Minister McEntee Welcomes the Introduction of new Statutory Powers for the Defence Forces

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, today (Friday, 24 July) welcomed the signing into law of new powers for members of the Defence Forces to safeguard Ireland’s maritime domain and protect the State’s sovereign rights in its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone.

Minister McEntee said:

“Following my launch of Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy in

Minister Jim O'Callaghan welcomes the attestation of 206 new Gardaí

• 206 probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Garda divisions across the country

• This is the third attestation of Gardaí this year as ongoing recruitment continues to increase Garda numbers

• Largest single attestation class since 2019

• The allocation of newly attested Gardaí will provide more resources for frontline policing services and support EU Presidency policing operations

• Over 200 new trainees are due to enter the Garda College next week

24 July 2026

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan has welcomed the attestation of 206 new Gardaí at the Garda College in Templemore today.

The new probationer Gardaí will be assigned to Garda Divisions across the country by the

Government Designates Projects and Programmes as Critical Infrastructure

MetroLink, Galway Ring Road and Greater Dublin Drainage are among first tranche of projects designated under new powers placing them at the ‘top of the queue’ for faster processing and decision making

Government has approved the recommendation put forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD,

Minister of State Colm Brophy announces launch of €4.5million Integration Fund for 2026

• 2026 Integration Fund now open to applications from non-government and community organisations

• €4.5 million available to national, regional and local non-profit groups to support the integration and inclusion of people who have moved to Ireland as migrants

• Funding for projects that benefit integration of all people from a migrant background, with dedicated assistance for projects supporting people applying for international protection

24 July 2026

Minister of State Colm Brophy today announced that applications are open for the 2026

Major boost for health and disability services as Government approves 274 additional Health and Social Care Professional training places

Minister for Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, along with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill; Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley; and Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton today secured Government approval the first phase of a significant expansion of

Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister Jack Chambers publish Summer Economic Statement 2026

• Budget 2027 will deliver a total budgetary package of €8.5 billion
• Additional public spending will amount to €7 billion, with a tax package comprised of €1.5 billion of new measures.
• Public spending will rise by 5.9 per cent in 2027, with an increase in €5.9 billion in current expenditure and €1.1 billion for capital expenditure.
• The Budget will be consistent with the fiscal strategy outlined in the Medium-term Plan and focus on improving public services, boosting competitiveness through infrastructure and investing in the Future Ireland Fund.
• Details of the budget package will be announced on Budget day, but the focus of the package will be on making work pay
• Budget 2027 will be presented to Dáil Éireann on 6th October 2026.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, T.D., and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers T.D., today (Wednesday) published the government’s Summer Economic Statement 2026 following agreement at Cabinet this morning.

This document sets out the Government’s budgetary strategy and outlines the fiscal

Minister Byrne speaks with new Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, today (21 July) spoke with his new Ukrainian counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Vsevolod Chentsov.

Commenting on the call, Minister Byrne said: “I want to congratulate Vsevolod Chentsov on

Minister Calleary invites applications for funding initiatives to promote the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary T.D., has today opened the grant application process for initiatives to promote awareness of the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty takes place annually on October 17

Project commenced to provide trauma-informed support for people seeking international protection

• Training will be provided to people working with IPAS residents
• The project aligns with commitment to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure
• The project is funded by the EU Commission

A new programme has commenced to enhance the provision of supportive environments for people who are staying in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres.

As part of the Supportive Spaces project, staff who work in IPAS centres will participate in a

Minister O’Donovan approves funding of over €204,500 for Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme 2026

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has today announced a series of grants under the Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme operated by his Department. Minister O’Donovan has approved allocations amounting to €204,500 to support cultural projects with significant cross-border elements.

Small self-contained projects funded under the scheme seek to enhance, celebrate or

Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran announces free admission for all visitors under 18 to OPW heritage sites for the month of August

• Initiative allows young people to explore and engage with their heritage for the month of August
  
• From Castletown House to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, there is something for all the family to enjoy

The Office of Public Works (OPW) today announced that admission to heritage sites across the country will be free for all visitors under 18 throughout August 2026. The initiative aims to encourage young people and families to discover Ireland’s rich cultural and historical heritage, while helping to make these experiences more accessible by removing financial

Statement by Minister Byrne on new UK Minister for European Relations

I want to congratulate Hamish Falconer MP on his appointment, by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as UK Minister for European Relations. As we seek to advance the EU-UK relationship, during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, I look forward to working closely with Minister Falconer.

Over the past two years, we have seen a genuinely positive step-change in the EU-UK

Statement by Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the departure of Hilary Benn MP from the British Government

Statement by Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the departure of Hilary Benn MP from the British Government

I want to express my sincere thanks to Hilary Benn for his deep commitment to Northern Ireland, and to the UK-Ireland relationship more broadly, in his role as UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland over the last two years.

He approached his role with purpose and understanding, and with a clear wish to make things

Minister for Housing James Browne welcomes enactment of new planning reforms

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD welcomed the signing of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 into law today by the President of Ireland.

Minister James Browne TD emphasised:

“All of us want an efficient, fair and transparent planning system but I am now

Statement following meeting of Government Ministers on e-scooters

Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister Canney agreed on a series of proposals with Minister O'Callaghan and the Garda Commissioner. The proposals will be brought to Government by Ministers O'Brien and Canney next week.

The Garda Commissioner advised that there has been a significant increase in Garda

Minister Heydon and Minister of State Collins launch Forestry for You webpage and Forestry Ambassador initiative

New online hub and ambassador stories aim to make forestry information clearer and easier to accesslink

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins TD, today launched a new Forestry for You online hub, alongside its first Forestry Ambassador initiative, helping farmers, landowners and communities explore the opportunities forestry can offer.

The Forestry for You hub brings together clear, practical information on Ireland's Forestry