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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Vital' new life for West Limerick's old and derelict buildings amid €1.2 investment
Today at 04:00 Two areas in rural Limerick have received huge support as Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Minister for Social Protection, opened two transformative community projects. Formerly a parochial house, the newly transformed Tigh an Phobail in Feohanagh now serves as a fully renovated community resource centre. It will provide essential space for local services, events, and social initiatives. The €742,000 project was funded through Town and Village Renewal Scheme (€150,000), LEADER Programme (€365,486), Community Centre Investment Fund (€25,000) and additional grants and donations (€202,105) Speaking at the event, Minister Calleary said: 'Tigh an Phobail provides a space for connection, support, and opportunity for the people of Feohanagh. It's a shining example of how targeted investment and strong community collaboration can breathe new life into rural areas.' Cllr Michael Collins, Cathaoirleach of the Newcastle West Municipal District, praised the development, adding: 'It's inspiring to see what can be achieved when communities, the Council and Government work together. Tigh an Phobail has quickly become a vital part of life in this rural community.' In Askeaton, a formerly derelict site in the heart of the town has been transformed into the West Square Parklet, featuring seating areas and planting designed to enhance both community life and the town's appearance. The €521,000 project was supported by Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2021 (€250,000), Limerick City and County Council (€241,117), Community Climate Action Fund (€30,415). Cllr Adam Teskey, Cathaoirleach of the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District, welcomed the Minister and said: 'This beautiful Parklet is a thoughtful addition to Askeaton, one that respects our rich heritage while enhancing the public realm.' On his trip to the Treaty, Minister Calleary also stopped by Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre in Ballinacurra Weston, where he met with local management and attended a community event. The Centre provides a range of services including a youth centre, café, crèche, and credit union. Related topics Jasmin Griffin
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
€140 Child Benefit latest as Minister ‘working on' 2-tier cash plan but ‘unintended lower payment' alert for thousands
THE Minister for Social Protection has confirmed his department is "working on" a targeted new Child Benefit payment as part of efforts to tackle child poverty. However, 2 Child Benefit is currently a universal payment worth €140 per child each month Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said the introduction of a targeted Child Benefit is a 'complex issue' Credit: Maxwells The When asked by Independent TD He added: "That is why the programme for Government includes a range of measures to support children and their families. "One such commitment is to explore a targeted child benefit payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce child poverty. READ MORE IN MONEY "Existing supports include the The Calleary said the Department of Social Protection is examining a targeted He explained: "Táimid ag obair ar an two-tier payment. We are looking at that but there is quite a lot of work involved and it is a complex issue to examine." MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN And Calleary cited a targeted increase in the one-parent family payment and the jobseeker's transitional payment in Child Benefit is to be extended to 18-year-olds who are still in full-time education He added: "The weekly rate of the child support payment, which is very important in this space, increased by €8 to €62 per week for those aged 12 years and over and by €4 to €50 for under-12s. "There is also a €60 increase in the weekly income threshold for the working family payment, particularly targeting low income workers. "The child support payment and the working family payment are particularly targeted and focused. I am very conscious that we have a lot of work to do on child poverty." 'UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES' FEAR Child Benefit is a A The current cash boost has risen by less than €10 per payment over the last two decades and has seen no increases in 10 years. Calleary said the Department of Social Protection needs to work "collectively" with other Government Departments to ensure there are no "unintended consequences" as a result of the payment. WHAT IS CHILD BENEFIT & WHO QUALIFIES? CHILD Benefit is a monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. To get Child Benefit, you must be living in Ireland and meet the Habitual Residence Condition Child Benefit is €140 a month for each child. It is a 'universal' payment, meaning parents can get it regardless of their income and PRSI record. The Department of Social Protection pays Child Benefit to the child's mother or stepmother. However, if you are the child's father or stepfather, you can get the payment if the child does not live with their mother or step-mother. If you are caring for a child who is not living with their parents, or not being maintained by their parents, you may get Child Benefit. If your child lives between two separate households, the DSP pays Child Benefit to the parent who lives with the child most of the time. If the child lives an equal amount of time with each parent, the mother gets Child Benefit. The social welfare boost is paid in respect of almost 1.3 million children. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said expenditure on the scheme in the current year is estimated at more than €2.2 billion. He explained: "The work of the Department is to help those who are struggling. "To give the Deputy a sense of the complexity of this, one of the considerations in the ESRI proposal was to amalgamate the working family payment with the child support payment but that would result in people losing out on what they are getting at the moment. "If we are to do this, people cannot lose out. We have to look at expanding the working family payment and the child support payment as part of targeted measures. 'NOTHING OFF THE TABLE' "Anything we do in this space needs to be targeted and focused on those on low incomes, particularly workers. "We have to ensure that people do not get a lower payment under a new system than they are currently getting. "That could be an unintended consequence of some of the work we have seen today." Calleary vowed that any changes made to the social welfare system will be targeted and "focused on those most at risk" of poverty and those in consistent poverty. Taoiseach He said: "I have a unit within the Department that is focusing on this issue and I've already spoken to Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary on this. "Nothing is off the table. There is a wide menu of options to choose from to target resources to meaningfully impact on the child poverty situation."
Irish Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Eligibility criteria for back to school scheme extended for thousands
Thousands of households will be able to receive this year's Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance after the eligibility for the scheme was extended. The one-off, means tested payment helps families with the cost of clothing and footwear for school. The rate of pay for 2025 is €160 for children aged 4 - 11 and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education, Dublin Live reports. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has confirmed that the eligibility for the scheme is being extended to now include children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid, meaning an estimated 2,300 children will now qualify for the grant. Minister Calleary said: 'Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them. 'That's why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. 'In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. "We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare.' How can I apply for the allowance? The allowance is handed out automatically, which means that most people who are eligible for the necessary payment will receive it directly. However, sometimes this might not be the case and you may need to apply for it. Find out more about how to apply here.
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Thousands more Irish qualify for €160 or €285 once-off payment open NOW under ‘flexible' new criteria rules after years
AN estimated 2,300 children across Ireland are now expected to qualify for a once-off payment worth either €160 or €285. The cash boost, expected to 2 Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary confirmed thousands more are now eligible for the payment Credit:2 The BSCFA is paid out at two different rates Credit: Getty Images - Getty The Many families and don't need to apply. However, those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum. And foster carers, who are the READ MORE IN MONEY The once-off, means tested payment aims to assist eligible families with the cost of school clothing and footwear. And commenting on the latest extension of the payment, Minister for Social Protection He said: "Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them. "That's why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. I'm a mum-of-2 but will never fork out for naff school photos - they're tacky, a rip off and any parent who buys them is either rich or just stupid "We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare." Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD vowed to work alongside Calleary to continue providing further supports for foster carers. She said: "Foster carers look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and they do so much great work every day. "They have campaigned for years for the right to get the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for the children they care for, and it is fantastic that this now has become a reality." The rates of payment for the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme are €160 for children aged 4-11 years and €285 for children aged 12-22 years on or before 30th September 2025. The children must be of age on or before September 30. NO COVER OF EXTRA COSTS MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last year confirmed that the BSCFA will not cover extra costs parents face ahead of the school year. When asked by But the Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service." And students aged between 18-22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2025 to retain an entitlement to the payment. Deputy Emer Currie, Fine Gael's spokesperson on childcare, said the new criteria is "an extremely welcome move" and urged all those eligible to apply for the cash. She said: "Fine Gael is committed to reducing the cost of education and ensuring that all children reach their full potential at all stages of life. BUDGET MEASURES "Further investment in childcare and education in last year's Budget was further proof of this commitment. "My party in Government has worked hard to ensure every child in both primary and special schools can avail of a hot lunch through the Hot School Meals programme. "Other measures include the Free Schoolbooks Scheme, which covers all students from primary school right through to the Leaving Certificate in the provision of schoolbooks and core classroom resources. "Foster carers currently look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and I know they have campaigned to be included in this scheme." She added: "I will continue to work with my Government colleagues on their behalf to ensure they have the supports they need for the children in their care."
Times of Oman
18-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Shura Bureau reviews a number of government responses
Muscat: The Bureau reviewed held its 12th regular meeting of the second annual sitting of the Tenth Term (2023–2027), chaired by Tahir Mabkhoot Al-Junaibi, Deputy Chairmen of the Council, in the presence of Council Bureau members and Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council. During the meeting, the Bureau reviewed a number of government responses and official correspondences, along with several reports submitted by the Council's permanent committees and working groups. The session also saw the approval of a set of follow-up tools submitted by members of the Council. The reports discussed was the report of the working team formed to review the benefits of the Social Protection System. Established in January 2025, the team was tasked with assessing the current benefits in light of emerging societal needs and concerns. The report outlined the team's methodology, including analysis of relevant literature, benchmarking against international best practices, and identifying legislative and regulatory gaps. It also presented the outcomes of discussions with stakeholders and experts, and proposed a set of actionable recommendations. The Bureau also examined the report of the Digital Economy Working Team, which was formed to support Oman's strategic shift towards a robust digital economy in alignment with Oman Vision 2040. The report included key findings derived from consultations, meetings, and sectoral analyses, as well as recommendations to enhance the digital ecosystem in the Sultanate. The Bureau reviewed the report of the working group assigned to assess and evaluate various proposals and reports submitted to the Council. The meeting further covered several reports from the Council's standing committees. Among them was the Health and Social Committee's report on promoting investment in the private healthcare sector. The report included an overview of the committee's efforts, data analysis, stakeholder engagements, and key recommendations. The Bureau resolved to include this report in the agenda of the next Council session. Also reviewed was the report by the Services and Public Utilities Committee on enhancing the quality of telecommunications services in Oman. The report analysed the performance of major companies, sectoral financial data, and provided recommendations aimed at improving service quality nationwide. The Bureau reviewed reports of the Youth and Human Resources Committee, including a proposal to establish a national centre for gifted Omanis, a report on the implementation of the Wage Protection System, and a report addressing the grievances of employees laid off by Al Bashayer Company. The session also reviewed responses from government entities to Council inquiries. These included a response from the Minister of Health regarding the lack of employment for biomedical engineering graduates. The Ministry noted efforts to hire national talents through various recruitment programmes, including on-the-job training, and highlighted the development of a dedicated lab to address HR challenges in the health sector. The Bureau reviewed a response from the Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) concerning the cost of internet services. The response emphasised the Authority's ongoing efforts to enhance competition, monitor pricing, and introduce tailored packages for different user segments, in line with the Telecommunications Regulatory Law. The Ministry of Labour also submitted a letter regarding international labour conventions adopted by the International Labour Conference, attaching fifteen instruments for consideration by the legislative authority. The Bureau considered of external participation reports detailing the Council's involvement in regional and international parliamentary assemblies, as well as additional follow-up tools and correspondences submitted by Council members.
