LABOUR NEWS Eamonn Maloney TD & Pat Rabbitte TD Spring 2015
RESTORING LIVING STANDARDS After seven years the economic recovery has taken hold. For many families it has been a tough struggle. However people are now going back to work, there are modest increases in take-home pay and the real prospect of limited relief in the next Budget. In 2015 Ireland will have the fastest economic growth in Europe. The challenge now is the restoration of living standards in a sustainable way. Negotiations will start next month to address some of the cuts taken by public servants since the collapse and most private sector employments are factoring in pay increases during 2015. In addition, the Environment Minister, Alan Kelly T.D., is due to bring forward a new package of measures designed to address the mortgage arrears issue.
THESE ARE THE ECONOMIC FACTS:
FREE GP CARE FOR UNDER 6s The government deal with the doctors (IMO) will mean an additional 270,000 children under 6 will benefit from GP care free at the point of service. The agreement is the first step in the phased introduction of a universal GP service without fees.
■ 97,000 new jobs created since 2011 ■ Unemployment down to 10% from a high of 15.1% ■ 410,000 low paid workers taken out of USC ■ €3.8 billion for Social Housing investment ■ Budget deficit down from €22 billion to €5 billion ■ Strong export figures and return of consumer confidence. ■ New Strategic Banking Corporation to aid SMEs ■ High speed broadband installed in all 2nd level schools ■ 1,700 new teachers and SNAs will be employed in 2015 ■ 2,046 fewer people on Tallaght Live Register ■ 92,517 fewer people on National Live Register ■ MicroFinance Ireland provides loans of up to €25,000 to businesses
who employ 10 people or less.
IRISH WATER The establishment of a State-owned utility to tackle the water crisis in Ireland is the largest undertaking since the creation of the ESB. The company employs 540 with 1,200 contractors installing meters and 750 in the call centre. Over a million households have signed up plus 260,000 on own water supply. Irish Water will need to raise about €5 billion off the State’s accounts in order to do the major repair job needed. Leaks identified to date in 30,000 properties would supply the city of Limerick. Water supply in Dublin is on a knife-edge and boil water notices are the reality in other parts of the country. Irish Water’s redesign of the treatment plant at Ringsend will save the taxpayer €170 million. The water conservation grant of €100 will be paid from September to everyone signed up before June 30th.
Pat Rabbitte TD with Cllr Pamela Kearns, Chairperson of Rathfarnham/Templeogue Committee SDCC
The long-drawn out negotiations will include an agreed cycle of care for children diagnosed with asthma.The agreement is due to commence this summer and will also provide GP care for all remaining persons aged 70 and over under the existing GMS contract.Once operational, it means that 8,037 children aged 5 and under in Dublin South West will be entitled to free GP Care.
CRIME BILL The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill will be introduced in Dáil Eireann by Eamonn Maloney T.D. on May 8th. The purpose of the Bill is to reduce from 7 years to 2 years the waiting period before the Criminals Assets Bureau can apply to the High Court for the disposal and forfeiture of frozen assets. Under the 1996 Act the CAB can seize the profits of crime, particularly drug crime.
Honest and Effective Representation