The International Monetary Fund is calling for greater reform of the social welfare system in Ireland.
In its latest health check of the Irish economy – the IMF says there needs to be a better targetting of child benefit and medical card spending – while also broadening the tax base.
The IMF also says the deal reached by EU leaders last month offers a welcomed path forward to help improve Ireland’s economic prospects in the future.
/>
/> The Chief Executive of Permanent T-S-B has warned staff they need to accept restructuring for the future viability of the bank.
Jeremy Masding’s also told the Oireachtas Finance Committee that discussions took place about shutting the bank’s doors for good.
A substantial number of the 92 branches will need to close – and it will result in job losses.
Deposit rates will have to be cut and homeowners can only expect further mortgage rate cuts if the business reduces costs.
Jeremy Masding says there is a need for a complete overhaul of PTSB to ensure its future viability.
/> Stakeholders with responsibility for the pyrite problem have 10 weeks to agree on providing a fund for remedial work.
The Environment Minister says if a voluntary solution is not drawn up by September 30th – the Government will impose one.
The Pyrite Review Panel has identified seventy four estates – in five Eastern local authority areas – Fingal, Meath, Dublin City, Kildare and Offaly – in which over 10,000 homes could suffer future problems.
1,100 properties – built between 2002 and 2006 – have already had crack repair work carried out – while 850 others are currently in need of urgent renovation – estimated to cost around 45-thousand euro.
Phil Hogan is calling on the insurance sector and Homebond in particular to rethink their opposition to compensation:
/>
Gardai are continuing to question seven men following a major operating targetting criminal gangs believed responsible for a number of crimes committed across the South East.
10 homes in Carlow and Laois were searched this morning as part of the operation.
A firearm and a small number of cannibis plants were also recovered.
Gardai say the operation was part of an investigation into more than 70 crimes committed over the past year.
/> Scientists at NUI Galway are appealing for the public’s help, in barnacle hunting.
They’re hoping to reproduce the sticky substance the arthropod produces to cling to rocks and other underwater objects.
They’re hoping to create a new kind of ‘superglue’.
Anyone who’s interested should collect any samples of barnacles they find washed up, and contact the researchers and NUI Galway to arrange analysis.
Check out the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.
