Tuesday, 27 October 2009 13:58

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D. has welcomed the launch, by his colleague Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Report “Delivering the Smart Economy”.

The report sets out the Government’s achievements to date under the Science Strategy and how investment has resulted in significant jobs growth at locations around the country. It is evidence of the substantial progress that has been made in achieving the objective of making the transition to a knowledge economy.

The launch of this new report follows the first report on the implementation of the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI), a strategy aimed at transforming Ireland into a competitive knowledge economy. Eight Government Departments, advisory bodies, state agencies and higher education institutions have worked together to successfully implement the strategy. Total Research and Development (R&D) spending has almost trebled over 10 years and is estimated to have climbed, across all sectors of the economy – public and private – to €2.6 billion in 2008.

The Renewed Programme for Government recognises how important productive public investment in R&D is and sets a target of achieving a national R&D investment target of 3% of economic output.

The significant infrastructure investment underpinning the SSTI over the period to 2013 is central to economic recovery. The development of a “smart” or innovation-based economy is a key challenge facing Ireland, particularly in the context of laying the path for economic recovery.

Monday, 12 October 2009 19:21

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D. has welcomed the launch by the Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health, John Maloney, T.D., of a new website for young people which is aimed at improving their awareness and understanding of mental health and well-being.


The website – www.letsomeoneknow.ie – is an interactive platform that will increase young people’s awareness about mental health and well-being as well as providing contact details for support and advice. 

The website has been developed as part of the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention Your Mental Health Awareness initiative which was launched in October 2007 and is aimed at improving the general public’s awareness and understanding of mental health and well-being. 

To mark the launch, the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention announced the findings of new research it commissioned into “Young People and Mental Health – A National Survey”. The research shows that alcohol, peer pressure, drugs, bullying and exam pressure are the main problems young people face today. Isolation is a key theme that appears in the research. 


The key message of www.letsomeoneknow.ie is that finding someone you trust, to share a problem with can have a positive effect on how you are feeling.  The objectives are to increase the likelihood that young people will talk about what’s on their mind; listen to their friends; seek social/professional support; recognise the importance of social/professional support, and have a greater understanding of personal mental health.


Minister Lenihan encourages young people who may be experiencing problems to seek information, support each other and know that when in difficulty they can turn to someone they trust. This new website can greatly assist in that regard.

Friday, 09 October 2009 16:01

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D. has welcomed the presentation to the Dáil of the Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009 by the Communications Minister, Eamon Ryan T.D. 

Premium rate services are those which offer products such as mobile phone ring-tones, wallpapers, games and other subscription services. Sometimes, consumers inadvertently sign up to such services, resulting in financial loss. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to this. 

Approximately 76 million premium rate text messages were sent in Ireland in 2008. As the popularity of the services grows, more and better regulation is required. 

The Bill will introduce:

* Stricter regulation to impose fines and suspend or revoke licences.

* Mandatory licensing which service providers must comply with. A fine of up to €250,000 will apply for operation without a licence. There will be powers to amend, suspend or revoke licence for failure to comply with the conditions of the licence.

* An offence of overcharging for a premium rate service will be created. 

A minority of rogue service providers in the premium rate service industry are involved in misleading, and essentially “scamming” the consumer. The Bill will mean that these practices do not continue, and that those companies must no longer be allowed to operate. 

The Bill is at second stage in the Dáil on 8 October. It is expected that it will be enacted in the coming months.

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 16:52

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, T.D, has joined with his colleague John Curran T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, in thanking Local Drugs Task Forces in the greater Dublin area for their work in tackling drug misuse.

Minister of State Curran visited three Local Drugs Task Forces, including the Blanchardstown Local Drugs Task Force, on 6 October and met with their representatives. A number of issues were discussed including the new National Drugs Strategy and the establishment of the Office of the Minister of Drugs (OMD).

Commenting on the work of the task forces, Minister Lenihan said:

“I want to thank all the Local Drugs Task Forces but particularly the Blanchardstown Local Drugs Task for their continued dedicated work in tackling the issue of drugs misuse. I am very pleased to see that the Tolka River Rehabilitation Programme, a programme for those working towards a drug free lifestyle, is up and running and that it has been extremely successful so far. The Task Forces have contributed significantly to tackling drug misuse over the last number of years and their work is to be highly commended”.

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 16:37

New Nursing Homes Support Scheme

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, T.D, has welcomed the announcement by his colleague the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D., regarding the introduction of the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal.



The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is an innovative new scheme of financial support for people in need of nursing home care. Its main purpose is to make long-term nursing home care accessible, affordable and anxiety-free.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Lenihan said:

“This scheme will help to insure that long term nursing home care is made more affordable and accessible. It will greatly assist families, from a financial point of view, in caring for their loved ones.”

The Fair Deal scheme will begin on the 27th October 2009. From that date onwards, people will be free to apply to the HSE for financial support towards nursing home costs under the rules of the new scheme.

Every person with need for residential care who applies for financial support will make a personal contribution to cost, strictly in accordance with their means. A person’s contribution will be limited to 80% of their disposable income. No one will be forced to sell or mortgage their home to pay for care.

The families of care recipients will not be means tested or asked to contribute. The contribution related to house value (principal private residence) is 5% a year, capped at three years, but this contribution may be deferred for payment from the estate of the person. Overall, the State will meet 70% of the cost of long term care with personal contributions covering the balance.

With these features, the scheme offers assurance to one of the most vulnerable sections of society – those in need of long-term nursing home care – that such care will be affordable and will remain affordable for as long as they need it.

The HSE has also published the application form and information booklet for the scheme. This should enable people to familiarise themselves with the application form and process, gather necessary information and generally prepare themselves so that they are ready to apply on the 27th October when the scheme is introduced.

Information on the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is available on the DOHC website www.dohc.ie or can be obtained by calling the HSE Infoline at 1850 24 1850.

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 18:53

Minister for Finance welcomes overhaul of student immigration regime

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan TD, has welcomed the publication of a set of proposals by the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D. for reform of non-EEA student immigration and the initiation of a public consultation process on the issue.

Read more: Overhaul of student immigration regime

Monday, 31 August 2009 20:23

Minister for Finance welcomes announcement regarding Credit Availability for SMEs

The Minister for Finance welcomes the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s call for submissions from viable businesses that have been refused credit by banks. This is part of the ongoing work of the Government’s Credit Supply Clearing Group.

Read more: Credit Availability for SMEs

Monday, 31 August 2009 19:52

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan TD has welcomed the recent announcement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, regarding the changes in the way the immigration system deals with non-EEA migrant workers who are made redundant.

Read more: Easing of the immigration rules for redundant non-EEA migrant workers

Monday, 31 August 2009 18:53

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan TD has welcomed the announcement by Mr. Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Labour Affairs which clarifies the misleading claims that voting Yes for the Lisbon Treaty could reduce the minimum wage.

Read more: Condemnation of inaccurate claims about the National Minimum Wage

Thursday, 27 August 2009 20:53

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have launched a new Rent Book which has been welcomed by Minsiter for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan TD and by Mr. Michael Finneran T.D., Minister for Housing and Local Services.

Read more: Launch of USI Rent Book