 Here in hand, you're over to Greg Hughes. Good morning, Greg. Lest the back of the head muster, you'll be glad to hear. Yeah, I didn't look at it, you know. I know it's a day not to beat any Tom Fulleray with you. Do you know? No, no, I don't. My mommy, Gary, did it. I don't know. Who did it? I did it myself. Did you? Yeah. It must be tricky doing all that shit on that the back of the head. Do you look in the mirror or is it just technique? Is it just? I have to hide and do it now because Hudson doesn't like to see me doing it. I don't know. He'll do it for you. That's pretty probably the thing. Is that beard of yours? He might have done a better job. I don't know. Anyway, that's the latest and final updates on the back of my head, Moustache. You'll be glad to hear. All right, Lee, have a good one. Thanks, Greg. Bye. It's nine o'clock. It's just turning a minute past nine, in fact. Let's get a news update and say good morning now to Emma Ryan. Thanks, Greg. Good morning. A Donegal deputy believes the budget has failed to help middle income families who are facing into a difficult winter. Deputy Thomas Pringle believes the government missed the chance to provide targeted measures to assist those who really need it by instead using a blanket approach. He says the budget provided middle income households with little support. Well, a multimillionaire who owns 10 houses will get 10 times the electricity review and people struggling, the middle income people are struggling all the time and the house will get one amount of that. We need a budget that should have been targeted at the people on the low income and the people that are working and constantly have no other option but to keep going and try and survive. That's the people that should have been assisted and I think the government missed an opportunity in relation to it. Over 35,000 people waited over 24 hours in emergency departments in the first seven months of this year. The number of patients on trolleys in Leonard Kenney University Hospital's emergency department also increased by almost 45% last month. Figures show there are 136 people without a bed at the hospital during August. During the same period last year, 61 patients were on a trolley. The average waiting times in an ED before admission or discharge was over seven hours for all age groups. Donegal GP, Keir Nofari, says it's a long-standing problem. Anybody working in hospitals or in healthcare will know that there are long waiting times in emergency departments. As GPs, we hear this from patients all the time and a reluctance on patients to attend. The prosecution of a British soldier in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday will resume today in Belfast. Soldier F is facing charges of murder and attempted murder in relation to one of the worst attacks during the troubles. Chloe St John reports. Legal proceedings have been due to pick up again yesterday, but a mix-up at the courts has meant it's been pushed back until today. The case had to be adjourned after lawyers were sent to lag inside in Belfast while the judge had travelled to Derry Magistrates. Soldier F is facing two counts of murder and five of attempted murder in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972, when 13 people were killed when British paratroopers opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the city. Two other night today will be a cool but brighter day with sunny spells and scattered showers, highest temperatures of just 11 to 14 degrees. That's all for now. We'll be back with a news update again at 10 o'clock, but until then, good morning. The cost of living crisis has us living in uncertain times. As prices constantly rise, it leaves us wondering, will everything that goes up always come down? With the budget speech comes more uncertainty. What impact will it have and what will it mean for you? The Irish Independent look to answer the important questions in their budget supplement, an essential guide that explains how Budget 2023 impacts you and your finances. You'll find it in Wednesday's Irish Independent, up close and independent. The Nine Till Noon Show with St Yunan's GA Club Development Draw, 40,000 Euro in prizes, first prize a Hyundai Kona car, plus nine other grit prizes. Tickets now available online at styunansgadraw.com or any club member. The county's number one talk show, The Nine Till Noon Show on Highland Radio. The Nine Till Noon Show with Greg Hughes, Monday to Friday with all that matters across the Northwest. And now it's time for the talk of the Northwest, The Nine Till Noon Show with Greg Hughes on Highland Radio. I think I accidentally played every jingle at my disposal there. Anyway, you're welcome along to the program. It's just turned five minutes past nine on this Wednesday. It is the 28th of September, 2022. How are you keeping? It was a funny morning this morning, driving into work, sunshine, showers, funny looking skies, rainbows, everything. Anyway, how was your morning so far? Let us know and let us know what you want to talk about too. WhatsApps and texts, 086-6025,000, 086-6025,000. If you happen to listen to us on your smart speaker or online or whatever, if you're outside the Republic of Ireland, the prefix is 0035386625,000. And if you want to give us a call, 07491-25,000. You can also watch this program as you may well be aware. If you want to do that, and hundreds of you did yesterday, you can hop on to the website and watch live. There's a tab there for you, or you can go to our YouTube channel, Highland Radio Ireland, or on our Facebook pages as well. Good morning to Paul, the first to say hello, watching us this morning. Let's look at the newspapers this morning then. And no caps, but many comforters in budget. That's the front of the Finn Valley voice. This week's budget is an energy budget, regardless of whether it comes to supporting those on low incomes, those struggling to stay in business, those trying to educate themselves, or simply those filling their shopping baskets. It all comes back to energy. For Pierce Daherty and Sinn Féin, the solution was to cap the price of electricity. The present government does not favor the cap approach. Instead, they've opted for a series of comfort measures ranging from one-off electricity charge handouts to a widening of the current tax bans. And a little later on in the program this morning, we'll be joined by Damien English, representing the government and Finnegell. Sinn Féin's finance spokesperson, Pierce Daherty, they'll be talking about the budget. We'll also have a financial expert on as well to sort of try and drill down as to what this might mean to you, dependent on your situation. We're also unique in terms of maybe people or single parents or single living on their own with a family, without a family, carers, you know, couples, all that type of stuff. We'll try and get as many sort of typical examples as what this might mean to people out there as possible just to get a sense of what might be in your pocket. As I say, you know, we want to stay positive, but with prices going up as they are, you just feel that any increases are going to be very quickly gobbled up. But then you could say, I suppose that half-loaf is better than no bread at all. The Donegal Post this morning, long hard-fought campaign for vital respite, finally bears fruit. There's been a cautious welcome to the long-awaited announcement that Seaview House in Mount Charles is to extend its respite service to seven days. This follows a long campaign over many years fought by the affected families and by parents and friends of people with intellectual disabilities in South Donegal. Mary Gorman, chair of the Parents and Friends of People with Intellectual Disabilities Committee, said, it's great news and hopefully it continues. Hopefully it will be a permanent thing. The Innish Times this morning, their front page, startling low level of builds contributing to Bonkrana housing crisis. The startling low level of housing construction in Bonkrana over the last 10 years has contributed to the town's accommodation crisis a public meeting has heard. The meeting aimed at finding possible solutions to the housing situation was told that there have been just 58 registered completions of housing units in the last decade. That's just 5.8 a year. The meeting was called by Donegal County Council as part of the process of identifying lands that could be developed for housing as part of the preparation of towns, the town's local area plan. The draw of rural living in one-off houses has contributed to the low level of housing development in the town. But the lack of housing development in the county's second largest town is having a detrimental impact on its development planner's say. It's the county's biggest coastal town, isn't it? Let's have a look at the Irish Times now and it's a big bold headline, isn't it? 11 billion, it's in purple. That's how much was allocated in the budget yesterday. 6.9 billion annual budget packet measures, 4.1 billion one-off cost of living measures. What do you think of the budget out there yourselves? You're very astute, you know the story, you know your personal situations. I think we know with everything that's going on, with the way costs and prices are going, I don't think we can be fully insulated from what's going on, but are you happy enough? Particularly maybe if you're that person that texted us with 14-year-old left after you paid your big bill one particular week, you had 14 left out of your pension, are you breathing a little easier today? I don't want this to be a default position whereby anything the government do is bad. Did they do well, do you think? I think there was some shrewd spending in this. I think personally if I was a decision maker and we'll hear from Pierre Staghardt the reason as to why they back a cap, I don't think a cap was the way to go personally because whilst it might bring some temporary certainty, who's to say what we could end up paying? It's like writing a check for the electricity companies as well, the gas companies, do you trust them? Not to go, oh, okay. Well, the government is guaranteeing us, you know, it's guaranteed the consumer a certain rate and it's gonna pay the difference to us. Let's milk that for all it's worth. I mean, do we trust that the energy companies wouldn't have done that? Or maybe that was the way. As I say, people who know much more about this stuff will be on a little later talking about it, but that would have been my concern. Big giveaway is coalition braces for difficult winter. That's the sub headline here in the Irish times. The government unveiled an unprecedented 11 billion giveaway budget yesterday amid growing concerns about deteriorating economic conditions. The Department of Finance said growth would be significantly lower in inflation higher next year than previously expected. And officials acknowledged that Ireland was in danger of slipping into a technical recession defined as two successive quarters of negative growth. Speaking at his post-budget press conference last night, Minister for Finance Pasco Donohue, well, he said that the most likely scenario is still one of growth for next year, but acknowledged that Ireland now faced an incredibly uncertain environment. Budget documents published by the Department of Finance suggested that the severity of the winter in Europe would have an important bearing on Ireland's economic prospects. Let's go to the Irish Independent now. The government is banking that a record 11 billion budget package will ensure households can pay their bills with the cost of living crisis set to rapidly escalate this winter. After weeks of tense negotiations, Finance Minister Pasco Donohue and Public Expandenture Minister Michael McGraw outlined an unprecedented series of welfare increases, tax cuts, business grants and reductions in government fees. In their speeches, the two ministers said the significant level of spending was aimed at helping people struggling to heat their homes and businesses finding it difficult to pay energy bills. There'll be three 200 euro electricity credits taken off bills in November, January and March. A major business support will see the government give grants of up to 10,000 euro a month on increases in energy bills. And again, you know, it's all, that is great helping businesses with these type of initiatives, but they really need customers through the door and the way you get customers through the door is that you give people some income that they feel is discretionary that they can spend. You know, I don't know, I mean, if businesses are open and empty and you're helping with their electricity bills, that's grand. And maybe on wider the market gain any businesses out there, correct me if I'm wrong, but you really need bombs in seats and your calves and bombs on stools in your bars, don't you? That's how you keep a vibrant or at least a ticking over business. 08, 6, 60, 25,000. Of course, I'm sure any assistance for electricity bills will be welcomed, but as I say, will people be coming through the doors like perhaps they did last year or pre-COVID? Well, anyway, tax cuts will see a couple with two children earning a combined 85,000 euro gaining an extra 1,660 next year when all budget measures are taken into account. Is a combined wage of 85,000 typical in Donegal, I wonder? Well, anyway, if you are that couple, 1,660 euro, you will see in your back pocket compared to in the government's coffers. The income tax rate was increased by 3,200, meaning taxpayers will not have to pay the top rate of tax of 40% on earnings over 40,000. Mr. Voradkar, and he's been clear on it, he wanted that pushed out to 50,000, but it's been bumped up to 40, so not insignificant, but maybe for some, maybe even for Mr. Voradkar, not far enough. Any questions, by the way? I get confused with numbers. I think a lot of people do. I think reports say, for instance, on the radio where there's lots of numbers, you get lost in it very quickly. So if you have any sort of specific queries that we can try and get answers to for you, please get in touch and we will try. So if you were listening to this show in June, June, July, August, September, we flagged in June, or we flagged on this show in June, that a levy would be applied on the building industry to help pay for the defective concrete blocks situation. And I've questioned, and Sinn Fein weren't opposed to a levy, however, that might have been applied. They might have gone with what the government did or not, but the government have applied a 10% levy on concrete blocks and redemix concrete to be introduced to help fund the cost of the mica redress scheme is revealed in the budget. Now, the problem with this is that the irony of it is you have people with mica affected homes and if they are lucky enough to get on the scheme when we find out how that scheme might work, it's pretty much stalled at the moment. They themselves, I mean, I think it may be the rebuilding of defective concrete blocks homes, if that had been, if they had been exempt from this 10% levy on these products, maybe it would not seem so insulting or adding insult to injury. But if you're lucky enough to get some money together to be able to get onto the scheme and to be able to start getting your house repaired, you are going to have to pay a 10% levy on concrete blocks and redemix concrete. Now, that's not just those repairing defective concrete blocks homes, that's everybody. So everybody is going to have to pay through this, through direct taxation, of course, as well, but also through this levy. And it's going to put around about somewhere between one and 3,000 year on the price of building a house. So it's another levy then on first-time buyers. It seems just a remarkable thing to do in the midst of a housing crisis to me. Now, as I say, I'm not an expert in any of this, but to introduce a levy of 10% on concrete blocks and redemix concrete on an industry during a housing crisis, it just to me doesn't make a great deal of sense. The government or whatever government is in power, is going to have to claw back some of this money. But again, you know, there are those who are, some would feel directly responsible for this, you know, not facing any, not facing any sanctions really as such. And, you know, even quarries around the country that may have sold defective concrete blocks in the past, this levy's not on them. They're not going to pay it. Are they? They're going to pass it straight on to the consumer. So, I mean, they must be going low, really. But anyway, if you have an insight into that or you want to comment on that, get in touch on that as well. The levy aims to raise 80 million a year, but it will add significantly to builders and developers costs which could put the profitability of many housing schemes in doubt. So any schemes that maybe even have been priced on narrow margins, that extra charge could tip them over the edge. It just seems a strange move right now. You know, when you're throwing 11 billion at a problem, why throw in that 80 million as well when you could probably defer it or even? You know what? Let Shin Fane or whoever is in government after would worry about it. Right, okay. Whatever about our budget, at least it's costed. At least we know where the money is coming from. That's not what they've done in Britain. They've announced a budget, a big tax cuts budget and they don't really know where they're going to get the money from. They're going to borrow, but they don't really know how much they're going to borrow, what rate, and how much of it might be paid for and increase in tax being paid. Crazy stuff, but anyway, fiscal measures adopted by Britain will likely increase in inequality as spokesperson for the International Monetary Fund said yesterday, this is in the Irish Daily Star, urging authorities to consider providing more targeted support to affected families and businesses. We are closely monitoring recent economic developments in the UK and are engaged with the authorities the spokesperson said after the British pound hit an all-time low amid spiking market concerns. Given elevated inflation pressures in many countries, including the UK, we do not recommend large and untargeted fiscal packages at this juncture. Now, people in Britain and Northern Ireland could be facing mortgage interest rates of 6% as a result of this government intervention. So, the rich get richer and those who may be struggling are going to be facing massive potential costs increases even if it's just in the mortgage, it's thousands per year and the mortgages are going up because of the budget that Liz Trost announced through her departments. Crazy stuff. In the Irish Mirror today, JD Sports, Elite Sports and Rangers have been fined more than 2 million by Britain's competition watchdog. After it found, they fixed the price of replica kits. The competition and markets authorities said Elite Sports and JD Sports broke the law by fixing retail prices of the Rangers branded jersey and other clothing items from September 2018 to July 2019. It added the Glasgow Club also took part in the collusion but only in fixing the price of specific adult home shirt, short sleeved shirts from September to mid-November in 2018. Not a nice way to treat your fans, that is it. And last but not least, if you have a smart speaker in your house if you have a smart speaker in your house listen to us as well, by the way give it your command and say play Highland Radio but voice assistants Siri and Alexa are making children rude and anti-social scientists fear so it's the speaker's fault. Youngsters are now being taught to say please and thank you nor how to read body language. Cambridge University doctor Amnol Arora warned that interacting with the devices at a crucial stage in social and emotional development might have long-term consequences on empathy, compassion and critical thinking. Alright, we'll be joined by our first guests on the show but we do have to take this very quick first break. The newspapers are courtesy of Kelly Centra Mountaintop, letter Kelly. 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Cherrymore, 25 years delivering value, quality and service all over Ireland. Hello everybody, it's me, Tommy Tiernan. I'm playing the Mount Arigul Hotel on Saturday, the 1st of October with my brand new stand-up comedy show, Tom Fulery. Tickets are 35 quid from Ticketmaster.ie. Don't you dare miss it. OK, you're very welcome back to the programme and I'm pleased to welcome on to it right now Minister Damien English of Funigale. Good morning Damien, how are you keeping? I'm very good, very good. I hope we're at least and we're keeping well too. Yeah, we're doing all right. We'd be doing a little better maybe. Your assessment of this budget the government negotiated and produced? Look, I think the budget is really worth the both of the cost and even package. I think Budget 23 will do that. We know the majority of people are facing into difficult months ahead, you know, with rising costs, pressure on the family budget, trying to make ends meet, mainly because of energy. And I think that the effort here was, and the design of this budget is to help house families, those of people who are worked, those who are in fixed incomes at home and try to target those most vulnerable and discreet middle who miss out and allow the assistance from government with the payments because of their tax brackets. I think we're achieving that. It is about putting money back in their pockets by quoting income tax, increasing pension payments, well-preparements for families with disabilities and carers. And I think the big win here is around childcare as well, as well as public transport, cutting the cost of school and college. So that's what it's about. It's a lot of money, but it's just to help people through the next five or six months. You'd love if you're spending 11 billion to making permanent, long-term changes that would transform the country. But the choice ahead of us now is to help people to, you know, survive a difficult time, keep businesses open. There's a lot of support there for businesses, there's massive cost of energy, but not them. And for a supporting business, we are supporting jobs. And thankfully, we have two and a half million people that work. We want to keep them at work, but we also want to encourage more and more. And throughout this budget, there is efforts there to make more work pay more and to make sure it's always a good effort to try and help people. But no one can claim that this is a magic wand we make. We'll talk about other problems. Your party would have favored the higher tax bracket before you have to start paying the higher rates of tax. You'd have preferred that pushed out to 50, wouldn't you? Oh, absolutely. Over time, we did say in the last election that we would like to get over a time of government, which is over five years, that you had pushed that towards 50,000. It has been two big jumps to last budget and now it's at 40,000. So the reason we're doing that is for two reasons. One, work has to pay. That's exactly those people who are in the squeeze middle of a paying high taxes. We want the current people to do the extra shifts, do the work on a Saturday because companies are telling me they can't get staff. So why would you go and work a few extra hours on work on a Saturday if you're going to pay over 50% of that into tax as well? So it has to be justifiable water why you're going to work. But number of people are going to have to pay over 50% of that into tax as well. So that's a big difference there. And that's been well said to us for a long number of years now with IDA, Enterprise Islands, all our business and job agencies. So I think it's it's it's appropriate and it was a time to do it for two reasons. Cost of living to help the squeeze middle and those who are in the squeeze middle and those who are in the squeeze middle and those who are in the squeeze middle and those who are at work, but also to protect and create more jobs. In terms of social welfare payments increases you know a 15 year old figure was being touted, someone calling for 20, he settled at 12. That's not going to make enough of a difference. Is it really to those who need money the most? I think it's important to look at what's the package. For those who need it most and identifying pensioners there at the category the majority of pensioners will be over 2,000 euro better off over the next 12 months, probably 2,300 for some because there's different interventions here. There is the change to the pension and the permanent change, but then there's extra cost of living cost of living payments, there's an extra lump sum for the living allowance, there's the fuel allowance and there's a double payment in November and again at Christmas so when you put all the package together it's more than what people would have expected to be honest with you and I think again it will assist pensioners who are living at home either together or on their own to get through difficult times ahead. Pensioners have been very anxious and have been very worried. So are you saying, what are you effectively saying there is it in terms of setting it at 12 and then with additional payments you giving people money when they need it now rather than it being spread over the course of a year at a higher weekly rate? Absolutely and if you talk to a pensioner that's what they tell you they need now, they wanted clarification and assistance now because they're very worried going into the winter and I think this gives them the extra money they will need to be able to heat their home and deal with the inflationary cost of energy in the month ahead. It's important we do that but also to show that we do want to keep the pension on the directory going up, we did commit to increase it every year if we code in the programme for government so we're doing that as well as bringing forward some very decent but government before Christmas as well. But also it's also a budgetary matter we know this year there's a good boost in the taxes thankfully because of the high number of people who are at work high corporation tax, they're not there forever so we can use those taxes for wounds off, balloon payments which we're doing here to support many sectors and I think that's a good way to use that money not to tie it up long term when you're not guaranteed it those mistakes are made in the past we can't do that again but based on sound public finance we know we can justify increase the pension and other social welfare payments by 12 year or an extra and that's an important we do that but I think the other big window I think it's the fuel allowance and there's major changes in that and a lot more people will be going into the brackets to be able to benefit from the fuel allowance which is probably worth the cost of 15 or 16 under the year to most people. You mentioned energy of course because it's forefront in most of our minds, we're going to hear from Sinn Fein's Pierce to Hardy shortly but you decided against a cap we've seen cap introduced in Britain and elsewhere now and other caps around Europe are slightly different they're not absolute caps in certain other countries but why go for these payments as opposed to a cap where a cap would actually give people a little bit of certainty it might just be one less thing for them to worry about yeah well to be honest with you it's because the country couldn't afford us and Pierce Dougherty will try and tell you it's only 1.5 billion everybody knows that assesses this properly it's potentially 8 billion and might not stop at that if you go with the blank check route that Sinn Fein want to do that's easy for him to stay in opposition because they haven't to make it actually happen we have to deliver a budget that adds up and that is sustainable and it keeps this country on a firm footing for an extra and so you can't make the record well we don't know we can't afford it because we don't know how much it might be though Minister well I'm sorry when you do a budget you have to be able to make sure that it adds up and can pay for itself but most times when you try to look at Sinn Fein budget it doesn't add up but just to be clear we've seen what's happening next door in the UK when they made that and anybody can see that now and the impact it's having in that country and it's put the UK on a very dodgy footing going forward in what you do other countries around Europe that Sinn Fein are doing it's not true to say that but just to be clear what we are doing here we are saying to businesses we've set aside roughly about one and a half billion for the next couple of months to assist business with their energy bills the scheme is designed to reach everybody that is able to show that they've been hit with increased unit costs of over 50% the state will step in to cover 40% of those costs and we've built on these schemes if we can work with the EU framework into the new year is money set aside if we have to intervene now you had a you brought Deputy Doherty into the conversation I did but you said what he might say so while he's on the line we might actually hear what he is saying Deputy Doherty your reaction to Minister English is assessment of your cap suggestions no actually I beg your pardon we'll have to come back to that in a moment that's fine and just to be clear we need to analyze these what's being posted over the years and it's easy for opposition parties to throw random figures out there because they don't have to deliver it we have to deliver it and we have to make sure that this country can continue to function and run and win investments and secure borrowings and secure business and jobs and that's why we have to balance the budget look I'd love to be able to say it here we can write a blank check and there's no risk to the country because there are no businesses that need great assistance they understand how to try to run a budget they're trying to run a tight budget in their support so they recognize this is an intervention that doesn't deal with all their increased costs but is of great assistance but there's other schemes there are other supports that we support businesses through new grants through local enterprise offices and enterprise island to invest in infrastructure to reduce their energy bills to reduce their alliance but also to future proof of business the other big issue for businesses is labour costs and the shortage of talent to find staff in most cases so a lot of the effort in this budget is to encourage people through the tax system to go back into work to make a more viable to reduce the cost of childcare to make it an option to go back to work for some cases to support businesses then with them with subsidies if they take on staff from the life register so there are other ways to assist businesses here by reducing other costs but the two big issues for business would be around energy and labour following that then is the digital journey and the green journey and again there's security for my department here to work with businesses on that to digitalize the business to bring the business online to reduce their cost to drive innovation and to upskill their teams as well they're all important too. Okay let's say good morning to Deputy Pierce to Hardy just your assessment of this budget I mean it's 11 billion there's a lot of assistance in there it does put a lot of money in certain people's pockets you know it does help it's not like a budget we saw in Britain for example which get richer and the poor get the pennies I mean there's a lot of good in this budget Deputy Doherty isn't there? Yeah well first of all I didn't hear a lot what David English said Well AE said the government did really well I think was the assessment So I might get a chance just to give my view in relation to the budget Greg thanks first of all you know there's a lot of money splashed around here there's no doubt about that there's stuff that we welcome in this budget there's stuff that we push the government on but I did hear a couple of years ago childcare wasn't an issue that any of these parties were talking about renters credit which I can talk about how they've made a balls of that but anyway at least it's now on the radar but I did hear them talk about energy and this is I think where the government actually have failed in terms of this budget because people needed certainty people needed certainty that the rents weren't going to go up over the next year people needed certainty that the electricity prices would in skyrocket and I heard in English it's going on saying that price certainty on electricity prices over the winter months up until the end of February would cost 8 billion euro is the minister really suggesting that electricity prices are going to go up over 600% over the Christmas and by God if they are then we're in serious trouble Well how much would it have cost though appears because you know you can give us you can give a short term certainty okay but we don't know how much that would cost and we will end up paying for it in any case so there's two things Craig first of all we know what it would cost on the basis of today's rates and the increases that have flagged which are kicking in some of them are kicking in on Friday actually the likes of Electric Ireland others are kicking in later on so these companies actually flag increases a while in advance so we know how much it would cost based on that that would be just under 1.4 billion euro but we reckon that coming to the end of the year the start of the year there may be further increases and that would be over you know the last till the end of February so that's why we've put a quarter of a billion euro extra to provide for further increases to give people that certainty now Damien English says you know it would cost 8 billion that's just scare mongering stuff that's just trying to find an excuse to say why we didn't do this now let me say this Craig since March of this year the European Commission said price certainty by placing a cap is something that countries could be doing actually since October last year the European Commission said that countries across Europe could be looking at windfall taxes in energy companies we've argued for windfall taxes in energy companies because some of them are making massive profits pushing up prices what Damien English and his government do what Pascal Donahue do it is August couple of weeks ago he was arguing against a windfall tax in these companies that are making record profits during this period of time yes Damien coming at no stage Damien just let Pierce finish this point and then I'll let you back in and you can take as much time as you wish and the second thing then is in relation to price certainty so what has Europe done after the Commission has decided to do that yes they've done it in different ways but they've still done it they're providing price caps from France to Austria to Netherlands to Czechnia to Poland to Romania to Slovakia the Wall Street Journal were reporting just two days ago that Germany is preparing legislation to introduce a price cap as well so if all of these countries so Damien's kind of sound bite that the government have is oh we can't cost this and all the rest well his colleagues in Europe are introducing this measure but from country to country dependent on the type of energy they produce what kind of controls there are on that and then there's a certain amount of units that are capped not your entire bill anyway all of them are bringing in price certainty in terms of electricity some of them are actually going further and bringing it in terms of gas and other countries are going gas on its own but the issue here is there is price certainty okay let me bring minister in back in again if that's okay just to come in there a couple two points it's not true to say that the government are against wind power taxes we're involved with our European colleagues and the decision that this will end this week around the different methods to deal with this and we're very clear if the EU solutions don't work for Ireland we'll bring in our own wind power taxes that's right up in the S's budget years you were sitting there when you heard that as well just in relation to the price cap there's no other country that I know of that's writing a blank check it's something Piers talks about one and a quarter billion and 11 and a half billion compare that to what everyone knows if the estimated price for the UK which is 100 billion that is a big difference in Piers's one billion to 100 billion next door and so it's not credible that it's only going to cost a billion out we don't know and I don't know it's a 7, 8, 9 billion maybe it's only 6 billion we hope it's less but you don't know that but I think we'll agree Damien it's not going to be 8 billion between now and February no you can agree that wait a minute this is not a budget for the local February this is a budget for all of 2023 and Piers knows that he's able to add generally most of it and we're doing a budget for all of next year we'll let just Piers come back on that Piers aren't going to agree on the energy policy go ahead let me make this point just so all your listeners have the facts right Damien knows that what we've argued for is until the end of the winter which is the end of February so it's not a full year Piers did not interrupt Damien with respect to the listeners I give you your chance let me just say this and you might want to hear the truth the second thing is he came on this radio station when I wasn't on saying it's 8 million maybe 6 million look he's plucking figures out of the air trying to find a way to say to give an excuse why they won't give price certainty which 12 countries across Europe have done the second thing is he is blatantly wrong here and misleading the people of Donegal when he says that his government weren't against windfall taxes and energy producers I would ask anybody look at the Dall record the budgetary oversight committee where Pascal Donegal argued against a windfall tax in relation well listen I don't need to look at that because we had Leo for our car and studio here and he wasn't in favour of it at that time either they have been forced to do a U-turn now because these companies are making massive profits and it's not about the company's profits it's us, it's the people of Donegal the people of Ireland who are paying extortionate prices as a result of those profits this government sat in their hands when other companies in other countries brought in windfall taxes to reduce the cost of electricity you actually allow these companies to profit this is this government's approach and perhaps deciding to go a different route to everyone else we'll see how that plays out last one on this one David if you don't mind it was to make the point again yes it was an 11 billion intervention perhaps it appears that I will agree on there's no doubt about that and I understand you missed the point I was making I didn't say it's exactly 8 billion because like you I can't predict it when you said it could be 1 it could be 8 yes I said as a government we have to bring in a budget that balances and pays for the whole year not just in the context if you take that clip out you did effectively say that Shane Fain's proposals could cost up to 8 billion I would be happy to write a script of stating that I understand I'm not denying that but what I'm saying is you can't write a budget not knowing if it's 8 billion, 6 billion, 10 billion you can't do that that's not what you can do when you're trying to run a government it's easy to do that when you're in opposition we have to set aside a budget here we'll get people through the difficult time but also deal with all of next year's expenditure and that's why we've set aside a budget packet here which I believe achieved that naturally all of us have to work together to make sure we can support jobs, support people who are at home on fixed income to get through a difficult time the extra supports for childcare for the family work and payment they'll all be of great assistance as well and that's important but also we'll hear today of the support of our education to reduce the cost of schools okay Demi, you went through an awful lot of that already and I won't keep you very much longer but Deputy Daherty and we heard from Leo Faradkar and he wanted to help the squeezed middle and perhaps maybe he didn't get everything that he wanted through these negotiations your party Pearson you individually you believe that this budget do you fails the squeezed middle and those less well off I think the facts speak for themselves Greg and then probably in our own county where we have some of the lower wages I think a lot of people will be disappointed that I'm talking about people who are in the squeezed middle I'm talking about people who will not get the social welfare benefit despite the fact that the 12 euro increase doesn't even protect them from the level of inflation we wanted to see 1750 but those people I'm talking about who are working today whether they're in retail, whether they're in the factory floor they're earning 30,000, 35,000 maybe they're getting a tax break of 190 euro somebody earning 100,000 more than them is getting a tax break of 830 euro now the government announced this can a big tax measure but what they don't tell you is only 30% of workers actually avail of this this cost them three quarters of a billion euro now it costs them it's actually us that it costs three quarters of a billion euro 70% of workers are locked out of it because they don't pay tax at that level and I think that's deeply unfair at a time of crisis that you have people on 35 and they're getting a quarter of what somebody on a salary as I said of over 140,000 I think that's unfair there was a better way of doing that and the way you could have done that was actually dealing with the USC getting rid of the lowest rate of USC, slashing the second rate and moving the band on the third rate of USC so that the benefit would be felt by middle and low income workers right across the board and then cost of living cash payments so just to finish Greg so that person on 30, 35,000 euro our proposal in our alternative budget would be that they would benefit by 700 euro as opposed to what the government have done in terms of 119 I think they have really been left behind in this budget it would be nice to be speaking to your minister this morning you know sort of breaking from what seems to be the case no matter where you are not just this country elsewhere where we were talking about a budget that genuinely focused on you know if the rich are sitting where they're at they'll be okay but really focusing on making the lives of of the squeezed middle as they're called and those on welfare generally much much better I think Greg if you fully analyse the budget I'll give an example of someone on around 20,000 euro they're over there because of this budget the change has been brought forward here they'll take home an extra 2200 euro and a little bit more on that this year so the package is there if you look at all the package of the changes around childcare, around student fees in college, around the tax package yes but also the energy credits and there is a package for the majority of people but I've also said the change with the higher rate of taxes to come it's also it's to recognise that the middle income people and those tax brackets are paying higher rate of tax and some days they go to work and they're handing over it's about 800, 900 about 800, 900 euro extra a year isn't it yeah it's about 800 euro but again what's that going to do for most people though I mean the weekly shops going to eat that up so to be again to be clear if you add in the package there with the energy credits with the extra 800 euro most of those people are in around 2000 euro extra money that they wouldn't have had that will help them could you put more money in people's pockets two grand a year could you have, no matter how you do it could the total figure could you have put more than two grand in these people's pockets as the ministers claiming they have numerous issues we had gone way further than the government as I said in childcare we were arguing for years that childcare costs be reduced by two thirds we were told it couldn't be done now the penny is starting to drop in government buildings and let's call it spade to spade this government has a very firm eye on Sinn Féin and what we're doing so they told us it couldn't be done they argued against it they argued against windfall tax and energy companies they argued against a renters tax credit indeed Pascal Donoghue said it will end up in the pockets of landlords the t-shirt said the same but actually it probably is because they're refusing to bring in a cap on rent so when rents went up for new rents in Donoghue last year by 140 euro then that's going to be gobbled up that renters credit will be gobbled up so on numerous things we've gone way further the social welfare increases should have been 1750 not the 12 euro that doesn't protect people could you have done the 1750 per week and still the bonuses as the government is scheduling what we argued for this year in terms of the one off packages is that we would have a one off package of 4.1 billion euro this year and we would have had the double Christmas bonus but also all social welfare recipients would have received 500 euro as part of our cost of living cash payments but crucially in terms of low income workers 80 cent doesn't keep them in line with inflation they needed over 1 euro to actually keep them in line with inflation so we argued for 140 so Damien like when I talk about the squeeze middle I'm not talking about those on lower ends I recognise that the government went up 80 cent on the minimum wage so therefore people will benefit it doesn't keep their spending power so they'll be per next year than the world next year but I'm talking about people in the middle I'm talking about those on 30 and 35,000 euro that's the real middle and the issue that Damien scared it over is that those individuals don't get social welfare increases they don't get the tax package the 830 euro that they announced that Damien will get that I will get that really we don't need actually those people Damien come back two things great two things great we can all argue that the different supports are needed and I think with the different combination of packages both of us are trying to reach the same people because there's other ways there's a minimum way to qualify for other payments that you work for 40,000 so when you go through all the different supports the family income supplements the working wage payments and things like that there's a lot there to add up to that as well because Piers says what his budget could have done what I said with the data programme is his budget doesn't add up and that's the difficulty opposition parties can promise things they don't have to deliver them we have to actually deliver it because again your energy support what doesn't add up is it the only if the energy cap element from your perspective is that the only element that doesn't add up it's a massive element it's one and a half billion that's brilliant but it hardly counts in any independent assessment how would you stop the energy companies from not going right we're guaranteed some money here Piers we're going to absolutely screw the taxpayer I make this point because let's reverse this discussion the minister is trying to say that energy prices so we factored in a 25% energy increase over the winter right and this is only going to last until February so the minister is saying it's going to be multiples of that the minister genuinely said to the people of Donegal that he expects energy prices to double to triple to quadruple over the next period and if they do it's a case of paddle your own canoe because you're going to have to stump up yourself that is the core there is also a contingency there's also a contingency if extra money is needed to be spent in January by the government though the reality is we know what the prices are now we know what the prices are going to be next month or in October because they've already we know what that is going to cost and we have factored in a 25% increase in those bills come December it may happen maybe the price but actually with our policies in terms of windfall tax which their government opposed but we're likely to see some downward pressure and energy costs so we have been careful here but the key thing here is this if Mary or John are sitting over and Clough and Ailey listen to this radio you have an option you have this you have the minister which says energy prices may go up and up and up but in Spain's policy is reckless because if they do we want you to pay the bill as opposed to the state where Sinn Fein are saying hang on a second this is a surplus of 6 billion euro at this point this is the time to do what other countries write over here and give you certainty and peace of mind and we know Damien English's stance on that there's no point going backwards on that issue just one quick question Damien English do you know of the reduction in student fees applies to cross border students there's something that Simon Harris said he's still walking on the go-saving it is directly trying to link to people who are walking in this country but there is this ongoing conversation on the cross border so Simon Harris he's been charged with that this week Piers Daugherty your party was not so do you want to come in there our conversation with Simon Harris last night has said that they will not apply across the border they should apply across the border but as of now they won't because they know many things across the border and wondering if this will apply to them so as of now what the minister has relayed to us is they will not apply and I'm just saying that I do hope that there is discussion ongoing and that they can do this I think there is a way of doing this I think that people who are studying across the border get the Susie Grant I think there could be a bullet payment on that Susie Grant to accommodate the fees that are being paid to the universities and colleges so that's why we're here before people fall front in people's minds rather than an afterthought it always seems to be an afterthought it was the same through Covid Minister No, it was a great security issue it is not an after-thought the issue is the contribution the contribution levy is 3,000 euros and what the commitment is to reduce that by 1,000 euros that's simple and straightforward there's always with that. But again that won't have reduction using taxes that we have this year thanks to you because the situation the public finances are in in relation to jobs and then next year then there is the 500 euro permanent reduction as well for categories and we're changing the bands that those and those who qualify for the Susie grant and the Susie sports will be increased in relation to income threshold which again is another positive long-term change so we're moving in the right direction with some permanent changes as well. Peer starter your party also was in favor of a levy on the building industry 10% on concrete blocks, poured concrete. You know this is insult entry for people if they ever manage to get on the scheme it's going to cost them an extra 10% for what they might have to contribute or take 10% really off the value of the scheme. What do you agree with the governments? I know I've spoken to your housing spokesperson on a number of occasions. It's just hard to comprehend the gain that we're paying for this through direct taxation. We're going to pay for this through a levy and those who are responsible for this are laughing at us. Well I think I've discussed this in your own show before as well that shouldn't be in our support of levies in relation to paying for and making sure that we have 100% redress and that levy isn't just on the construction industry in our view. I think this is too narrow if we look at the detail of what the government are talking about. They're just talking about blocks and concrete products. We need the banks are one of the biggest beneficiaries in relation to this. They're going to have their mortgages restored, the full value of their mortgages restored. There has to be a contribution from the banks, from the insurance industry and yes the construction industry. But that just gets passed on to the consumer. Is there not a better way to do this? Not necessarily Greg. There are different ways of doing it. For example instead of just putting a levy in terms of the product you could for example put a levy in terms of the profit. So therefore it's not a direct pass on to the customer. But there's also a crucial other relation to this here. We have seen construction inflation run away over the last while. It's maybe dipping a wee bit now and coming back to more normal sense. But it is hugely increased. So therefore the cost of construction, the cost of building your home has increased. We know all of that during the through the Micah debate and the fact that not enough money has been provided. So there is also an issue in terms of any timing of any levy that would be introduced. But it shouldn't be narrow and Phil Hogan was talking about this a couple of years back. It wasn't just in concrete. He recognized at the time and not for me to be saying in the praise of Phil Hogan. But he was looking at the insurance industry. He was looking at the construction industry. He was looking at the banking industry. That's what we need to be doing. We can't you have one thing that quick word from you Minister English on that. You know what to say? Yeah, it's not palatable for money. Just to show you listeners that we don't disagree in everything. You know, I do agree that we still have to explore more way because I've said it before, but more than that I spent $1 a family expected by Micah. The banks are getting you know announced that they've invested in through the through the family. It's not really for not to mention insurance companies as well are ignoring really the scope of your scheme. And I'm all insurer houses. Even if I do think we need to continue to store away that the banking and insurance contributors to put up to be clear, you know, I think most people are in favor of this levy. And the biggest most important thing is though, that the 3 billion is set aside or whatever it takes to fix the homes and family homes in Donegal and Mayo and other countries are coming up as well. That's number one. I think we've all managed to get to that stage. And the levy is a secondary to the important thing here. All right, Pierce, last word on this to you. I think what the minister said there is key. And I think that's really the biggest disappointment from from Micah affected families in Donegal and elsewhere, that there wasn't an increase or a substantial increase in relation to the money that set aside for this. So the government and one hand are talking about bringing in levy as I said, wrong time, bringing in 83 million euro. They're not even going to make 83 million euro available to Micah families this year. In terms of houses actually going through the scheme because it's the commitment to fix people's homes. Sorry, and we just got across pierces just in the last 20 seconds. I really appreciate both of your times this one and go ahead, Pierce. I'm just saying the first thing is the scheme needs to be published. We need to have guaranteed that the scheme is going to delay. And the second thing is the applications that are in need to be progressed very, very quickly. The red tape needs to be caught here. So we do need to see the the demolition and reconstruction of houses this year. And crucially, if the money isn't there in 2023, then there's a cap on the amount that can be done. So I think we need to be ambitious. You know, I like look, we've said this numerous times, both privately and publicly, the different ministers to recognize the where these households are in. We've spent a lot of this program talking about energy crisis. As I said yesterday in my doll contribution imagine sitting in a Micah house where you're not thinking about turning off the heat. You're looking at your your your curtains flapping as the draft is coming through your windows. How do you keep a home like that warm at a time of energy? Simply can't. You simply can't. All right. System unbearable. So we need to do as much as possible. We would have put 140 million euro in there. The government have done what six million extra? I think it's I think it's really an insult to Micah families. All right. Thank you very much and fame spokesperson on finance Deputy Pierce Daherty and that was quite a charge. Do you want 30 seconds to come back on on that accusation Minister English before we wrap it up? Yeah, look, again, Pierce is playing with figures here. Everybody knows that the scheme has been approved on the doll and we've debated it at length on your program. Have you read about rightly so? We know that the car says could be up to 3 billion. We know and the government of the day have committed to fixing these homes and that will be done and that's the quicker the better. Right. Okay. Thanks for your time, Minister. I appreciate it. Take care of yourself. That's Minister Damian English. He's the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. We also listening there to Deputy Pierce Daherty, Sinn Féin, spokesperson on finance. Well, okay, we're going to be sort of drilling into what this budget might mean for your pocket after we take a break for the news and obituary notices. Would you like to win a Hyundai corner car? Well, that's the first prize in the St Yunan's GA Club Development Draw who are sponsors of this week's Nine Til Noon Show. There's nine other great prizes and tickets are now available online at stunansgadraw.com or any club member. Join the Highland Road Show from 1130 until to this 30 September 29th as we team up with Boss Aaron to celebrate their customer day at the Letter Kenny Boss Station. We have a cracking music makes and some great merchandise to give away on the day. That's the Highland Road Show this Thursday morning from 1130 at the Letter Kenny Boss Station. The Lotto Jackpot is an estimated 8 million euro. Play responsibly in store in app or at lottery.ie The National Lottery. It could be you. Your cat probably loves all the typical cat activities, heading out for a drive, getting their nails done and walking the red carpet. Keep them living their best life with new gain elite cat food proudly Irish and formulated for nine life living. It's got all natural ingredients recyclable packaging with pro and prebiotics for digestion and immunity new gain elite cat food available at premium pet stores nationwide special offers available in participating stores terms and conditions apply. Kia Sportage, Dunigold's best selling car in both new and used. Call into us in Letter Kenny or Malin to find out why the Sportage is a Dunigold favorite. Take a test drive today and you won't be disappointed. When it comes to searching for a holiday, Atlantic Travel and Letter Kenny deal with all the major tour operators from Dublin and Belfast to find you the best deals available. A week in the sun, a cruise or maybe a short break. Whatever suits you can book in confidence with Atlantic knowing your holiday is protected shoot something go wrong. Take the hassle and worry out of your holiday booking with the award winning Atlantic travel set Oliver Plunkett Road, Letter Kenny for a quote today. See Facebook visit atlantictravel.ie or call 9126193 experience the best of Oma's rich musical heritage through a weekend of music and events from 30 29th of September until Sunday the 2nd of October. Enjoy Oma Music Trail exhibition voices and stories from the show band era and Oma's Trad Folk on Saturday 1st of October presented Oma show bands is Highland Radio's Frank Galligan. You'll hear authentic show band sounds from Dominic Kerwin and his band rainbow or Frankie McBride, the Call Brothers, Tony Hutchinson and more all complemented by a vintage tea dance on Sunday for more tickets and details log on to StruelArtCenter.co.uk Live on air online and on the Highland Radio app this is Highland Radio News. Good morning it's 10 o'clock Donald Kavanaugh at the news desk the social protection minister has defended the 12 euro increase in welfare payments announced in yesterday's budget saying other targeted measures must be taken into account representatives groups including age action and alone have criticized the increase for pensioners with both groups recommending an increase of over 20 euro however minister Heather Humphries says other measures must be considered along with the 12 euro. The 12 euro increase is is is across the board increase in all welfare payments but there have been some very very comprehensive targeted measures and I was particularly keen that we would look after people who older people because as I said this is an energy crisis and they feel the cold much more than than anybody else so there's going to be a 400 euro once-off fuel allowance payment of course we have the Christmas bonuses coming. However Donnie Gull, deputy believes the budget has failed to help middle income families who are facing a very difficult winter deputy Thomas Sprinkle says the government missed the chance to provide targeted measures to assist those who really need them by instead using a blanket support he said the budget provides middle income households with very little. A multimillionaire who owns ten houses will get ten times the electricity review and people struggling, the better income people are struggling all the time and the house will get one amount of that we need a budget that should have been targeted at the people on the low income with the people that are working and constantly have no other option but to keep going and try and try and survive that's the people that should have been assisted and I think the government missed an opportunity in relation to this. Well the housing minister says he believes the concrete products levy announced yesterday to part fund the defective blocks for a dress scheme will become an annual levy. Minister Dara O'Brien says the details are now being drawn up for the implementation of the measure it's due to come into effect in the second quarter of next year. Minister Donnie who just announced the levy today and as I said the workings of that levy and how that will operate and how long that would operate for would be made clearer over the coming weeks because the levy is not to be in place till April next year. As I said earlier on though I do believe it's important that the sector make a contribution. I would imagine that it will be an annual levy, yes. Over 35,000 people waited over 24 hours in emergency departments across the country in the first seven months of this year that includes nearly 12,000 people over the age of 75 according to freedom of information figures. The number of patients on trolleys at Letterkin University Hospital's emergency department increased almost 45% last month. Figures show 136 people without the bed at the hospital during August during the same period last year. The figure was 61. The average waiting time in an emergency department before admission or discharge was over seven hours for all age groups. The issue was raised at a meeting this week of the HSE's Regional Health Forum West by Councillor Cairn Brogan. He acknowledges that Letterkin University Hospital is seeking to address the issue locally but he says that conversation must go far beyond the hospital grounds. I think there is genuine efforts been made by the management to try and address the huge concern of the amount of people that are waiting and the A&E in Letterkin. But I think we need to widen the conversation out to all the stakeholders and I need to look at maybe strengthening the general practitioners rule and indeed all the primary care system to see if we can do more to keep people out of that hospital system. That is called A&E for a reason it's an accident on the emergency and I think to have some people particularly elderly people lying for hours and hours on the ends is not good enough it's a very worrying development. The prosecution of a British soldier in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday will resume today in Belfast. Soldier F is facing two charges of murder and five of attempted murder in relation to the events of January 30th, 1972. And the Foreign Affairs Minister will meet the new Northern Secretary in Helmsborough this morning to discuss the North's political crisis. Simon Coveney says restoring power-sharing at Stormont and respecting the results of May's election are top of his agenda. Chris Houston Harris was appointed to the position two weeks ago by his trust. He's the fifth Northern Secretary in as many years. Minister Simon Coveney says that improving relations with the British Government is also one of his priorities. My focus is really to try to rebuild a partnership with the British Government to get back to the institutions and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement which hasn't been working for quite some time. So the focus has got to be to get devolved government back up and running again sooner rather than later to get North-South cooperation back up and running again and to get Dublin-London cooperation functioning as it should under the Good Friday Agreement. For the forecast, it'll be cool but bright today with sunny spells and some scattered showers. Moderate Northwest winds blustery at times in the vicinity of the showers. It'll reveal quite chilly with top temperatures just 11 to 14 degrees Celsius generally. The showers will become more isolated through the afternoon and mostly die out by this evening. And that's Highland Radio News. We're back with news headlines again at 10 o'clock. Until then, from the news team, good morning. O'Bitchery notices for Wednesday morning, September 28th. The death has taken place of Lily Brosnan, Ne MacIntyre, formerly of Glebe Hollow, and Sudbury Hill, Wembley, London. Funeral arrangements to be confirmed later. The death has taken place of PJ O'Donnell, 14 Wolf Tone Place, Letter Kinney, and formerly of Terman, reposing at his late residence. Funeral from there tomorrow afternoon at 12.30 p.m. going to St. Unan's Cathedral for 1 p.m. Requiem Mass, which can be viewed live on churchservices.tv. Interment afterwards to Cornwall Cemetery. Family time please from 10 p.m. until 12 noon and on the morning of the funeral. Rosary tonight at 9 p.m. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu of flowers if desired to the intensive care unit, Letter Kinney University Hospital, Care of any family member. The death has occurred of Aita Blake, 53, the Elms, Glen Carr, reposing at her late residence until 9 p.m. this evening from 12 noon with Rosary at 9 p.m. Funeral from her home tomorrow morning going to St. Unan's Cathedral for 11 a.m. Requiem Mass, which can be viewed on churchservices.tv, all by interment in Cornwall Cemetery. Family time please on the morning of the funeral. Family flowers only. Donations if wish to the Donegal Hospice, Care of Pascal Blake, funeral director. The death has taken place of Rose O'Donnell, 26, Convent Road, Cairndona, Neema Gohan, Green Bank, Quigley's Point. Funeral leaving from her late home this morning at 10.30 a.m. going to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Cairndona for Requiem Mass at 11 a.m. with interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. The death has taken place of Michael Bernard, Mickey B., Macklehenny, late of 12, Millside Crescent Park, County Derry. Funeral from his sister's home, 21, Stony Wood, Victoria Road, Derry this morning for 11 a.m. Requiem Mass in St. Mary's Church, Altenure with interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. And the death has occurred of Sarah Sally Tallin, 18, Wheatfield Court Muff, formerly Leake Slip, County Calder. Removal from her home this morning to the Sacred Heart Church Muff for Requiem Mass at 11 a.m. followed by private commission in Leaklands, County Cavern. Sarah's Requiem Mass can be viewed on mcmedia.tv. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu if desired to the Irish Cancer Society care of any family member or Murphy Funeral Directors. Four more details including any family health guidelines for wicks and funerals please go to highlandradio.com. Watch the show live now on YouTube, Facebook and at highlandradio.com. OK, you're very welcome back to the second hour of the show. A very good morning to you if you're just joining us here on the Ninetal Noon Show here on Highland Radio. OK, without further ado let's take the bingo numbers just to remind you by the way that if you play bingo, thank you and not only can you win daily cash prizes in the hundreds but you're also in line for a jackpot potentially on a Thursday just to remind you you're supporting the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. They do amazing work for people who get you know whether they're born with vision issues or get news when they go to see a specialist you know the National Council for the Blind of Ireland are there whenever any of us might actually need them and the money that you raise through playing the bingo is spent locally as well to support their work here to support your fellow community members. Now if you've never played it before by the way it's a euro a day five euro for the week so I mean obviously play within your means and play for fun but you can join and play whenever you like you might go into your local news agents your local shop your local wherever and you'll see the books there they're sitting there you can pick one up and play any day we play the numbers out mostly when I remember them we play the numbers out just after the ten o'clock news and you mark off the numbers and you could win as I say we've cash prizes to give away every day it's a couple hundred every day and if it's not one one day it goes on to the next and it is given away it's one it's not aspirational and then of course we have the jackpot but it's not a club it's not something that you have to be in at the start to play you can join any time you can play for just one week you can gift it to someone as well nice we present for someone so the thing is is that you can win you can win big too but you're supporting the national council for the blind of honour and I'll tell you what I'll do I'll get a list of some of the recent winners as well just to give you a sense of the amount of money people are winning and where they're buying the books and we'll get that together and I'll give it to you tomorrow maybe ahead of the jackpot numbers but anyway if you are playing today here are the numbers stay tuned we've got some really interesting stuff to talk about over the next hour and 50 minutes and I'd love you to stay with us to hear all that it's time for NCBI Bingo on Highland Radio it's Wednesday the 28th of September you're playing on the blue sheet the reference number is S13 it's game number 39 and the numbers are phone your claim to 9104833 before 8 tonight leave in your name, contact number and the name of the shop where you purchased your book and we'll call you back the next working day get all your NCBI Bingo information at HighlandRadio.com I've just had the Eclipse cinemas experience wow they truly have taken a night at the movies to a whole new level amazing recliner chairs director's lounge VIP rooms pizza and hot food served to your seat have a glass of wine and enjoy the film on the big screen try it for yourself at Eclipse cinemas Bundorn and Lifford Sturban where the stars shine brighter by the way the pizzas are amazing you can book your seat anytime at eclipsecinemas.ie Nutrius Winter Beef Feed Offer directly supported by the Arevo Fodder Support Fund is now available at your local homeland store buy 10 bags of Nutrius Super Beef Gold ATP or Nutrius Max Mays Mix get one free the Nutrius Beef ATP pack enhances animal performance through maximising room and efficiency teas and seas apply contact your local homeland or farm commercial specialist today visit nutrius.ie for full product details the Foy and Company Autumn Sale ends this Saturday get amazing discounts get your home ready for the festive season with up to 50% off selected lines across all departments chat with Foy's interior design and colour experts to find out how you can make over your home on a budget with the Foy and Company Autumn Sale order now for guaranteed Christmas delivery don't miss the Foy and Company Autumn Sale in store in letter Kenny and Bally Buffet and online at Foy's.ie Paul's Happy Tours are delighted to announce that we're heading back to sunny Spain in June 2023 staying at the luxury Brosa Hotel complex Cadiz Spain from June 8th to 15th joining Paul for this unforgettable week will be some of Ireland's best love entertainers Mike Denver and many friends including Brendan Shine Dominic Irwin John McNichol Jerry Guthrie Steven Smith Jim Devine Cleena Hagan The Conquerors Ashlyn Rafferty Gerlang and many more the price is only 1,079 euro half-bord plus tax and insurance call 01-685-2244 or see paulclaffetours.com and don't miss the holiday of a lifetime OK, we talk about letter Kenny University Hospital on a regular basis and we know there are issues there things that need to be addressed things that could be improved people's experience but for the most part people are complementary towards the staff doing their best in difficult situations it's a tough job that they have to do let's make no mistake about that on top of that they should not have to contend with issues that require the intervention of ungodly shiokana well that's happened 21 times between January 1st 2022 and September 12th 2022 and we've learned this of the back of a question which was tabled by councillor Albert Doherty at a recent regional health forum meeting and he joins us now what good morning to you Albert what good morning Greg what made you feel this is a question that needed to be asked principally listening to those at the cold face our health workers listening to stories emanating from emergency areas of foul and abusive language of physical disturbances and lastly of security at the hospitals and particularly I was responding on matter of university hospital particularly where it was deemed necessary to seek guard assistance I purposely did not want to include the Christmas or New Year's Eve period I went from January 1st to the last day for submitting a question and really the statistic that four or five times a month well maybe four times a month or so guardie are happy to be called and respond to unwanted circumstances at the hospital and I find that very disappointing I find that very disappointing in asking the questions you got the information out into the public forum and I think that's very worthwhile so people understand what often people working in that environment have to deal with beyond that there is security obviously because it's the security that contacted the guardie and the guardie did respond on all occasions what else do you hope to achieve from this can more be done to improve the working environment for doctors and nurses and other stuff at the hospital in this context then most certainly for those who work in the hospital and for those with families having to attend hospital the hospital environment should be seen as a sanctuary of assistance for those seeking help and should also be a safe area in which to work for all of those involved in the hospital staffing so I think it's incumbent on all hospital stakeholders from management right down to security to ensure that they listen and if there's a review or an upgrade required that it's implemented and that up to now we also after what our work health workers went through with COVID you know we have to really really compliment the forbearance of all to date but their safety and their sort of been able to happy and coming to their work and not be worried about I wonder what will happen today How is that achieved do you think because I think the I&MO the I&MO are making similar calls they have in the past so I wonder how we achieve that I think we would all aspire to that Well the answer to resolve it will be all working together and acknowledging that it's the statistics there that there's an issue to be confronted and all parties from management right down to the unions right down to those working in security or for security that they all have a hearing and that they can work together resolve and hopefully and the actions that have been really upsetting that have occurred in emergency departments Another issue we've been tracking here in this programme as of you and other local elected representatives that's the staffing situation at Casual and Accord disability day services in Bongkranha for those who aren't familiar with what's going on there at the moment what is the situation in terms of you know the facilities it could be providing versus what it is providing compared to perhaps maybe pre-COVID what is the story at the moment at Casual and Accord Casual and Accord has reduced access reduced opening when compared to what was previously enjoyed and this has put a significant onus and pressure on families and left service users or clients also challenged that the facility that they were looking forward to enjoy was not open to them but what has been critical is that roles at presently at Casual and Accord roles are currently being covered from existing staff resources within the wider disability services which HSE confirm is impacting capacity and what was very disturbing to hear yesterday that the appointment of management new management which they say is critical for services to be delivered advertised last November now interviews are due to take place this month that's 11 months later almost and I'm hopeful that the period in between now will be used positively to ensure that we can further increase facilities for all those families, clients and that we can put the appropriate mix of staff in situ sooner rather than later. Yeah and that's I think timing is the issue it seems to be in terms of the wording they've given you the right answer this what you've talked about there they say this will review will ensure consideration is given to a staff skill mix which will match to the needs of service users and help towards current to pre-COVID day service levels at the centre so you and they the HSE on the same page it comes down to timing now doesn't it because you know families it is coming down to timing but sitting and listening to councillors from Marlin ahead to Galway who presented HSE officials with items yesterday we found ourselves talking about and I don't like this word but the black hole of the north west as regards enticing employment enticing management enticing personnel to comments and live in our local area and we're at all times promoting Donegal promoting the north west city region promoting the good life that families can have here and that message I still have to put out to and through HSE personnel exactly and you know I suggested in the past maybe you know the council or whatever and maybe media could be involved in it you know some sort of an open day or some sort of a campaign in that regard to take control of the situation ourselves but also does the recruitment process need to be such that maybe someone needs to be paid a little bit more to locate in Donegal elsewhere do you know what I mean maybe the promotion of the area big enough maybe people need more money in their pockets but I don't think the system allows for that Greg the line that the return yesterday that I thought was glaring and requires intensive assessment was recruitment has been challenging to date that's what I've heard in many sectors so it's time HSE other employers lifted the gauntlet and said what is not enabling and enticing people to come into the north west have a good pow wow on it and if it's salary increase fine but it should be matched by all the facilities that we can offer that are on our doorstep and it must be followed up then with appropriate investment from government where we're found to be falling down. Councillor Albert Doherty thanks for your time this morning and I appreciate it back with more after the break cutting through the spin the 9 till noon show on Highland Radio would you like to win a Hyundai corner car well that's the first prize in the St Yunans GA Club development draw who are sponsors of this week's 9 till noon show there's nine other great prizes and tickets are now available online at stunansgadraw.com or any club member the future of public transport is bright with the transport for Ireland network growing and improving throughout the country increased demand for bus travel has led to many exciting new professional bus driver vacancies across a wide range of bus companies driving a bus for a living can offer long term job stability and contributes towards a greener more sustainable community it's time to explore a role in bus driving that moves you and others visit transportforireland.ie to find out more about your family farm if so, Chagask are holding a transferring the farm family clinic and the Rallison Blue Hotel Letter Kenny on Tuesday the 4th of October from 10.30am to 1pm this is an opportunity to meet with local solicitors, accountants, mediators and other relevant parties to help you make a plan for the future you can register for this event at chagask.ie or contact your local Chagask office this is a free event and open to everyone to the largest tree in an awkward place Donnelly Tree Services provide a complete range of tree surgery services whether you need to remove a dangerous tree or some nuisance branches Donnelly Tree Services have the experience and expertise to carry out tree surgery to the highest of professional standards call 083 005 939 Donnelly Tree Services Donegal no job is too small, no tree is too tall Have you an account with Ulster Bank or KBC? Yeah Do you get a social welfare payment into your account? Yep Your bank is leaving the Irish market Yeah, that's right Have you switched to a new bank and updated your new account details with the Department of Social Protection? Hmm, updated You need to let us know your new account details to ensure you continue to get your social welfare payment The quickest way to update your account details is online at mywelfare.ie Oh, okay, thanks Brought to you by the Government of Ireland Attention all farmers Inizhoun Co-operative Society present a beef and sheep information night at the Inizhoun Gateway Hotel on Thursday 29th September at 7.30pm Experts on the night from Inizhoun Co-op Chagosk, Irish Country Meats and Borde Bia followed by Refreshments That's this Thursday a beef and sheep information evening at the Inizhoun Gateway Hotel, Bonkranagh For a real taste of Donegal try some new season potatoes from John Edwards & Sons from Elton Donegal's finest potatoes grown and packed in Remelton by John Edwards & Sons To celebrate National Potato Day watch out for packs at special prices in shops throughout Donegal this week Okay Some of your comments coming in here and I'll tell you we've been really busy on them Didn't this Government truly helped keep the young nurses and doctors in this country they need extra medical staff increased immediately Another arm on disability what is 12 euro per week going to do to help with me I won't be able to pay my energy bill can't be done just not feasible Government should have intervened with these energy companies who runs this country well you will get a series of 200 euro payments towards your electricity bill Ask Deputy Doherty can they do anything about our water supply in the Letcher area broke from buying water Another one here they could have removed the carbon tax now as we're all going to use smokeless coal in terms of the carbon tax it is being offset at the pumps anyway in terms of petrol and diesel the universal social charge was supposed to be an emergency tax to help the country get on its feet surely shouldn't feign should be looking to abolish it all together I just wonder is it so hard grained into the tax system that might be more difficult I don't know Has any of the Government Ministers or any of the TD's any shares or any financial interests in any of the energy companies in Ireland or abroad if they have it's a possible reason as to why they're so opposed to putting a price cap on energy prices well you can go on to I think a price cap on energy prices by the way just be clear on that this is good news for energy companies because the price cap means that you pay if it were introduced say you pay 150 month let's just use that arbitrary figure but if the if it's 250 euro is the actual cost of your electricity the Government would pay the electricity provider the balance ok so they would be insulated in fact the price cap might be even better arguably for energy companies so but in any case by the way you can go on to the website of the or octus and you can go through all of your local TD's or whichever TD's you're interested in there's a declaration of interest if they're all up to date and it'll tell you what they have interests in etc was the back removed for people buying defibs for personal use or for community groups all I heard was the vat from January 1st I believe is being removed from buying defibs so I'm not quite sure in terms of those for personal use or not can someone explain the Susie Grant thing for third level we'll try and get to that a little later on what is the cheapest electricity company to be with on at the moment you can go to some of those comparison sites they will tell you it's complicated sometimes it can be complicated but it depends do you want to do prepay not prepay please ask the lovely minister why what sorry please ask the money lovely minister there why there why they're taking so many pay rises for themselves a few families could live on one of their wages alone they're a disgrace well all of them are whether the government or not are getting pay rises it's linked to public pay deals I'm a pensioner and very happy with the budget one of the best yet peers started can talk but there's no financial qualifications got help Ireland whenever he becomes financial minister I'm not sure I don't know appears to have these financial background of background in finances that being said that is one person happy with the budget who in the right mind would come off on social welfare when they're getting two double doles and a 400 euro fuel allowance they would be out of their mind to look for a job now which is an interesting point ask the minister why and explain why they gave themselves a 6500 euro pay rise and nothing for the people who are struggling with the cost of living how do I claim for fuel allowance and who's entitled to fuel allowance okay we'll try and get a more detailed answer to that one for you the 12 euro should have been added this week not January can we double check when the social welfare 12 euro increase begins this week I was under the impression that that might have been part of a package that starts imminently but we'll I'll get that clarified for you I know some of you listening already know I just want to make sure because all those are asking when does the payment start so we'll try and get an answer to you for that hi Greg if you've already paid the 3000 euro college fees do you get a refund that's another good question I wouldn't mind an answer to hi Greg I know you're on about budget can you please tell me when we get extra money and extra payment stay with me we'll try and get some clarification on that so Caroline Mark will be joining us we have a financial expert to answer those questions right keep them coming into us I'll get to them as we go but listen we've had a heavy enough hour and a half so far let's take some music I want to let you know there's a coffee morning in aid of palliative care in our community of west Donegal today from 10 30 to 12 30 it's just kicked off it's in a temple at crone in Dunlowe please support as every cup counts that's coming in from Donna so if you're in and around Dunlowe get into in a temple crone and get yourself a copper and support that great service important service and also Audrey with Beth in Moneen and Lifford happy birthday 80 today from John and Mary McIntyre in Lifford tickets are now available online at stunansgadraw.com or any club member the cost of living crisis has us living in uncertain times as prices constantly rise it leaves us wondering will everything that goes up always come down with the budget speech comes more uncertainty what impact will it have and what will it mean for you the Irish independent look to answer the important questions in their budget supplement an essential guy that explains how budget 2023 impacts you and your finances you'll find it in Wednesday's Irish independent up close and independent the young bakers are trying to make our Brennan's family pan and be good go viral on something called tiktok to tell Mr Brennan viral tiktok to say I knew a fellow who suffered from that no way sissy but he didn't make a song and dance about it although sissy one thing worth making noise about is that anything baked is better with Brennan's today's bread today at Cooney's home interiors we pride ourselves on offering you the very best in choice quality and value on all home furnishings treat your home with a visit to Cooney's today shoes from our large range of suites, tables, beds not to mention our large selection of home accessories our motto is if you see it you can buy it and we will deliver it to your door Cooney's home interiors Letter Kenny retail park style and perfection at incredible value the Donegal Suffolk Shea Breeders show and sale will take place this Friday 30th of September at Ramlam's Shirley and Ram's and select females available with online bidding via the MartBidUp since she got her free hearing aids with her PRSI at SpexSaver's Roshin is a changed one music has never sounded better and that makes her dance and dance her singing though well free hearing aids with PRSI at SpexSaver's music to your ears find out more online at Volkswagen commercial vehicles the wait is over production is back now your plans can really begin whether that's scaling your business or smartening your service offering with HP Finance from 3.9% purchase contributions of up to 3,000 euro and service plans from 12 euro 99 per month don't wait secure your next caddy cargo transporter 6.1 or crafter at your local Volkswagen commercial vehicles dealer or visit Volkswagen vans.ie be ready to really deliver offers for business customers only finance provided by way of higher purchase agreement from Volkswagen financial services island and subject to lending criteria call into Connelly's Volkswagen letter Kenny today or visit connellys.ie to book a test drive okay we're joined now by financial expert Mark Kyung good morning Mark how are you keeping yeah I'm good Greg new I'm good what's your initial reaction to the budget yourself as you know not a dog in the race politically as such yeah I think it's quite an unprecedented but budget whatever your political hue the continued kind of boom in the multinational companies corporation tax receipts have led to this really unusual situation in the governments whatever color or stripe they might have been would have had billions to spend in this budget so what's really interesting is the way the government has chose to allocate those funds so it is quite a remarkable package overall I mean 11 billion in total 4.1 billion on once off measures and 6.9 billion in permanent measure so there is an awful lot of money sloshing about in this budget talk to me a little bit about corporation tax before we get to some questions the advice is that this is not a tax to be leaned on into the long term in other words you don't plan spending on health and education based on potential long term you know based on corporate tax receipts so why is it such a firstly I mean obviously why did we get this big win for but why is it such an uncertain tax then yeah I mean actually Pascal O'Donoghue did in fairness talk about uncertainty in his budget speech yesterday and just 10 big companies now and provide over 10% of our total tax income so if you imagine if Facebook, Apple and Google up sticks and moved out it would be a massive blow to our national finances I mean we do for all of this tax take still have quite a high level of national debt that's the highest in Europe 2000 per household so although this budget does not in any way add to the national debt unlike the recent budget in the UK they don't even know how much how much it adds how much it's going to cost them it's crazy stuff anyway I'd love to talk a bit about that too but listen we better focus on the budget in the last 24 hours we're in the opposite position so we did in this budget because these taxes are so unreliable we did shift monies and commit to more monies into the national reserve fund or the rainy day fund as I call it so we are putting some of that tax take aside just in case these companies which let's face it they're global companies we have been quite smart and played the game in the way that we've charged corporation tax in Ireland for for recent decades of course what pressure on us potentially having to increase that to 15% as you say we don't know at a whim what these big companies would do there's no necessarily immediate threat to any of these companies departing Ireland but we are so reliant in them it would be foolish foolish of us not to prepare for a life without them yeah and around the world prudent governments have created these rainy day funds for situations like that in Norway for example where they have oil reserves that won't go on for future generations they've done a similar thing I think that is a sensible move by the Irish government not to splurge it all but that said we are splurging quite a lot in this particular budget package I mean it is the largest I think of recent history if not ever so the maximum rate of weekly social welfare payments that is 12 euro and there's proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment January 2023 that kicks in what other payments can people expect in the nearer term in terms of you know the energy payment bonus payments Mark yeah so let me let me just break down kind of into a couple of categories because there's just it's almost a laundry list of small once off pay once off payments incremental once off payments so if we look at energy first so all households will receive the 600 credit that's going to be in three 200 euro instalments so that's the blanket charge to try and deal at least in part with the energy crisis that we have off the back of the situation in Ukraine etc there are a series of more targeted measures to try and get to the households that are perhaps the most hard pressed financially so there's 500 that will go to those families on the working family allowance there's 200 for those on the living loan allowance there's 400 more on the fuel allowance and also there's expanded eligibility bringing that into an extra 80,000 people and then again really to help lessen the impact of the cost of living crisis there's a double double payment in pensions and a double double payment of welfare timeline so the welfare there's a payment an additional payment in early October and one ahead of Christmas in terms do we know when the other payments the electricity payments and the likes of the fuel allowance payments and the bonus for those living alone do we know when those payments are going to be paid? Yeah I mean what's quite unusual usually in a budget the actual measures kick up in the 2023 period that's usually what happens but I think with one eye on the looming crisis and the energy and the coming winter these payments generally have been spread a lot of them are happening or part of them are happening are expected in November and then they'll be kind of split into three chunks so that's that generally some of these are coming a bit sooner than would be normal given the urgency of the cost of living crisis Now some of these questions don't have answers yet and some of them do if you've already paid and I was thinking about this yesterday if you've already paid your 3,000 euro college fees do you get a refund? Yeah you do I'm actually in that situation myself I've got a child in GCU so the actual money will be coming back so you will get a refund on that you don't miss out I mean that is going to feel like a bonus payment to some as well because that would have been dead money written off so if they're getting part of that funded that is not insignificant for families because so many especially in this part of the world Mark and not exclusively either you know they're really having to cut corners to give their young ones the best start in life so that's going to be a nice lift for some families out there No it is Greg and I think that's the other part so I talked about how energy has been supported and how particular that's been targeted there is quite a nice package overall on education there is the third level fees being reduced by a thousand now that's just this year but there is a commitment to do that by 500 ongoing so you've got this mix of kind of a once-offs and some ongoing commitments as well student grants this depends obviously the Susie grant depends on how much you're earning but between 10 to 14% increase a commitment to that depending on your income we've obviously got the free school books for primary school kids and you know that probably opens the door to the inevitable secondary school but not in this budget so just primary school committed at this point and then of course you've got the reduction in child care costs so the way that one's going to work is that will be going to the providers the providers will get an increased level of subsidy so that's 175 a month and the providers are capped the government's stroke is the providers can't increase the prices so they can't pass that on so that should mean a real reduction in terms of child care costs moving forward of about 25% at 175 and the last one in terms of people with kids is child benefit so there'll be an extra payment in November per child so that'll be 140 so again the idea is that if you've got kids then probably the cost of living crisis is hitting you harder so you can kind of see a logic in all of these ones off to try and target it to people with lower income to target it to people who perhaps got higher expenses but of course there will be blind spots in this and there'll be people miss out from a lot of this stuff for two or three euro as well which is unfortunately the way it is easy to discuss who's entitled to the fuel allowance the bans for it a lot of questions coming in on that people a pensioner on a contributory pension are they eligible for the fuel allowance one asks how do I claim for the fuel allowance and who's entitled to it is there an easy answer to that or is that to go through maybe actually don't even know where to direct people well I mean the citizens information do have do have quite a good Caroline we might print out the citizens information details on the fuel allowance if that's alright and we'll bring that to this group they do have quite a good website on that option now the actual criteria for the fuel allowance I has changed so that has expanded to an extra 80,000 people so it is definitely having a look to see whether you fall in that expanded eligibility do we know if students doing a master's will also get the reduction that's quite a specific one I'm not sure we don't want to mislead anyone but it's very specific isn't it it is quite specific but generally I think the intention is that these will apply to third level fees I'm not definite but in principle I wouldn't have seen why not but I'm not 100% sure a lot of upset particularly along the border I'd imagine a lot of students studying in Northern Ireland and unfortunately as it stands they're not going to get any refund or any break on students fees if they're attending the north this caller says me and my partner we are both living in Donegal we pay our taxes to Dublin but our daughters in Queens it's a joke it's not a funny joke but it is a joke that they're not getting and more and more people because the housing crisis in Dublin in particular have looked north not just people kind of on the border regions but right across the country their kids have gone to Queens or the universities in the north so a lot of people will be in that position I mean there's a bit of a fig leaf there has been a little bit of a talk about Simon Harris has mentioned that there might be something done but there's nothing in the package if things aren't at least some way over the line come budget date it would concern me because it just dies away then it's easy to answer this one Mark how will the budget affect a single income family of 6 2 adults 4 children under 30 13 sorry there are salaries around 47,000 so they'll get more of the money in terms of the band being increased to 40 the tax band being increased into 40 presumably where else might they benefit 2 adults 4 children 1 income and all the children are under 13 yeah so I mean it's going to be different in every case but if we just take this as an example case so I mean the average income in Ireland now this is somewhat skewed by those people in the tech companies in Dublin but it's 55,000 so you know it would be a lot of people who will be over the 40,000 Mark due to kind of recent the way the economy has been going so those people there was an increase from the 36,800 band to the 40,000 band so this would apply in this case that would mean that this family would be being taxed at 20% on more of their income in fact the vast majority of their income interestingly enough now with these changes 70% of tax payers will just be charged at 20% which is that's actually significant and it is actually a structural move this isn't a once off once we've moved to this it will be very difficult to move back so that's quite a big change that will put in people's pocket an additional 640 so for this family that's 640 there's also some tweaks on USC and personal tax credits so all in the income of this family will get net of tax will be about 830 more and then in the short term obviously the three electricity payments a double do double welfare payments extend to children's allowance well yeah there is a double an extra one that will be paid in November so that's 140 per child so I think you said four children so that would be eligible as well and then of course you've got the 600 and then depending on where the kids are in education there's some package changes there so I mean really if people are running over 40,000 they're probably looking at 1.5 to depending on how many children if they are kind of in receipt of wealth then these packages do add up to around 2000 there is a kind of a blind spot in the middle of people who are earning below 40,000 who perhaps aren't renting the so called box room generation who are living with their parents who potentially miss out entirely on everything so there's also a sense to this budget in the last 30 seconds Mark please that given what's being announced that you know if someone is on social welfare it might discourage them from going into employment particularly you know a lot of the jobs for instance in our region here maybe minimum wage or slightly above it do you see that as an issue as the government trying to get more people back to work is it maybe getting even more attractive to be on welfare I think it is a slight risk but I think generally this tends to get over exaggerated because once you start on the working ladder then there's other opportunities and less than 5% of people are unemployed in this country so it's a little long term unemployed you know we are at effectively full employment you could argue Mark listen thanks for all your time MoneySherpa founder of people can search moneysherpa.ie or .com isn't it moneysherpa.ie and they offer loads of different services Mark thanks for being back on the show again I really appreciate it Lisa Hone is part of the Micah Action Group committee and a home owner and we're going to ask Lisa Lisa good morning you're going to ask you about this 10% levy I mean it's insult to injury if you're a Micah home owner if you ever got on this scheme and got it working and you do have to contribute it's a 10% tax or it also reduces potentially the value of any grants that available if people could access them what's the feeling from your perspective the Micah Action Group's perspective on this levy on the industry it's just a huge sense of frustration I mean effectively when the state messes up people pay and the reaction from CAF Rep we heard speaking yesterday after the announcement for the budget was it's very clear that this is going to be passed straight down to consumers it's going to be a double whammy as you rightly point out although they're trying to rebuild their homes it's another layer of cost that they're going to have to take into account and still we've got queries to last year who we know supplied defective products into areas reporting multi-billion profits reacting to this news this morning the head of the Irish Home Builders Association he described the defective block scandal that were enduring here in Donegal and 13 other counties he said my understanding is it's some one-off houses in Donegal can you imagine being the head of the Irish Home Builders Association and that is as much as you are across this scandal Leo Vrachar also incidentally today said he's frustrated there hasn't been any prosecutions of people involved in making defective concrete blocks which in part led to the new concrete levy in budget 2023 none of that but it's the past it's really because this is a levy on the industry really it's a levy on us Lisa it absolutely is and it just goes back to what I said straight off where the state messes up the people pay so you've got not one quarry closed not one prosecution the same light touch regulation in place that was in place when this whole scandal occurred and may still be going on because we have industry professionals still reporting regulatory breaches that they believe are ongoing as recently as June 2022 and as witnesses to the housing community hearing so it's a real it's a joke to be honest and I think it's a PR exercise sorry I think it's a PR exercise and window dressing on behalf of the government it makes them look like they're doing something or they can spout about it you know when Dura is standing in the doll ongoing but in terms of actually addressing the heart of the matter in terms of actually addressing those who are responsible with consequences and accountability and actually making them account for their behavior and actually making sure that this cannot go on into the future it does not address any of that not to mention that the banks do a laughing as they're being bailed out again and the insurance companies are laughing at the scheme because even if you return your house to what it was before and you still have sort of an internal leaf with mica or your foundation may have mica they won't actually give you house insurance they're completely uncontrolled and as I say they aren't taking this scheme at all seriously obviously and the banks are laughing at it yeah there's no incentive there's no incentive there for any of the parties any of the stakeholders that should be accountable in this situation okay we've lost our connection to Lisa Hohn there she's part of the mica action group committee and a homeowner as well we will of course be speaking to Lisa and more reps from that group that committee in the future but we'll take a break and head to the news we got what Lisa had to say they're not happy needless to say because how could you be looking at it offers easy to arrange funeral insurance with no medical required and fixed premiums for Republic of Ireland residents age between 50 and 75 call us today on 0818 222222 or visit on postinsurance.ie at Hickey Clark and Langan insurance broker they compare quotes from all the leading insurers so you get a great price home, motor and van farm, holiday home, travel and liability insurance they quote them all so if the worst happens you're covered for a competitive insurance quote today called Hickey Clark and Langan on 912688 or pop into their office at Bally McCool Letter Kenny Hickey Clark and Langan general insurance is limited trading as Hickey Clark and Langan is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland gives you unrivaled reassurance a 12 month warranty and roadside assistance age and mileage verification all original Audi parts for repairs and replacements and that's all after our rigorous 110 point check Audi Approved Plus living progress in every detail contact your Audi dealer and choose your used car today attention all farmers in his own cooperative society present a beef and sheep information night at the Ineshaun Gateway Hotel on Thursday the 29th of September at 7.30pm experts on the night from Ineshaun Co-op Chagosk, Irish Country Meats and Borde Bia followed by refreshments that's this Thursday a beef and sheep information evening at the Ineshaun Gateway Hotel Bonkranagh thanks Greg good morning the tanish just says he's frustrated there have been no prosecutions of people involved in making defective blocks it comes after the government introduced a 10% levy on concrete in yesterday's budget the 80 million euro raise will be partly used to fund the defective blocks from mediation scheme Enterprise Minister Leo Veragger says he would like to see more action taken against those responsible for making defective blocks a 74-year-old letterkinny farmer has been fined and banned from keeping animals for 10 years after being convicted of a number of animal cruelty offenses at letterkinny district court this week sentence was passed on Leslie Stewart of the Thorn Letterkinny he pleaded guilty to 16 of 30 charges at a previous court sitting Gardie recalled to letterkinny University Hospital a total of 21 charges he pleaded guilty to hospital a total of 21 times during a need month period this year Councillor Albert Dordie says the force responding to the calls from the hospital security between January 1st and September 12th is 21 times is too much it leads to calls for security upgrades to be implemented at the hospital meanwhile over 35,000 people waited over 24 hours in emergency departments in the first 7 months of this year nearly 12,000 people aged over the age of 75 the number of patients on trolleys in letterkinny university hospital's emergency department increased almost 45% last month figures show there are 136 people without a bed at the hospital during August a dunigal deputy believes the budget has failed to help middle income families who are facing into a difficult winter deputy Thomas Pringle believes the government missed the chance to provide doctors to assist those who really need it by instead using a blanket approach and finally the prosecution of a British soldier in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday is to resume today in Belfast soldier F is facing charges of murder and attempted murder in relation to one of the worst attacks during the troubles that's all for now we'll be back with a news update again at 12 noon it's time to visit DMG Motors Dunigaltown as we have a great selection of quality approved scota and see ad used cars which are serviced, cleaned and ready to go with finance available and cars to suit all budgets let us help you upgrade your car today for more information call DMG Motors on 074 97 21 396 or view our current use stock on dmgmotors.ie fancy a lunch out today Kelly's diner and other Kenny have a menu packed with great value selections and there's also specials every day or enjoy a three course Sunday lunch from 12 to 3 for just 16 75 take a seat for the best value lunch in town at Kelly's award-winning diner mountaintop better Kenny hello everybody it's me Tommy Ternan I'm playing the Mount Eregal Hotel on Saturday the first of October with me brand at comedy show Tom Fulery tickets are 35 quid from Ticketmaster.ie don't you dare miss it if you're in business and you need to accept car payments Anpost offer the best value in car payment solutions saving Irish businesses on average 25% on current costs it's fast and easy to set up or switch your money hit your account the next day call Anpost on 1-800-300-150 or email car payments at www.ticketmaster.ie and start accepting car payments today Paul Clappy tours are delighted to announce that we're heading back to sunny Spain for a second week in June 2023 and once again staying at the luxury bro so hotel complex it is Spain from June 15th to 22nd joining Paul for this unforgettable week will be some of Ireland's best love entertainers Michael English and his band and many friends and sitting friend and shine Dominic Kerwin, John McNichol, Jerry Guthrie Jim Devine, John Hogan, the Stephen Smith band The Conquerors, John Wilson, John Maloy the price is only 1,079 euro half board plus tax and insurance call 01685 2244 or see paulclaffytours.com and don't miss the holiday of a lifetime win 20,000 euro in the big Finharps stadium draw yes 20,000 euro in cash is the first prize with 5 other great prizes also up for grabs tickets are only 20 euro or get 3 for 50 euro at finharps.ie or from any club member okay good morning Minister Charlie Mcconnellogue thanks for joining us today good morning Greg good to have you with us okay I want to talk to you about the impact this will have particularly those affected by your departments but a quick word from you on this 10% concrete levy which doesn't also affect the farming community particularly through the TAM scheme but we were speaking to briefly to a rep from Michael little earlier on they feel like it's a slap in the face that this is just going to be going to make fixing defective block affected homes more expensive and it's going to lump a charge on first time buyers and anyone really who's looking to build something and all for 80 odd million yeah well first of all I suppose just on the general budget Greg I think the government obviously brought the budget forward two weeks so that we would give certainty to families in advance of the autumn and the winter and going into the spring in terms of the support that would be in place of them and I think in terms of the overall package it isn't it's impressive in this nature and the scale and that's because of the challenges that's there and the government has sought to strike a balance between strong supports both for those that avail of welfare as supports and payments and also those who are working to and also then in relation to educational costs for example health costs childcare costs many of your constituents will have students studying in Queens in Derry they won't avail of or be able to avail of a reduction in third level fees does that seem fair to you as you represent a lot of these people well there will be supports there obviously in relation to student grants Greg obviously payments doesn't include what happens in Northern Ireland that's the matter for the Northern Irish Government well not really these people living in Dalygold they're paying their taxes in Dublin and their students are studying on the same island should the government not have considered the impact this would have on the likes of many of your constituents who have students in the north why should those families not benefit from this we can't just pass the buck to the N.I. authorities the government has done a lot and looked across all of the remits within which we have responsibility for Greg to try and relieve the pressure on families now for the course of the next year but a verting answer on that question is not helpful Minister I'm not a verting answer answering the question Greg I'm simply pointing out to you that the government have looked at all of the things that are within our control that we can actually help to address in relation to support in families over the next number over the next year one of those things is the student maintenance grant which is being improved significantly there will be a double payment of the student maintenance grant which students attending Northern Ireland do avail of this autumn but one of the things we don't control is obviously what the charges are charged by the Northern Irish Government and that's outside of a remit but across all of the sector for this education, childcare cost of living I think the package that we put in has been about trying to work to support families through the months and the year ahead and I think overall the strikes are a really good balance in relation to providing unprecedented support given the unprecedented challenges we have but also managing the overall government budget and the economy as well in its way that's sensible because obviously the basis in which we can actually do these measures is the fact that the economy has been well managed and well handled and that's central and it's obviously going to be more important as well given the international backdrop over the course of the next year so I think across the board Greg the support package in the budget yesterday was one which was provides very strong support but much needed support to families in terms of what is the challenging time Public care we're getting quite a few positive texts in relation to that and some people have differing views on that and that's yours just as it relates to this levy though on people this new levy on people looking to rebuild their microaffected homes those looking to build non-microaffected homes of course the impact it will have in terms of agriculture on the TAM scheme were you in favour of this 10% levy on concrete blocks and poured concrete as the government announced whenever we introduced the maker scheme back a number of months ago that we announced that stage that we would be introducing a levy and construction in order to pay for that because obviously there's a massive commitment and a really important commitment from the government to actually implement the scheme as something that we're focused on making sure it happens and unlocking the challenges that are there at the moment in terms of administration of it but central to that Greg obviously is the fact that it has to be paid for and this 10% levy I think provides the security and the long-term certainty around an income stream to make sure that there's funding available to fund the maker scheme and the private scheme so obviously it will the estimation in relation to house prices is potentially it could add between half just somewhere between half and 1% to the cost of building a house obviously it can have challenges in relation to all types of construction building could be three or four grand per house it could be one and a half grand one of the challenges you have the government is you have to make things all come together you have to make things add up you have to deal with income what about maybe not going to maybe those who made the blocks and getting them to pay what about maybe getting the banks to pay you know of course there are other ways that doesn't impact the homeowner that some of this money could be recouped but the government doesn't seem to want to go after banks Charlie I wonder why that is well the attorney general is exploring all those options and some of them are challenging they are being explored and the minister for housing has made that clear I think from a homeowner's point of view Greg and this is something the government is absolutely committed to in relation to actually delivering on the Micah scheme but it's the central to that is actually paying for it so what this does is actually ensures that there is going to be a clear income stream which supports the payment and the fixing of people's homes do you think there could have been an argument for making those who are do you think this could be a strong argument for anyone after this those who are repairing or rebuilding defective block homes do you think there could have been a strong argument for they to be exempt from this level well I think the reality is this is going to apply to people right across the country and the funding is then going to be used to actually fix homes in those counties which are most effective ours most of all so while it is going to be a challenge for everyone doing purchasing concrete it's a necessary step by the government to ensure that the funding is in place to drive through and deliver on the Micah scheme and there isn't it's not that we can for all of the steps we take in terms of the management of the economy we have to deal with the income side as well as the expenditure side there will always be plenty of suggestions in relation to how you should spend the money but very very few suggestions in relation to how you actually would deliver the income but of course the government has to mind is the national portion that we guard and one of the key things we have to do and we're determined to do and that I've been driving all the time at the government level on behalf of homeowners is actually delivering on the Micah scheme and this was the way that was agreed when the scheme was published that it would be paid and I think it's welcome that we're now actually seeing it run into legislation so that that's certainly around the income stream still fixing homes and for homeowners will be there right in terms of agriculture what do you think the big headlines are from your perspective being able to apply for the business energy support scheme I presume that's that's going to be welcome and also the extension of the agricultural tax-free five in number I believe they would you to expire this year they've been extended and some financial support for modernizing storage facilities are those the headlines for you what impact might they have what else were you able to secure for farmers yeah I think those are all important measures and I think particularly the inclusion of farm business farm families in relation to the energy support scheme is going to be important and that confirmation that all farms will be eligible for that we fought hard to secure that over the last couple of weeks and that is now there but also then there's been real costs in the farming sector as a result of the legal invasion of Ukraine particularly in relation to the feed side and also the fertilizer side and also the energy side so the energy support will help deal with the energy side then in relation to feed and fertilizer I've had some schemes introduced during the course of this year which I've secured funding for now to continue so for example the fodder support scheme which is delivering up to a thousand euro per family farm to support the costs particularly around fertilizer and also contractor costs in relation to making hay and silage this year that was in place I've now got secured that again for next year and also will be making a forward payment on that at the end of this year to farmers for next years to help them prepare for the year ahead likewise the tillage scheme and will also continue but then in relation to many of the new cap cap programs and cap schemes which are starting the first year of five now in January those schemes are all been significantly improved from the outgoing caps so and I secured funding in the budget for that so for example the beef scheme which would be particularly important for farmers across Donegal that will be paying a hundred and fifty euro in the first ten cows now compared to ninety on the outgoing scheme and that will be starting in January and also secured the continuation of the beef S scheme which again is important for farmers in Donegal which is you know which were beef and sucklers are particularly important and likewise in relation to the new cheap welfare scheme that will be in place for the year ahead as well but I think importantly particularly given the additional challenges that are there from a cost point of view the fodder scheme and the the tillage scheme will be important for next year too Minister Charlie McConnel thanks for your time this morning Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine and we appreciate him as we do all I guess taking time out to join us on this show Text or WhatsApp your view to Greg on 086 60 25000 Would you like to win a Hyundai Kona car? 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Call costs may vary and calls from mobiles may not be free. Ulster Bank Ireland DAC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Excellent. Driven by the employee's voice the Employer Excellence Program recognises employers who consistently create better workplaces for their employees. Attract and retain top talent. Shine the spotlight on your business. The Employer Excellence Program learn more at Folgerarland.ie From three, all Deluxe Burgers with chips and a soft drink are only $15.95. For endless choice and value pull into Kelly Steiner at Mountaintop Leverkenny. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and fish some of the popular home pets that need caring attention every day at Gary's Pet World are fully trained staffer here to help you and your pets. We offer great advice and value on all foods, accessories, grooming and care products with incredible offers on all leading brands. Shop in store at Gary's Pet World, let a Kenny retail park open seven days per week or browse and buy 24 seven at petworld.ie Thinking of changing your car for a new car? Get ahead of the queue. It's time to order your new 2023 Kia today. With an award winning range of vehicles your next car will be a Kia we are sure of it. Visit Leverkenny or Malin or iMotors.ie The Queen of Country and Irish Margo comes home to Donegall for one night only. Join Margo live and concert in the Mount Derrigal Hotel Leverkenny on Thursday the 6th of October. Welcome back and it's time for Wellness Wednesday now and this Saturday is International Day of the Older People and to coincide with it we're launching or are we launching it now? It's been launched Voop which is Voice of the Older Person's user launching it in the resource centre in Leverkenny on Saturday from 2pm until 6pm. It's time for Wednesday now and this Saturday is International Day of the Older Person's user launching it on Saturday from 2pm until 4pm. Join by two guests in the studio now firstly Maurice Levin centre coordinator in the Congress Resource Centre in Leverkenny good morning to you. It's great to have you with us and we also can welcome in to Katie Byrne a volunteer with Voop good morning Katie how are you? Good morning Greg. It's good to have both of you with us. Let's start with you Marie talk to us then about Voop. Yeah well first of all Greg I must just correct you there the launch will be in the public service building in Leverkenny from 2pm to 4pm this Saturday the 1st of October. Thanks for that, sorry about that. No that's okay. We'll clarify that a number of times. Yeah in the public service building. Well first of all to talk about the Voop project. Well I'm coming to your retirement age myself I suppose I'm 64 past and I've worked at the Resource Centre for 24 years and a lot of people that worked with us over the years are now retired and they still keep in touch with the Centre and Michael Breslin who would have given a lot of information over the years on pensions and that and I suppose because of the Covid and that we've just found that a lot of older people are feeling a bit isolated and have been out of touch and sometimes don't know where to go to. Links have been broken I think is what happened a lot of the time hasn't it? Links between people and organisations or links between people and everyone's come out of this slightly different there's still some people incredibly cautious that are holding back themselves. Yeah so it's about rebuilding that. Yes and a lot of people know that we're there like they can ring us at any time if they need any help or any information. They don't necessarily have to come into the Centre you know we have trained information providers there and what we're also finding a lot of people have great difficulty trying to get through to service providers they're ringing and ringing their credits used up and they can't get the answers that they need. So the other thing that we like to do is link up with the existing service that is there like the active retirement groups all around the county You don't want to be double jobbing you want to make sure you complement each other rather than sort of compete. Yeah exactly the more people help in the better because we're lucky we have the premises there and we would like to call on the groups to avail of the premises and the facilities we have you know. Casey do you want to talk a little bit about sort of Covid post Covid and its impact on older people? Yeah I think for me my background's healthcare so I went into the Centre basically a few months ago to get a bit of support have a chat sort of age related and everything else and I came away and I thought we had a conversation over a cup of tea and I had done our recent masters and I looked at human rights and older people as my dissertation as my piece for that and we got talking and we got to talk about what's happening generally and the lessons we needed to learn as an organisation as society and one of the things that has come out now is the fact that for the first time in global history there are less children being born and there are more older people and that's going to change demographics and it's new it's just beginning to happen and I think what we want to do is to start a conversation about getting older and ageing and doing it right. It seems more challenging now and correct me wherever I'm wrong but like say for instance in terms of moving towards a cashless society I think that's going to impact older people not all older people by the way mad at tapping particularly in the pub but you know what I mean it can disproportionately affect older people the closing of post offices guarder stations it seems acceptable that older people may have to wait 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 hours to be seen at an accident and emergency department also to a lot of the questions I find being asked in the media are pitching younger people against older people as if to say older people are a burden on these people so you add in the narrative and then you add in the realities and you add in the gaps in services and I've only touched on some it seems the life our respect and appreciation of older people we are going backwards and I think there's a lot of older people out there today and I do everything I can on this program to try and refer to that very easy stuff am I a burden now? to make a problem there's too many people getting old and we're living longer and we're slightly healthier I mean is that a reality do you think at least a perception that's really what we need to combat and what you're saying is some of the key organisations around the world are beginning to say so World Health Organization and the United Nations they've got a real a thing going now to combat ageism and you're right we need to start looking at what we even think about getting older and our older populations and how we stereotype them and then from that what we feel about it and you're right do they feel burdensome do we feel they're a burden and then the acts that come about the discrimination and if we don't challenge it if we don't challenge ageism then we won't get the things right like you're right a health service that fits everybody in society we don't give the credit to many older people that provide childcare services so that many women now have to work there's not a choice and a lot of that is met by older people the fact that many young people are supported by the first home and I think too also as well some gaps like in childcare for instance I think a lot of grandparents are presumed to be the de facto childcare is that that's what you do when you get to a certain age you're not working anymore that's what grandparents do generationally back it's not like that but do you square off to your daughter or your son actually I had other plans I love my grandchildren but I love to hand them back and I think that all just feeds into maybe a perception Marie I don't have that problem I don't have any grandchildren which actually makes me posing the question a little bit more comfortable that's what they do I could say it would be a problem for some parents this is the time of life we probably for the first time ever have some time to yourself and want to make the most of your retirement and of course you don't want to let your children down so you can understand how people are torn there is a balance to be struck it's just the presumption of something we like doing things but we don't want to be presumed to be presumed that we would just wonder is even some of those closest we lose a bit of respect for us and I think we need to change that I think it's all part of what we've been talking about so far today I think respect for our older people is sort of it's been declining over the years what we're trying to do is to help people to prepare for the retirement to be smart for themselves we don't want a cliff edge I suppose myself and Kate in recent years have had experience like my mum has dementia and Kate's mum is she's in good health but she's in her early 90s but we don't know what we're going to be ourselves it's terrible too we all age but you kind of age say the neck is the line you either age from the neck up don't you age from the neck down it's funny how it goes isn't it it is a bit scary but the thing is to sort of get as much information as you can while you can prepare for the future as best you can looking at what care is possible that you might need in the future looking at the legal aspects like power of attorney I'm getting ahead of it too I think we can get regardless of what age you are the anticipation of something is often worse than itself and people think there's people still reluctant to write a will because they believe they believe it's in some way some sort of acceptance of their own mortality or whatever their motivation might be but we avoid it because we don't like talking about death then you can see sometimes the complications that are raised in families because people didn't prepare I'm meandering all over the place why did you come here to sit and talk about I suppose what we want to say is that we want to create something around the voice of older people and we want to do it so that one it informs everybody in society the people but also that informs policy and the people that are in a position to influence and implement does our national development plan account for older people in terms of rural transport in terms of rural living and all older people don't live in rural areas don't get me wrong but when you look at the national development plan does it factor those things in and I wonder does it enough has it taken enough account of it in terms of social care what are we looking at and what sort of society do we want if we look at other countries we can learn from them and like it or not our population is going to change and our population is aging so I think the fact is we want to start a conversation about age and aging a lot of that is going to be done through talk shops workshops talking about some of the things you've talked about really important things power of attorney living wills I mentioned that as well your health, age and planning stuff in a good environment with useful so you come out of it with something rather than you've left something behind you is that what you're hoping to achieve Marie? yeah we're hoping to bring people together and get them talking really that's what we want and as kids we would like professionals retired professionals to join us because it's there's a wealth of knowledge and such experience people just because they're retired in a very positive way and that's what we want to bring older people together and show you know the skills that they've built over the years to share those skills with each other but I'm going to the blank now I think yeah we do want to have the launch when you go blank this is a tip Marie when you go blank don't say it this is a tip now for the next time you just look at Katie and then it's over to you Katie I never admit Marie never admit going blank I tend to do it sometimes now I think apart from the launch and we have got a little bit of media coverage and it's fantastic that you've invited us on and some of the papers hopefully are going to pick up on it and that will impress and influence hopefully the funders and people will begin to listen to this but the other thing we want to do is to run a sort of series of you know bringing people together and Marie's right about this whether we call them information sessions or whatever but things like you know healthy aging I mean if we could get a couple of GPs that would come along with us that would be fantastic come in and talk about you know prevention we've talked about it with children we did a piece last week about heart failure in older people you know and it was literally all the advice was actually was when you go to the GP get them to stick the stethoscope on you listen and it's so treatable so many people suffer from it heart attack and if they hopefully survive it's going to have an impact on their life going forward but if the GP picks this up with a stethoscope there's quite a simple process that you go through whereby your your energy is returned to you your breath is returned to you and similarly last week as well we've talked about COPD it's about getting that information out there and getting us in control of our health to ensure if we're blessed with long life that we're able to enjoy it as healthy as possible so the other things we have to do is start this conversation and Marie's right the thing about getting older and as you said the head up but things like power of attorney ward ships which are going to be sort of historical fairly soon having said that the capacity act's been there since 2015 and it's only just been enacted now but we need to know about it and things like pensions and benefits you know what are you entitled to exactly you know that's a complex question here Greg do you know if there's any updates on the fair deal scheme for elderly care at home like we're going to try and get an answer and deliver that to the listener but that's a complex question you know what I mean and where do you go to find that out right so the day the international day of the older people crazy that we actually have to have a specific date but we are where we are and then the launch of VOOP talk what's this VOOP news here this is a little newsletter that we put together in the centre loads of info in the back I would like to thank Michael Breslin who worked in the centre made it a good article layer on pensions and British pensions that people would be interested in and also Mary Higgins who works in the regional employment service in the centre Mary gives some information on the employment service that they provide and job seeking people may still want to work part-time when they receive in their pensions it has to be choice though, not to be coerced into that exactly great I have my concerns about this new staggered system that SEVENTEEN now becomes really the default and if you want to go earlier you're going to have to take a financial hit but anyway that's another convo isn't it people know how the fair out if they do want to work a day or two a week and also there's a bit there about self-employment imagine how exciting that might be you've always dreamed of doing something or if you've wanted to pursue photography, personal development imagine if you want to get into yoga or meditation exactly just sharing information and what's available really that's what the newsletters say and get us back connected again as much as people are comfortable with we need to be starting from at least where we were at pre-COVID don't we? so when is the launch taking place and where? well it's this Saturday 1st of October in the public service building in Lederkenny from 2 to 4pm it sounds going to be a nice positive we're going to have a wee bit of crack we'll have a cup of tea and traybakes and that will come in it'll get a bit of people laughing and we have Pat McGart who is very supportive very entertaining Pat's going to be our emcee and a few speakers there and we'll have a bit of crack just to let people know too if they can't make it on the day if there are any concerns about their pension or they want a bit of information to ring the centre we as much as we could try and get the message across it's not a deal for anyone but if anyone out there is of an older age maybe they've lost their partner maybe their kids are busy and they come in frequently but they live and die for that visit and stuff there's never a lot of people they don't have to feel like that because there's people like you great people like you that are there if you can get in see what's happening in your area maybe you might network there's no I don't think anyone should feel or should try and avoid anyone feeling like they're sitting at home waiting for that next visit or even excited that the postman might call today do you know what I mean we shouldn't have that should we that's what we want to do let people know what's available and if people want to call the centre how do we do so well it's 0749120 we'll be happy to take the calls if we can and stay engaged with us as well too if it helps in reaching people I want people to look forward with hope and excitement not feel like they're running down the clock not insensitively but there are some out there no one in this room but you know what I mean just to make sure people don't feel like that just none of us would be here without those that went before okay vouping it up I'm not sure that's going to catch on is it I'm making a shake they've already got merch folks they've already got merch you can get your voup t-shirts we made them some Saturday available if you give me one I'll wear it that's brilliant in front of the camera we'll definitely get them 100% I'll do anything to help and support that I can get along to the launch between 2pm and 4pm you can see by the likes of Mary and Katie the type of people that are involved in this it's about positivity moving forward maybe facing some stuff we don't want to face having conversations that are a little bit difficult but you know what you'll feel better after having a wee bit of crack do you know having a wee bit of crack Marie 7 centre coordinator Congress Resource Centre Pierce Road and also Katie and you did a Masters recently Katie in what was your area of speciality it was an access to justice it was a Masters in law and because my background was healthcare and because of my looking after my mother and everything else my dissertation ended up being on something else to do and do you know what you're never too old to go back to 3rd level educating that's something else life I'm learning we should be you know there's a lot to offer it's been lovely having the two of you in thank you so much let's take a break Kieran is going to be joining us with business matters in a couple of minutes we'll be right back we'll be right back we'll be right back farmers you're built different one step after the other you don't see the rewards for months or years that's life on the farm or you could say that's life in rehab when you're learning to walk after a machinery injury one step after the other you don't see the rewards for months or years just because you have the strength to see you through rehab it doesn't mean you should have to farmers always take care around machinery from the health and safety authority forward slash farm safety I can't stop thinking about them I keep re-reading their all texts Brian, Brian this has gotta stop it's been months and they send those alerts to everyone you know that right look your bank is leaving but you gotta get back out there listen to me any bank will be lucky to have you especially Bank of Ireland really? yeah they've even put together a simple step-by-step guide to move on banks and have a dedicated team trying to help even an ending could be a new beginning to start finding your new banking partner download our step-by-step guide to move on banks search Bank of Ireland big move begin Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland join the Highland Roadshow from 11.30 until to this 30 September 29th as we team up with Boss Aaron to celebrate their customer day at the Lettercanny Boss Station we have a cracking music mix and some great merchandise to give away on the day the Highland Roadshow this Thursday morning from 11.30 at the Lettercanny Boss Station Sabrina Robb here from Donegal Hearing Clinic if you're struggling to hear everyday conversations or find it difficult to understand people in a crowded room you may have hearing loss problems like these are common and we're used to helping people resolve them we offer hearing assessments and we'll discuss your options you can call us on 074 91 88 or call us on 07470 or visit DonegalHearingClinic.ie life sounds brilliant with Donegal Hearing Clinic Lettercanny and Bunkranna Charlie McLaughherty Funeral Directors serving Lettercanny and the surrounding areas for over 100 years Charlie McLaughherty Funeral Directors and our family take care of your family and guide you through a difficult time a public service message from Donegal County Council These soldiers and building owners in areas susceptible to wildfires are advised to cut back or remove any vegetation or other combustible material in the vicinity of their house building or oil tank to prevent wildfires damaging or destroying their property cleared areas should be maintained free of vegetation and combustible material Donegal County Council protecting your environment You know what I love about Lettercanny Shopping Centre Let me guess, great women's wear Kitchen shopping? Well then, Tesco's offers are me getting against coffee and pastries the latest magazines, cosmetics or health foods? OK, free parking, late night shopping Thursday and Friday gifts, homewares, phones, shoes kitchen gadgets, jewellery OK, OK, closer still What do you love about Lettercanny Shopping Centre? It's all under one roof and right on my doorstep Lettercanny Shopping Centre so much choice, open 7 days or visit LettercannySE.com At Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles the wait is over production is back now your plans can really begin whether that's scaling your business or smartening your service offering with HP Finance from 3.9% purchase contributions of up to 3,000 euro and service plans from 12.99 per month don't wait secure your next Caddy Cargo Transporter 6.1 or Crafter at your local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer www.volkswagenvans.ie be ready to really deliver offers for business customers only finance provided by way of higher purchase agreement from Volkswagen Financial Services Ireland and subject to an ending criteria Call into Connolly's Volkswagen Lettercanny today or visit connolly's.ie to book a test drive Business Matters in association with the Faculty of Business at ATU Donegal looking for a career in financial services consider the level 9 MA in governance and IT and financial services take the next step in your career and contact the exec ed coordinator on 9186206 or email execedexeced at atu.ie today I always seem to jump the gun on that promo but anyway good to have I'm glad the mic wasn't up when you were singing your continent version of a wee song there during the break I might release a single yet what do you think? I'll go for it charity single pick another song alright come here great news for the Red Castle Oceanfront Golf and Spa Hotel yes it has been awarded the best four star hotel and gold resort in Donegal in the 2022 Resort and Retreat Awards by Lux Life area this year the initial hotel three of its rooms and the wedding and function set which is the ocean set overlooking Locke Foyle was also upgraded and that cost a total of half a million euros so the Red Castle Hotel is part of the hardcore collection which also includes Titanic Hotel and Belfast and the Locke S Castle in Donegal Town great recognition because there's some competition even around our country yeah and it's great to see it the Tip O'Neill awards ceremony took place in the last week yeah I know the news covered as well in the last week Greg some of Donegal and Erin's finest were recognized for their outstanding contributions to society, culture, health care, the arts and business at the Tip O'Neill Awards ceremony held in Bunkrana those honoured included Maya Daherty Dr Susan Horsky, Kathleen Sheeran and Anne and Mark Bayara the Tip O'Neill Awards ceremony began in 2012 and that was to mark the centenary of the birth of Thomas P Tip O'Neill whose maternal grandparents healed from Donegal, Bunkrana and Clonmani respectively and was an American politician who served as a speaker of the US House of Representatives so a very well and highly regarded man alright now major e-commerce awards for a Evolve Evolve clothing located at the McKinney Retail Park has won the Fashion and Footwear e-commerce website of the year award for 2022 accepting the award at a recent reception at the Imagine House Hotel in Dublin the McCuskey brothers said it was a testament to their online team and the work they do each day above and beyond so Evolve launched its new website back in 2018 with the help of ARP commerce and built for growth digital and the brothers also said that their help played a big part in securing what is a very prestigious and the gutting that really in terms of switching not switching sorry but a focus an online focus just ahead really of the exactly there was a big push but they were ahead of the curve I'm sure if it wasn't in place maybe it just might have been as good for them alright now more Donegal success at the Irish restaurant awards yeah there were three Donegal winners in the Irish restaurant awards for 2022 Kieran Swinney who's based at the old Glen Bar won the Best Chef and Ulster Award the Rusty Mackerel, Pub and Teedon scooped the best Gastro, Pub and Ulster while Shant Pour in the restaurant and Donegal Town won the Best World Cuisine and Ulster so I think it's important Greg that we sort of mention those on our way round up because sure and I don't eat out very often but I have been in two of the three of those I just haven't visited the Rusty Mackerel but what Kieran's doing at the old Glen Bar is something else it's a dining experience because food is lovely and it's lovely to go out and meet friends but it's an experience they do great things there at the old Glen Bar and of course the Shant Pour Indian restaurant in Donegal Town regular award winner so they're really consistent in that regard right okay let's go agricultural yeah Donegal County Council will host a hemp information evening on Wednesday October the 12th at the Canary Hotel in Leroy, Kenny so this farm diversification diversification event will feature a range of speakers who will demystify some of the perceptions around the crop there will also be an opportunity to hear about live projects in this developing sector and those interested can email info at Donegal.ie well there's one very clear misunderstanding of the crop that might need to be demystified but anyway yes good man alright let's get on to this this week's podcast which went live at 11.30 by the way it did it didn't last week I thought you tried to regroup your laptop the one week it was in time I had to come on but on this week's show Greg I'll be joined by well-being coach and founder of the One Good Hour in Leroy, Kenny Mary Bradley Mary has been teaching at Leroy Leroy, Kenny for the last 10 years she began meditating in her early 20s and earlier this year she decided to set up her own business and that was to help people release the stress of everyday life and become a camera and more content version of themselves during our conversation I asked Mary how the first 6 months of being in business have been it's a roller coaster so you have to be so motivated in yourself and I am very motivated and I am very passionate but of course you meet so many stumbling blocks along the way and it's that you have to be able to talk to yourself and talk yourself around of these things like I said you end up telling yourself stories that are good enough nobody is interested in this I'll just leave it now nobody is bothered and you have to kind of quiet in that inner critic and just there's so many different versions of why something has happened and often they have nothing to do with you the other big thing that I think is just remaining aligned with what is important to me why I am doing what I am doing sometimes you can I don't know if it's the same for other people but you can end up trying to force things a little bit and then I find myself stepping back then and be like why do I want that thing to happen so badly is that really aligned with what I am about and what I want to do or is it just something I feel like I should be doing or am I doing these things for the right reasons was that one of those interviews Kieran I know you come away with something from all your interviews because of the type of people that you interview but you come away thinking maybe something has been triggered there a little bit one of the things that Mary referred to and she said she killed it herself is actually spending maybe half an hour endlessly scrolling and the time that we could maybe use that 30 minutes or an hour every now and again to sort of tune in with ourselves and just maybe try and maybe go a bit easier on ourselves I think sometimes we do need to sit down with ourselves there's a lot of people I probably count myself one of them that sort of operates at a certain level of stress and anxiety and do you know what I mean if I were diagnosed I probably would be diagnosed as both of those things but you function do you know what I mean and you accept it and I would say someone like Mary and sort of looking after you well being and talking to yourself you could probably start seeing the woods for the trees and start realizing I realized it at some time you're going it kind of works for me I suppose COVID was probably a major turning point and a lot of people's lives because we were forced to stop and then we were forced to think and then forced to look around a lot of people would felt better ironically Mary talked about a lot of things the stress on different sectors of society and different age brackets different dimensions workforces workplaces and I suppose what Mary does is help people give them the tools to maybe look after themselves and we would better change their thinking and maybe just be better to themselves this kind of approach is mainstream now it may not have been mainstream in the past but it's mainstream now it's not laughed at I'm not saying it ever was laughed at but do you know what I mean this is part of the curriculum now and it's part of Mary's teaching role as well she's on leave at the minute she had her first child Luke was born last year so she's juggling a lot of things a new mum and a new business but she's a great passion for her area Greg and a very fast in conversation OK now that interview in its entirety you heard a 1 minute 10 second clip of it there it's a half hour odd podcast this week that interview is available for you to listen to now when you ever want to it's on the playback section of our website the listen back section of it's not called it's the on demand section of our website you'll see Kieran's face there click on it punch it the image of it obviously nothing in real life because that's violence click his face and you'll be able to listen to Mary whenever you want it's also available on Spotify iTunes and if you want to listen to it on the radio schedule it's part of someone's Sunday evening I'm sure it's part of many people's Sunday evening Kieran when is it broadcast? just after the 6 o'clock news Greg on Sunday and if people want to give you feedback or get in contact with you with any questions or suggestions how do they contact you Kieran just drop me an email please Greg businessmatters.com OK so the business matters podcast live for you right now on our website and there's a whole archive of them there as well by the way for you to listen back to whenever you want to there's really interesting people in there Kieran the movies and the shakers and some really fascinating stories I think you'd agree anyway having spoken to them yourself there's always something different and look down again you get a wee bit of feedback which is good look at him fishing for compliments now and again there was one time Greg I met somebody and said look I heard you almost such insults and I enjoyed it I met somebody the next day and they told me they warmed the ideas but I couldn't listen to it the same podcast it was the same well do you know what that's why we have choices exactly well done Kieran I'm sure the vast majority of people thoroughly enjoy them dropping on a Wednesday have a great Wednesday we'll chat to you next week Kieran O'Donnell there as I say the presenter of the business matters podcast OK as you can imagine it's been one of those days where we've got so many contacts from your listeners and we're going to try and get through as many of them as we can tomorrow Hi Greg the road in our area very very overgrown with bracken and briars not safe to walk on roads and also to drive who's responsible for getting the side roads also some road signs are overgrown thanks Greg well I'm not fully sure if the answer to that I presume a lot of it's down to the council disappointing turn I'd say is a caller at the cost of living protest with crowd estimated from 3,000 in newspapers well we know that's that was no way near it to 20,000 claimed by organisers recall 40,000 of us marching against the Iraq war with no personal benefits at stake and no free buses sponsored by politicians or parties some of us didn't hang around for the speeches which quickly descended into a rally for Sinn Fein and people before profit I said it in the weeks and advances of it in a way that I didn't want to discourage anyone but when political parties are heavily involved or independents are heavily involved in what effectively is an anti-government approach even though look it's gonna put an awful lot of people off and I predicted earlier on that not a lot of people would turn out a lot did a lot did but not enough that would make a difference unfortunately right there will be another protest in the not too distant future it'll happen organically it'll be organised by the people and I guarantee it'll be massive have a great Wednesday we're back with Thursdays 9 till noon show at