Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has delivered his Budget speech in the Dáil.
It began at shortly after 3.10pm and ended at 3,45pm, clocking in at just under 4,000 words – about 2,000 shorter than Michael Noonan’s speech.
Like the Finance Minister’s comments, much of what Howlin was going to say had leaked beforehand.
Here’s a flavour of the main points:
The above word cloud illustrates the frequency of words in the speech, as you can see ‘increase’, ‘public’ and ‘service’ came up a lot.
Here is the full text of his speech:
Introduction
Today we are announcing this Government’s fifth Budget. I am pleased to report that due to our strong recovery and stable public finances, it is the second budget in succession in which we are able to increase support for our public services.
The days of spending cuts are behind us.
In April, in the Spring Economic Statement, I said that there may be up to €750 million available in 2016 for additional public expenditure measures. I am happy to say that we are now in a position to allocate these extra resources.
It is worth remembering the distance we have travelled since 2011.
When the Government was elected, the budget deficit stood at 12.5% of GDP. This year it will be 2.1%.
In 2010, the year of the infamous promissory notes, the headline rate stood at over 30%. A staggering deficit.
Next year, notwithstanding the increases in expenditure announced today, we forecast the deficit to be just 1.2%.
Only a few years ago, some commentators questioned the sustainability of our debt.
As Minister Noonan has stated, from a peak of over 120%, next year our debt to GDP ratio is forecast to be 93%.
We have made tremendous progress in bringing our national debt down towards the European average.
Unemployment, which peaked at over 15% is now 9.4%. We have created over 130,000 jobs since 2012.
We have the highest level of economic growth in the OECD. Our economy is now larger than its pre-crisis peak.
It is, by any standards, a remarkable turnaround.
And it is a tribute to the resilience of the Irish people.
Fairness
I want to deal with one issue that generates considerable debate.
It has become popular to say that under this Government, inequality has risen. This is simply not true.
Our adjustment has been a difficult one, but a fair one. Those with the most have given the most.
Income inequality after taxes and social transfers has reduced during the crisis. The progressivity of our income tax system means we have been one of the most effective countries in the OECD at reducing inequality.
To ignore this fact and to point to income inequality before tax transfers is to ignore one of the central roles of any Government; to protect the most vulnerable of our citizens.
But the best weapon against inequality is not the social welfare system.
It is decent jobs and fair wages.
A fair society is one where those who work hard receive decent rewards. One of the first acts of this Government was to reverse the unnecessary and cruel €1 per hour cut to the minimum wage. A cut of over 11%.
In July of this year, the Low Pay Commission recommended that the minimum wage be increased further, by 50c to over €9 per hour. The Commission recognised that a recovery based on low wages, was no recovery at all.
Today, I am very pleased to confirm that the Government will implement the Commission’s proposal. From January 1st 2016, the new statutory minimum wage will rise from €8.65 to €9.15 per hour.
This means that under this Government the minimum wage has been increased by nearly 20%.
This Government is committed to making work pay.
During the first three years of this Government, despite necessary reductions in public expenditure, resources were targeted where they were most needed.
We protected core social welfare rates.
I am especially proud that we maintained the State pension.
Since the beginning of 2012, we have invested more than €1.25 billion in school buildings. We have built 102 new schools and completed 71 large scale school extensions.
Despite huge pressure, we sought to protect the young, the old, and the vulnerable.
But we are conscious of the need to continue to address the challenges that face Irish families. Our aim is to ensure that recovery is felt in every home and in every community across the country.
Later, I will outline how the measures contained in this budget will help us achieve that aim.
Fiscal rules
But first, I want to repeat the context in which all budgetary decisions must now be made. The fiscal rules – ratified through referendum by the people of Ireland in 2012 – ensure that public expenditure cannot rise above the potential growth rate of our economy. Our commitments under the Stability and Growth Pact are real.
In 2015, economic growth and greater than expected tax receipts have allowed the Government to improve services in a number of key areas. While remaining firmly within our fiscal parameters, we have an opportunity to plan for the long term by targeting areas with demographic and demand pressures.
The extra funding allocated in 2015 will ensure that enough resources are also available for Departments to provide services in 2016.
The measures give us a platform from which we can build. They mean that resources will be directed at areas with the greatest need and are consistent with long term sustainable planning and development.
National economic dialogue
At the National Economic Dialogue in July, we listened to employers groups, trade unions and community organisations. Our engagement with these groups helped to ensure that additional funding would be targeted at areas in which they would have the greatest impact. The spending measures contained in Budget 2016 are consistent with this approach.
Lansdowne Road Agreement
The Lansdowne Road Agreement typifies our commitment to responsible expenditure management. Legally, pay reductions in the Public Service were predicated on there being a financial emergency. Thankfully, those emergency days are behind us. Therefore, an orderly unwinding of the financial emergency legislation which reduces pay is the prudent and correct thing to do. Moreover, as economic growth returns and private sector wages increase, it is only right that our nurses, Gardaí and teachers see their take home pay improve. During the crisis, their sacrifices allowed us to sustain our public services.
Efficient public services are essential to a modern society. When we came into office, reform of the Public Service was a key component of our strategy to meet the enormous challenges we faced. I am proud of the considerable reforms that we have delivered since 2011. I want to commend public servants for their effort and commitment in this regard. I believe that the implementation of our Civil Service Renewal Plan and the wider programme of Public Service Reform will continue to play a key role in Ireland’s recovery.
Unwinding the financial emergency legislation can only be done in a way that does not jeopardise the public finances. We learned the hard way that sustainability is key. Pay levels – like the public finances themselves – need to be managed in a responsible, sustainable way, with the long term interests of the country at their core.
Expenditure ceilings
The expenditure allocations outlined today reflect this approach. In 2016, gross current expenditure will be over €51.4 billion. Capital expenditure will be over €3.7 billion.
Capital plan
The Departmental ceilings published today include funding for the first year of expenditure on projects announced as part of our six year capital programme.
The €27 billion Exchequer investment will allow for large scale investment in our Education, Health and Transport sectors.
Current expenditure
Under current expenditure, allocations will target critical areas in childcare, education, social protection, employment, health and housing.
Multi annual expenditure ceilings allow Departments to plan ahead. They take account of new measures and provide for population growth across sectors. In line with economic growth, and within the parameters of the fiscal rules, planned public expenditure will rise, moderately, in 2017 and 2018.
Childcare
Childcare is a key priority for Government.
At the National Economic Dialogue in July, and indeed in a range of reports published in this area, there was broad agreement on the need to focus on the issues of affordability and quality in relation to childcare. Investment in childcare has both social and economic returns. It acts as a key labour activation measure, particularly for women – allowing those who wish to work to take up work. And it improves educational and social outcomes, by providing our children with the best possible start.
I am therefore increasing the current expenditure allocation to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to over €1.1 billion.
I am happy to say that the increased allocation allows me to bring forward a package of measures to ease the burden on working families.
We are extending the amount of time parents can avail of the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme.
From now on, children will be eligible for free childcare from three years of age, up until they are five and a half, or until they start primary school.
I am particularly pleased to be able to announce over €15 million in new funding to facilitate the full participation of children with disabilities in the scheme.
We are also introducing a range of quality measures for early education including audits, inspections and training, and restoring capitation levels in the sector.
To support parents in low paid employment, or in training and education, we are creating 8,000 places through the Community Childcare Subvention Programme.
And to help with after school care, we are providing €3 million to develop after school services in school buildings.
Last year, I said that if circumstances allow, we would increase Child Benefit by €5. I am happy to say that our success in reducing unemployment allows me now to do this. In 2016, child benefit will be €140 per month for every child.
Finally, to recognise the needs of modern families and the role of fathers in the household, I am happy to announce that we will legislate for statutory paternity leave of two weeks. This change will take affect from next September.
The improvement in our public finances has given us the opportunity to assist hard working parents.
The package announced today will be of particular help to working mothers. And by increasing participation in the labour force these measures will also be a key contributor to growth.
Education
I am allocating €8.5 billion to Education for current expenditure in 2016.
Education depends on Educators. Teachers have the capacity to transform a child’s life. The quality of our teachers is consistently recognised in OECD comparisons.
Education is also the engine of economic growth. Our teachers have a big responsibility. They teach our citizens of tomorrow.
We have an excellent cadre of highly qualified young people coming into the profession and I am pleased that the job openings that they feared would not be there, are now materialising.
I can confirm that the allocation for 2016 will provide for over 2,260 new additional teaching posts, including 600 new resource teachers.
This is in addition to the extra 610 special needs assistants and 190 resource teachers already announced this year.
We will also reduce the pupil teacher ratio.
At primary level, we are reducing it from 28 to 1 to 27 to 1.
At second level, it will fall from 19 to 1 to 18.7 to 1.
Over the last five years we have supported Education. As our public finances improve, we will continue to develop this important sector.
Social Protection
I am allocating €19.6 billion to the Department of Social Protection in 2016.
Within this allocation, I am particularly anxious to protect and support our older citizens.
We will therefore increase all pension payments by €3 per week in 2016. This is the first increase since 2009.
To help the thousands of men and women who take care of their loved ones with dignity and compassion, I am restoring the value of the Respite Care Grant to €1,700.
I am also pleased to announce that we are increasing the fuel allowance by €2.50 per week to €22.50. The increase will benefit people dependant on long term social welfare payments and those unable to provide for their own heating needs.
A shared prosperity is one where every person, regardless of income, feels the benefit of our economic recovery.
So, to complement the changes to the USC that help the low paid, we are increasing the threshold for the Family Income Supplement by €5 per week for families with one child and by €10 per week for families with two or more children.
Together with the rise in the minimum wage, this budget confirms our commitment to helping the low paid.
We want to make work pay.
Finally, our strong record of reducing unemployment and restoring the public finances, means that this year we can increase the Christmas bonus for those in receipt of social welfare to 75% – a threefold increase on last year’s payment.
The Tánaiste will announce further details of the social welfare package later.
Jobs/Enterprise
The best form of social protection is a job.
The reduction in unemployment from a peak of 15.2% to 9.4% has been this Government’s single biggest achievement. But this is still too high. Budget 2016 will support further job creation.
Total funding for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will be €792 million.
385,000 Irish jobs, around one in five, are in businesses supported by our enterprise agencies. Under the Capital Plan, just under €500 million will be provided in 2016 to support these agencies.
Many of the businesses they support are at the forefront of research and innovation. They create well paid jobs and enhance opportunities for young graduates and the unemployed.
A key focus of activity next year is to ensure that the benefits of economic recovery, particularly in terms of employment, reach all parts of the country. In this regard, a specific IDA Regional Property programme will support the Regional Action Plans launched earlier this year.
Health
I am providing €13.2 billion for the delivery of health services next year.
I am happy to say, this restores the resourcing of our Health Services to its pre-crisis level.
This year, free GP care for the under 6s and over 70s was put in place. This represented the first step in the phased introduction of a universal GP service and is benefitting over 300,000 senior citizens and children.
Linked to this was the introduction of cycles of care in relation to Type 2 diabetes and asthma.
In 2016, subject to successful negotiation with doctors representatives, it is planned to extend GP care without fees to all those under 12.
This marks the next phase in the implementation of Universal GP care.
Funding is also being made available to provide therapeutic services for children, particularly for speech and language therapy.
Over two million people are now covered by a medical or GP visit card. This is a 25% increase on 2010, and substantially improves people’s access to primary care services.
In our hospitals, 880,000 day cases will be carried out by the end of the year – an increase of nearly 20% over five years.
This year, for the first time, Government placed the Fair Deal nursing home scheme on a fully-funded, demand-led basis. This will continue in 2016, with Government funding of €940 million. Everyone who needs Fair Deal funding will be approved within 4 weeks.
We have also protected front-line staff numbers.
Since the beginning of last year, hospital staffing has increased by 3,000.
We have hired around 1,000 extra nurses over the same period.
As our recovery continues, we will continue to support and expand our heath service.
Housing
One of the worst legacies of the economic crisis is our dysfunctional housing market. Years of underinvestment in social housing has led to an accommodation crisis, particularly in urban areas.
Last year, the Government announced a €2.2 billion package to begin to deal with this legacy. The package was a multi-annual investment aimed at addressing over a decade of neglect. Under our Social Housing Strategy, over €500 million is available this year to build or acquire new homes.
I am also increasing the current allocation for social housing by a further €69 million, to €414 million. This funding will enable local authorities to secure accommodation for an additional 14,000 households.
I am keen to make use of all available funding to address immediate housing needs. So, pending further developments on the special purpose vehicle announced under the Social Housing Strategy, I am making €10 million available from the proceeds of the sale of Bord Gáis Eireann for an affordable housing pilot scheme. This will be an ongoing annual commitment to secure a long term increase in the supply of housing for affordable rental.
The human cost of the legacy of boom and bust housing development is the number of people without a home. Addressing homelessness, particularly among families, is a key priority for Government.
Under the Capital Plan announced recently, funding is available to provide 500 modular housing units for homeless families.
I am also increasing the current allocation for emergency accommodation of homeless people, by an additional €17 million.
The increase will bring Exchequer support to €70 million – up 56% since 2014 – and will help homeless families transition to long term sustainable housing.
Arts and Heritage
2016 will be an historic year for our country.
It is right that we mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising with commemoration events that we can all be proud of. The Rising was the event that propelled our nation on the path to independent statehood. We need to mark it with respect, be aware of its complexities and appreciative of its idealism.
We are the beneficiaries of its legacy.
In recognition of this, €50 million has been provided for an extensive range of events and initiatives under our Commemorations Programme.
It will also allow for the development of the GPO Interpretative Centre, the National Monument on Moore Street, Teach an Phiarsaigh in Ros Muc and the Athenaeum in Enniscorthy.
The allocation for the Department of the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will also provide an additional €3 million for a new scheme of one-off grants to arts and cultural centres throughout the country.
I would like to briefly now outline some other measures.
Justice
I am providing over €2.2 billion to the Department of Justice for current expenditure.
Last year, the Minister for Justice announced that the Garda training college in Templemore would re-open and remain open.
I am happy to announce that in 2016, funding has been made available to recruit and train an additional 600 Gardaí.
Resources have also recently been made available for improved ICT and for the new Policing Authority.
The Government is committed to supporting An Garda Síochána.
The human tragedies in Carrickmines and Omeath over the weekend are a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
In the aftermath of such terrible events, the moral support of the community and the professional help of our Gardaí, fire crews, medical staff and social workers, marks out definitively what we are as a society and as a people.
In the same way as we need to care for and protect our own people in the most dreadful of times, we must also be prepared to do the same for others. The refugee crisis on Europe’s borders demands a practical and generous response from the Irish people, who have a long and proud history of international humanitarianism. The spontaneous and heartfelt response of communities across the country, which is evident in the huge number of offers of assistance and volunteerism, shows that we will not be found wanting.
€25 million will be provided to ensure Ireland is not found wanting in this regard. Funds will be spent on accommodation, additional staffing, integration programmes, and on new Emergency Resettlement and Orientation Centres.
Defence
€903 million has been allocated to the Department of Defence.
Ireland’s participation in humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean and ongoing peacekeeping missions in the Middle East and elsewhere, is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our armed forces. The recently published White Paper on Defence provides a framework for a modern, adaptable force that can carry out operations both home and abroad.
For services at home, I am happy to announce that €2 million has been made available to put the Emergency Aeromedical Service on a permanent footing. This service will save lives and give comfort to rural communities.
International development
Even in very difficult times, this Government maintained our commitment to fighting global poverty and hunger. As the public finances improve, we will strengthen that commitment.
Today, I am allocating over €640 million for Official Development Assistance.
€486 million will be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, with the remainder being administered through other Government Departments and the EU Development Co-operation Budget.
Irish funding will make a significant contribution to the international aid effort in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The Programme will also continue to help people in our key partner countries in some of the poorest parts of the world.
Agriculture
I am allocating €1.3 billion to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Additional funding has been allocated, in particular, to a new agri-environmental scheme and to capital investment schemes under the Rural Development Programme. This year’s allocation will also fund a range of new schemes under the Seafood Development Programme. The Programme will drive investment in fisheries and seafood development out to 2020.
Further details of the Estimates are set out in the Expenditure Report.
Investing in the future
Budget 2016 is about the future.
It is about using our resources to support communities in every part of the country. It is about creating jobs, so that people can look forward to a better life. It is about using the results of our hard earned stability to improve our lives, better our communities, and plan ahead.
I said last year that the Budget marked a turning point – the end of the era of budgetary austerity.
Conclusion
At the election in 2011, this Government made two key promises.
We promised we would fix the public finances and restore growth to our economy.
We have made good on those promises.
We promised too, that we would never again allow the State to fall in into similar peril.
The spending increases announced today are moderate, sensible and commensurate with our economic requirements.
We continue to make good progress.
Our debt is falling. Our deficit is narrowing. Unemployment is coming down.
The previous Government’s budgetary failure helped to lead us to crisis.
Between 2000 and 2008, gross spending was increased by 139%.
In the run-up to the 2007 election, between 2005 and 2007, public spending was ramped up by over 25%, or over €11 billion in nominal terms.
By comparison, in 2016, public expenditure will be just 4% higher than in 2014. Over this time, tax revenues are forecast to increase by over 14%.
And GDP is forecast to increase by 18%.
Through prudent and careful management of the State’s finances, this Government brought the country back from the brink. Our recovery, though not yet complete, is not only a justification of our policies, but a condemnation of the easy alternatives proffered by some. Who speaks of Syriza now?
While maintaining the responsible approach that got us here, we are committed to investing in our public services; assisting those most in need; creating jobs; providing a platform for future growth; ensuring that every family and every community, in every part of the country, can share in a better future.
Today we reap the benefits of the hard work and resilience of the Irish people, as we set our course for a better Ireland.
Why does the journal keep saying the gardai “left” the talks when they were never “in” them to leave
Correct Johnny.
The Gardai left the room which they were being “briefed” in while the talks down the corridor were taking place.
The journal.ie is continuing with Alan Shatters spin and lies
Public sector workers average weekly wage is € 918.99 compared with € 611.66 in the private sector (at the end of June 2012), according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO):
for Regonald Timpson,
Maybe you should read the link you posted. The average gross wage is €687.84.
After pension, pension levy, tax, prsi, income levy and other deductions an average wage is 400-450 euro.
Also how many people in the private sector wear a stab jacket to work or have people
vomit all over them. The greats trick the government (FF/FG/Lab) ever pulled was blaming the crash of 2008 on the public servants. And now their spin doctors have both the Public and Private sector fighting between ourselves as Ministers/TDs/Councilors/ Senators sit back with their over payed wages and laugh at us all.
KIeran
Wouldn’t bother with Reginald, he posts the same links on all matters concerning the PS, tiresome at this stage. Anyone can quote figures, but short on facts..
Funny enough, he says the country’s broke, yet he is refusing to pay property tax and water charges… In reggies own words, ” should others pay?”
I await his ” don’t cut thee” quote.
Well put
Could it be, finally the unions are starting to fight. About time
Same Teaching unions who advised their members to allow the government pay new graduates less, in order to protect themselves. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Like your avatar, Conor!
Unions fight? Never!
Their members fight? Yes, but they have to fight their own fat cat bureaucrats too.
It’s like fighting with no arms.
Exactly Rodrigo , these teaching union are a disgrace , piping up now after willingly stitching up their new entrants for fear some of the very well paid mid career coasters would take any impact . try to talk out of both sides of their mouth now. Cue the 800 red thumbs Journal now being heavily patrolled by union members
Unions start to fight now that the higher earners are being targeted? Not even pretending to be credible.
I have my doubts.
65k a year &5 months holiday… cop on.
Dont forget iron clad job security regardless of performance.
I don’t necessarily disagree….but just want to point out that school leaders don’t get the same holidays. Also it’s been hard to recruit principals. No one wants to do it even with the higher salary! There has to be a reason it’s never been worth 65000!
65k and 5 months holidays for whom ?. I would like to know ?
I’m a junior lecturer represented by the TUI, I’m on between 20 and 30K. Between contact hours and preparation I am probably working 60 or 70 hours a week. I am on a 2 year contract, many of my colleagues – some of whom have over six years experience – are employed on an hourly paid basis with not contract let alone ‘Iron clad job security’ in sight
why do we always get this union propaganda dribble out every public sector worker being on 20 -30 K like Dietrich below . laways they same rubbish folk we always haer about entrance salaries as if these guys wages didnt go up dramtically increase . Just go on these CSO and all the actual dat is there
I graduated last year as a teacher and the only work I’ve had is 2 weeks substituting and a number of unsuccessful interviews. I know things are different nowadays and it wasn’t as tough years ago but the idea that there’s something out there in the public sector for those who have qualified for something like teaching/nursing/Gardai there is limited demand in the private sector for these jobs.
If there’s one thing from the private sector that should be learned by the public sector it’s the idea of what has been called above “iron clad job security”.
Now I’m not certain how it is achievable to put metrics on a lot of these jobs given there often is no “product” in the way there mostly is in private industry but I’m sure it’s possible.
People should be performing in whatever job they are in and so, if performance is measurable, so is underperformance – in which case the “coasters” should be kicked and/or fired.
If the metrics are demonstrable then there is little that a legal challenge could achieve.
I’m sure the bunch of classmates that went to England for work would love to be back in Ireland.
Tomy… I’m very sorry to hear of your plight. After achieving a degree and not being able to find work is a real travesty. I know that this is no consolation. .. However, this is the way it has been in the US for years. For this reason, in the US, you will find people with several degrees, or working in a field that has little relationship to their degree, or a person at an age past 30 furthering their education. In the US we are use to reinventing ourselves. For example, if something doesn’t work out career wise… Then we try something new. There is no shame in this.
I am a prime example. I have three degrees, several certifications and have worked in 12 different industries. Furthermore, I have been employed since age of 12. Yes I did have a childhood. However, my parents decided early on… That they would give me the basics… If I wanted more, I would have to work for it.
It was tough with sports, school and a job… But I knew nothing different. My success or job was never guaranteed.
I’m not saying you are in tbis group… But there are plenty of people believe that tbey are owed something. Either from their parents, the state or their employer. This type of mentality doesn’t improve the life of the person or our country.
Good luck… Something will come if you take a broader look at your abilities and skills.
Indeed Marlon – I think though that the perception that there are a lot of people out there right now who believe they are “entitled” is overstated.
I never believed I was “entitled” to a job – only entitled to look for one. For my own situation, I’ve chased after this because it’s what I want to do (after working in private industry prior to going back to college) – given there is no work there right now, I’m already branching out to complete a course which has the double benefit of serving private industry and of being extremely relevant to technology teaching.
I do think there is some management that could come from government on PS jobs though. To stick to teaching, there are a bunch of fresh, willing new entrants who’s morale is being sapped before ever getting to the work. While they search for work, they are getting JSB/JSA. Addressing areas where there are poor teachers or teachers near retirement is not, to me, unreasonable. And I’m not talking about forced retirement – just incentives which, while they may cos a little extra, would overall reduce the public pay bill as the retiree is replaced by someone on the lower end of the pay scale who would also not then be claiming social welfare.
This Government has brought to life the meaning of ” Death By A Thousand Cuts ” . What’s worse again is the sublime arrogance in their methods. I’m tired of hearing the Private/Public sector arguments over and over , the fact is the normal everyday man and woman are doing their best to make ends meet and just get by from day to day. I think as a people we have been robbed of a decent standard of living in general by the very people we elected on the basis that they understood and actually cared about its citizens. Is there anybody out there that can actually say that they don’t go from one end of the week to the other without worrying about where they will find the money for the next bill or expense. Isn’t it a sad day in Ireland when we have our disabled people , our most vulnerable people , who receive very little general help as it is getting their allowances cut overnight at the whim of a Minister. The same Minister’s may I add that claim thousands in expenses a month . They then treat with utter distain the frontline workers by cutting into their pay over and over and over till eventually they bring morale to an all time low and have people going into work in many cases hungry and with no money in their pockets to get a cup of tea. What I will say is the Private Sector better heed warning , as when they are done tearing apart the Public Sector I can only imagine that they will be coming after the Private enterprise . Get these overpaid clowns out once and for all .
The target with Croke Park 2 is €1bn
Perhaps that could be increased to €4 bn ?
Can the country even afford the public sector payroll?
Did you see what we pay compared to other Eurozone countries?
Reg simple question you might answer,you keep mentioning other countries notably Greece and Lativia,can you tell everyone the cost of living in these countries.Be honest because i have been to both these countries,Riga is especially beautiful in the autumn.
Yeah you’re right there troll. Get rid of the public sector.We’ll outsource the lot.
Get the Gardai from Greece. A bit of corruption wouldn’t be out of place.
Some teachers from Texas. The have a great ethos there and the exam results should skyrocket.
Some big scary Russian nurses would sort out the health system. Just chop off that arm it’ll be quicker than stitching.
Some Eskimo firemen would help too with all their experience.
The one group we should keep though are the politicians. They’re running the country perfectly and with great passion and sobriety.
Greece and Latvia reg, Greece and Latvia
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=vUJrkl8A3cI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvUJrkl8A3cI&gl=GB
Just for Reg
So you’re saying don’t pay them? That’s very nice of you regi. I guess their value of work is lower vibe than yours since you’re a private worker and all.
As already stated reggie, but u choose to ignore..
Ireland cost of PS playbill is 11.2% and the euro average is 11.1% OECD figures… But the again reggie, couldn’t be bothered with actual facts…
Yes reggie, occording to OECD we pay 11.2% of GDP for the PS and the euro average Is 11.1%, I’ve already pointed this out to u on other threads, but because its a FACT, you will ignore it as usual…
Regonald is some banter in fairness,
Gets me every time
Reported abusive comment.
Loads more deductions in the public sector wages than in private sector…
‘Abusive comment’
Haha good man reg, if that’s your idea of abuse , than thank god your bit one of our frontline workers.
Good man
Not *
I have learned many things about the Irish cultural and people since relocating to Ireland. Generally, the Irish culture people are very curious in regards to visitors of this country. The average Irish person is compassionate. I’ve never seen such empathy, until I moved to Ireland. However, I’ve never seen such begrudgery until moving here. Further, the blatant amount of greed, entitlement, ignorance, ineffective and disorganization that exist with politicians, public sector managers, and union officials is astounding.
I guess as a blow-in, I see the obvious… And sadly, the obvious is continues to damage this country.
Ireland cannot afford to dwell on the old ways of yesteryear.
Can you elaborate!? What’re the ‘Old Ways of Yesteryear’??
The old ways of yesteryear:
• Lawyers, priests, doctors, politicians are above reproach.
• Governmental decisions and processes are hidden by hind close doors.
• The Church and State are and integrated entity that makes decisions for Ireland.
• The Catholic Church is a deciding factor written the Irish Constitution.
• Political and governing bodies self-regulation
• Expensive tribunals
• The difficult act of pursuing white collar crimes
• Lack of accountability
• Poor health care
The above are a number of points from yesteryear… I’m sure there are more.
Some of the points are being addressed to some degree. However, a complete make-over stops when any decision affects the pay of the ruling of our politicians.
I think he means Nigeria.
Declan Conway…. What does Nigeria have to do with anything?
Marlon – I would say we have good healthcare but a poorly run system (which admittedly could be a LOT LOT better)
Other than that, I think Irish local communities think and vote on a local level and that’s not good overall.
To some degree, I think Ireland is changing and the more information that’s out there, the more people are demanding better. I think instead of a revolution type of action we’re slowly evolving into more action. That’s not to paint a picture of major national protest and upset – just that I think people are being more active about mobilising to inform their local representatives about what they want changed.
Tomy… Unfortunately, I disagree with you regarding health care. The system is poorly managed and there is a major divide as to scientific advances. Please see article in Journal.ie yesterday:
However, I do agree… Ireland is changing to some degree… However, it isn’t by choice. To be honest… I have yet to see an original thought or idea come from any of our politicians or government. If it weren’t for our membership to the EU, many of the laws that exist would not be in place. Ireland was forced by the EU to move forward. Further, changes also happened because of scandal (e.g. Banking, Priests, Laundries, Aherne, Haughey)
Please note… In no way is this attack on your opinion nor am I suggesting a revolution is required. However, I would suggest that an alternative choice must be made. Our representatives and politicians are not prioritising our needs before their own. They seek to insure their security without thinking of our country.
Please remember… It was at Charles Haughey’s funeral that a speech was given as to how selfless, honest and hardworking he was. The speech also included the fact that Haughey was a patriot of this country. This was the same man who requested that the average hardworking Irish person tighten their belt as he was robbing the country blind.
Marlon makes a fair point in some respects!! I’ll give him his dues! However, on a side-note, your take on the Bloody Sunday massacre & U2′s subsequent tribute to it is ‘slightly’ off there fella!
It’s time for Ireland to rewrite the lousy labor law and allow trade unionists to fully represent members with binding arbitration AND the right to strike.
I don’t think there is a need for a right to strike. What exists currently is a system which protects strikers provided sufficient notice is served. Personally, I don’t think that’s a bad system given that it allows time for reaction and intervention.
It is one of the more interesting aspects of this great little nation that the usual suspects turn up in court or tribunals with a batch of lawyers, accountants, spin doctors and whatever to ensure that their ‘rights’ are vindicated but an individual employee has to fight his/her own corner if an employer chooses to not recognise a union.
That’s great if you have the wherewithall to stand your ground and good luck to you. But if you don’t you can be treated like dirt. You have the right to be or not to be a member of a union it should automatically follow that you have a right to be represented by a union if you so choose.
Kind of surprised to see such an amount of red thumbs. I’d love to hear from someone as to why a “right to strike” would be stronger than the current system of serving notice?
Would a “right to strike” not also be conditional of serving notice etc? I just don’t see what would change in that respect.
Ah here Dietrich Död, will you stop with your facts, you’ll upset the anti public sector brigade.
Uniona can leave the talks all day want they know and everyone else know these cuts have to happen if they want to look like they are fighting them then so be it because they know only to well if the goverment just legislate for them
I’d like to see them try and legislate it in. They started the fight and we’ll end it. Enough is enough.
Ryan the know that people cant afford to strike and they are using the leglislation treat to force them to agree to the terms
They can threat all they want, strike is inevitable if they legislate, we’ll call their bluff.
We will see
Then they just sit it out. No big deal. You can’t strike forever. The reason unions are leaving these talks is because they know they’ll be pushed through regardless, so it’s time to save a little face and look like they opposed them all along.
Kevin,
No one will be able to sit it out if the Unions stand together and implement widespread and prolonged industrial action. Doctors, nurses, gardai, teachers, civil service, council workers, electricity and gas utility workers , road, rail, sea and air transport workers and the list goes on. They can grind the country to a shuddering halt in a matter of hours if they choose to do so. That is the power of organised labour if the Unions are prepared to wield it and the government would be wise to tread carefully. We are governed by consent. It’s time the people remembered this truth.
Every one went out on the austerity marched organised ny impact, so if they go for the vote yes in the upcoming ballot the will have thousands walking away from them and the other unions are currently recruiting and plenty are -impressed with the attitude of the others, walking away.
700000 public sector workers in a population of 5 million ……
300,000 public sector workers in a population of 5 million!
A P if your gonna try and start an arguement,will you at least use correct figures.Both amounts are incorrect,Public Sector 292,000 i believe and 4.5 million population.
Little off the mark there
If people don’t want to work in the public sector they should get a job in the private sector it’s so much better.
the cartel need to see the light its “yes ” for people power now knows what the pay is as against what most of them earn
Today as a therapist I’d half the wards where I work to check/work on. One person a few hundred beds… Yes a few hundred. Why? Well annual leave, mat leave and yes sick leave. I’m at the point of falling down tired. Did I get everything done No. Will I tomorrow No. Should I even get out of bed tomorrow? I’m beginning to wonder as I feel I’m getting more and more bogged down. I’ve a month if admin on my desk and yes next wk we still have the mat leave and annual leave…. Its a permanent cover saga as people are off. Is my salary worth this crap? My body doesn’t think it is. So I’ve clocked up 40+ hours and I have tomorrow to go. Should I accept impacts recommendation – I honestly don’t know.
have your say