Fuel poverty and disconnections were raised in the course of two topical
debates, one on fuel allowances (Dail Eireann, Debates, 20th September 2012,
70-72) and the second on ESB disconnections policy (25th September, 61-4).
First, Aengus O Snodaigh (SF, Dublin SC) raised the delay to 8th October of the
fuel allowance for number of claimants. Already that year, the fuel allowance
had been cut 16% in value and the season by six weeks, a cumulative cut of 35%,
with electricity and gas allowances cut 25% and 20%. This was a huge cut to a
pensioner who lived in poverty – the fact that they got an allowance at all
meant that they had been means tested as living in poverty.
This was a huge amount of money for people who did not have disposable money
to make up the shortfall and moreover, the Commission for Energy Regulation had
just approved a hike in electricity and gas prices on top of these cuts. He
asked the minister to reverse this delay, which affected up to 60,000
people.
Responding for the government, the Minister of State at the Department of
Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, told him that 400,000
customers received the allowance at a cost of €214.3m in 2012. What had
happened here was that there was an unfortunate erroneous payment, for which he
apologized, of one week to jobseeker allowance claimants in April, €20 a client
at an overall cost of €1.2m. The department was obliged to recover all
overpayments and was doing this by delaying the fuel allowance for this group by
one week.
Aengus O Snodaigh told him that his constituents would tell the minister
exactly where to shove his apology. It was getting colder and this was about
pensioners who did not have the additional €20. People would have planned on
having that €20 to pay for fuel. In addition, 120,000 gas and 83,000
electricity consumers were in arrears and that was the scale of fuel poverty and
people’s inability to pay.
Regina Doherty (FG, Meath E) raised what she called the ‘shocking statistics’
of disconnections. Last year, 11,733 customers had their electricity cut off,
81% being families. 70,000 customers were more than 60 days in arrears. ESB
Networks had told her that on average 300 families in Dublin were being
disconnected. To get back on, they had to pay €89 for disconnection and €89 for
reconnection. What directives should the minister put in place to show more
compassion to struggling families who were being cut off in far too high
numbers? she asked. In Britain, energy suppliers were obliged to offer some
social energy tariff to give discounted electricity bills to customers in need.
The government should step in to ensure that no one was cut off because of a
genuine inability to pay. Cutting off energy to families genuinely trying to
meet their commitments should not be an option. Pay-as-you-go meters were not
available to those already in trouble. Bord Gais had just appointed 90 new debt
collectors: we were focussing our energy on the wrong places and we needed to be
more compassionate.
Responding, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat
Rabbitte expressed his concern about any level of disconnection. The code of
practice holds that if consumers install a pay-as-you-go meter or if they enter
a payment plan, they will not be disconnected. The meters were available, but
we needed to improve the rate of take-up. As for the costs of disconnection and
reconnection, instead of the consumer bearing the full cost, these were now
shared equally. The regulator was consulting with groups such as MABS and the
Society of St Vincent de Paul on the challenges of so-called debt-hopping. In
October last year, the regulator introduced a process of debt flagging to
address arrears in an upfront manner so as to prevent further debt and
reconnection and the pay-as-you-go system was being rolled out throughout the
country.
Regina Doherty questioned whether the code of practice was actually working,
granted that 300 families were being cut off in Dublin every week, which seemed
to be suggesting that 300 families chose to be cut off rather than use a meter.
This made no sense. She suggested that it was not working. She asked were they
genuinely offered meters or the opportunity to pay their debt over a longer
period. Would the government ask the regulator to reconsider the figure of €89
for the luxury of being cut off and the €89 charge to have it restored? It was
outrageous for those already in considerable distress. There was no family in
the country having its electricity turned off that was not in distress. The
minister told her that the supply company was supposed to offer such a person
the option of a meter rather than disconnection.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tattersalls Ireland presents Drive in Movies at Halloween Horror nights
Haunted stables, live actors, Halloween props, grave yards, spooky characters, and a spine chilling selection of classic horror movies
Meath’s newest Halloween haunt, Halloween Horror Nights, drives in to action from October 25th at one of Ireland’s premier country house locations, Tattersalls Country House, Ratoath, Co. Meath.
Guaranteed to scare even the most dedicated Trick-or-Treaters, Halloween Horror Nights promises a truly frightening experience for people of all ages.
Get to grips with Hollywood’s iconic horror movies, while sitting in the comfort of your own car at Drive-In Movies. Park yourself in the best seats of the house for just €20 per car, and hand pick your fright factor with 2 screenings per night to choose from. Wrapping yourself in the sights and sounds of this spooky spectacle, tune the movie audio broadcast on a special radio frequency to drown out the cries of other cinema-goers!
Offering frighteningly good food and some spine tingling scares, the Halloween Horror nights haunted stables is set to be a favourite Halloween destination this October. As darkness falls, witness the Haunted Stables waken the dead with live actors, festoon lighting and spooky happenings to keep you on your toes!
But it’s not just for all you horror addicts; weekend daytime screenings offer a great family day out with family favourite movies on show- all in the unique setting of Tattersalls Country House.
So if you’re looking to get all your scares under your car roof, Drive in Movies at Halloween Horror nights, Tattersalls Country House, Ratoath Co. Meath is the place for you. But Lock your car doors, one of our spooky characters may just want to sit on your back seat!
Tickets are available from the Tattersalls House on 01-8864300 or visit www.tattersalls.ie/movies for more information.
Are you brave enough to Drive-in with us this Halloween?
Monday, October 15, 2012
New drug deal worth €400 million over three years
The Minister for Health Dr James Reilly has today (15th October, 2012) announced that intensive negotiations involving the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), the HSE and the Department of Health have reached a successful conclusion with a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State. The deal is an important step in reducing the cost base of the health system.
The new deal, with a value in excess of €400 million over the next three years, will mean
Ø significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs,
Ø a lowering of the drugs bill to the State,
Ø greater access to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions, and
Ø an easing of financial pressure on the health services into the future.
The deal is beneficial in two broad ways,
Ø about half the financial value is related to reductions in the cost of patent and off-patent drugs
Ø the other half is related to the State securing the provision of new and innovative drugs for the duration of the agreement in an exceptionally difficult economic climate.
Dr Reilly congratulated all parties to the complicated, protracted negotiations for concluding a deal of such benefit to patients and the health services and he said “given the scale of the financial challenges in Health over the next few years, this agreement is vital progress after much hard work”.
The new deal, combined with the IPHA agreement reached earlier this year, means that €16 million in drug savings will be made this year with much greater savings to be achieved in 2013/14/15. It is estimated that the deal will generate savings of up to €116m gross in 2013.
Alex White, Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care has welcomed the deal. “The current cost of drugs in our health system at over €2bn per year represents a major challenge to the State. However the value of life-saving life-enhancing drugs to patients is incalculable. This importance of this new deal to the State and to patients alike will be felt well into the future”.
This landmark deal comes as legislation aimed at reducing the cost of generic drugs makes its way through the Oireachtas. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, which will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution, is a priority for the Government. The Minister expects that this Bill will be enacted before the end of the year and will deliver further savings in the costs of medicines for the health service and private patient.
The Department and the HSE will shortly finalise discussions with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland, which represents the generic drugs industry, to deliver further savings in the cost of generic drugs.
The new deal, with a value in excess of €400 million over the next three years, will mean
Ø significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs,
Ø a lowering of the drugs bill to the State,
Ø greater access to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions, and
Ø an easing of financial pressure on the health services into the future.
The deal is beneficial in two broad ways,
Ø about half the financial value is related to reductions in the cost of patent and off-patent drugs
Ø the other half is related to the State securing the provision of new and innovative drugs for the duration of the agreement in an exceptionally difficult economic climate.
Dr Reilly congratulated all parties to the complicated, protracted negotiations for concluding a deal of such benefit to patients and the health services and he said “given the scale of the financial challenges in Health over the next few years, this agreement is vital progress after much hard work”.
The new deal, combined with the IPHA agreement reached earlier this year, means that €16 million in drug savings will be made this year with much greater savings to be achieved in 2013/14/15. It is estimated that the deal will generate savings of up to €116m gross in 2013.
Alex White, Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care has welcomed the deal. “The current cost of drugs in our health system at over €2bn per year represents a major challenge to the State. However the value of life-saving life-enhancing drugs to patients is incalculable. This importance of this new deal to the State and to patients alike will be felt well into the future”.
This landmark deal comes as legislation aimed at reducing the cost of generic drugs makes its way through the Oireachtas. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, which will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution, is a priority for the Government. The Minister expects that this Bill will be enacted before the end of the year and will deliver further savings in the costs of medicines for the health service and private patient.
The Department and the HSE will shortly finalise discussions with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland, which represents the generic drugs industry, to deliver further savings in the cost of generic drugs.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Meath County Development Plan 2007-2013
Meath County Council has commenced the review of the Meath County Development Plan 2007-2013 and preparation of a new County Development Plan. For further information on the review process, please click on the following link to view the project website: Meath County Development Plan 2013 - 2019Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Doherty welcomes commitment on delivery of national bowel cancer screening programme
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, that the national bowel cancer screening programme will be introduced on a phased basis from the end of this year. Deputy Doherty raised the issue in a Parliamentary Question to the Minister.
“Bowel cancer poses a significant threat to public health and accounts for almost 1,000 deaths in Ireland every year. The introduction of a national screening programme will help with early detection, and in some cases will help to prevent the cancer from developing in the first place. In other words, it will save lives and should reduce pressures on our hospital system.
“The national screening programme has been delayed on a number of occasions, but I am glad to receive confirmation from the Minister for Health that roll-out will begin in the final quarter of this year, delivering on a Government commitment to introduce bowel cancer screening in 2012. Screening for bowel cancer has proven to be effective on two fronts; it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps.
“It is planned that under the programme, free screening will be offered to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. Fifty per cent of cancers within this age group are found in people aged 60-69, so the programme will focus on this age group first. This accounts for about half a million people. The programme will also be the first to include screening for men.
“Fifteen candidate colonoscopy units have been identified around the country to support the screening programme and an academic partner has been identified to provide training to clinical nurse specialists.
I understand that planning is also well underway within the HSE’s National Cancer Screening Service to ensure the right services are in place to support the introduction and expansion of the screening programme.
“Minister Reilly should be commended for successfully delivering on this programme, despite severe cutbacks to the health service. Early detection and prevention are vital tools in our fight against cancer. I am confident that this new screening programme will lead to a reduction in cases of bowel cancer and an increase in survival rates over the coming years.”
“Bowel cancer poses a significant threat to public health and accounts for almost 1,000 deaths in Ireland every year. The introduction of a national screening programme will help with early detection, and in some cases will help to prevent the cancer from developing in the first place. In other words, it will save lives and should reduce pressures on our hospital system.
“The national screening programme has been delayed on a number of occasions, but I am glad to receive confirmation from the Minister for Health that roll-out will begin in the final quarter of this year, delivering on a Government commitment to introduce bowel cancer screening in 2012. Screening for bowel cancer has proven to be effective on two fronts; it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps.
“It is planned that under the programme, free screening will be offered to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. Fifty per cent of cancers within this age group are found in people aged 60-69, so the programme will focus on this age group first. This accounts for about half a million people. The programme will also be the first to include screening for men.
“Fifteen candidate colonoscopy units have been identified around the country to support the screening programme and an academic partner has been identified to provide training to clinical nurse specialists.
I understand that planning is also well underway within the HSE’s National Cancer Screening Service to ensure the right services are in place to support the introduction and expansion of the screening programme.
“Minister Reilly should be commended for successfully delivering on this programme, despite severe cutbacks to the health service. Early detection and prevention are vital tools in our fight against cancer. I am confident that this new screening programme will lead to a reduction in cases of bowel cancer and an increase in survival rates over the coming years.”
Friday, October 05, 2012
Tolls on N2 would only worsen traffic problems in local villages
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) said that tolls must not be introduced on the N2 as they would only lead to an increase in HGVs passing through small towns and villages, such as Curragha, Ratoath and Ashbourne.
Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, issued the National Roads Authority (NRA) with a report outlining a number of alternatives to the Slane bypass.
“Since the proposed Slane bypass was refused permission by An Bord Pleanála earlier this year, local residents have been left in limbo and continue to suffer as a result of the huge volume of trucks and lorries that pass through the village every day. The status quo is putting lives at risk, and it is essential that a long term solution is found that doesn’t just force Slane’s problems onto other villages in Meath.
“The NRA is now considering three options; covering the cost of M1 tolls for HGVs, tolling the N2 at Slane or Ashbourne or implementing the Traffic Management Plan for the village, the final draft of which lies with Meath County Council.
“Surely the most feasible option – and the only option in my view - is for Meath County Council to immediately implement the Traffic Management Plan. Tolling the N2 would be a disaster for the residents of other villages in Meath which will suffer as a result. We all know that installing tolls on the road would simply push more toll-dodging HGVs into Ratoath, Ashbourne and Curragha.
“Lives are already being put at risk in Slane and the quality of life of residents is being negatively impacted due to HGV traffic. We need to get HGVs off the N2 and out of Slane, rather than charging them to use the road and creating problems elsewhere.
“A sustainable alternative to the bypass that will prevent accidents and improve the lives of those living in Slane and elsewhere must be adopted. Meath County Council must liaise with the NRA to ensure the best solution becomes a reality by implementing the Traffic Management Plan without delay.”
Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, issued the National Roads Authority (NRA) with a report outlining a number of alternatives to the Slane bypass.
“Since the proposed Slane bypass was refused permission by An Bord Pleanála earlier this year, local residents have been left in limbo and continue to suffer as a result of the huge volume of trucks and lorries that pass through the village every day. The status quo is putting lives at risk, and it is essential that a long term solution is found that doesn’t just force Slane’s problems onto other villages in Meath.
“The NRA is now considering three options; covering the cost of M1 tolls for HGVs, tolling the N2 at Slane or Ashbourne or implementing the Traffic Management Plan for the village, the final draft of which lies with Meath County Council.
“Surely the most feasible option – and the only option in my view - is for Meath County Council to immediately implement the Traffic Management Plan. Tolling the N2 would be a disaster for the residents of other villages in Meath which will suffer as a result. We all know that installing tolls on the road would simply push more toll-dodging HGVs into Ratoath, Ashbourne and Curragha.
“Lives are already being put at risk in Slane and the quality of life of residents is being negatively impacted due to HGV traffic. We need to get HGVs off the N2 and out of Slane, rather than charging them to use the road and creating problems elsewhere.
“A sustainable alternative to the bypass that will prevent accidents and improve the lives of those living in Slane and elsewhere must be adopted. Meath County Council must liaise with the NRA to ensure the best solution becomes a reality by implementing the Traffic Management Plan without delay.”
AIB must explain what it did with taxpayers’ money
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the decision from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to seek an explanation on how AIB has used the billions of euro in taxpayers’ money, which they received specifically to support distressed mortgage holders.
“This week, AIB raised their variable mortgage interest rate in an attempt to become commercially viable again. This move takes no account of the thousands of people who are barley managing to make ends meet, and in reality it will push more and more people into arrears. There is a distinct lack of clarity around the money given to AIB, by the taxpayer, to assist distressed mortgage holders. These families and individuals deserve an explanation. Where is that money, was it used to assist distressed mortgage holders, and if so, how many were helped and by how much?
“The PAC agreed today to write to the Department of Finance requesting a full breakdown on how this money was spent and whether or not the full amount has been used to help distressed mortgage holders.
“I look forward to a comprehensive response to these issues being given to the Public Accounts Committee. We need clarity and transparency on this issue."
“This week, AIB raised their variable mortgage interest rate in an attempt to become commercially viable again. This move takes no account of the thousands of people who are barley managing to make ends meet, and in reality it will push more and more people into arrears. There is a distinct lack of clarity around the money given to AIB, by the taxpayer, to assist distressed mortgage holders. These families and individuals deserve an explanation. Where is that money, was it used to assist distressed mortgage holders, and if so, how many were helped and by how much?
“The PAC agreed today to write to the Department of Finance requesting a full breakdown on how this money was spent and whether or not the full amount has been used to help distressed mortgage holders.
“I look forward to a comprehensive response to these issues being given to the Public Accounts Committee. We need clarity and transparency on this issue."
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Let's get in gear for The Gathering
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) called on communities across Co. Meath to start getting ready for The Gathering, the nationwide tourism initiative that is aiming to attract 325,000 extra visitors to Ireland next year.
“We’ve just three months left in the year, so now is the time for communities and organisations across Co. Meath to get in gear for The Gathering. It will be the biggest tourism event ever planned for Ireland and it will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our communities and attract as many visitors as possible.
“The Minister for Tranport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, has been busy in recent months promoting The Gathering overseas. Just last week, Minister Varadkar was on a whistle-stop trip of four cities in the United States to drum up interest in all of the events that will be taking place here next year.
“The US and Canada are two of Ireland’s most important tourism markets, and were worth a combined €696 million to the Irish economy in 2011. There were more than a million trips to Ireland from the US and Canada last year. I believe that through The Gathering we can boost this number even further, and there’s every reason for Meath to benefit.
“The importance of the British market should not be underestimated. The UK is the single most important market for tourism here. Last year, 45% of all visitors to Ireland were from Britain. A major focus of The Gathering is to encourage our diaspora to come back home. So let’s reach out to our families and friends in the UK and further afield and encourage them to take a trip back home.
“There will be a large number of festivals running through next year. But The Gathering isn’t just about big events; it’s also about communities coming together and holding their own gigs. Whether it’s through your local sports club or community organisation, I’m encouraging people in towns and villages across Co. Meath to get involved.
“Tourism has a hugely positive impact on our economy. The tourism sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. An increase in visitors will help small local cafes and family run hotels, as well as major visitor attractions. In other words, we all stand to benefit from making The Gathering a major success.”
“We’ve just three months left in the year, so now is the time for communities and organisations across Co. Meath to get in gear for The Gathering. It will be the biggest tourism event ever planned for Ireland and it will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our communities and attract as many visitors as possible.
“The Minister for Tranport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, has been busy in recent months promoting The Gathering overseas. Just last week, Minister Varadkar was on a whistle-stop trip of four cities in the United States to drum up interest in all of the events that will be taking place here next year.
“The US and Canada are two of Ireland’s most important tourism markets, and were worth a combined €696 million to the Irish economy in 2011. There were more than a million trips to Ireland from the US and Canada last year. I believe that through The Gathering we can boost this number even further, and there’s every reason for Meath to benefit.
“The importance of the British market should not be underestimated. The UK is the single most important market for tourism here. Last year, 45% of all visitors to Ireland were from Britain. A major focus of The Gathering is to encourage our diaspora to come back home. So let’s reach out to our families and friends in the UK and further afield and encourage them to take a trip back home.
“There will be a large number of festivals running through next year. But The Gathering isn’t just about big events; it’s also about communities coming together and holding their own gigs. Whether it’s through your local sports club or community organisation, I’m encouraging people in towns and villages across Co. Meath to get involved.
“Tourism has a hugely positive impact on our economy. The tourism sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. An increase in visitors will help small local cafes and family run hotels, as well as major visitor attractions. In other words, we all stand to benefit from making The Gathering a major success.”
Minister Frances Fitzgerald T.D. launches information website for Children’s Referendum
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald T.D. today launched www.childrensreferendum.ie, which is the dedicated information website for the Children’s Referendum.
Minster Fitzgerald was joined by children to officially launch the website at an event in Merrion Square, Dublin.
The website, which has been developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is provided in both Irish-language and English-language versions. The website includes the Referendum wording as well as a guide to the proposed changes, factsheets on topics such as adoption and foster care and answers to frequently asked questions about the Referendum.
At the launch, Minister Fitzgerald stated: “The debate on this Referendum must not belong solely to constitutional lawyers or politicians. This is a debate for all of us. That is why the Government has committed to running a major information campaign for the Referendum which includes this website www.childrensreferendum.ie as well as the distribution of an information booklet to every home in the state”.
The website launch took place the day after the Thirty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012 completed all stages of debate in the Oireachtas, with the full support of TDs and Senators.
Commenting on the wording agreed by the Oireachtas, Minster Fitzgerald stated: “I would encourage everybody to read the wording on the information website www.childrensreferendum.ie. If you do, you will see that it is very clear in its objective. It’s about treating all children equally, in particular by removing inequalities in adoption. It’s about protecting children from abuse and neglect. It’s about supporting families; and it’s about recognising children in their own right”
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