Latest news with #DaraCalleary
BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Taoiseach launches expansion of Wage Subsidy Scheme
The Government has announced a reformed scheme to support more disabled people into employment. The Wage Subsidy Scheme gives employers financial support to encourage them to hire people with disabilities. Advertisement Employers can get a subsidy of between €6.30-€9.45 per hour, depending on the number of workers employed under the scheme. The support can help cover the cost of adapting a role for the employee. Under measures announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary, the scheme is to be extended to the community and voluntary sector as well as the commercial state-sponsored sector. In addition, there will be a reduction in the minimum required hours to avail of the subsidy – down from 21 to 15 hours. Advertisement The scheme has also been expanded beyond recruitment to include retention of people returning to work on Partial Capacity Benefit. The subsidy rate is to be reviewed at least every three years. Disability Minister Norma Foley and junior minister Hildegarde Naughton also addressed a launch event at Chartered Accountants House in Dublin on Wednesday. Mr Martin said: 'Supports like this play not only a critical role in closing the employment gap for people with disabilities, reducing poverty and supporting families and communities, but also for employers in bringing new ideas, skills and knowledge to their businesses. Advertisement 'I am committed to advancing the rights and improving the lives of people with disabilities including through removing barriers to employment. 'Supports such as this revised Wage Subsidy Scheme recognise that the perspective, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities across society add immeasurably to the quality, the richness and the diversity of all our lives.'
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Huge €2k lump sum boost for thousands of Irish TOMORROW after €150 increase – here's 3 eligible groups & rule exception
THOUSANDS of Irish people will receive a €2,000 social welfare payment boost straight into their accounts tomorrow. The lump sum, which The The payment, previously called the Respite Care Grant, can be used in whatever way a person likes - meaning they don't have to use it for a temporary respite break. The grant is paid out automatically to carers getting This year, the payment will land into accounts on June 5. READ MORE IN MONEY There are You can qualify for the payment if you are aged over 16, ordinarily resident in Ireland and caring for the person a full-time basis for at least six months - including the first Thursday in June. You must also be living with the person being cared for, or meet certain criteria. In a situation like this, where the carer and person being cared for live separately, an investigation is conducted by a MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN During the six-month caring period, a person cannot work or take part in an education course for more than 18.5 hours weekly, get Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit, sign on for credited contributions or live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution. New online application system opens for €360 or €180 Domiciliary Care Allowance applications The carer also must be providing full-time care and attention and carer's personal circumstances must be suitable to allow them to provide full time care and attention. ARE APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN? The Carer's Support Grant is not a means-tested payment and only one can be paid for each person getting care. If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, you do not need to apply for the money. Instead, you will automatically get it in June. However, those not getting one of the above payments should fill in the Carer's Support Grant application form (CSG1) for each person they are caring for. Applications for the Carer's Support Grant are open from April until 31 December of the following year - meaning those eligible who haven't applied won't miss out on the cash payment. And those who were eligible for the payment last summer but didn't receive it can still apply. For example, you can apply for the Carer's Support Grant for 2024 at any time from April 2024 up until 31 December 2025. And you can apply for the Carer's Support Grant in 2025 at any time from April 2025 up until 31 December 2026. €250 & €500 INCREASE COST MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last week confirmed that increasing the grant would set the government back millions more each year. When asked by Sinn Fein Deputy Louise O'Reilly what the full-year cost of increasing the grant to €2,250 and €2,500 would be, Calleary said it could amount to as much as €76.8m. He explained: "The current Carer's Support Grant rate is €2,000 per year, following an increase of €150 announced in Budget 2025, payable in June 2025. "The estimated annual cost of increasing the Carer's Support Grant to €2,250 per year is €38.4 million. "The estimated annual cost of increasing the Carer's Support Grant to €2,500 per year is €76.8 million. "These costings are based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2025, and are subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients." 'IMPROVEMENTS' FOR CARERS Calleary also last week told how there have been "significant improvements" made in the supports available to carers recently. Responding to Independent TD Barry Heneghan, Calleary said the government is "fully committed" to supporting carers. He added: "The main income supports for carers provided by my department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. "Spending on these payments in 2025 is expected to exceed €1.9 billion." Carer's Allowance is the main income support scheme for carers in the community, with 101,426 recipients at the end of April. And Calleary said the Programme for Government commits to "significantly increasing" the income disregards for Carer's Allowance in each Budget, with a view of He added: "There have been a number of significant improvements made in the last number of years to the means test for Carer's Allowance. "From 3 July, the weekly income disregards will increase further. "For single carers this will increase from €450 to €625. For carers with a spouse or partner, this will increase from €900 to €1,250. "This will make the scheme more accessible to people who previously did not qualify. "As a result, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €69,000 will retain the maximum payment. The same carer with an income of €97,000 will retain a partial payment." 1 The payment will land into thousands of accounts tomorrow Credit: Getty
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Revealed: The number of XL Bullies surrendered in Tipperary since ban introduced
The ban on the dogs was brought in amid fears for public safety after the death of Limerick woman Nicole Morey who was mauled to death by her two XL Bully dogs last June, one of a number of serious dog attacks by the breed. The ban was brought in over two stages to give XL Bully type dog owners who wished to keep their dog, the time to obtain a certificate of exemption. So far, up to 1,800 applications for certificates of exemptions have been made nationwide, with almost 1,000 granted. The ban also offered the owners of XL Bully type dogs the option of surrendering them to their local authority. In Tipperary, up to the end of March, just two dogs have been surrendered to Tipperary County Council. Figures released to the Dáil by Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary showed that 48 dogs had been surrendered so far since the ban was introduced. The Minister said that the ban came in the 'interest of public safety'. "Members of the public must comply with the regulations. Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. "Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the individual local authorities, who are empowered to seize XL Bully type dogs where necessary under the relevant statutory provisions,' Minister Calleary said. The area which saw the largest number of XL Bullies surrendered was Dublin, with 11, followed by Limerick (10) and Cork City with four.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
€50 million plan to create 5,000 jobs in Ireland's West and North West unveiled
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary officially launched the Western Development Commission's new five-year strategy 'Unlocking Potential, Driving Change: A Strategy for Regional Growth and Collaboration 2025–2029' in Ballina, Co. Mayo. The strategy outlines a roadmap to position Ireland's West and North West as national leaders in innovation, digital transformation, and inclusive growth, with collaboration at its core. The strategy marks the next phase in the WDC's evolution, building on over 25 years of impact across enterprise, investment, and community development. It reflects a confident, tested regional model, now entering its most ambitious chapter. Minister Dara Calleary said: 'This is a roadmap for real impact. It shows how strategic collaboration and local leadership can turn national ambition into local opportunity. The Western Region is not waiting for change - it plans to shape it. The strategy aligns with Our Rural Future, the Governments rural development policy, and reinforces this Government's commitment to balanced regional growth, innovation, and inclusive economic opportunity across Ireland.' 'This is not a new beginning, it's the next step,' said Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC. 'We've co-created a strategy that is both ambitious and grounded in what already works. In the years ahead, talent, not geography will shape the West's future. But talent needs the right conditions to thrive. That's why this strategy focuses on investing in high-potential companies, supporting resilient communities, and testing scalable solutions for rural Ireland. From AI to climate action, social enterprise to creative industries—we're building the platforms to turn regional potential into long-term impact.' The strategy is structured around four interconnected growth drivers—each designed to deliver outcomes: Heritage – safeguarding cultural and natural assets while fostering innovation rooted in place. Horizons – embracing global opportunities and scaling sectors like MedTech, renewable energy, AgriTech, and the creative economy. Harnessing Talent – supporting flexible work, digital skills, AI readiness, and inclusive careers across all life stages. Hubs – enabling collaboration and connectivity through a dynamic network of physical and digital infrastructure. To translate ambition into measurable impact, the strategy sets out a suite of key targets for 2025–2029, including: Investing €50 million in the region—€35 million through the WDC's evergreen Investment Fund and €15 million from EU funding sources. Supporting the creation of 5,000 jobs through enterprise and regional development projects. Reaching 400 Connected Hubs and evolving the network as a platform to deliver AI upskilling, digital transformation, and climate action directly into communities. Delivering over 100 high-impact projects across SMEs, social enterprises, and the creative sector through the Investment Fund and supporting a further 1,000 SMEs through EU-funded programmes. Reaching an annual audience of 1 million through initiatives that globally promote the Western Region. Eugene Cummins, Chairperson of the WDC, said: 'Unlocking regional potential takes more than investment, it takes cohesion. This strategy is a product of deep collaboration across sectors and communities. It reframes rural Ireland not as the periphery, but as a place of real and rising potential.' Over the next five years, the WDC will work closely with government departments, local authorities, enterprise agencies, communities, and academic institutions to ensure the region progresses as a unified whole, while recognising that different areas, particularly the Northwest, require tailored approaches. In a time of rapid change, where the way we work, climate resilience, and evolving technologies are reshaping every region, Unlocking Potential, Driving Change lays the foundation for inclusive, resilient, and future-focused growth. It is a strategy that brings policy, people, and possibility into alignment for the West, and for the country. The Western Development Commission operates under the auspices of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
WDC launch 5-year strategy to support creation of 5,000 jobs
The Western Development Commission has launched a five-year strategy that sets out to support the creation of 5,000 jobs through enterprise and regional development projects. The strategy sets out a roadmap that will see the WDC invest €50 million in the western region including €35m drawn from its own investment fund and €15m sourced from EU funding. A €35m investment from the WDC's fund will see €25m earmarked for SMEs, €7m for social enterprises and €3m for creative industries. The WDC aims to secure a further €15m investment through EU-funded projects, including participation in Interreg, the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme and Horizon Europe. It is envisaged that the combined impact of the WDCs various programmes and initiatives will contribute to supporting 5,000 new jobs by 2030. Established in 1999, the WDC operates as a State agency under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development to promote and support social and economic development in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, and Clare. Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary launched 'Unlocking Potential, Driving Change: A Strategy for Regional Growth and Collaboration 2025–2029' in his hometown of Ballina, Co Mayo this afternoon. Mr Calleary said the five-year WDC strategy aligns with the Government's rural development policy and reinforces their commitment to balanced regional growth and innovation. Some of the WDC's key targets include increasing the number of connected hubs from approximately 380 to 400 hubs while developing the connected hubs network as a platform to deliver AI upskilling and other digital skills. The Western Investment Fund portfolio currently consists of 120 companies and projects valued at €90m. The WDC plans to deliver more than 100 projects across SMEs, social enterprises, and the creative sector through its Investment Fund and support a further 1,000 SMEs through EU-funded programmes. CEO of the WDC Allan Mulrooney said the strategy focuses on investing in high-potential companies, supporting communities, and testing scalable solutions in rural Ireland. "We've co-created a strategy that is both ambitious and grounded in what already works. In the years ahead, talent, not geography, will shape the West's future. But talent needs the right conditions to thrive," Mr Mulrooney said. "From AI to climate action, social enterprise to creative industries - we're building the platforms to turn regional potential into long-term impact," Mr Mulrooey added. The organisation also plans to reach an annual audience of more than one million people to promote the region as a place to live, work and to carry out business.
