Ministers Lawless and Harkin want to hear from you on the next Action Plan for Apprenticeship

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD and Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD have today launched a public

Government takes next step to reduce the cost of high-speed broadband roll-out

• Minister Patrick O’Donovan launches public consultation seeking views from network operators, public bodies and local authorities.
• Online consultation opens on 19 December and closes on 11 February 2026

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has launched a public consultation on discretions to the Gigabit Infrastructure Act.

The Gigabit Infrastructure Act aims to hasten the rollout and reduce the cost of deploying very high capacity telecoms networks (VHCNs) by improving access

Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy announces funding for eight projects supporting the integration and employment of people who have moved here as migrants

• Fund will help people overcome barriers to employment including language difficulties, lack of training or social exclusion
• Fund will support projects with a duration of a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 4 years

Ireland - The Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy today announced €2.7m in funding for eight projects that will increase the employability of people who moved here as migrants.

The projects will help people to overcome barriers to employment including

Minister Naughton announces details of grant scheme for primary schools taking part in Counselling and Mental Health Pilots

Ireland - Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, has announced details of a Wellbeing Grant Scheme to augment the supports being provided by Education Wellbeing Teams in school clusters in Cork, Carlow, Dublin 7 and Dublin 16.

All schools taking part in Strand Two of the Counselling and Mental Health

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Dara Calleary publish the new National Child Poverty Target

Ireland - The Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary have published a new National Child Poverty Target, following government approval today.

The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future contains a

Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the passing of Máirín Quill

I was deeply, deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Máirín Quill, someone who served the people of Cork with great distinction as a city councillor, senator and a deputy in Dáil Éireann.

Erudite and impactful, Máirín championed the arts and culture in the city of Cork.

I served on many boards with her, but I particularly enjoyed our time together on the arts committee of Cork Corporation.

Máirín was a true renaissance figure with a great sense of the future of our city.

She was always very helpful in providing advice and creative ideas.

She was a true patriot and it was an honour to be her friend and colleague.

My deepest sympathies go to all her family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Statement from the Minister for Health

I have been advised by the HSE CEO that the matters between Caredoc and the HSE which were the subject of mediation today have been resolved by agreement.

This in turn should create the conditions for Caredoc as employer to respond positively to the concerns of their staff and make appropriate remuneration payments that will result in the end of the current industrial action.

I am particularly pleased with this outcome for patients in the South East who rely on the important out of hours GP services and Community Intervention Teams provided by Caredoc.

I also want to recognise the hard work and dedication of these front line staff and I hope we will now see a speedy return to normal service in what is an exceptionally busy time for our health services.

Ministers O’Donovan and McConalogue reflect on achievements in 2025

• Record levels of sport funding and participation in sport
• Initiatives to improve access to the arts and massive investment in promoting Irish arts and culture
• National Broadband Plan changing lives nationwide
• Investment in public interest journalism

… among key achievements

Ireland - Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy have reflected on the key achievements in 2025, which have helped support the sectors under the remit of the Department.

Reflecting on the year, both Ministers outlined key funding and measures which

Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler welcomes Ukrainian delegation of mental health professionals to Ireland

Ireland - Today, Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health and Government Chief Whip Mary Butler TD, will welcome a delegation of Ukrainian mental health professionals to the Department of Health as part of a study tour to Ireland. The visit aims to support the development of mental health policy in Ukraine and enhance mental health services for veterans of war in Ukraine.

Minister Butler, joined by senior Department of Health officials, will host a

Minister Welcomes Arrival of New Strategic Reach Aircraft

Ireland - The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, today (16 December) welcomed the arrival of the Air Corp’s new Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft.

The latest addition to the Air Corp’s fleet complements the delivery in September of the third Airbus C-295 aircraft.

The arrival of the aircraft, at Casement Aerodrome, was attended by the