Independent Alliance pushing to remove prescription charges for OAPs in budget

Independent Alliance ministers are pushing for the removal of prescription charges for pensioners and nursing home residents and a financial package to help first-time buyers.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe met Transport Minister Shane Ross and other alliance ministers yesterday over the group’s three-page demands for the budget.

Alliance sources have dismissed reports that Mr Ross and junior minister for flooding Sean Canney engaged in a heated row on Wednesday night over how the group is represented at Cabinet.