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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
South Kerry Camhs: Most children affected by over-prescribing now seek compensation
Almost all of the 240 children and young people found to have suffered as a result of over-prescribing in South Kerry mental health services (Camhs) have sought compensation. Mary Butler, the mental health minister, will tell Cabinet on Tuesday that, as of June this year, 230 applications had been made to the State compensation scheme set up in the wake of the Maskey report. Of 83 applications which have gone to mediation, 74 have concluded in settlement. Ms Butler will bring forward a memo detailing the deficits in care identified in the cases of the 240 young people attending services in South Kerry between July 2016 and April 2021. A separate lookback review into the care of children in North Kerry is being finalised by consultant psychiatrist Colette Halpin. New special classes Helen McEntee, the education minister, will update Cabinet on 400 new special classes to be provided in the coming school year while the vast majority of new special classes for September 2026 is expected to be sanctioned by the end of December 2025. Trade mission plan Peter Burke, the enterprise minister, will seek Cabinet approval to make a Team Ireland trade mission an annual event as part of market diversification plans. This year's mission to Canada will include key political meetings with prime minister Mark Carney. Future trade missions may include locations such as India, China, and the United Arab Emirates. State spending report Jack Chambers, the public expenditure minister, will tell Cabinet that State spending for the first half of 2025 is up on last year by 6.5% and capital expenditure up 22.5%. He will also note an allocation of €1.15bn from the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility, marking 38% of Ireland's overall allocation to date. Legal processes reform Jim O'Callaghan, the justice minister, will seek Cabinet approval for the general scheme of a bill to implement the Kelly report recommendations which would see further reforms in discovery, judicial review, and civil procedure in the courts and jurisdiction in the circuit and district courts. Mr O'Callaghan will also update ministers on draft amendments to personal injuries guidelines submitted by the Judicial Council which propose an across-the-board increase of 16.7% in compensation awards in line with inflation since 2021. Renewables proposal Darragh O'Brien, the transport and climate minister, will bring the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill, which will require suppliers of fossil fuels used for heat to demonstrate a proportion of the energy supplied is from a renewable source.
Euractiv
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Commission looks to expand ‘cash-for-reform' scheme on rule of law issues
The EU's justice chief stressed the need to tie EU funds to resilient and independent national judicial systems, as the European Commission presented its annual assessment of the rule of law across member states on Tuesday. With judicial independence weakening and civic space shrinking in parts of the bloc, the European Commission is exploring ways to expand existing mechanisms that condition access to EU funds on rule of law reforms, according to its newly released Rule of Law Report. Presenting this year's report, EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said the EU's next long-term budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), should be used as a tool to help protect judicial independence across the bloc. 'What's important (…) is that we have appropriate rule of law conditionality safeguards built into the MFF architecture, along with a clear link to the recommendations in the Rule of Law Report,' McGrath told Euractiv in a closed-door interview with journalists on Tuesday. The Commission is due to present its proposal for the next MFF on 16 July. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has previously indicated that the EU budget starting in 2028 would require member states to reform in order to access EU funding. In connection with the new report, a senior EU official acknowledged that 'cash-for-reform" scheme had proven 'extremely helpful' in advancing rule of law objectives. The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), launched after the COVID-19 crisis, marked the EU's first large-scale use of conditional funding, tying disbursement of grants and loans to concrete national reforms on rule of law. Usual suspects Now in its sixth year, the Rule of Law Report provides an annual snapshot of justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, and media landscapes. It includes tailored recommendations aimed at addressing democratic backsliding. The 2025 edition, spanning more than 800 pages and published on Tuesday, acknowledges some progress but warns that member states must do more to protect civil society, media freedom and judicial independence. The report find that EU countries have made progress, albeit slower than in the previous year. The 2024 report found that member states had made positive progress on 68% of 2023's recommendations, while only 57% of last year's recommendations had been fully or somewhat implemented this year. McGrath attributed the slowdown to the efficacy of the Rule of Law Report. 'The low-hanging fruit has been picked at this stage,' he said. The report delivered particularly critical assessments for Hungary, Poland, Italy, and candidate country Albania. In Hungary, the Commission noted that aside from modest pay increases for judicial staff, 'no progress' had been made in all other areas. Italy drew criticism for relaxed rules on political campaign financing. Similarly, last year's report gave low marks to Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy. On Tuesday, McGrath declined to speculate on whether more countries could face frozen funds due to rule of law violations in the future. 'Our goal is not to increase the number of member states that are subject to conditionality,' he said. The aim is to achieve 'the highest standards possible throughout the European Union in relation to the rule of law'. (de)
Euronews
18-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
EU Parliament seeks extension to time for spending EU post-covid money
The European Parliament called on Wednesday for an extra one-and-a-half years to continue spending money under the EU's €650 billion post-pandemic plan, Next GenerationEU. The resolution, drafted by Romanian MEPs Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan, was adopted by 421 votes to 180, and with 55 abstentions. It stressed the need to ensure that key investments financed by the plan's so-called Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) reach the finish line before the deadline foreseen in August 2026. It proposed time extensions should apply only to projects that are already well underway and likely to succeed with additional time. Lawmakers also warned that the limited time remaining to allocate and implement the remaining RRF resources poses serious obstacles to completing critical reforms, large-scale investments, and innovative programs in some countries. With around 70% of objectives and milestones still unmet, MEPs urged the European Commission to consider setting up successor mechanisms that are both adaptive and forward-looking, while providing a stable framework for replace the plan to guarantee continued investment. 'Critical investments risk being left unfinished after the end of the Facility in August 2026. I called for an extension of funding of 18 months for mature projects and demanded that unfinished projects can continue under other EU instruments such as the cohesion funds, InvestEU, or a future Competitiveness Fund,' said Socialist MEP Victor Negrescu, co-rapporteur on behalf of the Parliament's Committee on Budgets. 'Today, the Parliament is sending a clear message: we stand by the citizens and fight for the finalisation of essential projects.' According to the resolution adopted by the Parliament, the RRF has been vital in preventing economic fragmentation within the EU's single market while spurring post-pandemic recovery. Looking forward, they call for targeted investment in areas such as defence, education, and high-speed cross-border transport infrastructure, while encouraging member states to revise their national investment strategies, in order to enhance the EU's energy independence. 'We are calling for a review of how unspent RRF funds can support Europe's new strategic priorities, notably strengthening competitiveness and reinforcing our defence capabilities. In the face of rising geopolitical tensions, Europe must act decisively to defend its citizens," stated European People's Party's MEP Siegfried Mureşan, who is co-rapporteur for the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. European lawmakers engaged in a fierce debate on Wednesday, sparked by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government's recent ban on the Budapest Pride event. MEPs argued that the move infringes upon freedom of expression and called on the European Commission to take action. Iratxe Garcia, the group leader of the Socialists and Democrats at the European Parliament, denounced the move and called for the EU to take a strong reaction. "The last red line that the Orban government has crossed is not just an isolated fact, it's not even just an oddity of a country, it's an outright European shame," Garcia said. "The banning of the Pride march is not just a cowardly attack against part of its people. It is yet another manifestation of an authoritarian regime, which has turned its power into the instrument of fear, of censorship, and hate," she added. Other speakers from left-wing and liberal groups called for EU sanctions against Hungary, including the suspension of the country's voting rights, through the so-called Article 7 process. In March, the Hungarian parliament approved a bill that in effect bans the gay pride march. As the legislation states, this event could violate Hungary's so-called child protection law, adopted earlier in the country, prohibiting any portrayal of same sex relationships for minors. The European Commission views this as a violation of its community law and has referred the case to the European Court of Justice. Conservative and far-right MEPs in the European Parliament defended Orbán's move to ban Pride events, saying the EU should not interfere in Hungary's internal affairs. MEP Kinga Gál, from the ruling Fidesz party of Hungary, said Brussels should respect Hungary's laws. "In Hungary, everyone can live and gather freely. But for us, the interest of the children and their physical and mental development is a priority. And everyone has to respect this," Gál said. The Budapest Pride is planned for the 28th of June in the centre of Budapest. According to the new law, participants will also be monitored by AI camera systems and will be fined. Around 70 MEPs will travel to the Budapest Pride, but the European Commission will not send anyone. Meanwhile, the opposition-led town of Budapest is trying to save the Pride march using a legal loophole. Mayor Gergely Karácsony announced that the city steps in as organiser, and in this case, police authorisation is not needed. The police disagree with this interpretation. "There is still a legal battle going on over whether Pride can take place legally or not. The latest development is that the Budapest mayor has come forward and said that he is organising the Pride. Because he does not need police authorisation," German MEP from the Greens, Daniel Freund, said. EU Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath stated that the Commission is still investigating the law and is prepared to utilise all necessary tools to safeguard European values in this matter.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Czech Republic Construction Industry Report 2025: Output to Record an AAGR of 3.4% During 2026-2029, Supported by PPI in Transport Infrastructure, Energy and Housing Projects
Czech Republic's construction industry is set for real-term growth of 3.3% in 2025 after a 0.7% contraction in 2024, driven by hospitality and transport infrastructure investments. Supporting this, Czech government plans and EU Recovery funds will boost the sector, with annual growth projected at 3.4% till 2029. Dublin, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Czech Republic Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector - Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2029 (H1 2025)" report has been added to Republic's construction industry to recover and expand in real terms by 3.3% in 2025, following a contraction of 0.7% in 2024. This will be supported by investments in hospitality and transport infrastructure sector, with the utilization of the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) fund. The construction value add growth has accelerated in recent quarters, recording growth of 2.9% YoY in Q4 2024, which was preceded by a YoY growth of 1.6% in Q3 and a marginal decline of 0.7% in Q2 2024. Reflecting the improving conditions in the construction sector, new order for construction works has recorded sharp growth in the fourth quarter of 2024. According to the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), total number of new orders for construction work grew by 18.1% year-on-year (YoY) in Q4 2024, following YoY growth of 1.8% in Q3 and 8.3% in Q2 2024. Growth in 2025 will also be supported by the Czech government's investment under the 2025 State Budget, which was approved in December 2024. The 2025 State Budget includes an expenditure of CZK2.3 trillion ($100.3 billion), an increase of 4.2% compared to the expenditure of CZK2.22 trillion ($96 billion), in the 2024 Budget. Over the remainder of the forecast period, the construction industry is expected to record an average annual growth of 3.4% between 2026 and 2029, supported by public and private sector investments in the country's transport infrastructure, energy and housing projects. The forecast period growth will also be driven by the government's aim to increase the share of renewable energy sources, in the total energy mix, from 16.5% in 2023 to 28% by 2030, and 46% by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The Czech based energy projects developer, Czech energy utility (CEZ), is planning to construct two new 1,000MW units at the Dukovany nuclear power plant by 2038, with an estimated investment of CZK400 billion ($17.3 billion). Scope Historical (2020-2024) and forecast (2025-2029) valuations of the construction industry in the Czech Republic, featuring details of key growth drivers. Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline. Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants Reasons to Buy Identify and evaluate market opportunities using our standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts Understand the latest industry and market trends Formulate and validate business strategies using the analyst's critical and actionable insight Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures Evaluate competitive risk and success factors Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance3 Context3.1 Economic Performance3.2 Political Environment and Policy3.3 Demographics3.4 Risk Profile4 Construction Outlook4.1 All Construction Outlook Latest news and developments Construction Projects Momentum Index 4.2 Commercial Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.3 Industrial Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.4 Infrastructure Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.6 Institutional Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.7 Residential Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 5 Key Industry Participants5.1 Contractors5.2 Consultants6 Construction Market Data7 AppendixFor more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Reuters
04-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
EU Commission urges faster implementation of investment, reforms to spend EU's Recovery Fund
BRUSSELS, June 4 (Reuters) - The European Commission urged EU governments on Wednesday to speed up the implementation of reforms and investments so that they manage to spend the billions of euros still available to them in the EU's Recovery fund before the August 2026 deadline. EU governments have some 750 billion euros available to them, in grants and cheap loans, to spend on making their economies greener and more digitalised under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) -- a joint borrowing programme to rebuild economies after the pandemic. So far, the Commission has disbursed 315 billion euros of the total as governments have met over 2,000 agreed milestones and targets that the EU payouts depend on. The deadline for meeting all the agreed milestones and targets is on August 31, 2026. "With these deadlines fast approaching, and more than 335 billion euros in funding still available to Member States, it is vital to accelerate the implementation of the RRF," the Commission said.
