Minister Jerry Buttimer and Minister Dara Calleary announce support for over 4,100 projects benefitting community organisations countrywide under the Local Enhancement Programme 2026

• Ministers announce successful projects under Local Enhancement Programme 2026
• Small grants to benefit community groups across the country
• Supporting community groups a key focus of ‘Our Rural Future’

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, have today (Thursday, 2 July 2026) announced the successful projects under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2026 was launched in December 2025 and it will

Government Publishes First-Year Progress Report on Dublin City Taskforce Delivery

The Government noted the progress made in the first year of the implementation plan for delivery of the Dublin City Taskforce Report, and published a progress report from the Oversight Board charged with steering that work. Highlights include developments on notable landmark projects and acquisitions, establishment of the institutional arrangements

Minister Calleary to attend official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 in Belfast

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, will represent the government at the official opening of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 on Sunday, 2 August. The Fleadh will be held in Belfast from 2 to 9 August 2026. It is only the second occasion that the event has been hosted in Northern Ireland following on from Derry in 2013.

The Fleadh is the largest annual celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance, and

National Broadband Plan passes 500,000 premises as rollout enters final phase

More than half a million homes, farms and businesses can now order high-speed fibre broadband

11 further county completion milestones expected by end of October

Main infrastructure rollout remains on track for completion by the end of 2026

National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the Government’s National Broadband Plan, and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport have announced that more than 500,000 homes, farms and businesses have now been passed by its high-speed fibre network.

The landmark achievement means that more than half a million premises across rural Ireland

Minister O’Brien appoints new chairperson of Dublin Bus

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced the appointment of Gerard Ryan as Chairperson of the board of Bus Átha Cliath (Dublin Bus), and Board Member of Córas Iompair Éireann for a period of six months beginning 3 September 2026, while a publicjobs recruitment process is carried out.

The appointment to Bus Átha Cliath was made in advance of the stepping down of the

Record home completions in first half of year marked by Minister Browne

10.8% more homes completed in H1 compared with same period in 2025

New figures published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicate that more homes have been completed in the first six months of the year than in any previous January-June period since the CSO series began in 2011.

Between January and June 2026, 16,679 new dwellings were completed, an increase of

Ministers Heydon and Dooley announce the commencement of payments under the Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, have today announced that payments have commenced under the Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme.

Minister Heydon noted:

“The scheme was introduced to assist owners of fishing and aquaculture vessels to

Ministers Buttimer and Heydon turn the sod for Newbridge Library, County Archives & Cultural Centre

• The development will transform the existing library into a modern civic hub, while preserving the protected Art Deco structure
• The Newbridge Library project represents one of the most significant investments in library, cultural and community infrastructure in County Kildare

Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, have today (Thursday, 30 July 2026), turned the sod on the construction project for Newbridge Library, Kildare County Archives, Local Studies & Cultural Centre.

€3 million in funding has been awarded to this project from the Libraries Capital

Minister Calleary visits Co. Roscommon to officially open over €1 million worth of projects

• Minister Calleary officially opens new community spaces in Castleplunkett, Ballintober and Tulsk
• Addresses event marking 35 years of LEADER in Co. Roscommon

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Thursday, 30 July 2026) visited Roscommon for a series of visits and official openings across the county.

Starting the day in Strokestown Park House, Minister Calleary delivered an address to the

Statement by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan regarding engagement with Law Society of Ireland

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD met with the Law Society of Ireland on Monday, 27 July 2026 where he listened to the issues raised by criminal practitioners regarding the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme which commenced on 01 July 2026.

The Minister has now issued correspondence to the Law Society confirming that the flat fee