Yesterday afternoon the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin took to his feet in the Dail chamber to announce 1.4 billion euro in spending cuts – and when added to the 750 million euro reduction in capital spending already announced – it brings the total to 2.2 billion
Some of the changes occurring:
The social welfare budget is to be reduced by 475 million euro next year – a cut of just over 2 per cent
The rate of Child Benefit will be maintained at 140 euro per month for the first two children – with 148 euro for the third child and 160 for the fourth and subsequent children in 2012
The weekly allowance paid to carers will not be changed – while older people will continue to get their State Pension at the current levels
However the Fuel Allowance season will be reduced from 32 weeks to 26 weeks – while the Cost of Education Allowance will fall from 500 euro to 300 euro
On Tuesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Pat Breen TD of Fine Gael and Timmy Dooley TD of Fianna Fail to react to Minister Howlin’s
Morning Focus Producer Niamh McNamara asked some people about their thoughts on the budget so far in Ennis this morning
June Tinsley, Policy Officer with Barnardos spoke about the cuts that will affect children:
-Cutting child benefit for the 3rd and 4th children in families
-Cutting Back to school allowance
-Cutting capitation to schools by 2%
-Discontinuing disability allowance for 16 and 17 year olds
-Cutting disability, mental health and children’s’ services to save 50 million
-Reducing the fuel allowance period
-Cutting rent allowance
– Reducing one parent family allowance
Colm Murphy, Deputy President of the Union of Students’ in Ireland was outraged at the increased contribution from third level students of 250 euro announced yesterday
Also announced are changes to fee and maintenance supports for new postgraduate students and reducing maintenance grants generally to deliver savings of 12.6 million.
And a 3% reduction in rate of student maintenance grant.
The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn said yesterday that he "regrets" that he cannot honour his pre-election pledge not to increase college registration fees.
Carrigaholt Garda Station is set to close in 2012 it was also announced yesterday
It is the only Clare casualty despite thirteen originally being mooted for the chop
31 Garda stations are to be closed next year throughout Ireland
Luke Aston of the Carrigaholt Development Association is concerned at being left so isolated by the closure – particularly as the rate of burglaries in the country is rising
He said it was a bad move as there’s no community policing and Oliver Garry, Kildysart Councillor reacted on behalf of the community saying that the Gardai will loose 38 personnel in County Clare and this will lead to a significant logistical problem.
Will Cahir of Cahir and Co. Ennis and a volunteer solicitor with Clare Citizens’ Information Service Free Legal Advice Clinics spoke about Business Partnerships; agreements, what you need to know about setting them up.
Ireland’s earliest surviving example of a timber framed house has been discovered in Clare
Dendrochronological analysis is expected to conclude that the timber structure at Chapel Lane, Parnell Street, Ennis, dates back to the late 16th century
Ms. Irene Clune’s house, known as McParland’s is long understood to have been the oldest inhabited house in the Clare County capital
The building’s triple diamond stone Jacobean chimney has been an icon of medieval Ennis for centuries
Consultant Archaeologist Frank Coyne of Aegis Archaeology Ltd. and Conservation Officer Dick Cronin of Clare County Council joined John in studio to discuss.
Frankie Coote, Clare ISPCA Warden joined John in studio with advice for animal owners regarding the proper care of animals and owners’ legal obilgations
Contact Frankie on 087 622 5253.
If you have a story for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
