# Cabinet
This week
26th March 2023 - 1st April 2023
# dog controls
Dog owners who cannot control their pet should be treated as 'social pariahs', says McConalogue
The Minister for Agriculture was speaking after Cabinet approved a memo proposing that fines for such a breach be doubled to €5,000.
# land development agency
LDA estimates 10,000 new houses could be built on State-owned land in next 'five to ten years'
It’s understood it would take between five and ten years for the first slate of houses, around 10,000, to be built.
# women of honour
Govt to carry out 'study of deaths by suicide' in the Defence Forces over past 20 years
Micheál Martin met with the Women of Honour group to discuss the report yesterday.
Last week
19th March 2023 - 1st April 2023
# rent a room
Measures to allow social welfare recipients to earn up to €14k a year in rent being extended
Under the measures, social welfare payments are not impacted for earning rental income under €14,000.
# Under Pressure
Cabinet agrees counter measures to Sinn Féin's eviction ban motion
It’s in response to a Sinn Féin motion to extend the eviction ban that will be debated in the Dáil later today and voted on tomorrow.
Last month
March 2023
# eviction ban
Extending eviction ban would reduce number of rental properties even more, says O'Brien
The Housing Minister formally announced today that the eviction moratorium will be lifted from 31 March
# Drone attacks
DAA given green light to buy frequency jamming anti-drone technology for use at Dublin Airport
No primary legislation is required to enable its use at the airport, it is believed.
# Refugees
Cabinet set to approve millions of euro to fund refugee accommodation
It’s understood another facility similar to that of Citywest is being finalised for use.
This year
2023
# leaving cert reform
Plans for LC students to sit Paper 1 at end of fifth year to be deferred
The interim measure led to controversy with teachers’ unions and students.
# coercive control
Govt plans to prevent cross-examination of victims by abusers in coercive control cases
Harris is to also ask the Government not to oppose a Bill from Green Party Senator Vincent P Martin.
# St Patrick's Day
Cabinet to sign off on the list of St Patrick’s Day visits for ministers across the globe
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to meet US President Joe Biden on St Patrick’s Day.
# Cabinet
Attorney General due to deliver report to Cabinet on State’s strategy on nursing home charges
The report is expected to be published afterwards.
# Minister for Housing
Government haven't yet decided to extend eviction ban despite record homelessness, says O'Brien
A new record high of 11,632 people are homeless, according to the latest official figure.
# Housing
New scheme to repair Celtic Tiger-era defective apartments set to cost up to €2.5 billion
50% to 80% of apartments built between 1991 and 2013 are estimated to have at least one defect.
# on the agenda
Grooming children into a life of crime to carry penalty of five years in prison under new law
Minister for Justice Simon Harris will today seek Cabinet approval for the new Bill.
# Europe
Cabinet clears way for Irish Defence Forces to send 174 troops to German-led EU Battlegroup
The Battlegroup will be on standby to respond rapidly to major humanitarian incidents and peacekeeping work.
Taoiseach: 'No cliff edge to cost-of-living supports at the end of February'
Discussions will take place in the coming weeks on what further supports will be needed.
# oil supplies
Bill to strengthen State’s capacity to manage oil supplies to be brought before Cabinet
The Bill will move to put all aspects of oil emergency planning on a statutory footing.
Last year
2022
# no phones allowed
Government ministers to be banned from using phones at Cabinet meetings from today
The Minister for Finance confirmed the ban this morning,
# Cabinet Reshuffle
Varadkar to seek promises from ministers he appoints that they'll be seeking re-election
Varadkar told his parliamentary party last night he will be giving the formation of the new Government a lot of thought over coming days.
# Housing
Councils to secure proportion of any land value increase arising from residential zoning decisions
Land value increases when planning decisions are made to zone land, with the uplift going to the landowners or developers, but not to the State.
# Housing
Coalition parties may clash over planning reforms as Green ministers flag concerns at Cabinet
Green Party members have raised concerns about restricting access to justice.
# Pay deal
Student nurses and midwives to get extra accommodation, meal and uniform allowances
Two additional uniforms for student nurses and midwives will also be provided at the start of their internship.
# energy costs
Long-awaited energy poverty plan published as Ryan warns prices may not drop for two years
The plan includes a €10 million Government hardship fund for vulnerable energy customers.
# Executive Decisions
Cabinet approves international surrogacy policy proposals with aim of giving 100s of families a 'route to recognition'
A busy Cabinet session also saw Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien bring draft laws to overhaul Ireland’s planning system.
# Cabinet Reshuffle
Ahead of the return of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Coalition leaders to discuss reshuffle on Monday
The role of Taoiseach will rotate to Leo Varadkar next Saturday.
# banking review
Bankers 'rewarded' with bonuses and a pay boost despite tracker mortgage scandal, says McDonald
AIB and Permanent TSB will follow suit as the State sells off more of its stake in those banks.
# Maternity Leave
New scheme to allow councillor appoint temporary substitute while on maternity leave
Currently, female councillors are office-holders rather than employees and are not covered by the statutory framework for maternity leave.
# Windfall levy
Cabinet expected to sign off on windfall tax on electricity companies
A memo will be brought to Cabinet tomorrow seeking to introduce a cap on market revenue on non-gas electricity generators.
# Gambling
Gambling ads to be banned before 9pm watershed under new laws
The Gambling Regulation Bill was approved by Cabinet this morning.
# Cabinet
Social welfare supports of €141.4m provided to Ukrainians this year
Department of Social Protection spending is 1.4% higher than profiled for this year.
# refugee crisis
Ukrainian refugees set to be accommodated in five army barracks
Modular housing is set to be built on defence force sites, it is understood.
Buildings on Defence Force sites are set to be repurposed to house refugees in what is described as 'dormitory style' accommodation.
Lands on the five sites have also been offered to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for modular builds.
Over the course of the weekend, 53 people refugees could not be accommodated – 44 Ukrainian, and 9 International protection applicants.
# refugee crisis
Govt plans to double payment for Ukrainian hosts to €800 in response to accommodation crisis
A temporary facility is opening at Dublin Airport today.
# crackdown
'Cyber-flashing' to be tackled under new online safety legislation
Cyber-flashing is when someone sends an unsolicited sexual image to another device without their consent.
# iraq embassy
Government approves plans for Iraq to establish embassy in Ireland
It comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney spoke with the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister on the death of Mahsa Amini.
# Healthcare
HSE announces €169 million winter plan to tackle overcrowding and other issues
Minister Stephen Donnelly brought the plan to Cabinet for approval today.
# Roderic O'Gorman
Mother and Baby Homes: Survivors say redress scheme ignores the trauma of family separation
The controversial €800 million scheme was approved by the Cabinet today.
# budget 2023
Cabinet signs off on plan for three €200 energy credits
The credits are due to be paid in November, January and March.
# An Bord Pleanála
Report says An Bord Pleanála in need of 'urgent reform' as government adopts recommendations
The report includes 11 recommendations aimed at restoring public confidence in the Board and ensuring effectiveness in the planning system.
# pension age
Pension age to stay at 66, but higher payments for those who continue to work
People will have the option of working to age 70 in exchange for a higher rate of pension payments.
