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Friday 24 September 2021
Budget speculation this morning is focused on increased prescription charges, cuts to medical cards and phone allowances for pensioners, and a decrease in dole payments for young unemployed people.
The president of the IHCA also said that the HSE’s “unsympathetic” traits have led to action like the junior doctors’ strike which has created tensions among the ranks.
This year’s adjustment will be closer to €2.5 billion than €3.1, Michael Noonan has confirmed. We ask, how concerned are you about the effects of next week’s Budget?
Last night, unions heard proposals that could see pensions cut by 15 per cent.
Focus Ireland has said that there is a feeling that NAMA tries to sell off property and if they can’t, it is then proposed as social housing, though many of the agency’s properties are not suitable.
Protesters have gathered outside Leinster House since 5am this morning to protest against austerity.
Speaking at a reception for the new European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly, he said the connection between economy, society and government is profoundly important.
Howlin agreed that changing the health system is like “changing the spark plugs as the car is moving”.
Sinn Féin Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha is tabling the motion this evening.
Disability specific services are being cut and those with disabilities who are being refused medical cards – and people have had enough, writes John Dolan.
Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue has raised concerns about spending cuts proposed by Education Minister Ruairí Quinn ahead of October’s Budget, but Labour says he’s trying to “increase his personal profile”.
A letter sent to parents in Galway says that some school leavers with intellectual disabilities will be offered places that will not “fully address requirements”.
The Union of Students in Ireland say they are “ready and equipped” to fight any attempt to cut student grants.
With the number of older people in consistent poverty doubling over just one year, pensioner Gordon* explains what daily life is like for him – and how he fears for the future.
SIPTU has said it will ballot its members on the new recommendations early next week.
Young adults approaching the age of 18 will have no place in Stewarts Hospital in Dublin come September.
Is there a row in the camp over the issue?
GPs voted unanimously to pull out from Primary Care Teams over the latest cuts imposed by the Government.
Minister Michael Noonan is in Brussels today for the talks.
Doctors say government cuts will lead to the ‘normalisation’ of long waiting times. “This move is not only mean-spirited, it is stupid,” said one GP.
VAT reductions, rate cuts and halving the level of capital gains tax for entrepreneurs would increase consumer confidence say Chambers Ireland.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisationwill protest outside Leinster House next week to show members’ opposition to cuts to special needs assistants in primary school.
Children with special educational needs face a reduction in the amount of time allocated to them from next September. But Eamon Gilmore said this did not amount to a cut.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said that Bus Éireann would have to implement the LRC measures on 12 May unless “alternative approaches” could be found.
We have been treating nurses and gardai as equal in importance to receptionists and quango directors, they are not equal in importance, writes Aaron McKenna.
The Junior Minister said that those arguing for a No vote are “arguing for the unknown”.
The mobility grant gave me and my husband the chance to lead independent lives, with dignity, writes Miriam Murphy, who says this government are chipping away at the help for people with disabilities.
The company said today that the job cuts equate to about 1 per cent of Avon’s 39,100 employees.
As the EU warned the debt-hit nation to respect the aims of its international bailout.
At 38 per cent, Ireland has the highest rate of children at risk of poverty in Western Europe. But, far from protecting the vulnerable, the government has introduced austerity measures that mean the rich get richer, writes Richard Manton.
The UK budget being announced today has implications for Ireland too, writes James Kilcourse, who says as well as being a crucial trading partner, the UK is Ireland’s biggest rival for attracting foreign direct investment.
The INMO has said this is just one of the many proposals that was put on the table and the union is waiting to hear the full package.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said after the meeting he hopes nothing will be said or done to interfere with the public’s support.
An across-the-board cut to child benefit was not a good move – but ministers on big salaries are removed from the realities of the man on the street, Nessa Toale writes.
Protests against soaring electricity prices escalated into nationwide demonstrations against the right-wing government in recent weeks.
The GRA said plans are in place for members to “turn off the goodwill tap” from 22 February if the government refuses to budge on pay cut proposals.
The Garda Representative Association did not enter negotiations on the Croke Park Extensions – but if cuts are proposed, it may encourage members to begin industrial action.
Last night the Dáil voted down a motion tabled by Fianna Fáil to stop the closures.
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN suggested yesterday that plans to recognise the hard work of frontline staff during the pandemic may not be limited to healthcare workers.
“We want to reflect the contribution that people have made during Covid-19, particularly frontline workers. Frontline workers have been in many sectors, not least in retail, right from the beginning and the commencement of the pandemic,” he said.
He did not provide detail of what form this recognition might take, adding that there would be “further engagement” with the relevant sectors.
The public expenditure minister Michael McGrath said the Government will be dealing with the matter in the next few weeks but that the cost of granting ten days additional leave to healthcare workers as recognition of their work during the pandemic would cost the State “well over €1 billion”.
So, today we’re asking: Do you think that healthcare workers and other frontline workers should get a pandemic bonus?
Poll Results:
Share your story: voices@thejournal.ie
Caoimhe de Barra of Trócaire says humanity must act as one on ending hunger and malnutrition.
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A morning shower; variable clouds
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Breezy; a shower in the a.m., then rain
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