We had very good discussions at Plenary Meeting of British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly covering a very wide range of subjects of great importance across all these islands.
Guest speakers and Ministers including Norma Foley TD, Jack Chambers TD and Matthew Patrick MP made excellent contributions to debates on Ireland/UK/EU relations, current international geopolitical instability and difficulties, food security and sustainability and the role of universities in promoting regional economic development and collaboration in research and innovation across the different jurisdictions.
The Tánaiste and other members of the Government indicated clearly on Tuesday that the introduction of other relief measures would be kept under constant consideration in light of the serious difficulties facing households and businesses due to the increase in energy costs. I suggest that the omission of the farming community and agri contractors from meaningful support in that announcement should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
I understand that three weeks ago, green diesel cost 96 cent per litre. Today, it costs at least 163 cent per litre, which is an increase of upwards of 70%. The excise rate of green diesel needs to be revisited quickly. The silage season is less than two months away. We know that with present prices, the cost of making silage would increase substantially, impacting farmers and agri contractors who would be spreading much dearer fertiliser. Making silage and spreading slurry will be key and essential farm activities over the next number of weeks and the increases will put huge pressure on farm costs and incomes. This is at a time when the prices paid to farmers are stagnant, if not falling, for some sectors. The significant increase in fuel costs is a cause of great anxiety and concern for farmers and agri contractors. We all know that increased energy costs adversely impact other essential farm inputs. For the consumer, food prices will also go up. In his role as Minister for Finance, I ask the Tánaiste to revisit this as a matter of urgency.
I would make the point that there are limitations on what it is legally possible to do to excise duty. This week, the Government took measures on excise duty, fuel allowance and the diesel rebate. Some members of the Opposition are asking me to reduce the non-carbon excise element of home heating oil, which does not exist. I cannot do that. There are also rules around the energy tax directive. There is a limit – I am just being honest – to how much we can do in relation to the excise duty on green diesel. However, farmers will benefit from the reduction we made and the pause of the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, levy. The total benefit will be around 5 cent.
I recognise that farmers and the agrifood sector may, like other sectors in the economy, require assistance in the time ahead. The Government will remain nimble and agile in respect of those issues. This week was about excise duty and doing what we could to alleviate the cost increases in petrol and diesel, to help those most at risk of fuel poverty and to provide crucial assistance for the supply chains in our economy around the haulage sector. I am aware of the pressures that other sectors of the economy are under or may come under in the time ahead. That is one of the reasons that the Government has brought in these measures for a time-bound period. It will give an opportunity to come back. I will keep in touch with the Deputy because I know it is an important issue that impacts his community and many people across the country.
Another top class and varied display of projects by students in the Final of the Co. Cavan Student Enterprise Programme 2026. Great credit is due to all the students, teachers, schools and our Local Enterprise Office in bringing us such a successful competition and nurturing a positive enterprise culture.
Best of luck to all the Groups organising and hosting St. Patrick’s Day events and festivities. This is a special day for Irish people when our heritage and culture is celebrated at home and indeed throughout the world. Enjoy and take care.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir. Bain sult as na himeachtaí ar fad. Is deis iontach í an Ghaeilge agus Cultúr na hÉireann a cheiliúradh anseo in Éirinn agus timpeall an domhain.
€581,100 is being allocated to Cavan County Council and €475,600 to Monaghan County Council to support both Councils in bringing back to habitable use housing stock which is vacant at present. Since 2020 there has been a major investment in upgrading such houses and enabling them to be allocated to people on the social housing list.
I welcome Minister James Browne TDc ommitment to this Scheme and for this very welcome funding.
Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed today’s announcement of total funding of €5,332,512 for Housing Adaptation Grants across Cavan and Monaghan. Of this amount, €4,532,636 will be provided through exchequer funding and €799,876 through projected local authority contributions.
The funding announced for Cavan and Monaghan forms part of a wider national package which will see total projected funding of over €152 million allocated nationwide. The increased funding is expected to support approximately 17,000 grant claims.
This year’s allocation represents an increase of €30 million for the scheme and continues the year on year rise in funding since 2014. When combined with contributions from local authorities, the projected national funding of over €152 million for 2026 will support around 17,000 grant claims for older people and people with disabilities, helping them to live independently in their own homes.
Under the scheme, grants of up to €40,000 are available to assist people with disabilities in carrying out essential works to make their homes more suitable for their needs. Grants of up to €10,700 are also available to support older people in carrying out necessary repairs or improvements to their homes, while grants of up to €8,000 are available for mobility aids.
Speaking on the announcement, Deputy Smith said:
“The Housing Adaptation Grant scheme provides practical assistance to older people and individuals with disabilities who need to adapt their homes to better suit their needs.
“In 2025, local authorities processed approximately 15,700 applications under the scheme, highlighting just how important this support is for many households.
“By helping to fund essential adaptations and improvements, these grants allow people to remain living independently in their own homes for longer and can also support a smoother transition home following a hospital stay.
“Supporting people to age in place and remain part of their local communities is a priority for Fianna Fáil, and schemes like this are vital in making that possible.”
I welcome approval by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD of €38,300 for 4 Agricultural Shows to be held in Cavan and Monaghan this year. Great credit is due to all the Show Committees and their volunteers on the planning and hard work that is involved in hosting these shows on an annual basis. These events are important in showcasing local farming and agri-food production, arts, crafts and enterprise. They are also good social events.
Minister Calleary approved funding as follows:
📍Arva Agricultural Show Sunday 26th July €9,200 📍Virginia Show Wednesday 19th August €10,700 📍Castleblayney Show Monday 3rd August €9,200 📍Tydavnet Show Saturday 15th August €9,200
I wish all the Shows well in their preparations for this year’s events.
“I welcome confirmation by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless TD, that the Grangegorman Development Agency will be the national delivery agency for major capital projects for the Further Education Sector. This is of particular importance to the Cavan/Monaghan ETB’s Further Education and Training College Major Capital Project proposal for the provision of additional accommodation at Cavan Institute.
In response to my Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Éireann Minister Lawless stated that this proposal involves the development of new centralised accommodation on land that is owned by Cavan Monaghan ETB and is currently occupied by Cavan Institute on Cathedral Road in the town. He added that the project aims to consolidate existing provisions, incorporate new training programmes, and develop support services at one location with convenient transport access, including bus services to the main towns in multiple counties. This major accommodation proposal is currently at the Pre-tender – Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy Stage”, stated Brendan Smith TD.
Minister Lawless in response to my contribution at the Further and Higher Education Oireachtas Committee stated in reference to Cavan Institute –
“On Cavan Institute, when I visited that day I saw the level, depth and breadth of learning and activities taking place there. I also saw the popularity of it because it was a bit crowded in parts and there is a need for expansion. I know there is the site next door, which we looked at on the day. What I would say to Deputy Smith – and he can take this back to his education and training board, ETB – is that I strongly support that project. I hope that his ETB will be in a position to appoint a design team this year. I see no reason it should not be able to do that. My Department and I would certainly support it. I invite the Deputy to engage with SOLAS and the Grangegorman Development Agency, which is now going to be the national delivery agency for further and education training, FET, capital projects. It did a very good job with the Grangegorman campus. Given the success of that project, which is largely now completed, I will be bringing legislation through to enable it to take on a national remit. Even before the legislation part – that is the technical part – it can start doing the work. It can engage with the Deputy’s ETB and start to put together a blueprint. That will enable the ETB to appoint a design team for that project, which brings it to the next stage. I would hope and expect the ETB can do that this year and I know the Deputy will be providing his good offices to support it in that. That is a message he can take back and I hope it is a very positive one”, concluded Minister Lawless.
