Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith has said that improvements to the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme are due imminently following sustained engagement with colleagues across Government on the issue.

He raised this through direct correspondence with the Minister for Public Expenditure in mid-December regarding the operation and concerns around the criteria of the scheme.

In response at that time, the Minister advised that the scheme was under review, that there would be an increase in funding, and that local authorities would be informed of the outcome over the coming weeks.

Deputy Brendan Smith said that, through his ongoing engagement with local authorities in Cavan and Monaghan, it had become clear that significant difficulties existed in meeting certain eligibility criteria required to draw down funding under the scheme, and expressed his dismay at this.

“Local authorities have repeatedly highlighted to me that the criteria attached to the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme made it extremely challenging to access funding, even where there was a clear and persistent flooding issue,” he said.

“This was a particular problem in rural areas, where smaller-scale projects are urgently needed but often struggle to meet rigid thresholds.

He added that rural communities such as communities across his own constituency should not be disadvantaged simply because of their size.

“I am very conscious that flooding can cause enormous hardship and suffering for household, businesses and farms and in many instances remedial works are urgently needed.

“Just because there are smaller numbers of people in rural communities who are constantly affected by flooding does not mean they should continue to be disadvantaged,” Deputy Brendan Smith stated. “Those families and communities are just as entitled to modern construction standards and effective flood mitigation works as anyone else.

Deputy Smith confirmed that today he received correspondence from Minister ‘Boxer’ Moran, advising that the Office of Public Works is finalising the details of revisions to the scheme. The Minister indicated that local authorities could expect to be advised of the revised criteria, including the €3 million fund for the removal of river conveyance blockages, over the coming weeks.

Welcoming this development, Deputy Smith said:

“I very much welcome this confirmation from the Minister. The revision of the scheme and the inclusion of the €3 million fund for the removal of river conveyance blockages have the potential to make a real and practical difference on the ground. I look forward to local authorities being formally advised of the revised criteria and to seeing-overdue flood mitigation works progressing in communities that need them most,” he concluded.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith, welcomes the announcement by Minister Charlie McConalogue that a funding package of €15 million per annum will be allocated to the post office network around the country.

Today’s announcement by Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue will benefit the post office network nationwide.

Speaking on the funding, Deputy Brendan Smith said post offices are ‘the backbones of rural communities’ and ‘provide a great service for many in rural Ireland’.

“I am pleased to be informed today by my parliamentary colleague Minister Charlie McConalogue that he has approved a funding package worth €15m per year for the next five years to 2030 for our post office network nationwide.

“Post offices and the services they provide for people in rural Ireland are the backbone of our communities. Coming from Cavan/Monaghan, I completely understand and see how crucial these services are for rural Ireland,” he stated.

Also agreed by Minister McConalogue agreed today the principles on which the funding will operate.

These are: maintaining network access across urban and rural Ireland, which ensures no community is left behind and has equal access, aligning funding with criteria including the degree of isolation and the sustainability of each post office, ensuring a minimum revenue threshold for post offices, and recognising offices of cultural or geographic significance – such as those on inhabited islands or in Gaeltacht areas.

Deputy Brendan Smith went on to say the principles of funding will ensure ‘equal access’ and thanked his party colleague for his important work to ensure post offices are supported over the next five years.

“I am especially pleased that the agreed principles of funding will ensure equal access for all and especially the recognition of offices with cultural or geographical significance. I would like to thank Minister Charlie McConalogue for his hard work in ensuring we deliver on a key element of the Programme for Government.

“In Fianna Fáil we understand the value of post offices in rural Ireland, and this funding will protect commercially focused Post Office Networks nationwide, which will in affect help the people of rural Ireland access services as effectively as possible,” he concluded.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan Brendan Smith has again sought an increase in the income eligibility limits for social housing.

“I believe that the current income eligibility requirements are not fair or realistic and I have asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, if these income limits can be increased without further delay. 

“In response to further Parliamentary Questions I tabled last week in Dáil Eireann the Minister stated that his Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, particularly having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. The Minister indicated that this includes examining the findings of research commissioned by his Department and that this work is ongoing,” said Deputy Brendan Smith.

“It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly and there will be a determination on next steps.  I will continue to work on this issue to ensure the fairest and most equitable terms for social housing applicants in Cavan Monaghan,” concluded Brendan Smith TD.

Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith has welcomed the increase in the number of children benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme across Cavan/Monaghan.

The National Childcare Scheme provides subsidies that significantly reduce the cost of early learning and childcare for families across the country.

Commenting on the announcement, Deputy Brendan Smith said, “I am delighted to hear from my Fianna Fáil colleague and Minister for Children, Norma Foley, that there are now 9,510 children benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme in Cavan and Monaghan.

He added: “This Scheme is having a very positive impact on families right across the county. Reducing the cost of childcare and ensuring it is affordable for families is a key priority for Fianna Fáil in Government.

As part of her duties, Minister Foley is implementing more measures this year that will help reduce the cost of childcare for low-income families. In September, the Minister will introduce new, lower maximum fee changes for families paying the higher prices and higher subsidies for lower income families.

Nationally, around 245,000 children have benefitted from the Scheme in 2025, a 12% increase on 2024. This reflects the Government’s strong investment in the sector, including a 53% increase in the minimum hourly National Childcare Scheme subsidy introduced in September 2024.

Deputy Brendan Smith concluded:

“Further measures will be introduced this year to help reduce childcare costs, particularly for low-income families. From September, new lower maximum fees and increased subsidies will further improve affordability.

“Fianna Fáil is the party of education, and we are committed to supporting families during the crucial early years.

“I welcome grant aid of €347,000 approved by Heritage Minister Christopher O’Sullivan TD in respect of 45 projects across Cavan and Monaghan under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026.

I compliment all the local applicants and the Heritage Offices in Cavan and Monaghan County Councils on submitting successful applications.

This Scheme helps property owners to conserve and enhance historic buildings and streetscapes and also supports the preservation and development of traditional building skills.

At a local level this year’s grants will be used to repair, restore and protect historic structures including traditional homes and significant public buildings stated Brendan Smith TD.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed the commencement of a number of changes to the Rural Social Scheme. The changes coming into effect from this month will allow the RSS to become more sustainable and continue to impact rural communities.

The Rural Social Scheme is an income support scheme that provides part-time employment opportunities for some low income farmers and fishers who receive specific social welfare payments. There are almost 2,700 people participating in the RSS at present, with an expenditure of some €52.6 million in 2025.

Included in the recommendations arising from the Review of the RSS that was published in July 2024, is the introduction of the Rural Dweller Pilot from this month which involves 250 ringfenced placements for Rural Dwellers who are 50 years old and over on a qualifying social welfare payment.

Speaking on today’s announcement, Deputy Brendan Smith said:

“The Rural Social Scheme does excellent and vital work in rural communities across the country. The newly implemented recommendations of the review of the Scheme will enable more people to participate.

“Across the country the RSS has supported a range of vital local services such as meals on wheels, the maintenance and upkeep of local amenities and other vital work in local communities.

Two further review recommendations have been introduced from 1st of this month, one which extends RSS eligibility to people with a defined connection to a farming/fishing enterprise and a second which allows a couple who are jointly engaged in farming/fishing to both access RSS using the one herd number/fishing licence.

Brendan Smith concluded:

“The Rural Social Scheme brings real benefits for rural communities which I have witnessed first hand. I believe these changes to the scheme will encourage greater participation and broaden its impact.  I look forward to seeing the RSS evolve and grow as a result of these measures.”

Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has confirmed that 1,457 Newborn Baby Grants were issued to 1,434 families in Cavan and Monaghan in 2025.

As part of Budget 2025, the Department of Social Protection introduced the Newborn Baby Grant, a once off payment of €280 designed to help families meet the material needs of a newborn baby or a newly adopted child.

The grant is paid automatically alongside the first month of Child Benefit, meaning parents do not need to make a separate application.

In its first year, the Newborn Baby Grant was paid nationally in respect of 49,841 children, at a total cost of approximately €14 million.

Commenting on the figures, Deputy Brendan Smith said:

“The birth of a new child is a time of great joy, but it can also place financial pressure on families. Supports like this are essential in easing that pressure and allowing parents to enjoy what truly matters, spending time with their newest family member.

“In the first year of this scheme, thousands of families have benefited nationally, with thousands of families in Cavan and Monaghan receiving support.

“Measures like the Newborn Baby Grant make a tremendous difference to families. It is vital that we continue to support parents through schemes like this so they can spend time with their loved ones and focus on the moments that matter.”

NEWBORN BABY GRANT

The Newborn Baby Grant is part of the whole-of-Government First 5 strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. This is a ten-year plan to help make sure all children have positive early experiences and get a great start in life.

This bonus payment on the birth or adoption of a child aims to assist parents with the costs associated with new family members, by providing an additional financial support.

CHILD BENEFIT

Child Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 (or until their 19th birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability).

The standard rate of Child Benefit is €140 per month.

Child Benefit is paid on the first Tuesday of every month. The first payment is made the month after the child is born.

Twins are paid at one and a half times the standard monthly rate for each child, that is, €210 per month for each twin. All other multiple births are paid at double the standard monthly rate for each child, that is €280 per child.

The Newborn Baby Grant of €280 is paid in addition to the regular €140 Child Benefit payment in the first month. The payment is made in respect of approximately 50,000 children each year.

As a result of this measure, in the month after the birth of a child or placement of an adopted child, the qualifying parents will be eligible for:

• In the case of a single birth, a payment of €420 (the usual Child Benefit payment of €140 plus the new baby grant of €280)
• In the case of twins, a payment of €980 (the usual Child Benefit payment of €210 per child plus two new baby grants of €280 each).
• In the case of triplets, a payment of €1,680 (the usual Child Benefit payment of €280 per child plus two three new baby grants of €280 each).

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil  TD Brendan Smith welcomes the allocation by the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien of more than €11 million in funding for active travel and greenway developments for Cavan and Monaghan County Councils for 2026.

A number of projects throughout both counties will benefit including walking and cycling infrastructure in villages and towns with a particular emphasis on road safety. Routes to some schools will be upgraded.  Planning will continue on the proposed Belturbet to Leitrim border greenway.  Major investment will continue in the Ulster Canal Greenway.

Safety and footpath improvements will be carried out in towns and villages including Cavan Town, Kingscourt, Cootehill, Swanlinbar and Bawnboy and a number of these projects will improve access to local schools.

As well as improving road infrastructure cycling and walking routes are also valuable amenities for local residents and visitors to the area.

I was glad to work along with local Fianna Fáil Councillors and residents in advocating for projects to be advanced under these schemes”  stated Brendan Smith TD.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan–Monaghan Brendan Smith has reiterated in the Dáil this week the need to provide adequate financial supports to allow local authorities develop enterprise centres.

By way of a Parliamentary Question to An Taoiseach, Deputy Brendan Smith sought an update on the development of workspace hubs under the Shared Island Initiative and when such facilities may be delivered in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan.

“Recently in response to my Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Éireann, An Taoiseach confirmed that a feasibility assessment on developing SME workspace hubs was carried out by Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, in partnership with local authorities in Northern Ireland, supported through the Shared Island Development Funding,” he said.

He added: “I understand that local authorities have engaged with Departments and agencies on potential options to progress this work to a further stage of development.”

An Taoiseach confirmed that the feasibility study was completed in November 2024 and that the Shared Island Unit continues to monitor progress as discussions with relevant Departments and agencies continue.

Deputy Brendan Smith also raised the issue with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, asking whether additional financial supports will be made available to local authorities and community groups to develop enterprise centres.

“In further Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, I again emphasised the critical importance of enterprise centres and workspaces to the economy of our smaller towns and rural areas,” he said.

The Minister responded that balanced regional enterprise development remains a key priority for his department, noting that the Smart Regions Scheme includes ring-fenced funding for the Northern and Western region.

Deputy Smith concluded by underlining the value of enterprise centres to local communities.

“Enterprise Centres play a key role in providing workspace for start-up and small businesses. They are a space which gives people a genuine opportunity to grow their business and allow them to become as successful as possible. We must continue to support enterprise and give everyone the same chance,” he concluded.

For Written Answer on: 13/01/2026
Question Number(s): 210, 211
Question Reference(s): 1853/26, 1854/26
Department: Taoiseach
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.

QUESTION

• To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach the progress to date in developing workspace hubs as provided for under the Shared Island Initiative; and when it is expected that such enterprise spaces will be provided in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan.
  – Brendan Smith T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026.

• To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach the progress to date in providing workspace hubs on a cross-Border basis as provided for under the Shared Island Initiative.
  – Brendan Smith T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026.

REPLY

I am informed that a feasibility assessment on developing SME workspace hubs was undertaken by Monaghan County Council and Cavan County Council, in partnership with local authorities in Northern Ireland supported in 2022 through the Shared Island Local Authority development funding scheme administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and this work was completed in November 2024.

Local authorities have subsequently engaged with relevant Departments and Agencies on potential options to progress this work to a further stage of development, and the Shared Island Unit in my Department is continuing to monitor progress in this regard. Consideration of any proposal will be for the relevant line Minister and their Department in the first instance, with reference to sectoral policy and all relevant funding sources and potential for impactful cooperation with Northern Ireland counterparts.

More broadly, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht are continuing to work together to develop the first strategy for the National Hub Network, following consultation with key stakeholders.

Also, the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland is currently open for applications. The scheme includes four streams ranging from delivery of major local enterprise infrastructure such as building enterprise hubs to funding for services delivered to SMEs to drive innovation and enhance their competitiveness.

The Government will continue to work collaboratively with local authorities which have supported and been project partners on many enterprise hubs delivered to date.

For Written Answer on: 13/01/2026
Question Number(s): 995
Question Reference(s): 1852/26
Department: Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Enterprise; Tourism and Employment if additional financial support will be made available to local authorities and community groups to develop enterprise centres or work spaces (details supplied); if his Department and the statutory agencies under the remit of his Department will give this request further urgent consideration in view of longstanding commitments to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) aking in to account the importance of such facilities in assisting job creation, particularly in smaller towns and villages; if his attention has been drawn to the substantial costs on local authorities and community groups in developing such centres at present, which impact severely on councils with a low rates base;

REPLY

Balanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key priority for my Department and for the Government, as reaffirmed in the White Paper on Enterprise. I recognise the important contribution made by both enterprise and remote working spaces across the country. These facilities enable people to live and work within their local communities and provide essential supports for entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs. Significant investment has been made in the development of these facilities, and the Government remain committed to the sector.

Significant funding has been provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for the development of remote working facilities. Successful projects are delivered in collaboration with local authorities and communities, with many vacant and derelict buildings refurbished to incorporate remote working facilities through programmes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. In addition, the Connected Hubs Call provided €14 million in funding to almost 200 projects between 2021 and 2022, allowing successful applicants to expand capacity within existing remote working hub infrastructure nationwide.

My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development continue to work closely together to develop the first strategy for the National Hub Network following consultation with key stakeholders. I expect that the draft strategy will be brought to Government shortly.

The Deputy will be aware that, since 2017, my Department has allocated in excess of €150 million to support regional enterprise development initiatives, including numerous enterprise centres and hubs, throughout the country via Enterprise Ireland schemes such as the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and the Border Enterprise Development Fund.

The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, which is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund and administered by Enterprise Ireland, is currently open for applications. The scheme comprises four streams, ranging from the delivery of major local enterprise infrastructure such as enterprise hubs, to funding for services that support SMEs in driving innovation and enhancing competitiveness. While they operate independently, Government will work in collaboration with local authorities to deliver innovative projects. Local authorities have supported many enterprise hubs to date, either as project partners or through direct funding contributions.

The Deputy may also be aware that the Smart Regions scheme includes ring-fenced funding for the Northern and Western region, specifically aimed at improving opportunities and facilities in that area.

Recently in response to my Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Eireann an Taoiseach confirmed that a feasibility assessment on developing SME workspace hubs was carried out by Cavan and Monaghan County Councils in partnership with local authorities in Northern Ireland supported through the Shared Island Development Funding. I understand that local authorities have engaged with Departments and agencies on potential options to progress this work to a further stage of development.

In further Parliamentary Questions the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment I emphasised again the critical importance of enterprise centres and work spaces to the economy of our smaller towns and rural areas. Over the years such work spaces have facilitated the creation of much needed employment throughout rural Ireland.

Minister Peter Burke stated that balanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key priority for his Department and he added that the Smart Regions scheme includes ring-fenced funding for the Northern and Western region.