Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE has said today that the figure for medical card review, which could lead to cuts, is still the one that was set out in the Budget.
In an interview with RTÉ at the Labour Annual Conference, Gilmore was asked about reports today in the Sunday Independent that the €113m target for medical card cuts had been slashed by more than €40m.
Gilmore said that the overall saving in the health budget was €666m, and that the amount to be saved on medical cards is “the amount that was set down in the Budget”.
He added that the HSE has drawn up a draft service plan which is currently before the Minister for Health, James Reilly. Reilly is due to present this to the government.
Gilmore stated that the government is working to deal with the issue of medical cards, and the problems related to the issue of discretionary medical cards.
The Tánaiste was also asked about the issue at a media conference in Killarney a short time later:
Top-up payments
On the subject of top-up payments, the Tánaiste said that he and the Taoiseach Enda Kenny had reduced their salaries and those of the staff that work for them.
They have also set down pay guidelines for State-funded agencies, who are expected to abide by them. Those that don’t comply could see certain measures used against them, such as a reduction in State funding.
Gilmore added that he doesn’t intend that there will be exceptions to the guidelines.
Recovery
Of the so-called ‘squeezed middle’, Gilmore said the government “have to make sure that the recovery succeeds”, and that the first priority is jobs.
“We need to do more to ensure that jobs are created for young people,” he said.
He said that “we don’t want to go back to the situation where people who benefit from economic recovery” are a “small handful of property developers” and they “want to see recovery is for those people whose sacrifices made recovery possible”.
When asked about the prospect of a tax break for the squeezed middle, Gilmore wasn’t drawn on a specific type of break, but said that “as the finances of the country improve I would like to be in a position, and the government be in the position, to lift the burden of taxation somewhat on working families”.
He said that would be in this term of Government if possible.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Been living in Port Laoise for 20 years and still can’t find the beach
@Pro gamer Jack: What beach? There isn’t one?
@Pro gamer Jack: I suppose it has the blue flags, though, on and off.
@Pro gamer Jack:when you serve your sentence and your released you will have all the time in the world to find it.
@Pro gamer Jack: Twenty one years is a mighty long time as the song says!!!
@Pro gamer Jack: keep looking, it’s there somewhere.
Waterford – Tramore Yes – just bring on the Airport ! Great city
@D: And people will fly to Lanzarotte!
@If you’re: for half the price ..
The Seapoint one is nonsense. Poo in the water (fact, not an ask).
@Wendy Arbour aka Luas Vuitton – Dub Drag Queen: Got to agree. Something odd with the beaches listed. Disappointing low number in North Dublin. The Forty Foot always seems cleaner than Seapoint to me.
@MTM2000: True. But the poo is there too. People need to realise that the test is for ecoli in poo,not for poo. They’re swimming in poo. Might as well paddle in their own jacks before its flushed. No ecoli there either.
The sea side of Rush used to be beautiful, it was the family go to spot during the summer months growing up, hopefully it’s still as beautiful as it is in my memories.
Ireland has the best seas, only for the toughest people though
Mullaghroe isn’t by the sea. So fair play to them for the blue flag. Lol
@Tony: Mullaghroe beach is in Mayo. They have the wrong county.
Clontarf boating slip ‘ check Dublin City county 2022 assessment, water not good . If you continue at least pour couple of liters of disinfectant from head to toe after swim .
Very nice people those swimmers . I speak from experience swam in balscadden bay howth too late when I discovered sewer outlet . Still paying the price
⚠️It’s also a busy boating area , and the odd irresponsible swimmer out amongst racing yachts and dinghy’s , little turnip sizes heads except to be seen .
Why isn’t clones beach south of arklow a blue flag beach. The new poop processing plant in arklow is up and running so no more untreated waste water into the sea anymore.
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson:
Ringsend have a similar plant that regularly over flowed , clones lovely spot deserves protection
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson:
Just Googled clones sea water , excellent tested over 4 yrs . Keep pushing them Jonnie boy or stick up a blue Dublin flag
have your say