Author: Justin McCarthy
The new National Children’s Hospital is set to be completed by June next year, reassures Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. There were concerns about possible delays pushing the completion date to 2026, but BAM, the developers, have committed to meeting the June deadline. Minister Donnelly recently met with the chief executive of Royal BAM, the parent company of BAM Ireland, who assured him that the project would be finished on time. Donnelly emphasized the need for more workers on site to speed up the process. BAM has pledged to increase the workforce to meet the deadline. Commissioning works will also…
The Government’s new auto-enrolment pension scheme is set to launch on 30 September 2025, as announced by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys. The initiative aims to include 800,000 workers in a private pension plan alongside their State pension, addressing the 32% of workers aged 20-69 without private pension coverage. To secure retirement funds, employees will start contributing 1.5% of their salary initially, increasing to 6% over time. Minister Humphreys assures that the scheme’s full details will be revealed in the upcoming Budget, providing businesses with a year’s notice for preparations. The implementation of this scheme is expected to benefit…
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) may undergo significant reforms as an independent review suggests stripping it of its driver and vehicle testing roles. Economic consultants Indecon have proposed various restructuring options, including removing responsibility for the NCT, driving test, and driver licensing, allowing the RSA to focus solely on road safety. A major overhaul is expected pending government decision on the report’s recommendations, as the RSA currently operates with a €95 million budget funded by charges for services. The government is considering a new funding approach as it aims to address increasing road fatalities. Criticism from road safety campaigners and…
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is requesting permission to increase fees for services such as the National Car Test (NCT) and driving tests in order to address financial pressures. In a briefing document, the RSA highlighted the need for additional funding due to wage and rent increases, as well as inflation impacts. The proposed fee increases, which could include a 10% rise for the NCT and driving tests, aim to help sustain the RSA’s operations and meet key priorities. With road safety as its main focus, the RSA emphasized the importance of adequate funding for crucial initiatives, such as a…