Welfare Bill, which legislates for cuts of €760 million next year, passed all stages in the Dáil last night with the Government winning by 81 to 75 votes.
- Expletive a 'genuine emotive response' to questioning of sincerity, TD insists12 Dec 2009GREEN PARTY TD Paul Gogarty has said his use of an expletive in the Dáil chamber yesterday was a “genuine emotive response” to having his integrity questioned by another deputy.
- Gogarty apologises for 'f-word' use in Dáil
12 Dec 2009GREEN PARTY backbencher Paul Gogarty apologised in the Dáil yesterday for using the “f-word’’ during a heated and bitter debate on the Social Welfare Bill. - Dáil code: 'handbagging' not allowed12 Dec 2009THE TITLE of the document that decides what constitutes unparliamentary language in the Dáil chamber gives a strong clue of its quaint, old-fashioned and almost innocent world view.
- Domicile tax may not raise large sums12 Dec 2009THE PROPOSED Irish domicile levy aimed at wealthy non-resident Irish individuals is not expected to generate substantial sums for the exchequer.
- Pay no rises to ministers until 2012, says report12 Dec 2009TOP LEVEL public servants including ministers should not receive pay increases, including those under any new national wage agreements, until at least 2012, a report commissioned by the Government has recommended.
- Ministers' 10% pay cut will be permanent12 Dec 2009MINISTERS OF State will take a permanent 10 per cent reduction in pay, the Department of Finance has confirmed.
- Social Welfare Bill passed as pay at top of semi-State bodies criticised12 Dec 2009MINISTER FOR Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin has described as “outrageous” the salaries paid to chief executives of some semi-State bodies.
- Irish judges paid more than British counterparts12 Dec 2009HIGH COURT judges in Ireland are paid more than their counterparts in England and Wales, the review body report found.
- Trade unions back various forms of action over pay cuts12 Dec 2009THE NATIONAL executive of a number of trade unions yesterday said they would support various forms of industrial action in protest at the public service pay cuts imposed in the Budget.
- Climate change Bill to formalise emissions targets12 Dec 2009A NEW statutory obligation to reduce greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent from 1990 levels will form part of the Climate change Bill when it is published early in 2010.
- EU Commission endorses Budget11 Dec 2009THE PREMIUM demanded by investors for holding Irish Government debt fell slightly yesterday as the European Commission strongly backed Wednesday’s Budget.
- Gormley to set target for emissions reduction11 Dec 2009CARBON BUDGET: MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley will publish the third carbon budget in the Dáil today on the eve of his departure for Copenhagen for the UN conference on climate change.
- Cuts in dental and optical benefits strongly criticised11 Dec 2009BENEFIT CUTS: CUTS IN dental and optical benefits for people who make PRSI contributions have been strongly criticised by medical professionals.
- Two Fianna Fáil TDs claim pledges on local hospitals11 Dec 2009BUDGET VOTES: TWO MORE TDs have said they will support the Government on all Budget votes after getting commitments on hospital developments in their region.
- Welfare and capital spending among biggest casualties of cuts
10 Dec 2009MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan yesterday outlined a number of measures aimed at reducing exchequer spending in 2010 by just over €4 billion, in a budget aimed at restoring order to the State’s finances. - Most social welfare recipients face cuts of about 4%10 Dec 2009MOST RECIPIENTS of social welfare payments under the age of 66 face a cut of about 4.1 per cent following yesterday’s Budget.
- Lenihan defends cut in Taoiseach's and Ministers' pay10 Dec 2009SALARY REDUCTIONS: MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan last night defended the cut in the salaries of Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his ministerial colleagues following Opposition claims the move was a “scam”.
- VAT cut in bid to stem cross-Border shopping10 Dec 2009EXCISE DUTY: EXCISE DUTY on alcohol has been reduced and last year’s half percentage point increase on VAT is to be reversed in an attempt to stem the flow of cross-Border shopping.
- Increase shows Government 'serious about green economy'10 Dec 2009COMMUNICATIONS: MINISTER FOR Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan has said that a €5 million increase in the budget for his department shows the Government is serious about creating a green economy.
- Carbon tax adds 4.2c to petrol, 5c to diesel
10 Dec 2009CLIMATE CHANGE: THE NEW carbon tax at a rate of €15 per tonne will result in increases of 4.2 cent in the price of a litre of petrol and almost 5 cent in the price of diesel from today. - Minister says farming fared well10 Dec 2009AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD: THE OFFICIAL Department of Finance figures did not reflect the reality of the Agriculture Estimate, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith said yesterday.
- Discount rail travel for visitors praised10 Dec 2009TOURISM: THE ANNOUNCEMENT that people from overseas aged 66 and older will get access to heavily discounted fares on Iarnród Éireann in an effort to boost tourism has been welcomed.
- Anger at 'unjust and uncaring'Budget10 Dec 2009UNIONS' REACTION: UNIONS HAVE reacted angrily to what they described as “an unjust and uncaring” Budget.
- 'Families will suffer' as benefit rates drop back to 2006 levels10 Dec 2009CHILD BENEFIT REACTION: CUTS IN child benefit will have a detrimental effect on families, it was claimed last night.
- Cuts will put more at risk of homelessness, say agencies
10 Dec 2009SOCIAL WELFARE REACTION: ADVOCACY GROUPS have reacted negatively to Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan’s decision to cut certain welfare payments, but have welcomed his decision not to cut the State pension. - Cuts to shave €1bn off public sector pay bill10 Dec 2009PUBLIC SECTOR PAY: THE GOVERNMENT will introduce tiered pay cuts of 5 per cent to 8 per cent for most staff in the public service as part of a plan to reduce the public sector pay bill by more than €1 billion next year.
- Taoiseach reiterates warning over public sector pay strikes10 Dec 2009TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen repeated his warning about public sector pay strikes.
- Medical card holders face prescription charges10 Dec 2009HEALTH: MEDICAL CARD holders will have to pay prescription charges for the first time following yesterday’s Budget. They will pay 50 cent for each item they are prescribed and the change will come into effect from April 1st next year.
- Higher taxes for sheltered income
10 Dec 2009INCOME TAX: HIGH EARNERS who are part of tax incentive schemes are set to pay more tax next year, with the effective or minimum tax rate applied to such people being increased to 30 per cent from 20 per cent. - Rich non-residents will pay €200,00010 Dec 2009DOMICILE LEVY: WEALTHY PEOPLE who are domiciled here but not resident for tax purposes may be levied at €200,000 per a year from next year.
- Accountants happy with Budget tax measures10 Dec 2009FINANCIAL SERVICES REACTION: ACCOUNTANTS AND representatives of the financial services sector welcomed the Budget, particularly the measures relating to corporate and personal taxes.
- Roads provision of €1.6bn represents 14.6% decline10 Dec 2009TRANSPORT: ANNOUNCING DETAILS of the Transport budget, Minister Noel Dempsey said the 2010 provision for roads would be €1.637 billion, €280 million (14.6 per cent) down on the revised 2009 allocation.
- Unfair and lacking radical ideas, says Bruton10 Dec 2009DAIL REPORT: FINE GAEL REACTION: FINE GAEL finance spokesman Richard Bruton predicted people would be “dismally disappointed’’ by the Budget.
- Burton accuses Minister of 'picking on children'10 Dec 2009LABOUR REACTION: LABOUR FINANCE spokeswoman Joan Burton has claimed the Minister for Finance “blew it” with Budget 2010, and the strategy was one where “burden-sharing, like taxation, is just for the little people”.
- Measures will force economy into worse recession - Morgan10 Dec 2009SINN FEIN REACTION: SINN FÉIN finance spokesman Arthur Morgan said the Budget would drive the economy into further recession.
- Doubts over fiscal policy addressed - Lenihan10 Dec 2009PRESS CONFERENCE: MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has said there could be “no international question marks” over Ireland’s fiscal position after the Budget.
- Pay cuts make up bulk of Garda saving10 Dec 2009JUSTICE: GARDA EXPENDITURE will fall by more than any other area across the €2.24 billion total justice spend next year with nearly four-fifths of Garda savings coming from pay-related items.
- Carbon tax voted into force from midnight10 Dec 2009DAIL VOTE: THE CONTROVERSIAL carbon tax, which increases the cost of petrol, diesel and other fuels from midnight last night, was passed in the Dáil by 82 to 58 votes with the abstention of the Labour Party.
- Opportunity for stimulus 'lost' but fiscal order backed10 Dec 2009BUSINESS REACTION: THE BUDGET received a mixed reaction from business lobby groups, as the Government’s “lost opportunity” offset the gains perceived in the fiscal plan.
- Small firms may appeal if loans are rejected10 Dec 2009CREDIT REVIEW: THE GOVERNMENT is to establish an independent review process allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sole traders and farmers to appeal against credit refusals by SME lenders participating in the National Asset Management Agency (Nama).
- New 'national solidarity bond' for small investors10 Dec 2009SAVINGS: THE GOVERNMENT plans to establish a “national solidarity bond”, a savings product aimed at small investors which will help fund investment plans in the Budget. The bond will “enable ordinary citizens to provide money to the State to stimulate economic recovery and create employment”, Mr Lenihan said.
- Cars of 10 years or older eligible for VRT reduction10 Dec 2009SCRAPPAGE SCHEME: A SCRAPPAGE scheme for cars of 10 years or older will mean a €1,500 reduction in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) on the purchase of a new low-emissions car when an applicable used car is traded in against it.
- Legal protection for whistleblowers urged10 Dec 2009WHISTLEBLOWERS MUST be given legal protection so that scandals do not go unreported, anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International (TI) Ireland has said.
- Mortgage tax break extended10 Dec 2009PROPERTY: MORTGAGE INTEREST tax relief has been extended for borrowers who bought their homes at the peak of the property market, while the moratorium on legal proceedings against borrowers in arrears could be extended to 12 months, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said yesterday.
- Lenihan accused of 'sinking' public service agreement9 Dec 2009LABOUR LEADER Eamon Gilmore has accused Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan of “sinking” the agreement with the public service unions in order to aid his political ambitions.
- Norris condemns indecent spectacle of TDs seeking local pre-budget gains9 Dec 2009SEANAD REPORT: REFERRING TO speculation on whether the budget would be passed, David Norris (Ind) said it was time for an end to the “indecent spectacle” of allegedly independent parliamentarians using their momentary leverage to secure local advantage for their own little parishes. “I find that disgusting when the entire country is facing a difficulty.”
- 3.45pm: Budget Speech9 Dec 2009Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan is scheduled to begin his budget speech at 3.45pm today, after questions to Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan have concluded. If the speech follows the normal template it will begin with an overview of the economic outlook, the financial position of the exchequer and broad targets for the year ahead. Public spending and social welfare changes usually come in the first half of the speech, with tax changes towards the end.
- North must be part of Nama - Wilson9 Dec 2009NORTHERN IRELAND’S interests must be represented in the Irish bad bank plan, the North’s Minister for Finance Sammy Wilson said yesterday.
- HSE seeks to restart talks on reform9 Dec 2009THE HEALTH Service Executive (HSE) wants to re-engage in talks with trade unions about implementing a reform plan which was agreed in principle before the collapse of talks between the Government and unions on reducing public sector pay last week.
- FF has ruined economy - Gilmore
10 Dec 2009THERE WERE heated exchanges on the economy between the Taoiseach and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore in the Dáil yesterday. - O'Keeffe sees basis for further talks8 Dec 2009MINISTER FOR Education Batt O’Keeffe yesterday appeared to offer an olive branch to the trade union movement, saying the discussions on reducing the public sector wage bill may have collapsed but much good work had been done which laid the basis for further talks next year.
- Tax on second homes raises €51m for local authorities9 Dec 2009THE €200 tax on second homes introduced in the April budget has raised more than €51 million, according to figures seen by The Irish Times .
- Commissioner warns gardaí on industrial action plans9 Dec 2009GARDA COMMISSIONER Fachtna Murphy has written to all Garda members to warn them that that any industrial action leaves them open to prosecution and could ruin the force’s hard-earned relationship with the public.
- Radio station broadcasts 'state of the nation' editorial9 Dec 2009NEWSTALK HAS taken the unusual step for a radio station of broadcasting an editorial on the state of the nation. The editorial, which was drawn up by the station’s chief executive Frank Cronin and station editor Garrett Harte, calls on the Taoiseach to address the nation and give the country a “credible, detailed vision of recovery”.
- Most Independent TDs expected to support budget9 Dec 2009INDEPENDENT TD Maureen O’Sullivan has indicated she could be prepared to support theBudget.
- Pay cut for hospital consultants set to be about 15%9 Dec 2009THE GOVERNMENT is expected to introduce a pay cut of about 15 per cent for hospital consultants in today’s budget.
- CPSU says it opposed plan for unpaid leave8 Dec 2009ONE OF the main unions in the Civil Service, the CPSU, has told members it opposed the plan to give 12 days unpaid leave to staff on the State payroll.
- Unions warn of public service 'campaign' against pay cuts8 Dec 2009PUBLIC SERVICE trade unions have warned of a “long and sustained campaign” of industrial action in the event of the Government imposing pay cuts on members in the budget tomorrow.
- Grealish to meet Taoiseach today8 Dec 2009GOVERNMENT CHIEF whip Pat Carey has confirmed former Progressive Democrat TD Noel Grealish will meet the Taoiseach this evening, while Kerry South TD Jackie Healy-Rae will meet Government representatives today.
- Ahern says GRA ballot is 'affront to democracy'8 Dec 2009MINISTER FOR Justice Dermot Ahern has launched a strongly-worded attack on the Garda Representative Association (GRA), saying its plan to ballot its members on industrial action was an “affront to democracy” that would do huge damage to the force and would not be tolerated by the Government.
- High earners in public sector to bear brunt of pay cuts8 Dec 2009PAY CUTS for the country’s 315,000 public servants will be staggered according to salary, from just below 4 per cent for the lowest earners to 15 to 20 per cent for the highest earners, when the budget is announced tomorrow.
- FF TDs 'are ready for tough budget'
7 Dec 2009GOVERNMENT CHIEF whip Pat Carey has said he believes Government backbenchers are prepared for Wednesday’s tough budget. - Unions say Cowen has killed social partnership7 Dec 2009SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP is “dead and buried” following the failure of negotiations with Government on cost-cutting in the public sector, unions have said.
- Budget to cut social welfare by 4% and child benefit by up to 10%7 Dec 2009MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan will announce reductions of 4 per cent in social welfare payments, and cuts of between 9 and 10 per cent in child benefit, when he announces the budget on Wednesday.
- Public sector workers face pay cut of up to 6%, says Cowen5 Dec 2009PUBLIC SERVANTS face a pay cut of between 5 and 6 per cent in next Wednesday’s budget following the collapse of negotiations on the issue between the Government and unions, Taoiseach Brian Cowen indicated last night.
- National debt charge to hit €4.6bn next year5 Dec 2009THE COST of servicing the national debt is set to increase by €2 billion next year, according to figures in the pre-budget White Paper.
- Burton says Lenihan has money 'to play with'5 Dec 2009REACTION: PROJECTED DEFICIT figures in the 2010 estimates give the Minister for Finance some €300 million to €400 million “to play around with”, according to Labour’s finance spokeswoman Joan Burton.
- Lower rates of social welfare signalled5 Dec 2009BUDGET CUTS: SOCIAL WELFARE payments should be cut to avoid existing poverty traps and “improve the benefit for working”, according to the Department of Finance.
- Shopping in North has cost 11,000 jobs, say retailers5 Dec 2009CROSS-BORDER SHOPPING has cost 11,000 retail jobs in 2009 and thousands more are on the line next year, retailers have claimed.
- Unions say public sector reform is dead in the water
5 Dec 2009UNION REACTION: PUBLIC SECTOR unions yesterday claimed the Government’s reform agenda would in effect be dead in the water if pay cuts were imposed in the budget. - Government delivered in capping deficit at 10.75%5 Dec 2009Odds on the Government doing what it said it would do in the budget have shortened considerably
- Lenihan and Gormley in loop as union plan rejected5 Dec 2009BACKGROUND The savings through unpaid leave were never supported by the Department of Finance
- Labour budget proposals5 Dec 2009Labour budget proposals A job-creation programme costing €1.15 billion, with an additional 60,000 training and work experience places.
- Labour proposals include €5.8bn spending cuts and €1.15bn for jobs5 Dec 2009THE LABOUR Party says it is proposing a €5.8 billion adjustment in Government spending and a €1.15 billion jobs creation programme as part of its pre-budget proposals.
- Industrial action now inevitable, union warns5 Dec 2009TEACHERS: INDUSTRIAL ACTION appears inevitable after the breakdown of the talks process yesterday, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland warned last night .
- Fine Gael's deficit plan5 Dec 2009Fine Gael’s deficit plan Payroll savings from cuts in public sector pay, overtime etc: €1.2 billion.
- Fine Gael would cut jobs tax and stop duplication of policy5 Dec 2009THE DEPARTMENT of the Taoiseach would be the driving-force in a Fine Gael-led government but it would be “smaller and leaner” and cease to duplicate the work of other departments and agencies.
- You are right to worry about budget day
4 Dec 2009We’re about to feel the full impact of the collapse in the public finances, writes
FIONA REDDAN - Who's getting away with not paying that much tax will be big question for budget4 Dec 2009ANALYSIS: Irish tax system has become less ‘progressive’ as a result of the income levy, writes LAURA SLATTERY
- Extra hour sought from teachers4 Dec 2009TEACHERS AND third-level academic staff are being asked to work an additional hour every week under proposals tabled in current talks between the Government and public service unions.
- Overtime flat rate and delay of pay rises key to negotiations4 Dec 2009TRADE UNION leaders and Government officials were last night examining the issues of paying overtime at a flat rate and a possible deferral of increments for staff as part of additional measures for reducing the public sector pay bill. However, no agreement on these issues had been reached.
- Unpaid leave deal entails pay cut of 4.6%4 Dec 2009ANALYSIS: STAFF IN the public service would face having 4.6 per cent of their income deducted next year under the proposed unpaid leave arrangement but, in some cases, it could be up to six years before the full complement of days off could be taken.
- Most Fianna Fáil TDs reject plan on leave4 Dec 2009A CLEAR majority of Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators have voiced steadfast opposition to a proposal that 12 days’ unpaid absence should form the major part of the plan to cut public sector pay costs.
- Backlash from Fianna Fáil TDs makes leave deal unlikely4 Dec 2009ANGER AMONG Fianna Fáil TDs at the prospect of unpaid leave being accepted by the Government as a substitute for wage cuts in the public service has made agreement on the proposal unlikely.
- Government takes harder line with unions on unpaid leave3 Dec 2009THE GOVERNMENT took a much tougher line in its talks with trade unions yesterday following a strongly negative reaction from Fianna Fáil backbenchers to the emerging deal on unpaid leave for public servants, and reports that Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan was unhappy with the plan.
- Taoiseach still wants savings in public sector pay3 Dec 2009TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen insisted the Government still wanted savings “of the order of €1.3 billion” in the public sector pay bill in unfinished talks with the trade unions.
- No final decisions yet on child benefit cuts3 Dec 2009THE DIFFICULTIES in identifying cohabiting couples for the purpose of imposing child benefit cuts are still being examined, Minister for Social Affairs Mary Hanafin said yesterday.
- Ictu proposes new tax on wealth
3 Dec 2009THE IRISH Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) has proposed measures which it has said could raise up to €2.3 billion in revenue for the Government. - Unpaid leave would cost some workers €100 a month - union3 Dec 2009THE PROPOSED unpaid leave arrangement for staff in the public service would cost those earning €35,000 up to €100 per month, trade union Unite has estimated.
- Cowen reiterates commitment to €1.3bn pay bill cut3 Dec 2009TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen insisted yesterday that the Government remained committed to making savings of €1.3 billion in its pay bill.
- Income tax take €50m over target last month3 Dec 2009THE GOVERNMENT collected more tax in November than it had anticipated just a couple of months ago, according to figures published yesterday by the Department of Finance.
- Leave days 'could be spread over three years'2 Dec 2009PUBLIC SECTOR workers could take the proposed extra 12 days of unpaid leave over a three-year period, where this was appropriate, a leading trade union negotiator said last night.
- Increasing tax on higher earners back on agenda2 Dec 2009A TAX or levy for higher earners has come back onto the table in the Government’s internal budget negotiations, according to informed sources.
- Union to ballot members on pay talks
2 Dec 2009TEACHERS: TEACHERS WILL be balloted on the outcome of the current talks with the Government, the Irish Nationalk Teachers Organisation (INTO) said last night. - FG calls for cut in VECs to 201 Dec 2009THE NUMBER of Vocational Education Committees (VECs) nationwide should be reduced from 33 to 20 under plans unveiled by Fine Gael education spokesman, Brian Hayes.
- Cabinet expected to approve actions planned for budget1 Dec 2009THE CABINET is expected to approve the overall expenditure measures for next week’s budget at the weekly meeting of Government Ministers today.
- McDaid expected to back budget despite row1 Dec 2009THE GOVERNMENT says it is confident maverick Donegal TD Jim McDaid will support next week’s budget notwithstanding his threat to vote with the Opposition following an internal Fianna Fáil dispute in his constituency.
- Third-level places may be capped due to funding crisis30 Nov 2009A CAP on the number of students entering third level may be necessary as colleges struggle with a deepening funding crisis, according to the chief executive of the Higher Education Authority, Tom Boland.
- Concern over abuse of data if homeless services outsourced30 Nov 2009A HOMELESS support group has expressed concern that the out-sourcing of services for homeless people in the Dublin area could result in the abuse of personal and confidential information.
- Cross-Border shopping to cost 1,700 jobs, retailers say30 Nov 2009CROSS-BORDER shopping will cost 1,700 retail jobs in the south this month, it has been claimed.
- Benefit cuts may affect 300,000 families30 Nov 2009CUTS TO child benefit in the forthcoming budget could affect 300,000 families according to the Children’s Rights Alliance, a campaign group representing more than 90 non-governmental organisations.
- New proposals for public sector reforms mooted as talks continue30 Nov 2009TRADE UNION leaders and Government officials were continuing talks late last night on proposals for reducing the public sector pay bill next year by introducing a new temporary unpaid leave arrangement for staff on the State payroll.
- Short-term claimants rise28 Nov 2009THE NUMBER of short-term claimants on the Live Register rose by 70.7 per cent in the year to October, new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.
- Taoiseach says recovery lies in targeting next growth wave28 Nov 2009THE LESSON from severe global recessions of the past is that, as well as weathering the economic storm, countries need to restructure their economies to target the next wave of growth, Taoiseach Brian Cowen claimed yesterday.
- Key jobs potential in €18bn plan - FG28 Nov 2009FINE GAEL has claimed its proposed €18 billion investment plan for energy, water and broadband sectors has potential to create over 100,000 new jobs within four years.
- Union demands funding to fulfil school promises27 Nov 2009THE IRISH National Teachers’ Organisation is demanding fresh funding in the forthcoming budget to implement commitments made in the recent revised programme for government.
- Early childcare the 'best investment'27 Nov 2009THE BEST long-term investment the Government could make to ensure Ireland’s economic recovery would be in early child-care and education, according to a new group of childcare advocates.
- Family groups unite to oppose child benefit cuts27 Nov 2009FIVE ORGANISATIONS involved with different aspects of family life have come together to oppose cuts in child benefit in the forthcoming budget.
- Union leader says pay rose too much in boom27 Nov 2009PAY LEVELS increased disproportionately during the Celtic Tiger era and there is now some scope for them to be adjusted but only on an incremental basis, Irish Congress of Trade Unions president Jack O’Connor has said.
- Government urged not to 'further marginalise' Travellers in budget26 Nov 2009The Government has been urged not to implement key McCarthy proposals that would “further marginalise one of the most marginalised groups in society”.
- Insurance industry opposes single rate of tax relief27 Nov 2009THE INTRODUCTION of a single 33 per cent rate for tax relief on private pensions would disincentivise private pension provision, the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) has claimed.
- Earlier payment date for tax on second homes criticised26 Nov 2009PEOPLE WITH a second home will end up paying the new €200 charge twice within a year as the date for next year’s payment has been brought forward to May, it emerged at the Joint Committee on the Environment yesterday.
- Ibec withdraws from pay agreement26 Nov 2009EMPLOYERS BODY Ibec has formally withdrawn from the terms of the current national pay agreement and warned that it will withdraw from social partnership entirely unless agreement with trade unions can be reached soon.
- Study finds 30% tax relief on pensions could save €500m26 Nov 2009THE INTRODUCTION of a single rate of tax relief on pension contributions would save public money and would be fairer, according to a report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
- Exchequer expected to save €50m in public sector pay25 Nov 2009THE COST: OFFICIAL SOURCES have estimated that the one-day strike will save the exchequer about €50 million in public sector pay.
- Flexibility needed to avoid redundancies - Cowen26 Nov 2009BRIAN COWEN has warned that “extremely flexible” and redeployment arrangements must be put in place in the public sector to avoid compulsory redundancies.
- Friends First warns against delays on public cutbacks25 Nov 2009MINISTER OF Finance Brian Lenihan cannot risk delaying implementing cuts in public spending, according to investment and insurance group Friends First.
- Lenihan 'disappointed' by strike25 Nov 2009MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan said he was “deeply disappointed” by yesterday’s public sector strike.
- Human rights cuts harm image25 Nov 2009THERE IS a perception abroad that Ireland has “fallen from grace” because of sweeping cuts to the Equality Authority and Irish Human Rights Commission, a London-based human rights lawyer told a conference in Dublin yesterday.
- Plan to cut pay bill will proceed, says Cowen
25 Nov 2009TAOISEACH
BRIAN Cowen warned that the threatened second public sector strike would not influence the Government in its approach to reducing the State pay and pensions bill. - Unions plan second day of strikes next week
25 Nov 2009PRESS CONFERENCE: A SECOND public service workers’ strike is set to take place on Thursday, December 3rd, if renewed talks fail to produce an alternative to compulsory redundancies and pay cuts, the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) announced yesterday. - Changes to child benefit must not affect vulnerable - Greens24 Nov 2009CHANGES IN child benefit payments in the Budget need to be fair and have minimal impact on those who can least afford it, Green Party deputy leader Mary White has said.
- Talks on alternative to public sector pay cuts start tomorrow
24 Nov 2009TALKS BETWEEN trade unions and the Government on an alternative plan for cutting the public sector pay bill without reducing actual pay levels are expected to get under way tomorrow, in the aftermath of today’s national public service strike. - Case for adjusting pay to euro gains, says Siptu chief24 Nov 2009PAY LEVELS: CONSIDERATION should be given to adjusting pay levels to respond to the appreciation of the euro against other currencies, but any changes should be based on agreement and implemented over time, Siptu president Jack O’Connor said last night.
- Warning against single rate of pension tax relief24 Nov 2009THE INTRODUCTION of a single rate of tax relief of 33 per cent on pension contributions would have a “devastating” effect on retirement fund provision, the Irish Association of Pensions Funds (IAPF) has warned in its pre-budget submission.
- Public sector unions expected to return to talks23 Nov 2009PUBLIC SECTOR trade unions are expected today to agree to go back into talks with the Government on a plan aimed at generating €1.3 billion in savings without cutting the pay of staff.
- Proposal for 30% tax relief rate on pensions criticised23 Nov 2009A REPORT commissioned by Irish Life has criticised a proposal to introduce a single rate of tax relief of 30 per cent on pension contributions.
- Mansergh 'confident' Budget cutbacks will not affect flood relief programmes
21 Nov 2009REACTION: MINISTER OF State for the Office of Public Works Martin Mansergh said he was “very confident” that the flood relief schemes would not be affected by forthcoming budget cuts. - Longer working week proposed for public sector21 Nov 2009THE GOVERNMENT has said that as part of its reform plans for the public service it wants to cut down on overtime and premium payments through the introduction of a longer core working day/week, including an 8am-8pm arrangement in the health sector.
- Cowen tells unions of deep disappointment over strike21 Nov 2009TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has told trade union leaders of his “deep disappointment” at the planned national strike in the public service next Tuesday.
- Public sector strike to limit operation of Oireachtas20 Nov 2009THE SEANAD will not sit next Tuesday and the operation of the Dáil will be curtailed as a result of the national strike by civil and public servants in protest at Government proposals to cut pay.
- Government 'inept' in bid to avert public sector dispute20 Nov 2009THE GOVERNMENT has been accused of “throwing in the towel” and doing nothing to prevent the 24-hour public sector strike next Tuesday, which is set to cause widespread disruption.
- More action needed for recovery, says OECD20 Nov 2009FURTHER FISCAL measures will be needed to aid Irish economic recovery, including cuts in public expenditure and further increases in revenue, as public indebtedness increases sharply, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said yesterday.
- Pensions not to be cut, hints Cowen19 Nov 2009TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen gave a strong hint last night that the old age pension will not be cut in the budget on December 9th.
- Cowen does not rule out FG proposals on jobs19 Nov 2009TAOISEACH Brian Cowen said he did not wish to “dismiss or guarantee” accepting Fine Gael’s proposals on job creation.
- Lenihan signals widening of tax base in budget18 Nov 2009MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has signalled that the 50 per cent of income earners who do not pay tax will have to make some contribution to the exchequer.
- Tax cuts in FG budget proposals18 Nov 2009FINE GAEL last night unveiled some of its alternative proposals for the upcoming budget by saying it would introduce tax cuts totalling €900 million to protect jobs.
- Coalition plans vigorous campaign to win support for €4bn spending cuts
17 Nov 2009THE GOVERNMENT has decided to mount a vigorous campaign over the next three weeks in support of its strategy of spending cuts, following today’s debate in the Dáil on options for the budget on December 9th. - SF propose 'wealth tax' and betting duty of 10%17 Nov 2009SINN FÉIN says the upcoming budget should introduce a “wealth tax” to raise €1.6 billion, increase betting duty to 10 per cent and treble the annual tax on second homes.
- Cowen calls on parties for details on €4bn saving16 Nov 2009TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has challenged the Opposition parties to spell out in tomorrow’s pre-budget Dáil debate how they intend to achieve savings of €4 billion next year, but they have accused him of trying to engineer “a sham debate”.
- IMO presents plan it says will shave €300m off State's drugs bill16 Nov 2009A PLAN which it is claimed would shave €300 million off the State’s drugs bill has been presented to Minister for Health Mary Harney by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) ahead of next month’s budget.
- GMS prescription charges may be introduced16 Nov 2009PRESCRIPTION CHARGES for medical card holders are being considered as part of the budget package, Minister for Health Mary Harney has revealed.
- More than €1bn in cuts expected in healthcare14 Nov 2009THE DEPARTMENT of Health will be making cuts of more than €1 billion in the forthcoming budget, Minister for Health Mary Harney has indicated.
- Public service needs structural reform - Cowen14 Nov 2009THE PUBLIC service required “permanent structural reform”, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said yesterday.
- 'Onus on all citizens and political parties to reflect on economic reality'
13 Nov 2009PRESS CONFERENCE: MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has said there is an onus on all citizens and political parties to reflect on the economic realities which leave the Government no option but to impose €4 billion in savings next month. - Carers call for protection of half-rate allowance
12 Nov 2009ANY ATTEMPT to cut the half-rate carer’s allowance or to close it to new applicants will end up costing the State more in the long-term, it has been claimed. - Department may reduce basic rate of child benefit11 Nov 2009LOWER LEVELS of child benefit would be paid to higher-income earners under proposals being considered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs in advance of the budget on December 9th.
- Barnardos wants high earners' cuts to fund low-income group
11 Nov 2009BARNARDOS CHIEF executive Fergus Finlay yesterday indicated support for a cut in child benefit for high-income earners to fund an increase for those on low incomes. - CIF calls for budget tax breaks and stamp duty reduction10 Nov 2009TAX BREAKS for first-time house buyers, a reduction in stamp duty and reform of the planning system are all on this year’s budget shopping list for the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) .
- Cowen reaffirms plan for €1.3bn public sector cuts6 Nov 2009TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has expressed understanding about people’s anger at falling living standards ahead of today’s Irish Congress of Trade Unions day of action, but insisted protests would not resolve the country’s economic problems. Speaking in Dublin Castle yesterday at the European Foundation Forum on Europe’s response to the global recession, Mr Cowen said a cut of €1.3 billion in the public sector pay and pensions bill would have to be implemented in the budget.
- Lenihan accused of 'insulting the unemployed'6 Nov 2009FR SEÁN HEALY of Social Justice Ireland has accused Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan of “talking nonsense” and being insulting to the unemployed.
- Budget cuts to welfare would be 'immoral'
4 Nov 2009THE SOCIETY of St Vincent de Paul may not be able to help all those coming to it in future months, its national vice-president has warned. - 'Frontline' must be protected - Kenny4 Nov 2009FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny has said “frontline” jobs and services must be protected in next month’s budget and warned that Ireland cannot tax its way back to prosperity.
- Gormley insists carbon levy in budget will be revenue-neutral30 Oct 2009THE CARBON levy in December’s budget will not be used as a tax to raise revenue for the exchequer as has been suggested by the employers’ organisation Ibec, Minister for the Environment John Gormley indicated yesterday.
- Employers call for jobs stimulus package and carbon tax deferral27 Oct 2009CARBON TAX should be postponed, excise duties on alcohol cut and an “ambitious” jobs stimulus package introduced, employers’ group Ibec has argued in its pre-budget submission published this morning.
- Cuts in rent supplement could make more people homeless, groups warn
21 Oct 2009FURTHER CUTS in December’s budget to rent supplement payments could drive more people into homelessness, it has been claimed. - Tax institute says further hikes will discourage enterprise20 Oct 2009PLACING FURTHER tax burdens on individuals or businesses in the December budget would discourage enterprise and innovation in an economic climate when they are critically needed, according to the Irish Taxation Institute (ITI).
- Disability services cuts to cost 'millions'15 Oct 2009ANY CUTS to services for those with intellectual disabilities will cost the State millions more in future years, a conference heard yesterday.
