Inside Look - Minister Anne Rabbitte - January Newsletter 2024
Welcome NoteA chara, I hope you will find some value in this month's newsletter. Thank you for being part of my community, and if there is any area I can be of assistance, be it large or small, please do not hesitate to contact me. Anne Constituency NewsOpen Call for Expressions of Interest for Fáilte Ireland – Tourism Learning Network Programme for Ireland’s Midlands 2023 – 2026An open call for Expressions of Interest for its Tourism Learning Network Programme as part of the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme for Ireland’s Midlands 2023-2026. This new Tourism Learning Network Programme is designed to build tourism business’ capabilities to help grow and future proof their sustainable development.
Minister Anne Rabbitte unveils state-of-the-art endoscopy and minor operating procedure facilities at Bon Secours GalwayBon Secours Hospital Galway officially opened a third endoscopy room and expanded minor operating procedure room today, unveiled by Minister of State for Disability at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Anne Rabbitte TD. Driven by a significant €1.3 million investment, the development marks a substantial advancement in endoscopic capabilities, a larger space to increase patient flow across the hospital, and a notable expansion of advanced healthcare available to patients in the region.
Public information campaign to build greater awareness of the role of the local Council and CouncillorsMinister for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell T.D. launched the “Your Council” campaign, to provide members of the public with more information about local government and the role of the Councillor. The campaign, being launched today, is a digital, social media and radio advertising initiative and gives an overview of the different responsibilities of local government and the key role played by Councillors in shaping communities
Opening of €1.9 million biomass heat centre fuelling ATU building with renewable energ7Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth TD have congratulated Atlantic Technological University (ATU)on its new innovative biomass heat centre following Government funding of €1.9 million.
Minister Rabbitte welcomes increase in First Home Scheme price ceilings in GalwayMinister for Disability and Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, has welcomed the increase to the First Home Scheme price ceilings in Galway City and County. The First Home Scheme (also known as the shared equity scheme) supports you to buy a new home or to build your first home by taking on up to 30% of the cost of your new home in return for a stake in the home.
National NewsExtended Young Adult Card Fare Now Live So 24 and 25 Year Olds Can Travel Half PriceThe Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan today announced that extended fare discounts for young adults are now live so that 24 and 25 year olds can also avail of 50% fares on public transport. This latest expansion means that those aged between 18 and 25 years and full-time third levels students aged 16 and above, can travel half price on all PSO and participating commercial bus operator services, making Ireland one of the best value public transport countries in Europe for young people.
Government welcomes study which reveals more than half of people surveyed have learned a new skill this yearMinister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris encouraged everyone to consider learning a new skill as research revealed that more than half of those surveyed have taken on the challenge over the past year. The Year of Skills was launched by Minister Harris in May with a call to action for everyone in the country to put skills at the centre for this year – and to take the opportunity to learn a new skill.
9 Projects awarded funding under CREATE initiative for 2024CREATE II is the second iteration of the CREATE initiative, which was initially launched in January 2022, and aims to improve access to Digital and Assistive Technologies (DAT) that can make real changes to the day to day experiences of people with disabilities. The funding announced by Minister Rabbitte will enable the ongoing implementation and sustainability of selected projects.
WHO research shows Ireland performs well in the use of behavioural and cultural insights for healthThe Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth have highlighted research by the World Health Organization (WHO) which shows Ireland is performing well in the use of behavioural and cultural insights (BCI) to support better health.
Government announce record numbers take up apprenticeships in 2023 and detail expansion planned for 2024Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister of State for Further Education and Skills Niall Collins TD have announced a record number of apprentices registered in 2023, with significant numbers registering to join construction trades. The Ministers also confirmed 17 new apprenticeship programmes are proposed for this year including four in the area of construction, while a further six in areas such as firefighting and paramedics are in development.
Minister Heydon addresses the Global Forum on Food and AgricultureMinister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D., joined ministerial colleagues from more than 70 countries on Saturday 20th January at the Agriculture Ministers’ Conference on the final day of the 16th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture during Berlin Green Week 2024.
Government unveil plans for 500 student accommodation bedsMinister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe TD have welcomed Government agreement on a new long term policy to develop student accommodation. The three Ministers outlined the detail of the policy, which is a key deliverable under Housing for All, as they viewed plans for 521 beds in Dublin City University andMaynooth University with both to go to construction in the coming months. Work is also progressing with University of Limerick and University of Galway who have also secured approval in principle for further investment.
Government announces all adult hospices to be state-fundedThe Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced the redesignation of four voluntary hospice providers:
from Section 39 service level agreements with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to Section 38 agreements.
Funding OpportunitiesGovernment announces Community and Enterprises Grants Scheme under the EU Just Transition FundThe EU JTF Community and Enterprise Grants scheme, administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, aims to provide communities in the wider Midlands area, formerly dependent on peat production, with the capacity to develop employment opportunities in the green, circular and low-carbon economy.
Up to €250,000 available for forest nurseries through Forest Technology SchemeApplications are open for the second tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme: Module 2 – Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector. The scheme supports commercial nurseries to enhance the quantity, quality, and diversity of native tree species. Nurseries can receive up to €250,000 in funding for capital investments in specialised equipment for native forest tree production.
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