Author: Mícheál Lehane

Government to Allocate €100 Million to First Home Scheme The Government is set to increase funding for the First Home Scheme by €100 million, according to correspondence seen by RTÉ News. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien is expected to bring this measure to Cabinet as part of efforts to boost support for first-time homebuyers. The scheme, a shared equity initiative, offers up to 30% funding towards the purchase price of a home in exchange for a share of the property’s equity. The additional investment follows a previous allocation of €40 million last April and is projected to assist in the…

Government Urges More People to Provide Student Accommodation in Their Homes The Government is exploring ways to incentivize more individuals to offer accommodation for students in their own residences, as a quick solution to the current housing shortage for students. Minister for Higher Education Patrick O’Donovan emphasized the need for immediate action, citing the time-consuming process of constructing new student accommodation. O’Donovan expressed his commitment to supporting those who provide digs accommodation in their homes, as well as offering direct assistance to students commuting to college. With the upcoming Budget approaching, enhanced supports for accommodation providers could be on the…

Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty is calling for an increase in the banking levy to €400 million in response to the soaring profits of the banking sector due to rising interest rates. Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has announced plans to extend the bank levy as part of Budget 2025. Doherty emphasized the need for the banking sector, which has seen significant profit increases, to contribute more to support households and mortgage holders facing rising costs. The levy, first introduced in 2014, targets institutions like AIB, EBS, PTSB, and Bank of Ireland and is set to raise around €200…

Finance Minister Jack Chambers plans to extend the bank levy in Budget 2025. The levy, initially introduced in 2014, targets four institutions that received State aid during the banking crisis: AIB, EBS, PTSB, and Bank of Ireland, generating around €200 million this year. With Irish banks thriving, Minister Chambers deems it fitting for them to continue contributing to the state. Intensifying efforts ahead of the October 1 budget, the Minister, in consultation with the Department of Finance, aims to recommend the levy’s extension. The return from this levy is expected to support a significant income tax package, easing the burden…

The Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers, is planning to extend the bank levy as part of Budget 2025. The levy, first introduced in 2014 and extended multiple times, is calculated based on eligible deposits at four institutions: AIB, EBS, PTSB, and Bank of Ireland, which received State assistance during the banking crisis. Set to raise around €200 million this year, Minister Chambers believes that profitable banks in Ireland should continue to contribute to the State. As preparations for the October 1st Budget intensify, Minister Chambers, in consultation with the Department of Finance, is considering recommending the extension of the levy.…

The Cabinet is set to discuss the estimated €1 billion cost of relocating Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin for housing development, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin advising against the plan due to high costs. Feasibility studies show moving the barracks to a greenfield site would cost around €497m. Additionally, the Land Development Agency’s study suggests relocating the barracks could lead to the development of 1,300 homes costing approximately €499m. Other items on the agenda include the Defence Policy Review and the Access to Cash bill, which aims to enhance access to cash for everyone, with specific requirements for ATM access. The…

Leo Varadkar, the former Taoiseach of Ireland, has announced that he will not stand in the next general election. This decision makes him the 14th Fine Gael party member to announce their departure. Varadkar cited a desire to explore new opportunities and options outside of politics, stating that the time has come for him to do so. Despite stepping down from his leadership roles, he plans to complete his term as a full-time TD until the dissolution of the Dáil. During his political career, Varadkar held various ministerial positions before becoming Taoiseach in 2017 and again in 2022. His decision…

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has issued a warning to Dublin City Council regarding delays in implementing its transport plan, which is crucial for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The plan includes limiting cars passing through the city, with the first phase scheduled to begin next month. Despite concerns from local businesses about financial impacts, Minister Ryan emphasized the importance of moving forward with sustainable transport initiatives to rejuvenate the city center. While the exact amount of funding at risk was not disclosed, it is earmarked for traffic signaling and management measures. In a separate development, the Government approved a strategic rail…

After 26 years serving his constituency, former tánaiste Simon Coveney has announced that he will not be standing in the next general election. The 52-year-old Cork South Central TD has had a long and distinguished career in politics, first being elected to the Dáil in 1998. He has held various ministerial positions, including minister for agriculture and minister for foreign affairs. Earlier this year, when Simon Harris took over as Taoiseach, Mr Coveney made the decision to step down from the Cabinet to allow the new leader to appoint new ministers. This move was seen as an indication that his…

The Government Apologises to Thalidomide Survivors The Government has issued a long-awaited apology to thalidomide survivors, acknowledging the hardships they have endured. Thalidomide, a drug prescribed to pregnant women in the 1950s and 1960s for morning sickness, resulted in severe birth defects in many children. In a recent statement, the Government expressed deep regret over the lack of regulatory standards at the time thalidomide was introduced to the market, asserting that the survivors’ mothers were not at fault. As a result of their experiences, drug safety practices have significantly evolved. An enhanced package of health and social care support has…