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THE Latest electricity levy increase sanctioned by the Government proves yet again that they are out of touch and oblivious to the increasing hardships being faced by thousands of people every day says Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen.
According to the Public Accounts Committee Chairman the electricity levy hike to be implemented next month will be felt most of all by older people and its timing as winter approaches shows a particular disregard for the needs of older people.
Bernard Allen
FINE Gael TD for Cork North Central, Bernard Allen is advising parents who may be eligible for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance that they still have time to apply for the scheme. The closing date for completed applications is Thursday, September 30th 2010.
The grants are available to parents earning € 29,307 per year or less with one child at school and €21,325 per year for a one parent family and both limits are increased by €1,549 for every other school going child.
Bernard Allen
FURTHER Government imposed costs on ordinary tax payers in order to fix the Fianna Fáil-created banking crisis will be a step too far according to Fine Gael TD and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Bernard Allen.
Deputy Allen made the comments following reports that the Government is considering allowing increases in domestic electricity bills as part of a plan to lower energy costs for business users. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has confirmed that householders will have to pay higher transmission charges from October as part of a “rebalancing of tariffs”
Bernard Allen
FINE Gael TD Bernard Allen has said that increasing waiting lists for colonoscopies is proof positive that Fianna Fáil’s savage cuts to healthcare spending are now having a direct impact on patients.
The Cork TD said, “According to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, there are currently 1,073 patients waiting more than three months for a colonoscopy, which is a 13 per cent increase from May.
“The Government has tried to spin that their cuts will not affect patients but the reality is that current and capital spending have been decimated resulting in poorer services and less investment. Add to this the staffing embargo and you cannot come to any other conclusion but that patients will be directly affected.
Bernard Allen
THE Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen is calling for restrictions to be put in place limiting the amount lenders can increase mortgage interest rates within a defined period.
The Cork North Central TD made the call following Bank of Ireland’s latest rate increase and news that AIB has recorded the biggest loss in its history.
Deputy Allen said, “It is clear that the Irish banks are retrenching rapidly to try and stem massive losses as a result of disastrous lending practices. It is also clear that the primary tool they are using is increasing mortgage rates for domestic borrowers.
