merrion street

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett today announced that the Organic Farming Scheme is open to new applicants from today, Thursday, October 20th. The scheme includes the higher rates announced earlier this year, and the application window is open until December 9th.

Ministers Helen McEntee TD and Naomi Long MLA met yesterday to discuss cross border cooperation on criminal justice matters. The Ministers reviewed the excellent ongoing cooperation across a wide range of criminal justice fields including forensic science, public protection and victim support.

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann today announced the start of four new and improved routes linking Limerick to its hinterland and nationally under the new Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, as well as three enhanced routes in the North-East of the country where new connections are being made, alongside the doubling or tripling in frequency of existing services.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced a new fund of €100,000 to support Women’s Sheds.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan today welcomed the publication of the 2021 Tobacco Free Ireland Annual Report.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today welcomed the first cross-border Industry Insights session for teachers and guidance counsellors. The event, a first of its kind on this island, is taking place online today in conjunction with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) and Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI). The seminar will be hosted by environmental services company Veolia.

The Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D., announced details of over £5.6 million in funding for the Irish community in Britain during a visit to London today to meet Irish community leaders.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has today welcomed President Michael D. Higgins and President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on a visit (hosted by the Marine Institute) to the newly commissioned national research vessel, RV Tom Crean, berthed in Dublin’s docklands. President de Sousa is currently on a state visit to Ireland.

The Minister for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD today officially opened the new Cork Southern Region office of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today (Thursday) published the Finance Bill 2022 following approval by Government earlier this week.