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VIDEO: Varadkar tells Newstalk Irish water flat rate charge could be extended

Minister Leo Varadkar told Newstalk in an interview this morning that the extension of the flat r...
Newstalk
Newstalk

10.58 30 Oct 2014


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VIDEO: Varadkar tells Newstalk...

VIDEO: Varadkar tells Newstalk Irish water flat rate charge could be extended

Newstalk
Newstalk

10.58 30 Oct 2014


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Minister Leo Varadkar told Newstalk in an interview this morning that the extension of the flat rate charge was one of the options under consideration for the Government in relation to Irish Water.

The Minister spoke at length about Irish Water: "We shouldn't depart from the basic principles. Installing water meters and charging for water is a good idea."

"I think the difficulty is that people are unsure about how much they have to pay. There's a lot of scare mongering out there.

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He also told the show that there were options being considered in relation to billing: "There's a number of options under consideration. The plan already is people will pay the assessed charge. That potentially could be extended. It's important we get the metering in as a concept very soon."

"Water is a utility. Imagine if we didn't meter electricity - how much would be wasted.

On the issue of PPS numbers, Varadkar commented: "The reason you have to give Irish Water your PPS number is to gain access to your allowance. They can only use it for that purpose"

"People can believe that there's a conspiracy theory behind this and their numbers are going to be sold on to the CIA but look, that's just nonsense."

Minister Leo Varadkar also said he welcomed civil service reform and that he believes the changes can be quite effective.

Varadkar stated that he thought age was a big factor in relation the reform: "I think I'm the second youngest person in my department. It's an enormous problem. You need an infusion of young people in the mix."

On the Health department, Varadkar said: "There will be some pressures within the health budget for the next year. We're in a much better position financially than we were in the last number for years."

The Minister also spoke about changes to medical card applications stating there will be a secondary medical card test for those who do not meet the criteria of the means-test.

Varadkar had previously promised to reform the discretionary medical card system after a report called for greater sensitivity in the way cards are allocated.

Under the proposed new system a doctor will perform a second assessment of a candidate who fails the means-test, which would be based on their individual medical requirements.

In relation to the Children's Hospital, Mr Varadkar said if the Government stuck to the plan, the new hospital would be under construction by this time next year and paediatric centres would be open in 2016.

Here is the interview in full: 


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