Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed the announcement today of the funding of over €117 million in Housing Adaptation Grants, of which Cavan and Monaghan has received over €4.1 million.

The announcement came yesterday from the Minster for Housing James Browne as part of an overall package worth €117 million – a 26% increase on 2024 funding.

Under the Housing Adaptation Grants allocation, a total of €4,102,762 in combined Government and local Council funding will be available for Cavan and Monaghan. This funding will benefit over 13,000 older and disabled people across the country.

Commenting on the funding Deputy Smith said: “I am delighted today to hear of significant funding under the Housing Adaptation Grant. Over €4.1 million has been allocated to Cavan and Monaghan.

There has been a review by government over the last year, and they have made substantial improvements to the grants for this year.

This includes an increase in the maximum level of Housing Adaption Grant for Disabled People to €40,000, (an increase of €10,000), an increase in the maximum level of the Housing Aid for Older People Grant to €10,700 (an increase of €2,700); and an increase in the maximum level of the Mobility Aid Grant of €8,000 (an increase of €2,000)

These significant changes are something Deputy Smith says will be prioritise and enhance aid for older and disabled people across his constituency.

“The Housing Adaptation Grant is designed to support older people and those with disabilities in living safely and comfortably in their homes,” he said.

“Whatever their needs may be, the Government is committed to providing meaningful assistance. That’s why we’re increasing funding by nearly 26% this year.

“The Housing Adaptation Grant has been and continues to be, a great success. Fianna Fáil in government wants to ensure that older and disabled people can live and stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

Had further good discussions recently with Officers of Cavan IFA Executive, Paddy Denning, Maurice Brady Chairman and Thomas Leonard on a range of issues including Nitrates Derogation, TB incidences, Mercosur, delays in ACRES payments and effects of implementation of GAEC-2.

A great day for healthcare in #Cavan #Monaghan with the turning of the sod for the new state of the art St. Christopher’s Hospice, including a 16-bed specialist palliative care unit, palliative care hub and providing a range of palliative care services.
Very glad to have supported the efforts of all who worked so hard over the years to achieve this new hospice

FASN provides much needed and critical support to families and communities impacted by addiction and substance misuse. FASN working hard to provide enhanced supports and services to families in Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith, has welcomed confirmation from the Department of Education that significant progress is being made on the establishment of a new redeployment scheme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).

Deputy Smith stated, “This is an important and very welcome initiative that will provide greater job security for SNAs, while also ensuring that their experience and skills continue to benefit children with additional needs.

“Our SNAs play a crucial role in supporting students across both mainstream and special education settings. This new scheme will allow SNAs whose positions may no longer be required, due to factors such as demographic changes or shifting enrolments, to be redeployed to schools where there are vacancies.”

The new SNA Redeployment Scheme, to be managed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), represents a significant step forward in strengthening the delivery of support services to children with special educational needs. It is also aligned with the development of the first-ever SNA Workforce Development Plan, due to be published later this year.

Deputy Smith continued, “This scheme not only helps retain skilled and experienced SNAs within the education system, but it also supports schools in responding flexibly to emerging needs. It reinforces the Government’s commitment to inclusive education and ensures that every child who requires SNA support has fair and timely access to it.”

Concluding, Deputy Smith stated, “I will continue to work with my Fianna Fáil colleagues in Government to ensure that our education system is inclusive, responsive, and properly resourced, particularly in supporting children with special educational needs. Initiatives like this SNA Redeployment Scheme are key to achieving that goal.”

I welcome confirmation from the Minister of State for Heritage, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, of approval of funding under the Community Monuments Fund for a number of projects in Cavan and Monaghan.

The Community Monuments Fund provides funding to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. Such monuments are of interest to local communities and visitors.

I compliment the Heritage Officers in both Cavan and Monaghan on their work in obtaining funding through national schemes helping to preserve our local heritage through investment in our built heritage and in archaeological monuments. Local community groups also play a pivotal role in safeguarding and promoting heritage in every parish throughout Cavan and Monaghan.

PSA for Parents & Guardians!

The School Transport Scheme for 2025/26 is now OPEN for applications!

Apply online now at www.buseireann.ie/schools

Deadline: Friday, 25 April 2025

Who needs to apply?

First-time school transport applicants

Students changing home address or school in 2025/26

Already using the scheme? Just log in and pay your fee to secure your spot!

Fees are super affordable:

* €50 for primary students

* €75 for post-primary

* Max €125 per family – huge savings for households!

Don’t miss out — apply before April 25th and secure your seat for the school year!

I welcome the decision by my colleague, Minister Dara Calleary TD to extend the Hot School Meals Programme and this will benefit an additional 15 schools in Cavan and an additional 9 schools in Monaghan.

This nationwide and successful programme makes nutritious hot meals available to all primary schools.

Minister Calleary has also asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards and it is essential that healthy food is provided by all suppliers.

The programme to date has shown a positive impact on students right across the country and its extension is very welcome.

I welcome the provision of €12.3 million in the HSE 2025 Capital Programme to advance a number of Health Care Projects in County Cavan.

The projects to benefit include the major building project at Cavan General Hospital involving new Emergency Department, new Endoscopy Unit, Oncology Unit, and additional beds with a financial allocation of €5.97 million.

A new Enhanced Community Care Hub will be provided on the grounds of Cavan General Hospital with expenditure this year of €250,000,  €3 million is also being provided towards St Christopher’s Hospice where construction will commence at an early date.

€100,000 is also being provided towards the planning of a new Primary Care building in Ballyconnell and €640,000 has also been provided towards essential fire safety upgrade works to Virginia Community Health Centre.

€100,000 has also been provided in respect of the proposed refurbishment of a vacated building on the grounds of St Davnet’s in Monaghan.

These projects will entail substantial investment in 2026 as building work progresses. Enhanced Health Care facilities will benefit patients from all over Cavan and Monaghan.

• €11 million available to further build resilience of rural communities

• Focus on community facilities and amenities

• Continued support for vehicles for first responders, meals on wheels and cancer care transport

Under the initiative, funding will be provided across three measures:

1. Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more.

2. Support for community transport such as cancer care support, community first responders, meals on wheels vehicles, or for persons with reduced mobility.

3. Tailored funding for offshore island communities.

The level of funding for community facilities and amenities has increased from €50,000 to €65,000, with a new option this year for local authorities to apply for funding of up to €100,000 for 2 larger scale projects.

The CLÁR Programme has for many years provided funding to develop and support our rural communities making them more resilient, and more inviting places to live, work and visit.

The CLÁR programme continues to adapt to the needs of communities. Minister Calleary, having reviewed the eligible measures for this year, has increased the overall grant aid per project and to allow for projects of up to €100,000 which will make a real and tangible difference to communities.