57% rise in Starter Home Supports delivered in first half of 2026 – Minister Browne

Approximately 4,700 Starter Home Supports delivered in the first half of the year

Over 2,600 Starter Home Supports delivered in Q2 alone – a 46% increase

Increased delivery reported across all programmes

Delivery of Starter Home Supports continued to accelerate in 2026, with Minister for Housing,

Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD announcing that 4,699 supports were delivered in the first six months of the year, 57% higher than the same period last year when 2,980 were provided.

A total of 2,683 supports were delivered in Quarter 2 alone, up more than 46% on the same

National Planning Statement on Apartment Standards issued by Minister Browne and Minister of State John Cummins

New National Planning Statement to provide certainty to sector and boost apartment development

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D. and the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins T.D. today jointly issued a National Planning Statement aimed at striking a balance between ensuring that apartment development delivers at high standards and quality, while promoting an increased level of delivery overall.

The new National Planning Statement sets out standards for apartment development in

Minister Catherine Ardagh addresses the 13th Annual European Cyber Security Conference in Brussels

Minister of State Catherine Ardagh, who has responsibility for the cyber security portfolio during the Irish Presidency, today addressed the 13th Annual European Cyber Security Conference in Brussels.

Held under the theme Securing Europe’s Digital Future, the conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders and cyber security experts to discuss Europe’s cyber

Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran announces funding approval for Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection for Bantry Phase 3, Co Cork

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced the approval of Cork County Council’s application for funding under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Under the scheme, the OPW has approved additional funding of €48,105 to provide flood barriers to 19 properties to prevent water entering the properties during flood events. This 3rd phase brings the total funding to €193,636.

Ireland to host first-ever national pavilion at COP31 during EU Council Presidency

• Pavilion will support Ireland’s role leading EU negotiations and put Irish and European climate action before a global audience in Türkiye
• Programme to span electrification, climate finance, just transition, decarbonisation and support for Small Island Developing States
• Sponsors announced for Pavilion, showcasing Irish business engagement in climate action

Ireland will have its own pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference for the first time when COP31 opens in Türkiye next month. Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has confirmed the pavilion will be a central part of Ireland’s presence at the conference, which takes place while Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

As holder of the Presidency, Ireland will lead negotiations, alongside the European

Government launches Our Rural Future 2026-2031 An ambitious new policy to drive rural development and strengthen rural communities

• Focus on rural enterprise and employment, tackling rural isolation and strengthening community resilience
• A new strategic rural investment initiative will help unlock major capital projects at regional level
• New policy sets out 34 commitments to support the continued growth and prosperity of rural Ireland
• Accompanying Action Plan for the period to end 2028 sets out 234 practical measures and timelines for delivery

The Government has today (Tuesday, 27 October 2026) launched an ambitious new Our Rural Future policy, setting out 34 high-level commitments to strengthen rural communities, support local economies and improve quality of life across rural Ireland.

Building on the significant progress achieved under Our Rural Future 2021-2025, the new

Minister O’Brien completes CIÉ Pension reform process, paving the way for pension increases

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, has today signed the Statutory Instruments necessary to give effect to the agreed reform of CIÉ Pension Schemes.

This brings to a close a significant and long-running process and paves the way for payment of a 5% pension increase to nearly 5,000 eligible CIÉ pensioners.

The reform follows extensive engagement between CIÉ Group and the CIÉ Trade Union

Taoiseach and Minister Lawless launch national platform to position Ireland as global leader in digitally-enabled historical research

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, have today brought forward a significant strengthening of the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland (VRTI) project. Housed within Trinity College, the VRTI was established to re-create the archives lost in the fire in the Four Courts in 1922.

The VRTI aims to position Ireland as a global leader in digitally-enabled deep historical

Minister Browne announces end to turnkey acquisitions for social housing

Applications to cease by end 2027

New measure will ensure many more homes available in social and private sectors

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD today announced that he is going to introduce a cessation of Turnkey Acquisitions for the delivery of social housing with a much greater emphasis on own-build homes by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) going forward.

This change is envisaged to take place at the end of next year – with the final date for the

Minister Jim O’Callaghan announces the removal of 24 Romanian nationals by charter flight on grounds of criminality

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed the successful completion of a charter flight to remove 24 Romanian nationals from the State on the grounds of criminality.

In accordance with the Free Movement Directive, removal orders were enforced against 24