NEWS

The Minister states: While neither of my Department's sports capital funding programmes - the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) - provide for the acquisition of land I would be supportive of any funding proposal that would enable local authorities to acquire lands for sport and recreation purposes. The Programme for Government commits to supporting local authorities in the acquisition of new lands for parks and playi

The Minister states: Tenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is a priority category under my Department's Second Hand Acquisitions Programme. It is not a scheme, but a policy tool available to local authorities to prevent social housing supported households in the private rented sector from falling into homelessness. It should only be used as a last resort by local authorities when all other options have been exhausted. In 2025, €3.5m was allocated to Carlow Co. Co. which was

Question: Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm the status of the development of the Kilkenny Schools Campus site; if the funding of €5 million announced by the previous Minister will be confirmed; if the project will be approved for the next phase of the development given that at the end of 2025, the enabling works were substantially completed with utilities awaiting final connection; if the tender report for pre-qualificatio

The Minister states: GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients, and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in any area. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,598 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further

The Minister states: The Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State, was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. The CFRAM programme studied 80% of Ireland's primary flood risk and identified measures to protect over 95% of that risk. The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) were a key output of CFRAM, identifying proposed flood relief measures nationwide. The Government

The need for this Primary Care Centre in Graignamanagh has been identified as part of the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) overall primary care centre development programme. This PCC is to be delivered via the HSE operational lease mechanism. The HSE has advertised and identified a preferred developer for this new centre. I am pleased to advise that an application for planning permission was lodged by the preferred developer in July 2025. In response to this application Kil

The Minister states: The Help to Buy incentive, is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. It also has as an aim to encourage additional supply of new houses by supporting demand. Help to Buy provides a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. As of 31 March 20 25 , the scheme has supported in

The Minister states: The local improvement scheme is a vital support for rural communities to improve non-public rural roads and local laneways. Since 2017 almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities under the scheme. I will repeat that figure of €170 million. In April 2024 €40 million in funding was announced for the LIS for all local authorities for 2024 and 2025. While the Department provides funding for the scheme, it is administered by t

Update on the refurbishment works at Kilkenny Castle. The Minister States: The OPW is responsible for the conservation, care and...

Expression of sympathy for the late Bobby Aylward

The arts and entertainment sector have taken a big hit during Covid-19 and not enough is being done to facilitate a speedy recovery, accordi

The former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee says NAMA appears to have misled them. Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD, John McGuinness was hea

Local Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness has been selected as chairman of one of the most high profile committees in the Dáil. Following his suc

Article taken from KCLR FM The European Commission has crossed the line in its Apple tax ruling, according to the Taoiseach. Enda Kenny ha

A renowned black spot for poor to non- existent mobile phone coverage is about to receive a complete upgrade according to Deputy John McGuin

by Sean Keane sean.keane@kilkennypeople.ie Article taken from Kilkenny People.ie Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness is urging back-bench Governm

Kilkenny People newspaper – Published on Tuesday 26 June 2012 18:05 An average of 100 bed days have been lost at St Luke’s Hospital every w