Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Minister Humphreys makes major changes to Farm Assist Means Test

  • New income disregard will help ensure farmers who take up wide range of Agri-Environment schemes don’t lose out

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, TD, has today (Tuesday 14 June) introduced major new changes to the Farm Assist Means Test in a move that will benefit thousands of farmers.

The Minister has signed regulations that will introduce a new income disregard which

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Catherine Martin welcome national conference to mark the centenary of the Irish Civil War

  • a 4-day national conference, hosted by University College Cork, from 15 to 18 June
  • the conference is free and open to the public
  • a fringe programme includes concerts, walking tours and exhibitions

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin will address the opening day of the Irish Civil War National Conference - one of the key events in the State’s Decade of Centenaries Programme for 2022. The conference is hosted by University College Cork (UCC) and supported with funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Over 130 expert speakers will examine all aspects of the Irish Civil War (1922-1923), including international, political, social, cultural, gender, military, and

Statement from the Minister for Health - 14 June 2022

No decision regarding the HSE’s proposal for the transition of the Emergency Department at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan (OLHN) has been agreed by this government.

The HSE has clinical concerns about the safety of the Emergency Department at

Minister Feighan welcomes report on drug treatment services and highlights new initiatives for people who use cocaine and crack cocaine

• 70% of People Now Treated in Outpatient Facilities

• Increase of 410 New People Receiving Treatment since 2020

• Community Healthcare Organisations Tackling Health-Related Harms of Cocaine

The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan TD, welcomes the publication of the HRB report on drug treatment services. The report demonstrates the continuing demand for health services to address the harmful effects of drug use, the types of drugs that are most impactful on people who require treatment, and the social factors associated with problematic drug use.

The report shows that 4,206 new people were receiving treatment for drug use in

Closure of Skellig Michael to visitors due to Rockfall Event

Due to a rockfall event on Sceilg Mhichíl today (13 June 2022), the Office of Public Works wishes to inform the public that the site will be closed to visitors until further notice.

There were no casualties as a result of this rockfall event. However, the island has been closed to allow for a full examination of the site and to clear debris.

Sceilg Mhichíl will reopen to visitors once it has been deemed safe to do so.

McConalogue announces opening of €13 million Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 for applications

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today announced the opening of applications for the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2).

In announcing the scheme, Minister McConalogue said:

“As I have consistently stated, our pig farmers are remarkably resilient, but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges they are facing at present. Irish pig farmers, alongside others across the EU, are currently facing a combination of low prices and extraordinarily high input costs. This is why I

Minister McConalogue sets down priorities and challenges for 2023 at EU Fisheries Council

At the EU Fisheries Council today, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, outlined Ireland’s priorities during discussions on preparation for negotiations on setting quotas for 2023. The Minister praised the efforts of all fisheries stakeholders for their ongoing contribution to delivering on the CFP’s core ambition of sustainable fisheries management.

Minister Mc Conalogue said:

“I noted that considerable progress has been made over the recent years in setting sustainable quotas for our important fisheries. I supported the commitment to delivering quotas for 2023 that build on the progress we

Minister Seán Fleming speaks at the Credit Union National Supervisors Forum’s AGM 2022

Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Seán Fleming, spoke at the Credit Union National Supervisors Forum’s AGM in Limerick on Saturday, 11 June.

The National Supervisors Forum supports the Credit Union Supervisory Committees and Board Oversight Committees in carrying out their legal functions and to provide appropriate specialist training.

In his speech, Minister Fleming noted the rapid pace of change in the financial

Government announces package of measures to secure electricity supplies into the future and to help mitigate rising household electricity bills

Further reduction in PSO Levy to deliver an ‘indicative’ annual saving of €75 on a typical household electricity bill from next winter

Government approves RESS 2 final auction results – to bring more indigenous renewable electricity onto the National Grid and to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels

Approval of funding for the CRU’s (Commission for the Regulation of Utilities) second tranche of temporary back-up generation capacity, to secure our supply of electricity over the coming winters

Increased borrowing limit for EirGrid – to strengthen our National Grid and to deliver the Celtic (Ireland-France) Interconnector

Increased borrowing limit for Bord na Móna – to drive greater deployment of indigenous renewable energy as part of the ‘Brown to Green’ transition

The Cabinet has today approved a package of measures to help mitigate the rising cost of rising electricity bills and to ensure secure supplies to electricity for households and business across Ireland over the coming years.

The package of measures includes changes to the PSO (Public Service

Statement from Taoiseach Micheál Martin on passing of Councillor Noel Collins

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Noel Collins, who in almost 55 years of dedicated and unbroken public service truly earned the title ‘Father of Cork County Council’.

"First elected as a councillor in Midleton in the late 60s, Noel was the

Minister O’Brien welcomes progress on enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has received Government approval for the General Scheme of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill, 2022.

The Minister has also welcomed Government’s decision to extend the scheme to counties Limerick and Clare.

Minister O’Brien said the general scheme reflects the decisions made by

McConalogue highlights need for close monitoring of fertiliser supplies as impacts of Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to affect agriculture sector

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today highlighted the need for close monitoring of fertiliser supplies over the coming months as the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to be felt across the agri-food sector.

Speaking ahead of today’s Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers in Luxembourg, Minister McConalogue said:

“The recent European Council conclusions recognised that the supply of

Minister for Trade Promotion Robert Troy to lead Enterprise Ireland and IDA trade mission to France, Germany and the Netherlands

  • over 100 Enterprise Ireland client companies have established new presences in Germany, France, the Netherlands in the past 18 months to take advantage of the significant market opportunities in Europe
  • 33 Enterprise Ireland clients taking part in 4-day trade mission, supporting export growth to Europe
  • France, Germany and the Netherlands are each over €1 billion export markets for Enterprise Ireland client companies
  • 205 IDA Ireland client companies from Germany, France and the Netherlands employ circa 27,500 across Ireland
  • the Eurozone is a cornerstone of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to accelerate market diversification to deliver sustainable economic growth
  • Enterprise Ireland marks 60 years in Germany

Minister for Trade Promotion, Robert Troy, will today commence a 4-day trade mission to Germany, France and the Netherlands, jointly organised by the Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. The 4-day trade mission, visiting Frankfurt, Paris, the Hague and Amsterdam will have a strong focus on the technology industry, both

Fund to expand the National Collection with artworks about climate change, diversity and migration

New funding to acquire contemporary artworks for the National Collection, in new media and on pressing issues including climate change, diversity and global migration, has been announced by Minister Catherine Martin.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media today announced an ambitious new fund of €1.5 million for the Crawford Art Gallery and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The purpose of the award is to address significant gaps that remain in the National Collection following years of limited acquisitions. This

Future Proofing Dublin's Skies

Civil defence, emergency response, public safety and environmental monitoring applications are already realising the benefits of drone technology. This is just the start of what is possible according to a report launched today on international best practice and future trends in drones which was delivered as part of an initiative to accelerate the potential of drones across local government in Ireland. 

The project was co-funded by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Public Service Innovation Fund and led by Dublin City Council’s Smart Dublin team.  

Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Ossian Smyth TD, who

Dublin City Council launches Ballyfermot Cherry Orchard Arts Festival 2022

Dublin City Council is delighted to announce that the Ballyfermot Cherry Orchard Arts Festival 2022 will take place in person this year, for the first time in three years. 

The 2022 Committee have come together to create an amazing programme of events for the Festival, which will run between June 24th and July 10th. 

It will be a fortnight of art, culture and fun-filled activities, with each week serving up the

80 Dublin women honoured in new attempt to redress history’s failings

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, and journalist and author Clodagh Finn have joined forces to create Her Keys To The City, a book which honours 80 Dublin-born or Dublin-based women who contributed significantly to their field of work but were under-recognised for their achievements. The book will be launched at the Mansion House on Friday 17th June at 6.30pm.

The Lord Mayor wanted to address the imbalance in the list of individuals who have

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Space Industry Representatives to Gather in Northern Ireland Later This Month

Previous SPRINT workshop at founding member, the University of Southampton

Previous SPRINT workshop at founding member, the University of Southampton

Business networking event set to accelerate UK fast growing space sector

This event will promote new and exciting opportunities for regional collaboration within Northern Ireland, while extending links between Northern Irish businesses and those in the rest of the UK”
— Chris McQuire, Head of Local Growth at the UK Space Agency

BELFAST, IRELAND, June 10, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A space sector networking event has been announced to take place in Northern Ireland on June 24th, featuring updates from a variety of organisations supporting one of the UK’s fastest growing industries.

The event has been organised by the

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces series of new initiatives to support Remote Working

  • New voucher scheme to give remote workers free access to their local digital hub
  • At least 10,000 hot desk facilities to be provided free of charge to existing hub users and those using the facilities for the first time
  • €5 million investment under ‘Connected Hubs’ to improve 81 remote working facilities nationwide
  • Local Authorities to each receive €50,000 in funding to promote remote working opportunities in their areas

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today announced a series of new initiatives that will make remote working more accessible and attractive for thousands of people.

Minister Humphreys launched the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme, which will give remote workers free use of their local digital hub.

At least 10,000 hot desk spaces will be provided under the Scheme, which is aimed at

Minister McConalogue marks World Oceans Day with announcement of Pilot Fishing Gear Retirement Scheme

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has unveiled a new a Clean Oceans Initiative Fishing Gear Retirement Scheme to coincide with World Oceans Day on 8 June.

The new initiative, which is aimed at collecting old and damaged fishing gear, is

OECD outlines skills opportunities and challenges at meeting with National Skills Council

Ireland has large-scale opportunities and challenges around green, construction and digital skills and lifelong learning, the OECD will tell the National Skills Council Extraordinary meeting today.

The meeting is part of the OECD Skills Strategy Project launched by Minister Simon Harris last November to analyse how well Ireland is equipped to meet current and future skills needs, and will kick off a series of stakeholder events planned for June.

Meetings will clarify and detail the challenges and opportunities arising for

New ‘Business for Biodiversity’ platform will help businesses to take strategic action for biodiversity

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, and Minister of State for Land-Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett, today encouraged businesses to sign up to Business for Biodiversity, a new platform to guide them in taking action to tackle the biodiversity crisis.

Backed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Agriculture, Food and

Cruinniú na nÓg is back!

Ireland’s national day of creativity for children and young people takes place on Saturday 11th June with 650 free events around the country.

Now in its fifth year, Cruinniú na nÓg is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme supported by the Local Authorities and RTE.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin today encouraged young people to join in the fun of this year’s event, and participate in something creative in their local area.

With hundreds of free events, workshops, exhibitions and performances, and a

Minister Noonan announces six new Biodiversity Officers in 2022

Speaking at the National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin Castle today, the Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD has announced a dedicated resource of six new Biodiversity Officers to be recruited in six local authorities around the country by the end of 2022. This will be a pilot programme in advance of a national roll-out. The programme is being delivered by the Heritage Council and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) with the

Minister Donnelly publishes the Sláíntecare Action Plan for 2022

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today published the Sláintecare Action Plan 2022.

Sláintecare works to deliver a safe, health and social care service that meets the needs of our growing population, and attracts and retains the very best healthcare clinicians, managers, and staff. It is about access, affordability and quality -the Right Care, at the Right Place, delivered at the Right Time by the Right Team.

The 2022 Sláintecare Action Plan sets out the ongoing priorities to improve our

Artist interprets precious records of the State in unique exhibition at the National Archives

A unique exhibition of work in progress opens today at the National Archives featuring new and original artwork from artist-in-residence, John Beattie. The exhibition explores new perspectives on archival material relating to the 1921-1923 period entitled ‘Reperforming State Memory – Work in Progress’.

John Beattie’s art practice takes the form of still and moving-image staged

New hairdressing apprenticeship facility opened by Minister Harris

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has today opened a new hairdressing apprenticeship facility at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education in Kilbarrack.

The college, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, is just one of the locations where the City of Dublin Education and Training Board offer their new programme.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said:

“Currently there is a skills shortage in hairdressing and many salons are

Minister Humphreys launches public consultation on new Library Strategy

  • new strategy to shape the development of public libraries for the next 5 years
  • public asked for feedback on how to improve services
  • delivery of new initiative a key commitment in ‘Our Rural Future’

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today launched a public consultation on the development of a new strategy for the public library service.

The main objective of this consultation is to seek the views of the public and understand attitudes towards the library service.

It will also seek feedback on how services can be improved in terms of access, use

Speech by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Plenary of the European Parliament

Check against delivery

President Metsola, Vice Presidents,

Distinguished leaders of the political groups,

Members of Parliament,

Citizens of Europe,

It is an honour to be here today. Thank you, President Metsola, for your kind invitation to address this session.

I would like to salute you for your leadership of the Parliament.

Before I reflect on Ireland’s European path, it would be remiss of me not to pause to

Minister Foley announces details of 24 organisations to benefit from participation in €100,000 Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme

The Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced details of the 24 successful organisations that will receive a grant under her department’s Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2022.

The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary scheme provides a means, by way of a small cash grant, to support music education and music initiatives to continue to

Department of Education confirms 6,797 Ukrainian pupils currently enrolled in Irish schools

The Department of Education can confirm that as of 3 June, 6,797 Ukrainian pupils have been enrolled in schools across Ireland. Out of that figure, 4,766 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools while 2,031 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools.

To assist with the transition of Ukrainian refugees and their families into Irish schools Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) continue to operate, hosted by

Department reminds farmers that BPS preliminary check notifications are now issuing

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today advised that notifications for the Preliminary checks under the 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) are now issuing to farmers.

Preliminary checks will identify any over-claims, overlaps or dual claims in respect of online BPS applications. Notifications are issued where the department finds such an error on the farmer’s 2022 BPS application.

The notification allows the farmer the opportunity to rectify these issues without

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Our Rural Future: €4.9 million air service contract for the Aran Islands

A new €4.9 million air service contract for the Aran Islands (Oileáin Árainn) has been announced.

The PSO contract, which comes into effect on Tuesday, June 7th, will run for four years until 2026. It will ensure essential mainland connectivity for the island communities and will significantly boost tourism.

For the first time, the contract ensures the provision of a direct service from the

Ministers McConalogue and Hackett announce €2.8 million package to support Irish fruit and vegetable growers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity with special responsibility for horticulture Pippa Hackett have announced the opening of the Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme. Support is being provided to the critically important Irish horticulture sector, with an aid package of €2.8 million for eligible growers.

This is a support measure which will be funded from Ireland’s allocation for exceptional adjustment aid to producers in agricultural sectors which have been

National Biodiversity Conference to progress Ireland’s response to the global biodiversity crisis

An upcoming government conference will inform and advance Ireland’s next National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). The National Biodiversity Conference will take place from 8-9 June both in person at Dublin Castle and virtually. Over 400 stakeholders from NGOs, academia, government departments and members of the public, will hear from international and Irish experts on diverse topics affecting biodiversity, such as forestry and agriculture, along with sessions on community action for biodiversity, and the role of media and businesses in addressing the biodiversity crisis.

The conference will be opened by Minister for Housing, Local Government and

Opening of the Seventh International Conference on Mycobacterium Bovis

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has today opened the Seventh International Conference on Mycobacterium bovis (bovine tuberculosis).

Welcoming over 350 international and national delegates to the event in Galway, he said:

“This is truly an international event. For the next four days, this conference will bring together scientists, policy makers, veterinarians, and industry leaders from around the world. Speakers and delegates from thirty countries will share

Progress made on supports for Night-Time Economy as 6 Irish cities and towns set to be selected to take part in pilot programme, supported by new Night-Time Advisors

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, has announced that the selection process has begun to pick 6 towns and/or cities in Ireland to take part in the new Night-Time Economy pilot programme. This programme - which includes the appointment of Night-Time Economy advisors in each of the selected towns or cities - aims to help boost the night-time economy and promote an eclectic, vibrant night-time culture.

Minister Martin said:

"The establishment of Night-time advisors in the six pilot towns and cities will be a significant step towards securing a vibrant and importantly a more sustainable night-time culture for all our citizens. The selection of these pilot towns and cities is a vital stage in this process and I would like to thank the CCMA and the local authorities for their leadership and support for this

Affordable Housing

Housing for All

Affordability and homeownership are at the heart of Housing for All, the Government’s national housing plan to 2030. It recognises that significant new supports are needed so that those who want to own their own home can do so, and those that see renting as a more suitable housing option are able to do so at an

Minister Humphreys announces plans for additional trial locations of Microsoft Airband Initiative

  • Microsoft Airband provides high speed broadband solutions in areas with connectivity challenges
  • trial locations building on success of pilot programmes in Cavan and Carlow

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, today (Tuesday 7 June) committed to additional pilot sites to roll out high speed internet access, working with the Microsoft Airband Initiative.

Microsoft's Airband Initiative aims to close the digital divide and bring high-speed internet connectivity to rural communities around the world.

The Airband initiative uses various technologies to provide connectivity, including

Popular Articles