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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL is due to provide a report to Cabinet today on a legal strategy in relation to people who were entitled to nursing home care provided by the State decades ago.
It comes after the Irish Mail on Sunday last month reported a whistle-blower’s claims of a secret government strategy to limit pay-outs to people on medical cards – who would have been entitled to nursing home care provided by the State – by settling cases out of court.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has argued that coverage of the strategy has been misrepresented and related to residents in private nursing homes rather all public residents.
Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday last week, Varadkar said that he had not been the Health Minister involved in agreeing the legal strategy and that it had been previously agreed in 2014.
It comes after a Government spokesperson on Tuesday said that Varadkar had not renewed the agreement, following correspondence between the Department of Health and the Department of an Taoiseach.
“It is the clear understanding of the Unit that this does not refer to Minister Varadkar, as was, but refers to a previous Minister, as this decision in relation to the range of settlements was apparently made well before his time,” the spokesperson said.
Varadkar said on Tuesday that he was unaware if he had been asked to sign off on a continuation of the policy while he was Health Minister, but said that he would have.
“I don’t specifically know if I was asked to sign off on it being continued but if I had been asked deputy, I would have,” Varadkar said, in response to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
“This was a sound policy approach and a legitimate legal strategy by the government at the time.
“All ministers from 2005 onwards at all times acted in good faith, in the public interest, in accordance with official advice and in accordance with legal advice from the Attorney General and that’s exactly how they should act.”
Varadkar said that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly had sought advice from the Attorney General as well as a briefing from Department officials.
He added that the Attorney General would be providing a report for Cabinet today on the legal strategy, which would be published afterwards.
With reporting by Eoghan Dalton and Press Association
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Ah sure us workers who drive and or commute to work will siphon up the carbon tax whilst social welfare beneficiaries (people that don’t wanna work) get a bonus at Christmas!!!! All for pensioners and people who genuinely can’t work but come on. Pascal more or less saying ‘There ya go, double your weeks pay for the craic!!!’
@Keith Ryan: So you’re calling people with disabilities, carers and pensioners ‘people that don’t wanna work’. You should be ashamed of yourself.
@The only INFP in Ireland: pretty sure he didn’t actually say that.
@The only INFP in Ireland: I’m all for pensioners people with disabilities getting the double, what I clearly meant was that people that do not want to work get this aswell which is a disgrace. Now cop yourself on.
@Mark Noonan: pretty sure I didn’t either!!! Some people…….
@The only INFP in Ireland: bring back the red thumbs so I can dislike your comment
@The only INFP in Ireland: nope, that’s not what he said, not even remotely what was said.
@Keith Ryan: if you think they are getting a better deal why not quit your job and go on social welfare?
@Keith Ryan: Wow if you work and pay tax then 2 fingers from the state. This is the budget for the “do little”. Free loaders get increases: workers get laughed at.
@The only INFP in Ireland: read what he said.
@Jesus Christ: exactly. I have a 1 year old, also returned to 3rd level education this year and apparently he seems to think I’m having the time of my life as I “don’t work”
@Jesus Christ:
Those of us who work and subsequently pay into the system are entitled to get some value add on it. Not sure that giving up our job would be an ideal form of protest. If we did that then who would pay into the system? Somehow I think you know that.
Is it really a good idea to continue applying one solution (Money) to address the wide range of circumstances with regard to those who currently do not work.
@The only INFP in Ireland: There are many people out there who don’t want to work. They never have and don’t ever want to, like many of their parents and grandparents.They have an ‘entitlement’ attitude. Entitled to free housing, weekly payments for sitting in their buts looking at 50 inch televisions. Some are entitled to taxis to bring them home with their shopping,!! Absolute joke. They, if fit, should be given work to do and have their social welfare stopped. That would get rid of a lot of disorderly conduct as they would be in bed asleep as they would have to be up in the morning for work. Many, many are lazy lay abouts!! Maybe conscription would sort out a lot of them.
@Philomena Stack: Corporations are earning huge profits while wages and standards of living are going down but blame the worse off in society.
@Keith Ryan: if I could work I bloody well would but unfortunately diabetic retinopathy prevents me from doing so and leaves me with no other option but to be on disability allowance. So for you to categorise people with disabilities or people caring for those with disabilities is bloody low. I sure hope you never fall from your ivory tower.
@Keith Ryan: totally agree! There should be a cut-off point too for people who are able to work but don’t, so that you can’t sponge off social welfare and act like it’s a pension.
@In my opinion: Sorry to hear about your disability, however considering that you have not stated that there is anything wrong with your mental faculties then can you answer me where did he say he wanted to stop payments to people on disability?
@The only INFP in Ireland: I don’t think you read the post correctly
@Keith Ryan: Would you consider switching to an electric car, out of curiosity? If it saved you money on your commute?
@Keith Ryan: At christmas much of that bonus would be spent on childrens toys and bringing some ray of light to kids in low income families. Sad to see so little empty and such vindictive spirits here.
@In my opinion: odd that , I too have diabetic retinopathy, still go to work though , in fact even though I was almost blind I hid it from my employer rather than go in the sick when there was something I could do
@Keith Ryan: There is a portion of society who feel entitled to social welfare and contribute nothing to society this should be rectified and those sponging off the state and others hard work. I wonder will we get carers allowance and access to carers that was curtailed by the government as well as numerous Grant’s that were cut for community projects to put into that monolith of a hospital.
@Denise Kinsella: i think third level bnot paid for is still working for something
@In my opinion: clearly didn’t read my comments properly.
@Denise Kinsella:
What he posted was (people that don’t wanna work) this is not the same as (people who don’t work) Hope your not studying anything that requires any attention to detail in third level college. I would hate to have you reading my hospital chart.
@Keith Ryan: oh that’s right I forgot about the mantra “social welfare cheats, cheat us all”, anything to say about those earning over one million get tax breaks to the tune of roughly €100,000 to 120,000?
Sure Johnny dole head is the reason for my problems, damn him for my high tax, high rent, low wages, cost over runs in public infrastructure, AIB & BOI banks not paying taxes for the next 20 years, sure we may as well blame Johnny for Brexit while we’re at it.
Until we as a country start recognizing where problems in our society are rooted, we’ll never change. Government policy would be the first place to start, not the most vulnerable in society. The Budget today was a clear CHOICE by FG/FG to protect vested interests, instead of the betterment of this country & it’s citizens.
@Keith Ryan: this budget plays those in poverty against those on the bottom wrung working off each other perfectly, with great favors for all fine geal fianna fail landlords and their corporations to milk the majority dry, not a mention of the USC, that must be included in the 12.5% right or in fighting to give 13 billion back to apple surely the companies fracking gas and drilling oil off our coast will pay their share of the carbon tax, fat chance enjoy another stale budget folks courtesy of those who never cared and never will about you or your struggle to keep a roof over your head
@Fiona Fitzgerald: the more money I have the more I can spend it in the economy, in small businesses not forking out €60-€80 per week on fuel to the big boys. So yes, I would.
@Keith Ryan: ah mate, you’re drinking the cool-aid if you think societys financial problems stem from the disadvantaged! Its the large corporations not paying taxes! Coincidently they’re responsible for the majority of carbon emissions but somehow it’s up to us ordinary Joes to “do our part”. Load of bull!
@Keith Ryan: be glad you have a job and can’t support your family, don’t be such a mé feiner.
@Bryan Yelahw: nonsense comment. Corporations hire people, who pay tax, that goes into the fund, that pays for the worse off. No corporations – no welfare
@The only INFP in Ireland: that’s not what he said… He’s talking about the layabouts that couldn’t be bothered to get off their backsides, that never have worked or never will work. Sure us working class will keep them snug. So relax with your accusations.
@Bryan Yelahw: wages are shooting up and living standards aren’t falling either
@Mark Noonan: o but he did. Je targeted anyone that is on SW. I know plenty of hard working people who are now qualified doctors and nurses who once upon a time were on SW. He put in social welfare (people who dont want to work) in brackets. I hope he never has to go though what majority of people have to go though, who dont work though no fault of their own or circumstances have changed. Hes properly one of these living in BlackRock that looks down on the working class.
@Keith Ryan: you should be ashamed of yourself I hope you never lose your job when the next big recession hits. Targeting the most vulnerable people among us with that right wing comment
@Keith Ryan: people know what you ment and your backtracking on what you said.
@PJ Byrne: exactly
@Alan Richard Scott: Backtracking on what…. There are to many laze abouts. Not willing to engage. Happy to collect week in week out.
Those are the people who I’m talking about.
The people who can not work because of varying situations including disability, carer, old age etc definitely deserve everything they are given but even that doesn’t stretch enough.
Get a grip.
@Alan Richard Scott:There are plenty of people on the dole who are well able to work but choose not to. These people are leeches who will raise leeches. The fact that these people will get a 100% bonus while many people who work will s.f.a. is what annoys people.
To make ends meet i had to pack meat in a factory. I lifted 26 tonne of meat per day. I ruptured a disc in my back doing it but i still went to work everyday and hid it from my boss because i was afraid they would let me go and i wouldnt be able to provide for my family. I got a travel mug with a handful of quality street in it as an xmas bonus. People on the dole laughed at me so yes i begrudge people who are on the dole and are capable of working but refuse to do so and get a nice bonus at xmas for their troubles.
@Derek Lyster: ah the poor people laughed at you boo f#@king hoo
@Derek Lyster: I feel sorry about your injury and hope you had a speedy recovery but remember it’s the bankers and those in dublin 4 that got this country in the mess it was. The government are the biggest crooks in this country. But when you put In (people on SW they dont want to work) there is more to the social welfare then the dole you know. It’s to many supports to list but jobseekers, disability allowance, carers allowance, etc your targeting those with severe special needs and those that look after them with that comment In brackets. It’s a disgusting and abhorrent comment
Carbon tax for bord na mona redundancies
1 billion in foreign aid….
Sweet jesus
1) you’re getting screwed
2) you’re getting nothing for what you put in
@Caoimhín O Neill: think of how the OAPs feel
Paid taxes when the rate was 60 pence in the pound in the 70s and 80s and get sweet fa when they retired
Extra 2 euros
So Middle income earners working, get SFA… We are still paying this “temporary” USC and no reduction, or no increase in higher tax bracket entrance? But sure we will foot the bill on the carbon tax too, especially home heating , as they have increased the fuel allowance for the welfare to cover this… What happens if Brexit go out with a deal, will they put that money to some use? Highly doubt it.. So Welfare gets 100% bonus and workers get nothing.. I see this is fair across the board ….NOT.. Before anyone has a go.. They should have increased the pension, carers and disability and paid them the bonus but nothing else !
@Isobel Higgins: don’t you know we living in a left wing staye. More support for people to lazy to work
@james foley: Absolutely.. I think I might quit my job, have lots of babies and get the state to pay for everything for me… pretty much sums it up…
@Isobel Higgins: Sure why would you want to work that hard, on less sleep? Try a weekend’s babysitting before rushing into a 21+-year, 24/7 contract with no holidays or time off.
@james foley: i understand issues but call it left wing bit extreme Fianna Fáil and Gael are centre not left by values
@Isobel Higgins: That appears to be the way to go, but sure you can enjoy it, ti’s the major occupation for a lot of our citizens!
@Fiona Fitzgerald: give me a break. hundreds of thousands of women in the workforce AND have children. There is no either/or choice .
@Isobel Higgins: if u need some help achieving this goal , call me , I’m happy to help !
not much point using the budget calculator this year sweet FA
Yes nothing at all for the working person who get out of bed in the morning !!!!
There’s quite a lot of people who are able to work but decide they can get money for doing nothing and live off the taxpayer.
No one has a problem contributing to funding for people with disabilities/mental health problems who are unable to work .
Working people tired and frustrated of funding layabouts in this country .
@Enda Collins: people with mental health problems should be able to work st times this statement i don’t like in sense that you are kinda say they can’t
@Enda Collins: Enda whenever there is the opportunity we have full employment in this country. There is a very small number of people taking the piss.
@jnulty17@gmail.com: Absolutely nothing wrong with what he said. There are people with disabilities/mental health issues who cannot work. That’s a simple fact. Not sure how you got the impression he was stating that ‘everyone’ with a disability/mental health issue cannot work.
Kick kick kicking of the ordinary working family……. even more so if you happen to live in rural Ireland. Well done FG and ur partners in crime FF…. nonsense talk of recruiting more doctors nurses and health care professionals… people do not want to work in the sector or remain here and be fleeced. Government so out of touch with real life it’s scary at this stage.
Just not good enough on housing and people renting a property, working class take it up the back door again
@Boris Becker: I suppose some politicians have finally figured out that homeless people can’t vote. Especially if they die of pneumonia.
@Boris Becker: projected 19,000 more people at work next year. This is supposed to be good news but what Pascal means is that it’s going to be 19000 more working people to tax and give to the proceeds to anyone but the workers. We are all proper Robin Hood Winked. I want my vote now, don’t know what the hell I’m working for anymore. Disgusted
You keep voting theses gangsters into power, and you keep expecting a different result
@cian: I have never voted for any of these Cronies……we deserve a whole lot better (and no I cant run for office etc)
Petrol releases more co2 than diesel yet the diesel seems to have a bigger carbon tax?
@eoin carroll: Diesel releases more No2 which causes lung cancer….
@eoin carroll: petrol release less per litre. Diesel is more energy dense so you get more miles per litre and more c02 per litre. Since it’s sold per litre it’s the same tax on both
@•: but the Green party said it was going to fix everything….
@•: so it’s an No2 tax not a Co2 tax?
So let me see … Nothing extra for me or my family, just increase on cigarettes, and diesel.
If they are so concerned about climate change scrap bus connect because buses are massive contributions of co2 let’s be honest they aren’t going to have hybrid buses completely by 10 years .
@Keith: You understand that the emission is divided by the number of people using the service and that if there wasn’t buses more people would have to drive right?
@Keith: I don’t even want to think about what tjat would do to traffic. It’s bad enough as it is without being an all-day car park in cities.
Excuse the “tj”, my predictive text was for a different keyboard setting. I only noticed & unticked it after posting a comment.
@Diarmuid Hunt: he does, but facts like that don’t fit his narrative.
Sure what did you expect folks, the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, and that is what people in this country do by continuing to vote either FG or FF on rotation into government, and don’t give me the “there’s no alternative” how do you know because no other political party has ever been in power, radical change needed.
Why don’t they put 80mn into supporting eco housing associations to get people into permanent accomodation instead of the rack renters.
Country is upside down. The ones who contribute get least. It’s the tax payers that should be getting free medical, subsidized childcare and housing subsidies so they can continue to work to pay into the pot!
Something something few quid on beer and fags… something something petrol and diesel… em, carbon something.
And Paschal is a lovely fellow, so he is.
Now you can avoid the news for the next 24 hours. You’re welcome.
Roll on the election, screw the workers
So what is the petrol and diesel up per litre
@Shaun Gallagher: 2c a litre
@kevinhunt101: thanks
And what about people who can’t work because they have to look after their kids who have illness and are getting carers or dca.
@Heather White: their payments went up while meds cost went down.
@Ali Ní Dhomhnaill: Maybe physical therapy and transport hasn’t gone down. As far as I can see, their family prescription costs went down by 50c. Aren’t most prescription medicines on a monthly basis? I can’t see carers being massively grateful for no respite care, no support and a humongous fifty-cent saving once a month TBH.
Happy enough to see that the polluter pays.
@Darren Bates: yes a few old people trying to ward off hypothermia will pay.
@Darren Bates: so does the taxpayer. When will we get a break
Where is the minister for health going to find 2600 full time carers paying E10/12 per hour . At the same time the Dept of Health is paying E26/28 per hour to private companies t provide the home care packages. Neither the charities nor the private agencies can supply staff to fill hours allocated at present. A million extra hours….no chance
Meanwhile i another publication there is a guy from Kerry on jobseekers giving out that he can’t have a social life on what they give him. He thinks the €2 a week rise is an insult.
this budget plays those in poverty against those on the bottom wrung working off each other perfectly, with great favors for all fine geal fianna fail landlords and their corporations to milk the majority dry, not a mention of the USC, that must be included in the 12.5% right or in fighting to give 13 billion back to apple surely the companies fracking gas and drilling oil off our coast will pay their share of the carbon tax, fat chance enjoy another stale budget folks courtesy of those who never cared and never will about you or your struggle to keep a roof over your head
What about road tax ?
The Trais will be full of Pensioners on there way to the Dail
He can offer the posts to immigrants working for companies who are already screwing these people because they’re looked on as cheap labour. Guarantee major companies like Noonans don’t pay their foreign workers anything close to this per hr.
If they spring an election before the end of the year, I’ll go out and vote for another hung Dail.
Get the f@#ing pints in lads I’m up €2 a week.
Help to buy – any benefit?
There were substantial changes made to Tax code if your a high earner from a multi-national & aren’t an Irish citizen !
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