DURING his visit to Limerick’s regeneration areas last week, Tanaiste Eamonn Gilmore said it was vital to secure economic regeneration as well as physical regeneration in the city.
However, he would not be drawn on media speculation that the Government plans to raid workers’ pay packets to enforce universal health insurance. Speaking after a tour of the new retirement apartments in Vizes Court, Mr Gilmore praised the work being done by regeneration and said the process “is not just about building houses. It’s also about the economic regeneration of Limerick. It’s about new job opportunities. We have to make the recovery real.”
Asked about speculation that plans for a universal health insurance charge would involve direct deductions from PAYE pay packets, Mr Gilmore said that both parties in Government have been in agreement for some time about the need for universal health insurance.
“We are looking at how the transition to that can be made. We don’t want exaggerated claims made,” he added.
The Tanaiste was updated on the regeneration work at St Mary’s Park and met residents affected by the floods. He also inspected flood defence works in the Shannon Banks area.
