” I welcome the approval by my colleague the Minister for Heritage Christopher O’Sullivan TD of €164,432.00 towards roof and structural repairs to the former Stuart’s Shop, Killeshandra. In January, the Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary TD also approved funding of €240,000.00 in respect of this project.

Minister O’Sullivan has also approved funding of €152,312.00 for structural repairs, masonry repairs and also first floor level repairs in Bawnboy Workhouse. At present roof repairs are underway at the Workhouse through government grant aid as well.

I compliment Cavan County Council and particularly the Heritage Office on their submission of these successful applications which necessitated detailed preparatory work.  I have worked closely with the Council’s Community and Enterprise Office and with Anne Marie Ward Heritage Officer in seeking grand aid from the Department of Rural and Community Development and from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for these restoration works. These improvement works are important and essential for both of these buildings which are significant historic structures in Killeshandra and Bawnboy.

This grant aid has been approved under the Historic Structures Fund of the Heritage Department” stated Brendan Smith TD.

Funding of €662,000 for Conservation Projects in Cavan and Monaghan:

€346,000 for a number of projects in Cavan and Monaghan under Built Heritage Investment Scheme including window, door and roof repairs to buildings including Coronea Church, St. Peter’s Church Templeport, Cavan Parish Church and Church of Ireland Killeshandra.

€317,000 for Bawnboy Workhouse and Stuart’s Shop Killeshandra under Historic Structures Fund.

HISTORIC STRUCTURES FUND 2026

BUILT HERITAGE INVESTMENT SCHEME

I welcome the approval by the Minister for Housing and Local Government James Browne TD of €1 million towards the upgrading of Kingscourt Fire Station and €850,000 for Carrickmacross Station upgrading and also approval for upgrading of training facilities in Monaghan Town.
Minister Browne has also issued approval for Cavan Fire Services to purchase two new Fire Appliances and Monaghan Fire Services to purchase one new Appliance.
Our Fire Services are a critical component of our country’s Emergency Services and ongoing investment in their infrastructure and equipment is vital. I commend the personnel in our Fire Services on their ongoing work throughout the year often in the most difficult of circumstances.
Councillor Clifford Kelly has been a strong advocate over the years in seeking the upgrading of fire stations and the provision of modern equipment and vehicles.

SUSI applications are now open for 2026/27 — check eligibility and apply early at www.susi.ie⁠�

We are delivering real supports for students and families:

Higher income thresholds

Reduced student contribution fees

Increased maintenance & postgraduate grants

Expanded supports for part-time learners

Ensuring college remains affordable continues to be a key priority

Fianna Fáil is committed to expanding access and helping every student succeed

School transport operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, is now open for 2026/27 applications and payments.

The closing date for payments is Friday, 8 May 2026.

School transport ticket prices for 2026/27 school year are as follows:

Primary: €100 per child (maximum family charge €200)
Post-primary: €100 per child (maximum family charge €220)

A facility to pay in instalments is now available to families.

School transport will continue to be free for:
All eligible families with a medical card, and
All eligible children using the Special Educational Needs (SEN) transport scheme

The Bus Eireann school transport portal Link here 👇👇👇
https://www.buseireann.ie/apply-pay-for-school-transport

I was very saddened to learn of the passing of my longstanding good friend and former Dáil colleague, Dr. Rory O’Hanlon. May he Rest In Peace.

To Rory’s wife Teresa, their children Fiona, Rory, Ardal, Neale, Shane and Derbhla, his sister Sr. Fionnuala,  his beloved grandchildren, and extended family I extend my sincere condolences at this sad time.

Rory was a powerful, committed, hardworking and diligent public representative who served his constituency and country with great distinction. He served as Chairman of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party and was always held in the highest esteem throughout the Party nationally.

As Ceann Comhairle, Leas Ceann Comhairle, Minister and TD he exemplified the best in public service.  I worked closely with Rory at constituency level and in various Committees of the Oireachtas.   He was always a good friend, close and loyal colleague and a team player in the constituency and in Dáil Éireann.

As Ceann Comhairle, Rory led many All Party Delegations at different meetings at home and abroad and he did that work meticulously. I remember fondly  our work together on the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and the meetings we had with other Groups on the issue of Northern Ireland which was always of critical interest to Rory.

Thankfully we have all witnessed the dramatic transformation on this island since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement  which he cherished so much. 

Rory was universally popular as a hardworking GP in the Carrickmacross area.  He took a particular interest and leadership role in advocating for the provision of services for persons with additional needs or a disability and he was a founding member of the Holy Family Special School in Cootehill.

As a GP and as a Public Representative Rory contributed enormously to the Cavan Monaghan area.  I always thought that his great faith was a particular source of strength to him.  Rory was also very supportive of the great work undertaken by religious and lay missionaries in the most deprived parts of the world, helping people in the most difficult circumstances. 

Rory was first and foremost a committed family man and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I welcome this decision by Bus Éireann to increase the upper age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles for school transport work from the age of 70 to 72 for a trial period from the start of the next school year in September.

On many occasions I raised this particular issue through Parliamentary Questions and in other Debates in Dáil Éireann.  As we know a shortage of eligible drivers has created difficulties for Bus Éireann in ensuring that all school transport services are covered.

Statement: Update to Bus Éireann Driving Age Policy

Bus Éireann has announced an extension to the upper age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles (max 8 seats and driver) contracted by Bus Éireann under the School Transport Scheme, from age 70 to 72, for a trial period.

This decision follows extensive research, stakeholder engagement and a thorough safety review undertaken by Bus Éireann.

The trial period for this extension of the driver age limit is for two years, commencing from the start of the new school year in September 2026 and ending at the conclusion of the 2027/2028 school year in June 2028. Under the revised policy, enhanced safety measures will be implemented whereby drivers over 70 years are required to undertake an additional 6-month medical fitness assessment. Contractor compliance with conditions associated with the change to this policy will be monitored by Bus Éireann for the duration of the trial.

The revised policy is grounded in Bus Éireann’s adherence to the best safety interests of its customers, including young children, drivers, and other road users. This policy change will remain under continuous review throughout the two-year trial period, with a further evaluation conducted at its conclusion to determine whether the extended age limit should be maintained or discontinued.

This change does not apply to mini, medium, or large vehicles.

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.

Deputy Brendan Smith

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.

The Tánaiste

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.