Jim Daly

FINE Gael TD Jim Daly, has said that a new survey which shows 90% of business leaders support a Yes vote in the Stability Treaty Referendum highlights the importance of a positive result in the Treaty for economic growth. The survey, carried out by IBEC, is based on the replies of over 400 CEOs.

“This IBEC survey has made some very interesting findings, and I think it underlines the importance of a Yes vote for businesses in Cork and right across the country. Not only do 90% of CEOs believe a Yes vote is important to the future prosperity of their business, 83% believe it will have a positive impact on Ireland’s ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment.

“Furthermore, the survey gives an interesting perspective on the impact of a rejection of the Treaty. If we oppose the Treaty, 87% of business leaders believe it will limit our ability to do business in Europe. At the moment, 60% of our exports go to the EU. As the only English-speaking country in the Eurozone, we are in a great position to further capitalise on this market. Why would we want to put this at risk?

“A Yes vote will help to deliver the certainty and stability needed for job creation. We’ve seen thousands of jobs created by companies like Apple, Mylan, Cisco, HP and Paypal in recent months. Clearly Irish business leaders believe our ability to continue to attract this kind of investment would be severely hampered by a rejection of the Treaty.

“According to IBEC, Irish companies are making a direct link between passing the Treaty and the future success of their own businesses. These are job creators operating in the real economy, and I think their views should not be ignored.

“While unemployment rates remain far too high, there’s been some small progress on job creation in the last year. For example, by the end of 2011, there were 11,000 more people working in accommodation and food services than when the Government came to office. There was also a 6,000 net increase in jobs in IDA-supported companies last year and there was a 30% increase in companies investing in Ireland for the first time.

“We need to give ourselves the best possible chance of continuing with this progress. The Stability Treaty won’t solve everything, but it will be a key step as we rebuild a working Ireland.”

A PET scanner

FINE Gael Cork South Central TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has been informed by the VHI that it hopes to shortly conclude its review of an application to cover the PET/CT scanner at CUH.

“I have made direct contact with VHI asking that it reconsider providing cover for the PET/CT scanner which has been gathering dust in the CUH for three years.  Thankfully VHI confirmed that it is carrying out a review of the application and that it hopes to have the review concluded shortly.  I encourage the VHI to prioritise the review and to ensure that its Cork customers have access to the same facilities that are available in Dublin.

“Management at CUH has engaged a third party provider, using an alternative service delivery model, to make this service available to public patients from later this month.  However, while public patients will have access to the PET scanner there will now be two referral pathways for Cork patients depending on their insurance status.

“The Minister for Health, James Reilly, TD, has made it clear that his long term aim is to end this two tier system, ensuring equal access regardless of ability to pay.  If we are to achieve equal access to health services then access to essential facilities should not be decided on based on whether or not a patient has insurance.

“The PET scanner provides an important service which has the potential to benefit the entire southern region.  Universal access to the PET scanner will help the long term viability of this service and it will also deliver the maximum benefit to all patients of the €6.85 million investment in the treatment and diagnostic facility.

“Private insurers have an obligation to provide their customers with convenient access to cutting edge diagnostics and treatment.  It is imperative for patients across south Munster that the private health insurers live up to their responsibilities and facilitate their customers in accessing the PET scanner at CUH.”

Roisin Shortall

LABOUR TD Ciarán Lynch today welcomed the progress being made in addressing the delays in processing medical card reviews. The issue of anomalies in the process were also raised and addressed by the Minister of State for Health, Roisin Shortall.

“I raised the issue of delays in the processing of medical cards and medical card reviews with the Minister Shortall in the Dáil today. I had raised the issue with the Minister in February and was looking for an update on the progress that had been made since I raised the issue last.

“I explained to the Minister that while it is has been obvious to my office that the processing of applications by the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme (PCRS) has improved in recent months, a number of anomalies in the system were still apparent. For instance, in cases where additional information is sought by the PCRS, the processing of this additional information is taking an inordinately long time. Not only this, but on a number of occasions the additional information was requested and submitted more than once.

“I explained that in one particular case, an applicant submitted evidence of a home improvement loan that was obtained to install a new heating system. The heating system was necessary due to the medical condition of the spouse. It took nearly a month to review the evidence which was then rejected as the loan was obtained from the gas company. If the same loan had been obtained from the Credit Union however, the evidence of a home loan would have qualified.

“The same applicant was requested to submit further information in relation to proof of income. Fifteen days later however the promised review had not been completed. This is yet another anomaly where, as stated on the HSE website, medical applications can be processed in 15 days, yet it appears a simple review cannot.

“While I commend the improvements already made, more is needed to be done to help the applicants such as the one mentioned as they urgently need the benefit of a full medical card and they have been put through a stressful and long drawn out process in order to get what they are entitled to.

“After raising these issues with the Minister, I was encouraged to learn that the anomalies I raised are indeed being addressed by Minister Shortall. The Minister explained that the centralisation of the medical card process has been completed. Now, for the first time ever, a single uniform system of application processing is in place. The Minister explained that in this stream lining exercise a number of difficulties such as the ones I mentioned had arisen, including backlogs, poor communication and work practices.

“The Minister however has been working closely with the HSE and a range of measure have been introduced that will address all these issues. For example, staffing levels and renewal assessments have been increased, as well as the fast-tracking of cases where information has been misfiled. The Minister is also ensuring that the entitlements of applicants engaged in the review process are not withdrawn before the review process is complete.

“I would like to commend the Minister on the work she has done in the short few months since I first raised this issue. While some anomalies still exist, these are being addressed. In fact, a backlog of 58,000 applications from last year has been completely cleared. Not only this, but 90% of complete applications are processed within 15 working days. This is no nominal feat as up to 50,000 applications are received each month.

“I am encouraged that the Minster is already aware of the issues raised and is working hard to improve the quality of services provided to the public. I will continue to monitor the situation and have no doubt more improvements will be made in the coming months.”

Jerry Buttimer

FINE Gael Cork South Central Deputy and Chairman of the Party’s LGBT group, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Wednesday) said that the best way to combat homophobic bullying and to deal with the victimisation of gay men and women in Ireland is through education. Deputy Buttimer was speaking on the eve of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

“The best and most effective way of building a society that is tolerant of all people, irrespective of race, creed or sexual orientation is undoubtedly through education. The theme of this year’s IDAHO, which is supported by a range of global organisations including UNESCO, is ‘Combating Homophobia In Education and Through Education’.

“Homophobic bullying in schools and colleges, based on a student’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, continues to be a significant problem worldwide. Harassment of this nature can have a harrowing effect on a young person’s life, leading to early school dropout, poor academic performance and, in the worst case, a threat to the young person’s life due to the psychological impact of the abuse. It must be noted that homophobic bullying of teachers is a problem which also persists.

“Organisations in Ireland, such as BeLonG To, which has recently launched its ‘Stand Up’ campaign against homophobic bullying in schools, are working hard to focus attention on this issue and to ensure a safe and more accepting school environment for our all of our young people.

“It is up to each and every one of us to speak out where we see injustice and to help build an Ireland where equal rights and opportunities are afforded to all citizens; where all children are cherished equally.

“Irish attitudes are changing. We must build on the progress being made by fostering a tolerance of all people from an early age through education. By working together we can ensure that ours is a world where everyone is free to grow and develop and to fulfil their full potential.”

Declan Ganley

LABOUR TD for Cork South-West Michael McCarthy has likened Declan Ganley’s entry into the referendum debate as being akin to a “vanity project”.

Deputy McCarthy said, “I recognise the mandate that public representatives of all hues and none have on either side of the Stability Treaty argument, and I respect the mandate that people will use to support the Treaty and indeed to oppose it, which is a healthy aspect of any democracy.

“However, I cannot fathom Declan Ganley’s input into the referendum debate in recent days. This is an individual who has no electoral record worthy speaking of, other than his unsuccessful attempt at election to the European Parliament in 2009.

“For him to use the Stability Treaty as a forum for his own vanity project is vulgar in the extreme, and it is something that genuinely offends my sense of democracy. Such vanity is best left to peacocks, and it is a very dangerous day indeed when an individual without an electoral mandate can monopolise commentary around a democratic plebiscite when their motives aren’t very clear.

“The ratification of the Stability Treaty is one of the most significant decisions that the citizens of our country will make in a generation. In this context, nothing less than a robust, responsible and clear debate from all sides is required, and not the indulgent sentiments of an individual who remains somewhat of an enigma.

“The Government is committed to winning back our economic sovereignty. Whatever the Treaty arguments might be in local authority chambers up and down the country, or in Dáil and Seanad Eireann, at least they are based on a democratic mandate. I have a huge difficulty with somebody who engages in what I believe is nothing more than a vanity project with very serious consequences for the economic fortunes of this country,” he said.

Emmet O' Halloran

A FINE Gael city councillor has been left incensed after the information leaflet on the upcoming referendum was delivered to his home with a second leaflet, a British UK Independence party pamphlet, advocating a No vote folded up inside it.

Cllr Emmet O’Halloran said the leaflet from the Referendum Commission is supposed to explain the Fiscal Stability Treaty in a fair and unbiased way.

However, he said he was shocked on Saturday when the leaflet was delivered to his home in Turner’s Cross in Cork city.

“I received this important information document with an eight-page pamphlet from the British ‘UK Independence Party’ who are campaigning for a ‘no’ vote.”

“This represents a tangible threat to the democratic process in Ireland,” he said.

“I respect the right of groups to campaign for a ‘No’ vote. However, the feedback from those who are undecided is that they will make their minds up once they have received and read the independent information distributed by the Referendum Commission.

“Both leaflets look similar and I fear some people will be influenced by this mix up,” he added.

In concluding remarks Councillor O’Halloran said, “I have spoken to colleagues from around the country and this seems to be a problem that is being replicated in other parts of the country.

“It is an extremely serious matter and I have written to Referendum Commission lodging a formal complaint”.

Minister Kathleen Lynch

MINISTER of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People Kathleen Lynch has  announced a commitment of over €1.1 million in additional funding to 36 positive action projects across Ireland, which are working to increase women’s participation in the labour market and the broader economy under the ESF funded Equality for Women Measure.

Following a rigorous and open competition, all of these projects were previously selected for ESF funding through the Equality for Women Measure, which forms part of the 2007 – 2013 Human Capital Investment Operational Programme.  Their most recent phase of funding elapsed on 30 April 2012.

The Equality for Women Measure 2008 – 2013 has benefited over 8,000 women to date.  It has enabled a significant number to return to the labour market, despite the difficult economic environment.

Speaking in relation to this announcement, Minster of State Lynch said, “I am particularly pleased to be making this announcement of ESF funding which will enhance the employment opportunities of a further 1,500 women and continue to foster female entrepreneurship.

“The important contribution made by women to economic growth is often overlooked.  In Ireland, the number of women at work increased by 57 per cent to over 900,000 in the ten year period to 2008, and it is still 43 per cent ahead of the 1998 statistics, despite the economic downturn.

“There is a significant untapped pool of labour as an economic resource among women who are currently outside the labour market in Ireland. By encouraging the economic engagement of women, the Equality for Women Measure is contributing to Ireland’s productivity and to the achievement of the employment goals in the EU’s Europe 2020 policy for competitiveness and growth.

“I wish to acknowledge the important contribution that ESF funding makes to the achievement of greater economic equality for women in Ireland, and indeed across Europe.”

Minister Sherlock said, “The fields of water management, energy efficiency, food security and climate change adaptation are key concerns for Ireland, but are also areas of opportunity for progressive Irish companies and technologies.

“It is vital that industry and academia join together to translate new ideas from the lab into innovative products and services for the economy and society.”

The Minister added “There are a host of government supported programmes in Ireland designed to foster strong collaborative relationships between Industry and the wider research community, and these are working well in areas like water and energy”.

The Minister was speaking at the Enterprise Ireland hosted Industry Day, part of the IWA World Congress on Water, Climate & Energy, which is running from the 13th to the 18th May in Dublin’s Convention Centre.

Sean Sherlock

MINISTER for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock has addressed the Wales-Ireland Social Entrepreneurship Network (WINSENT) entrepreneurship event in Dublin’s Civic Offices.

Minister Sherlock said: “Social Enterprise represents an area of great opportunity to contribute to the creation of community-based jobs and to assist in economic recovery.  The Social Enterprise Task Force Report of 2010 has already highlighted this potential publicly.

“Perhaps the most striking finding of that report was that in Ireland social enterprise is significantly underdeveloped – comprising only 3% of GDP, compared to a European norm of 4-7% of GDP. There is potential, therefore, to create thousands of new sustainable social enterprise jobs, providing services in and by local communities.

The Government is strongly committed to developing social enterprise and, as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, has given Minister Sherlock responsibility for the Social Enterprise Agenda. Minister Sherlock has tasked Forfás with the completion of a detailed study and Forfás have been specifically asked to examine ‘actions required, in funding, procurement, etc., by Government and other relevant bodies and agencies to create jobs in this sector.  Forfás will report on their findings to Minister Sherlock in the autumn.

The EU Commission has also recently announced a Social Business Initiative, to provide new funding and public procurement initiatives for development of social enterprises at national level.

Minister Sherlock said “Recent developments at EU Commission, government and local community level indicate a far clearer appreciation of the role that social enterprise and social entrepreneurship can and must play in tackling the effects of the current recession.

“The Commission’s initiative includes a commitment to revise public procurement procedures across Europe to allow social enterprises greater access to the public procurement process and proposes a new regulatory regime to facilitate development of private investment funds, specifically targeting social businesses. These are areas the Government here will examine very closely in our own work and policy development.

“The Government will also be examining how funding mechanisms available from this source can best be utilised to promote and develop social enterprise in Ireland. Local authorities and local planners will have an important role to play in assisting social enterprise development in their local area.

Minister Sherlock praised the Wales-Ireland Social Entrepreneurship Network (WINSENT) project for facilitating a greater understanding of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship, during its three-year programme in South County Dublin, Kildare, Meath and the Isle of Anglesey and Denbighshire in North Wales.

Minister Sherlock said “It is promoting development of a vibrant response to the economic challenges we are facing, by developing innovative, sustainable socially-motivated services to local communities, in areas such as environmental and recycling, child care, mental health and healthcare, community food and healthy-eating programmes, the arts and music education and social housing.

Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath commented: ‘Fianna Fáil is bringing this legislation before the Dáil this week to put the spotlight on a sector which has mushroomed in recent times and that remains unregulated. The lack of regulation has resulted in consumers’ money being put at unnecessary risk. Vulnerable consumers are being taken advantage of by some unscrupulous, cowboy operators in this area.

“In our view, there is a legitimate role for professional advisors in this area but the sector is urgently in need of regulation to ensure consumers are protected. The Regulation of Debt Management Advisors Bill requires those offering debt advice and household budgeting services to be regulated by the Central Bank.

“Many distressed borrowers have signed up to seemingly attractive offerings of some providers in this area and subsequently found themselves in further financial trouble and in a less secure situation. Up-front fees of up to €750 are common with debt advisors with on-going monthly fees of 15 per cent of the customer’s payment going to the advisory firm in some cases.

“In some instances, the first 3 months payments may go to the advisor with the customer often unaware that they are continuing to rack up additional interest and penalties. Our bill would require such advisors to set out all fees clearly at the point of engagement. The sector would be governed by a Code of Conduct to be published by the Central Bank.

“There have been high profile cases such as the collapse of Home Payments Limited in August 2011, which owed customers €6.17m, which have highlighted the disastrous consequences for ordinary people when something goes wrong in a sector that is entirely unregulated.’

“I would like to thank Senator Thomas Byrne for his work in drafting this bill. Fianna Fáil wants to ensure people experiencing personal debt problems are protected when they avail of the services of a debt management company or household budgeting service. I very much hope the government will accept this bill tonight in the interests of Irish consumers.”