Deputy Healy raises the consequences of the abolishment of the CLÁR and RAPID programmes which have served deprived communities throughout the country, and which has directly contributed to the loss of 11,150 front-line jobs in the community and voluntary sector; whilst failed bank executives are paid €500,000 per annum.
Deputy Healy asks that the Taoiseach reinstate funding relating to the RAPID and CLÁR programmes as well as funding relating to RAPID coordinators.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The policy being pursued in respect of the abolition of the CLÁR and RAPID programmes has directly contributed to the loss of 11,150 front-line jobs in the community and voluntary sector. The staff who occupied those jobs served deprived communities throughout the country. In 2012 Brian Harvey presented his report, “Downsizing the Community Sector” to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. Said report showed that the contraction in the sector – on foot of a policy introduced by the previous Government and continued by the current Administration – would lead to 11,150 direct jobs in the community and voluntary area being lost by the end of this year and that by 2015 a total of 17,000, or one third of the total number of jobs in the sector, will have been lost. As already stated, these are front-line jobs which are occupied by those who serve deprived communities. All of this is happening at a time when—–
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Does the Deputy have a question?
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
—–the Government has given failed banks permission to pay their executives €500,000 per year.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Hear, hear.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
There appears to be a golden circle involving bank executives, Government advisers and chief executives of voluntary hospitals and, effectively, these individuals appear to be getting away scot free. As Christmas draws near and as increasing numbers of children go to school hungry, I ask the Taoiseach to cast off his role as Scrooge and reinstate funding for the RAPID and CLÁR programmes. I also ask him to reinstate the funding relating to RAPID co-ordinators.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
The Deputy picks a particular line and that is what he wants to do. In the budget for 2013, the Minister for Finance reduced the rate of VAT which applies to the hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9%.
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
What has that got to do with disadvantaged areas?
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
Not only did that stabilise the industry, it also allowed for the creation of 15,000 new jobs.
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
The Taoiseach should come off it.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
Those jobs were not all created in large urban centres. The Minister has continued the policy in this regard in budget 2014. Not only that, travel tax will be zero-rated from 21 April next and this will lead to 1 million additional passengers entering the country as a consequence of Ryanair’s plan to establish new routes. Does the Deputy believe that all of those passengers coming here will stay only in Dublin? Does he not believe that they will visit the areas to which he refers? Is it not right and proper that people should never be confined to projects only and that they should have the opportunity to break out from that—–
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
—–and obtain employment in and contribute to their own communities? I do not deny the value of the RAPID or CLÁR programmes, nor do I deny the value of community employment schemes, the Tús programme—–
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
The Taoiseach is reading from the wrong script.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
—–the MOMENTUM programme, JobBridge or JobsPlus. These all involve giving people the opportunity to obtain employment, to upskill and better themselves and to make a contribution. Of course Deputy Healy will pick an area which it suits him to discuss. He does not want to understand – perhaps he does not wish to appreciate – the fact that when the Government makes a decision, it can have an impact to the benefit of people. I refer, for example, to the decision we made in respect of the hospitality and tourism sector, which benefited the Deputy’s own wonderful county.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The question I asked relates to disadvantaged communities.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
The Taoiseach is waffling again.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
The decision in question led to the creation of 15,000 extra jobs. As a result of The Gathering, family groups from abroad have returned to visit every county in the country. In total, some 500,000 additional tourists have come here in 2013 and this has contributed to the development of local economies.
The Deputy asked if I am going to restore the funding previous available for CLÁR, RAPID and a number of other programmes. The budget has already been put in place and we have changed the structures relating to the way in which moneys are channelled to local authorities. As a result of those changes – which alter the balance between elected representatives and the executives of local authorities – there will be far greater transparency and accountability. I hope this will have a beneficial impact on the areas, both urban and rural, to which the Deputy refers.
Deputy Healy questions the Tánaiste with regard to Bank of Ireland, Wilber Ross and his associates blatantly ripping off the Irish public.
Deputy Healy asks if Bank of Ireland fail the ECB stress tests next year will Wilber Ross and his associates be forced to recapitalise the bank or will the Irish people be forced to do as they have in the past?
And finally Deputy Healy asked if the Tánaiste would not agree that the only solution that protects the citizens of this country when recapitalisation is required is nationalisation.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
In April 2013, on Bloomberg TV, Wilbur Ross, the American vulture capitalist, described Bank of Ireland as his best investment anywhere in the world during the financial crisis. In July 2011 the Government sold State shares in Bank of Ireland to a consortium of North American vulture capitalists for €1.123 billion. The effect of the sale is that the State now owns 15% of Bank of Ireland’s shares at a net cost of €4 billion, while these vulture capitalists own 37% at a cost of €1.123 billion. The fire sale of Bank of Ireland shares has handed Wilbur Ross and his wealthy associates a capital gain of €2 billion. No wonder he was celebrating on television. They are onto a sure winner in the future. The value of Bank of Ireland is determined by Government support, including the bailout. Crucially, Government policy designates Bank of Ireland as a pillar bank. The lack of competition in the market, with ACC and Danske Bank recently having left and the future of Ulster Bank up in the air, and guaranteed Government support through pillar status are a shareholder’s dream. The pillar banks are now free to rip off customers, small businesses and distressed mortgage holders. In today’s Irish Independent Charlie Weston tells us that the introduction of, and increase in, bank fees and charges will take a further €260 a year from families and €270 million out of household finances in the economy. This is the same bank that is sending letters to distressed mortgage holders, giving them the options of voluntary sale, voluntary repossession or eviction. It is absolutely disgraceful. Is the Government not ashamed of its role in allowing the people to be blatantly ripped off by Bank of Ireland, Wilbur Ross and his associates? If Bank of Ireland fails the ECB stress tests next year, will Wilbur Ross and his friends be forced to recapitalise the bank or will the people be forced to do the same as they have done in the past? Does the Tánaiste agree that the only solution that will protect the citizens of the country when recapitalisation is required is nationalisation?
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
No economy can function without a banking system and banks. When the Government took office at the beginning of 2011, the banks in the country were on the point of collapse. People in this country were taking their money out of the banks and small depositors were crossing the Border to move their money out of Irish banks to put it elsewhere. The Government had to stabilise the banking system in its early stages in office. That is why we moved very quickly at an early stage to the reorganisation of the banking system with pillar banks. The banking system and the country have now stabilised and Bank of Ireland has been able to raise funds and capital on the open markets.
Progress is being made across our banking system. That was a necessary part of the strategy we had to pursue in order to get the country out of the incredible economic hole into which it had been put and which we inherited. As it happens, we are now at the point where we are about to exit the bailout. We are looking at an economy which is growing again, although the growth is modest. We are seeing employment being created in the country at the rate of about 3,000 new jobs per month. We would like to see that accelerated. What we must aim to achieve, now that we have stabilised the banking situation and stabilised what has happened in our public finances, is to drive on to create the jobs, attract the investment, see our economy grow at a faster rate and ensure that the people of this country have jobs, a secure future, a decent income and have decent quality public services. That is our aim and it is what will happen. Stabilising the banking system was necessary and this Government has achieved that. We now have to drive on to get economic growth and jobs and the increased prosperity that will come from a growing economy.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
I have some specific questions relating to the sale of the Government’s bank shares. Is the Tánaiste satisfied that the sale of these State shares to these vulture capitalists was above board and transparent? Is he satisfied with a situation where a senior public servant involved in the sale process and who continued to deal on behalf of the State with banks, including Bank of Ireland, was enabled to take up a very senior post in Bank of Ireland, that post being chief executive, corporate and treasury, Bank of Ireland Group?
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
The Deputy cannot make allegations here—–
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
I am not making any allegations. It is a fact. I ask the Tánaiste if the promised review of this situation has taken place and what has been the outcome of that review. He promised a review.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
I am satisfied that the sale of the shares was above board and was transparent. At the period of time involved there was very considerable welcome that the State was able to sell shares in Bank of Ireland. I will not respond to allegations about individuals—–
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
I did not make any allegations.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
The Deputy did make allegations.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
What about my second question?
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
I am answering the question. I am satisfied that the sale of the shares was above board and was transparent. I am also satisfied that the actions taken by the Government to bring stability to our banking system has been one of the foundation stones on which the recovery of this country’s economy has been built. I wish it were different; I wish we did not have the crisis in the banking system that we inherited and I am satisfied—–
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Is he satisfied with the role of a senior public servant?
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
I will not respond to allegations the Deputy is making about individuals who are outside of the House. If the Deputy wishes to make an allegation—–
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
The Deputy should stop that innuendo and side of the mouth allegations about people who are not in the House. If he wants to make an allegation about an individual, he should make the allegation and if he is sure enough, he should make it outside the House.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Government said there would be a review.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I wish to let it be known to the House that it is a long-standing ruling of the Chair that Members should not comment on or criticise a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable as that person is defenceless against accusations made under privilege of this House. I ask all Members to please note.
Deputy Healy appeals to Taoiseach Enda Kenny to “reverse the cuts on compassionate grounds, and if he won’t reverse the cuts on compassionate grounds”, Deputy Healy asked the Taoiseach to “at least reverse the cuts to act to protect the integrity of democratic system by making good the commitments he made in 2008”, and also asked the Taoiseach if he will “now withdraw the elderly cuts from social welfare bill, from the health bill and from finance bill.”
Seamus Healy TD raising the issues of heat and fuel poverty with An Tániste Eamon Gilmore at Leaders Questions and asks if Government is monitoring winter deaths due to cold weather.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Government has cut heating supports, such as the fuel scheme and the free units of electricity, in each of the last three years. In 2011, the number of free electricity units was reduced from 2,400 to 1,800. In 2012, the period over which the fuel scheme operated was cut by six weeks and in 2013, the household benefits package, including the free units of electricity was cut again. Even before these cuts were implemented, it is known there were more than 1,000 additional winter deaths in the Republic. Moreover, it is known the vast majority of such deaths were due to cold-related conditions and that such conditions exacerbated underlying medical conditions such as, for instance, respiratory illnesses. These facts are known on foot of professional research carried out and directed by Professor Goodman of the Dublin Institute of Technology. This research was peer reviewed and publicly funded through the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland and was launched by the Tánaiste’s colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. It is known that before the cuts introduced by the Government, heating costs were significantly cheaper. Over the past three years, gas costs have increased by 22%, 8.5% and 2% in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, giving a total increase of 32.5%. Similarly, the cost of electricity rose by 14.8%, 5.9% and 3.5% in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, giving a total increase of 24.2%. In addition, the cost of oil rose by 18% in 2012 alone.
A recent press release from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul reveals that the increase in energy bills over the past three years has cost €500 per family. This wipes out completely the value of the fuel scheme for 2013-14. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul also revealed that it now spends more than €10 million per annum to provide heating supports for needy families.
tMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
A question please, Deputy.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Is the Government monitoring the increase in winter deaths due to cold-related conditions caused by the Government cutbacks to heating supports? Does the Tánaiste know how many deaths the cuts relating to heating supports have caused since 2011? Will the Government reverse these huge cuts to needy elderly families?
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Hear, hear.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
The Government is very much aware of the increase in the costs of fuel and the pressure that is putting on households, families and elderly people. This is the reason a range of supports is in place to support people with the cost of fuel. One thing that is clear regarding fuel, energy and gas is that we in Ireland are receivers. We are receivers with regard to the cost of fossil-based fuels, including oil and gas, and are very open to the way in which the price of such commodities fluctuates on the world market. This is the reason the Government is doing two things on a strategic level. First, it is increasing the generation of renewable energy in Ireland to reduce our dependence on oil and gas and to enable the supply of electricity and energy at a lower cost. Second, the Government is addressing the retrofitting of homes in order that their energy efficiency is improved and the cost of heating them is reduced. Thus far, approximately 250,000 homes have been retrofitted. The Government is particularly concerned that the retrofit scheme would proceed for those households with low incomes. A total of €50 million has been provided to improve the insulation of 25,000 of the least energy-efficient homes over a three-year period and 1,000 of these improvements have already been carried out. Additional funding has been provided to address the retrofitting of local authority-owned homes to improve their energy efficiency. This issue must be considered in two ways. First, the support the Government provides for households through the fuel allowance, for example, must be maintained. In addition, the issue must be addressed at the level of the energy efficiency of the home itself. This is the reason the retrofitting of houses to get higher standards of energy efficiency and thereby reducing the cost of heating the home must be part of what must be done. Ultimately, that is the best way of doing this sustainably over a longer period.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
As usual, the Tánaiste has not answered any question I asked of him.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Yes, it is disgraceful.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
It is the usual performance in this Chamber and sometimes one wonders whether it is worthwhile to ask any question. The Tánaiste naturally blames the world markets for the increases in prices and while that is well and good, the Government’s response to increased costs has been to cut supports to needy families by cutting the fuel allowance, the free units of electricity and the household packages. The Government has deliberately and knowingly cut heating supports. It is known that cold-related conditions mean additional winter deaths. This policy is an act of social vandalism and is a matter of life and death. Must Members wait until there are more elderly deaths before finding out what is the exact position? Will the Tánaiste answer my question now? As the Tánaiste does not know the answer, will he ask the Central Statistics Office, for instance, together with the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland, to ascertain how many deaths the Government’s cuts have caused since it came to power in 2011? I again ask the Tánaiste whether the Government will reverse the huge cuts that have taken place over the past three years and for which it is responsible?
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Hear, hear.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
There are occasions in this House when allegations are made that are seriously over the top.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Like?
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
The allegation the Deputy has made in this particular case falls into that category.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Which allegation?
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
No, let us concentrate on dealing with the problem.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
The Tánaiste did not answer the question.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
The issue of fuel costs is a matter of which the Government is aware—–
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
The Government has made it more expensive.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
—–and which it is seeking to address.
I have set out for the Deputy the way in which we are seeking to do that.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
By cutting the supports.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
The Deputy has asked me to ask the Central Statistics Office to produce figures for us. We will do that and I have no problem with that. We will ask for advice from anybody who has advice to offer to us in this area. We will listen to what any of the organisations representing older people in this country have to say. We will take advice from wherever we can get it, but there is a difference between hearing that advice, addressing it in a reasonable way and making the kind of over the top hyperbole that the Deputy has just made.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Which one?
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
The Deputy asked whether we would ask the CSO to produce figures for us. The answer to the Deputy’s question – let me be clear on this because he accused me of not answering your question – is: “Yes, we will.”
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
What about my second question? I asked whether the Government will reverse the cuts, but the Tánaiste did not answer that one.
Deputy Séamus Healy questions An Taoiseach regarding local authority housing and housing adaptation grants.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
This year the Government has cut the capital allocation for local authority and voluntary housing by over €106 million. This is in the context of huge reductions already, from €1.5 billion in 2008 to €585 million in 2013. Recent figures for waiting lists for local authority housing have reached the shocking number of approximately 100,000 or, to be precise, 98,318. The level of social housing building in Ireland is at zero. Local authority housing has been decimated. The local authorities’ budget for house building has been reduced from €367 million in 2010 to a paltry €65 million in 2013. Capital funding for voluntary and co-operative housing this year has been cut by €15 million, from €70 million to €55 million, a reduction of 21%. The public house building programme is almost non-existent and because of this, the numbers on housing waiting lists have increased hugely, from 56,000 in 2008 to 98,000 – the most recent figure – an increase of 40,000 families languishing on housing waiting lists. The Government has abandoned the social housing building programme. This is another reason the Labour Party is at 6% in the polls. It had a proud record in providing local authority housing, but it has done a U-turn on this issue also. What is happening is that house building has been privatised and developers and landlords are being paid, instead of putting the money into building houses. They are being paid through schemes such as the rent supplement scheme and the paying of mortgages over and over again through the rental accommodation scheme and the long-term leasing scheme. In view of the huge numbers languishing on local authority house waiting lists, will the Taoiseach agree that a major public house building programme should be commenced by the Government? Such a programme would provide a major stimulus for the economy, create thousands of jobs, provide badly needed homes for families on waiting lists, reduce social welfare expenditure and save money. Will the Government immediately commence a major house building programme for the 100,000 families languishing on housing waiting lists?
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
I thank the Deputy for his comments and questions. Clearly, there is an increase in the number of applicants for adequate and proper housing, many of whom are on local authority lists. NAMA has offered 4,000 houses, of which, I think, 2,000 have been taken up by local authorities.
Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
A couple of hundred only.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
Significant numbers of families are living in very small apartments, which is causing frustration and concern for many. I met the Construction Industry Federation the other day and I am aware that there are quite a number of good contractors and developers who have never been in NAMA and are not in the league of those deemed to be rogue builders or cowboys. The people concerned want to see a construction centre that has integrity, can be trusted and will measure up. This is an issue the Government will look at, but I am not going to confirm what moneys, if any, can be made available in the capital budget for it.
On the live register, there are at least 80,000 people who were involved in the construction sector in one way or another and there is clearly scope for a programme. For example, in the regeneration projects in Limerick and other locations there is a significant amount of public housing being built. I expect the response from local authorities to be improved in terms of the offers made by NAMA. As part of the budget, the Government will consider what is the best thing to do in respect of the increasing pressure from families seeking on public housing lists.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
It is obvious to everybody that the Government is refusing to fund a significant local authority and voluntary house building programme. However, will it at least spare the disabled, the ill and the elderly from cuts and give them some quality of life in their remaining years? This year the Government has cut the funding for housing adaption grants for persons with disabilities and ill and elderly people by €15 million, or 36%.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Can we have a question, please?
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
We now have a situation where we have ill and disabled persons who must crawl up the stairs and cannot have a shower or a bath, not because they have been refused a housing adaption grant, but because they cannot even be considered because the funding has been cut by the Government and the money has run out. Does the Government have any compassion for the people concerned?
Will the Government show some common decency and restore the €15 million that was cut from the scheme so these people can have reasonable living conditions in the later years of their lives? Will the Taoiseach at least spare the disabled, the ill and the elderly from these cuts?
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Hear, hear.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
Compassion and common decency are not exclusive to members of the Opposition.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
I hope everybody in the House has compassion and common decency.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
This is why we listened to the sad saga of the women who were in the Magdalen laundries.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
I did not ask about the Magdalen laundries. I asked about housing adaptation grants.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Please listen to the reply.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
This is why we are acting in respect of the people evacuated from their firetrap houses in Priory Hall. It is why the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy O’Sullivan, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government met NAMA last week to discuss—–
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Every Deputy knows what I said is true. They deal with it every day of the week.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Deputy Healy is dead right.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Deputy Healy asked his question and I ask him to listen to the answer.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Taoiseach is not answering the question.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
I am making the point to Deputy Healy in direct response to his comment that compassion and common decency are exclusive to people on that side of the House.
Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
He never said that.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
I said everybody in the House should have common decency. That is why I am asking the question.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I ask Deputy Healy to stay quiet, please.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
It is why the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy O’Sullivan, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government met NAMA last week—–
Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
It is a pity they did not meet the Priory Hall residents a couple of years ago.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
—–to discuss the question of speeding up transfers from NAMA for social housing.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Will the Taoiseach restore the cuts made to the housing adaptation grant? He will not.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
It is why the programme of voluntary housing and building takes into account many of the people Deputy Healy mentioned.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Are ill and elderly people going to have to—–
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I ask Deputy Healy to stay quiet.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
He is just trying to get an answer.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
It is why, in consideration of whatever limited capital is available for this area, priority will be given to the elderly and the disabled in the forthcoming budget.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Ill and elderly people cannot get a stairlift.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
The Minister of State with responsibility for housing has already made this point very clearly. I cannot deal with the specifics of what will be allocated, but within these constraints the Minister of State with responsibility for housing has already referred to the priorities that will be dealt with.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
It is shameful.
Seamus Healy TD raises the ongoing issue of Fuel Poverty during Leaders Questions today, highlighting its devastating effects.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The austerity policies introduced by the Fianna Fáil Party and continued by the current Government, despite a commitment given during the general election campaign not to do so, are hitting individuals and families on low and fixed incomes very hard. A survey on income and living conditions carried out by the Central Statistics Office in February 2013 found that one quarter of the population experienced two or more types of enforced deprivation in 2011, the Government’s first year in office. This figure was higher than the figure for 2010. Fuel poverty, which is one form of enforced deprivation, is having a particularly devastating effect on elderly people, the sick, those in poverty and individuals and families on fixed incomes. It has increased in the Government’s term of office, during which savage increases in energy prices have been permitted. I remind the Taoiseach that electricity prices increased by 14.8% in 2011 and 5.9% in 2012 and will increase again in October, while gas prices increased by 22% in 2011 and 8.5% in 2012 and are also due to be increased in October. According to the National Consumer Agency, it costs approximately €1,000 to fill a tank of home heating oil, with the cost increasing by 18% in 2012 alone. These increases could be described as indirect attacks on the living standards of ordinary people. They are condoned by the Government, which has deliberately increased fuel poverty by introducing direct cuts to living standards since taking office in 2011. These included a reduction in the number of free electricity units from 2,400 to 1,800, which was introduced when the Government was barely a wet week in office, and a cut in the duration of the free fuel allowances from 32 weeks to 26 weeks in the 2012 budget.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
The Deputy must ask a question.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Government cut free electricity units in the 2013 budget and increased carbon tax on solid fuel, which will also double next year.
Elderly people and those on low incomes are caught in a pincer movement as they seek to deal with increased prices and taxes and Government cuts in benefits and allowances. As a result, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is spending €6 million per annum to help people keep their homes warm and lights on. Age Action Ireland, a national charity for elderly people, has stated that people must choose between heating their homes and buying food and elderly people are going to bed as early as 7 p.m. to stay warm or switching off their heating and heading for the nearest shopping centre where they can sit for hours in a warm atmosphere.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
The Deputy should put a question to the Taoiseach.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
This is unacceptable. Government policies are damaging the fabric of society. Surely the Government must abandon its approach to the elderly and those on fixed incomes by reversing the cuts to fuel and energy allowances introduced since it took office in 2011.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
The Deputy did not ask a question. He made a number of observations for which I thank him.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
He asked whether the Government will reverse its cuts.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
He made a statement that we should reverse the cuts; he did not ask a question.
Deputy Healy, like other Deputies, is in contact with people in his constituency. The Government is not immune to the difficulties people have to face and has been cognisant of them as we have attempted to make decisions, difficult as they are, to sort out the economic situation. Only this morning, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, pointed to the need for the Government to reflect, in so far as it can, the difficulties and tribulations people are having. It is not the case that we are abandoning people who are in difficult circumstances to their lot. We have moved from a point where 250,000 jobs were lost in a three year period, Ireland’s access to international markets was blocked, interest rates for Government borrowing stood at 15% and the country had no strategy to deal with these matters to a point where the position has been reversed and 3,000 jobs per month are being created in the private sector.
Owing to the way in which the memorandum of understanding was framed, the Ministers, Deputies Noonan and Howlin, were able, in their early engagement with the troika, to negotiate to have the minimum wage reinstated. In addition, the Minister for Finance was able to remove 330,000 people from the universal social charge in the budget. There was no increase in income tax and no reductions in primary social welfare rates in budget 2012 and budget 2013, while mortgage interest was increased for those who purchased homes between 2004 and 2008.
While I understand the nature of the surveys to which the Deputy referred, a great deal of assistance is available. Community effort in helping people in difficulty has never been at a higher level.
Clearly the biggest debt that most families face is mortgage debt and the Government has resolved to help families that are struggling through a range of actions that are now in place and we expect them to be delivered on. These matters have been the focus of Government and will again be the focus of what we have to do in preparing the budget for 2014 as a stepping stone to emerging from the bailout, to send out that signal further enhanced, if one likes, by the outlook upgrade by the ratings agency, Moody’s, last week which had a direct impact on bond yield spreads. People may not realise these matters impact on the country. As its reputation as a location for investment improves, it impacts on the jobs situation, which is the ultimate goal, being the biggest catalyst to restoring the health of the economy. In that sense as the Minister, Deputy Noonan, pointed out in terms of the budget for this year, these matters are of concern to Government and hopefully can be reflected in the fairest way possible.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I call Deputy Healy who has one minute.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
In case the Taoiseach did not understand the question, I will ask it again. Will the Government reverse the cuts to the energy units and the free-fuel scheme that have been made by the Government since 2011? What I have heard suggests the Government has lost touch with reality completely. I am sure the Taoiseach is aware of very important research directed by Professor Goodman of the Dublin Institute of Technology, peer reviewed, publicly funded and launched by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. That research has shocking findings. It found, for instance, that there was an excess of winter—–
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
It is a supplementary question.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am asking the question.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
The Deputy has only one minute.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
There are 1,281 excess winter deaths and the majority of those deaths arise from cold-related conditions, such as respiratory illnesses. Crucially that research found that this death rate is among the highest in Europe and even higher than in Scandinavian countries which are much colder in winter than is Ireland. These are absolutely shocking findings that were researched and peer reviewed, and launched by a Minister.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I thank the Deputy.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
In view of those findings, will the Government now reverse the cuts to the fuel allowance, particularly its duration which was cut by six weeks? Will it reverse the cuts to the energy units of the household benefits package implemented by this Government?
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
We have a general policy of attempting to make homes more comfortable, warmer and better insulated. Some time ago the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, announced the allocation of €50 million for that purpose.
I do not accept the Deputy’s assertion that we have lost touch with reality. Very much on the contrary, we engage with people on a very regular basis about the situation in which they find themselves. It is not a situation of their making, but it is a situation that arose because of how our country was allowed to drift. We need to correct that drift and that is what we are doing.
I cannot give a direct answer to the Deputy’s question about the reversal of changes in the free-fuel scheme or energy units in the household benefits package. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, referred to this in the energy area. The question the Deputy asked is a matter of budgetary policy and I will not answer it now. As the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, pointed out, the Government needs to be cognisant of the difficulties and hardship that many people experience. While we have a difficult job to do in presenting a budget for 2014, we intend to do that in the fairest way possible and to show in so far as can be done a degree of flexibility where it can be applied. However, I cannot answer any individual question about the budget. That is a matter for collective decision by the Cabinet over the coming weeks.
Targeting of Medical Card Holders
Deputy Healy questions the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore regarding Medical Card reviews, and the removal of discretionary Medical Cards from patients with Cancer and Motor Neuron Disease.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent): When will the Government stop terrorising the sick and elderly across this country? The Government’s austerity budget of this year has targeted the withdrawal of 40,000 existing medical cards from the sick and elderly across the country. That policy is being implemented on the Government’s behalf by the Health Service Executive. It is not possible for me to overstate the fact that the sick and elderly are traumatised and in daily fear of losing their medical cards. The postman or postwoman, who has always been a welcome sight for the elderly, is now a source of anxiety in case he or she is bringing that dreaded white envelope that states that one is under review and gives the threat of one’s medical card being withdrawn.
Let us be clear what is happening. The sick and elderly are being targeted by the Government to pay banks and bondholders and to protect the 10,000 top earners in this country, who each earn on average €595,000 per year. These medical card holders are being specially and specifically targeted. They are in their 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s. Their cards are not due to be reviewed. They hold current, fully valid medical cards assessed and approved by the Health Service Executive with expiry dates up to 2020, but they are now being punished to satisfy the greed of bankers and bondholders. Does the Tánaiste think this is fair, and will he do anything about it? Has he or the Government any compassion for the sick and elderly?
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Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I thank Deputy Healy.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Will the Tánaiste immediately instruct the Health Service Executive to desist from punishing and hounding the elderly?
It has always been the case – I will finish with this – that persons with medical conditions that require urgent or ongoing medical treatment have qualified for discretionary medical cards. That practice has now stopped. Persons with cancer diagnoses and with, for instance, motor neuron disease are now being disqualified from eligibility for the discretionary medical card. I am sure the Tánaiste believes that is unfair also. I ask him to ensure that such a practice stops and that the Health Service Executive is instructed to ensure that these patients get their discretionary medical cards.
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Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
There are more persons today with medical cards than at any time in the history of the State.
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Tell that to those who are looking for one.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
There are currently 50%—–
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Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Men.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
—–who have medical cards. This is at a time when, as we are all aware, there has been extreme pressure on the public finances.
It has always been the case that medical cards are reviewed upon renewal. The Government’s approach is that medical card applications should be looked at sympathetically. The financial circumstances of individuals and their medical needs are taken into account.
We have all had experience of individual cases that, from time to time, have had to be pursued with the HSE about the issue of a medical card, but I assure Deputy Healy there is no targeting of any medical card holders. The Government is clearly determined that the medical needs of persons in this country are met. That is why we have worked so hard to restore the country’s public finances so that we can continue to meet the needs of those who need medical cards and, as I stated, there are more medical cards under this Government than were ever issued in the history of the State.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Tánaiste almost boasts that the number of medical cards have increased. So they have, but, of course, that is far from an achievement. That is, in fact, an indictment of the Government. It is an indictment of the austerity policies that have driven employees out of work, that have driven incomes down and that have put applicants under medical card limits that are most stringent and have already been reduced this year. Far from being an achievement, this is an indictment of the austerity policies of the Government and it is certainly not anything to boast about.
The Tánaiste has engaged in the usual practice. He has not answered the question. I asked him specifically about medical cards being reviewed which are not for review and about discretionary medical cards for particular cases. He has chosen not to answer those questions. Of course, that is the usual tactic in this Chamber. The Tánaiste may very well get away with that here in the rarefied atmosphere of the Dáil Chamber but he certainly will not get away with it when he knocks on doors for local and European elections next year.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I thank Deputy Healy.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
I also want to ask the Tánaiste when the medical card income limits will be reviewed and increased. Whether or not he knows it, they have not been increased since 2006. In fact, some of these limits – including that pertaining to travel to work, which is discriminatory towards those living in rural areas where no public transport is available – have worsened over the past 12 months. I ask the Tánaiste to immediately instruct the HSE to ensure that the sick and elderly are not targeted and that medical problems are dealt with on a discretionary basis, particularly for cancer and motor neuron disease cases.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
It is perfectly clear that Deputy Healy raised this issue to make a political point and a political charge against the Government, particularly the Labour Party.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
I want to answer it in that fashion. The Deputy says we have targeted medical card holders. He wants to give the impression that the Government is taking medical cards from people. I have told the Deputy that it is a fact that more medical cards have been issued under this Government than has ever happened before.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Tánaiste should deal with the specific cases.
Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste; Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
I cannot deal with specific cases unless the Deputy provides me with the detail. If the Deputy wishes to give me the detail of specific cases—–
An Ceann Comhairle:
This is Leaders’ Questions. The Deputy can put questions to the Minister for Health.
