Ireland's Online News & Entertainment Magazine
From Department of Health
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD and the Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, have welcomed the approval by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) of new Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) COVID-19 Guidance on visitations to Long Term Residential Care Facilities, to be implemented from 22 March.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., today welcomed the UK Government announcement that it will delay the phased introduction of additional UK import controls which had been scheduled to come into effect on 1 April and 1 July.
The Minister said, “The announcement by the UK Government means that UK import requirements planned for 1 April and 1 July
From Department of Health
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 10 additional deaths related to COVID-19.
8 deaths occurred in March, 1 in February and 1 in January.
The median age of those who died was 75 years and the age range was 0 - 84 years.
There has been a total of 4,509 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
As of midnight, Wednesday 10th March, the
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate Cartoon Saloon, Element Pictures, Niamh Algar and Barry Keoghan, along with the creative teams behind Irish films Calm With Horses and Wolfwalkers, on their British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) nominations, which were announced today. Calm With Horses received four nominations, including Best Outstanding British Film, while Wolfwalkers is nominated for Best Animated Film.
Both Irish films and acting talent have seen incredible success at the BAFTAs over the years. Whether it is a piercing crime thriller or a visually breathtaking animated adventure, Calm With Horses and Wolfwalkers particularly highlight the depth and range of Irish films available to audiences around the world. .
Calm With Horses, directed by Nick Rowland and written by Joe Murtagh, is also nominated for Best Casting for Shaheen Baig and Supporting Actor and Actress nominations for Barry Keoghan and Niamh Algar. Since its release, the film has received critical acclaim, with The Observer calling it “a blistering debut”. Supported by Screen Ireland, as well as the WRAP Fund, the film shot on location in Co. Galway.
Wolfwalkers is the third instalment of the animated Irish folklore trilogy from the internationally renowned animation studio Cartoon Saloon, based in Kilkenny. The Apple Original film was produced by Paul Young, Nora Twomey and Tomm Moore for Cartoon Saloon and by Stéphan Roelants for Melusine Productions.
Wolfwalkers is currently available to watch on Apple TV+.
Calm With Horses is currently available to watch on Netflix in the UK and Ireland.
Minister Michael Noonan has announced the opening of the Community Monuments Fund 2021. Building on the inaugural 2020 Fund, the 2021 Community Monuments Fund will invest in our valuable archaeological heritage and help the owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.
The 2021 Fund will invest a total of €2,000,000 in the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments. It will:
The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to:
(i) Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended);
(ii) Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.
The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams:
Private applicants and/or community groups who are the owners or custodians of archaeological monuments should:
All applicants should read the explanatory memorandum below and have regard to all parts before completing an application form.
Please contact us with any queries on archaeology@dublincity.ie and/or heritage@dublincity.ie
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney TD, has announced a virtual St Patrick’s Day initiative, which will see Ireland’s National Day celebrated across the world in a series of online events hosted by Ireland’s embassies and consulates.
Announcing the 2021 St Patrick’s Day plans Minister Coveney said:
"For a second year our St. Patrick’s
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, today announced a new €50m suite of measures to support the commercial live performance sector to assist producers, promoters, venues and musicians.
Minister Martin said:
"I am very pleased to announce the
From Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Department of Finance
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderick O’Gorman TD and the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD - have today (Tuesday), updated Government on the Equality Budgeting initiative and have received Government agreement to mainstream the approach to equality budgeting and build on the progress to date in this area.
Equality budgeting was introduced by the
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today welcomed the appointment of Professor Eeva Leinonen as the next president of Maynooth University.
Professor Leinonen will succeed Professor
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Peter Burke, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, today announced that he has approved funding of €126,159 for Women for Election to support their activities, which involve promoting and encouraging women to participate in local government. The approval coincides with International Women’s Day and is part of the Department’s overall strategy to overcome barriers and increase female participation in local government.
“I commend Women for Election for their
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today marked International Women’s Day by launching the National Gender Equality Dashboard for Higher Education Institutions.
The dashboard, developed by Maynooth
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Minister of State for Further Education and Skills Niall Collins have today launched a three-year strategy for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The department received over 130
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Projects aims to enhance public spaces, commercial areas and help transition to low-carbon living
Investment will provide much needed stimulus during economic recovery
The Minister for Housing, Local Government
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Works include ‘remote working centre’ in Cavan; Dundalk regeneration; Masterplan for new urban quarter in Monaghan Town
Investment will provide much needed stimulus during economic recovery
The Minister for Housing, Local Government
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Speaking on International Women’s Day (8 March 2021) Minister Catherine Martin said:
"A key goal of mine as a member of government is to further gender equality within every sector under my remit. I’m committed to empowering women and I recognise how my position can help raise up women’s voices and support more equality in sectors such as sport, broadcasting, the arts, film and in the Gaeltacht.
"My department is engaged in a series
From Department of Health
Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte TD, has welcomed the appointment of Mr Robbie Ryan to Chair the Review of the Standard Operating Procedure for Assessment of Need for Children.
The Disability Act (2005) requires the HSE to
Dublin City Council is proud to announce that its Inform Women, Transform Lives Campaign launches today to coincide with International Women’s Day
The focus of the campaign is to highlight awareness of women’s right to information and to encourage and assist women in accessing this information.
The aim will be on improving the wellbeing,
From Department of Finance
GDP fell by -5.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to very strong imports in the fourth quarter.
Annual GDP increase of 1.5 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.
GDP up 3.4 per cent overall in 2020
Highest level of exports on record – driven
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Projects’ focus include inner-city redevelopment, strategic infrastructure, transport and public realm works
Investment will provide much needed stimulus during economic recovery
The Minister for Housing, Local Government
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today announced the award of €1,811,461 in grants to 28 aquaculture companies under his Department’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme . The grant awards will support total investment of €4.5 million in the aquaculture sector. The grants are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and are subject to terms and conditions.
Minister McConalogue said,
“I am delighted to be in a position today to provide €1.8 million in grants to 28 ambitious aquaculture companies to further the growth of their businesses and our aquaculture sector. These grants will support €4.5 million in investment in oyster, mussels, trout and seaweed farming. Despite two major challenges in the form of Covid and Brexit, these 28 aquaculture businesses are showing confidence in the future of their sector and are expanding their production to meet strong market demand for their quality products.”
Minister added,
“In recent years my Department invested in eliminating the licensing backlog for shellfish aquaculture producers and this is I believe being reflected in the large number of grant applications being submitted by shellfish aquaculture producers, showing renewed confidence in their capacity to expand with regulatory certainty.”
From Department of Social Protection
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, TD, has today extended the Rent Supplement flexibilities that were introduced in response to Covid-19.
The flexibilities in the Rent Supplement
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, have jointly welcomed the €12.17m funding provided under URDF Call 2 for the 14-17 Moore Street element of the Moore St. regeneration sub-project.
In total, €430m has been announced in
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, T.D, today officially launched the ‘Access Europe’ Programme at an online event hosted by The Wheel, the association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. The Wheel will act as the National Contact Point for this programme, which aims to publicise European Union funding opportunities and provide a support service to NGOs, community groups and local authorities to better apply for and access EU funds.
On the launch of the Access Europe
From Department of Foreign Affairs
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) have partnered to create ‘A New Day Will Be: A Short Film for Bloomsday 2020’, collaborating over the last month with Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, and their networks of local partners, to create a unique short film that celebrates a Bloomsday like no other.
Performers include actors Olwen Fouéré and
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, sets out a commitment to, “review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife”.
From Department of Finance
Direct funding for projects in the North East Inner City and new city library in Parnell Square
The Minister for Finance and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Central, Paschal Donohoe, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement of almost €174.3 million in funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for Dublin’s North Inner City under ‘Call 2’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The funds are in addition to funding of €15.78 million previously made available under ‘Call 1’ of the Fund.
As part of this funding, €121.3 million will go
From Department of Foreign Affairs
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, T.D., participated in a videoconference of EU Foreign Ministers this afternoon. During the meeting, the Tánaiste and his counterparts discussed the EU’s response to COVID-19, the situation in Libya and the EU’s approach to Ukraine and the Eastern Partnership, particularly in the context of the pandemic.
After the meeting, the Tánaiste said:
“In discussions with my EU counterparts, l underlined the role Ireland is playing in EU repatriation efforts. We have chartered two special repatriation flights from Peru and India in March and April and hope to plan further charters to assist EU citizens to return home. Ireland also appreciates the assistance provided to Irish citizens by other EU Member States. This is an example of EU solidarity at its best in times of crisis.”
During the VC, Foreign Ministers considered Ukraine’s reform programme and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, in light of COVID-19. Foreign Ministers urged Ukraine to maintain momentum on reform and cautioned against any backsliding.
Ministers also discussed the challenges for the Eastern Partnership in the context of the pandemic and how the EU can respond to these challenges.
The Tánaiste said:
“The EU stands in solidarity with our Eastern Partners in responding to the challenges posed by COVID-19. Ireland wholeheartedly welcomes the EU’s allocation of funding to Partners for their immediate healthcare needs and the use of existing financial instruments to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of the crisis.”
From Department of Health
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 9 additional deaths related to COVID-19.
4 deaths occurred in March, 3 occurred in February and 1 in January.
There is one death where the date of death is under investigation.
The median age of those who died was 82
From Department of Justice
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has welcomed the swift passage of the Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 through all stages in the Seanad, allowing it to now progress through the Dáil.
The Minister thanked her colleagues in the Seanad for their very constructive approach to progressing this short but important legislative proposal which, when enacted, will enable grieving parents to speak publicly about their deceased child.
Minister McEntee said:
"This is a really important piece of
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., and the Minister for State Martin Heydon T.D., today welcomed the announcement by both the EU Commission and the Office of the United States Trade Representative of a four month suspension of tariffs on selected exports and imports between both blocs. These tariffs were introduced on selected Irish agri-food exports to the US in October 2019.
The Minister in welcoming the announcement stated, “Today’s announcement is a great opportunity, for both the EU and United States, to engage in a constructive dialogue to find a permanent resolution to these long running disputes.”
The Minister of State with responsibility for new market development, Martin Heydon T.D. also welcomed the positive news and said, “Hopefully, today’s announcement is a signal of the renewal of this historic, positive and enduring transatlantic relationship between the EU and the US. This is a positive development for exports of Irish butter, cheese and Irish Cream to the US market.”
Minister McConalogue concluded by acknowledging “the significant efforts by the Irish Embassy in Washington in seeking to resolve this dispute and highlighting, the importance of the US market for our effected industries, to USTR officials.”
The value of Irish agri food exports impacted by US tariffs , in 2019 figures, is approximately €422 million attracting an additional €105 million tariffs in a full year. This 25% tariff was applied to Irish exports to the US on butter (€190.2m), cheese, (€43.7m) and Irish Cream (€184m).
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD and Minister of State for Trade Promotion Robert Troy TD have this evening welcomed the announcement made by the EU Commission and the United States regarding the suspension of tariff measures by both sides in relation to the long-running civilian aircraft trade dispute.
The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said:
"This evening’s news that the EU and US
From Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Minister Michael McGrath T.D. , welcomed the approval by EU Member States' Ambassadors to the EU, of legal texts governing the Cohesion funds which amount to nearly one third of the EU's seven-year budget. This confirmed the political agreement reached with the European Parliament.
The Commission indicated that Ireland will receive a total of €1,139 million (in 2018 prices) in Cohesion Policy Funds for the 2021 – 2027 programming period, comprising of:
€351 million for the European Regional
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today announced the opening of the 2021 GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme which, this year, will involve an online application process. This Scheme funds the conservation and preservation of traditional farm buildings and structures of significant heritage value and which are conserved for agriculture use.
The Heritage Council manages the scheme
From Department of Health
Today 4 March on World Obesity Day, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and Health Research Board are coming together to announce a concerted approach to obesity prevention and care for people living with overweight or obesity. The new approach includes community-based programmes and health interventions in areas of socio-economic deprivation, enhanced community care resources including the recruitment of additional dietitians for weight management and chronic disease management across the country and the announcement of an overarching HSE Model of Care for the Management of Overweight and Obesity (1).
Welcoming the announcement of these co-
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D, and the Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, T.D., today announced details of the applications received under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). The SCEP is the Government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. The deadline for applications was 5pm on 1st March. 3,106 applications were received with a total of over €200m sought by all applicants.
Minister Martin stated: “This is the highest
From Department of Rural and Community Development
38 projects across the country to benefit under Measure 2 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
Total of 212 projects approved for funding of €9.7 million since the start of the year
Funding made in partnership with Fáilte Ireland
Further announcement on large scale
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
In advance of International Women’s Day on the 8th March, Peter Burke T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage today launched “Women doing politics differently – development of Local or regional caucus for women councillors – identifying interest and examining possible supports”, a research piece undertaken by the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI).
Speaking at the launch, Minister Burke
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development today launched a call for Community Development Pilot Projects to trial community led interventions that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and promote human rights.
The call invites expressions of interest from community development organisations working to address issues in areas such as racism (including Travellers and Roma), domestic or sexual violence, migration, gender, people living in direct provision or seeking international protection, climate action and just transition. Up to eight projects will be selected to be part of the pilot which has overall funding of €1m for 2021.
Speaking at the launch Minister O’Brien who
From Department of Justice
At a virtual event this morning, the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, launched “Moving Forward Together: Mental Health Among Persons Supervised by the Probation Service”, authored by Dr. Christina Power, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Probation Service.
Launching the report, Minister McEntee thanked Dr Power and her team for producing such an excellent piece of work despite the challenges faced.
Commenting on the report the Minister said:
"Providing for the complex needs of people
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Malcolm Noonan, T.D, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, today launched the 2021 Community Monuments Fund which will invest €2 million in the protection and promotion of archaeological heritage during 2021. The €2 million allocation is an increase of 75% on last year’s funding.
The grants available under the Community
From Department of Foreign Affairs
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Thomas Byrne, TD, has today invited voluntary organisations, educational bodies and civil society groups to apply for funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Communicating Europe Initiative.
The Communicating Europe Initiative is aimed
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The new Finance Working Group set up as part of the Bovine TB Stakeholder Forum and chaired by Mr Gerry Kiely, had its first meeting today beginning with a positive and constructive discussion.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the
From Department of Health
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 39 additional deaths related to COVID-19.
10 of these deaths occurred in March, 12 occurred in February, 13 in January, and 3 occurred earlier than this. One further death is under investigation.
The median age of those who died was 81 years and the age range was 0 - 97 years.
There has been a total of 4,396 COVID-19
Adair, who claimed 3-22 in 16.4 overs - including eight maidens - during the four-day match against a Bangladesh Emerging XI last week, said:
“I was trying to be patient, it’s something I’ve tried to improve on. I haven’t tried to chase wickets or do anything special; the wickets would come from pressure and bowling consistently in good areas. I don’t think there’s going to be a huge difference in the way I’m going to go about my bowling in the one-day games – the tracks over here aren’t exactly filled with pace and bounce.”
The upcoming five-match 50-over series and the two-
Training and working with residents of Direct Provision in Cork, Cricket Connects is a bespoke training programme of communication, awareness, and leadership skills that can be used to deliver person-centred cricket coaching to local community groups and clubs.
The programme saw the first Cricket Ireland
