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Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Government to appoint seven external experts to new disability service unit
Seven external experts are set to be appointed to a new Government unit to improve disability services across the State. The new disability unit, to be housed within the Department of the Taoiseach, is expected to be formally established in the weeks ahead. 'The Taoiseach wants a step change in the scale of support for people with disabilities and their families,' a senior Government source said. The disability unit will bring relevant departments are together to troubleshoot issues and highlight key issues and work together to improve government's response so that real change will be made and programme for government commitments are delivered. They added that, in bringing together key departments such as health, children, education, and social protection, it would ensure there is 'nowhere to hide and that these matters are dealt with in a meaningful way'. It is understood that seven individuals, with expertise in multiple areas relating to disabilities, will be seconded to work with civil servants assigned to the disability unit. The unit itself will be modelled off the existing Child Poverty Unit in the Taoiseach's department, with a framework currently being drawn up. On Tuesday, the Cabinet is expected to receive updates on the development of a new National Digital Strategy. The new strategy will particularly focus on artificial intelligence (AI). It is likely to include increasing the use of generative AI tools across Government departments, as part of a drive to increase productivity. A Government source said the strategy will provide some short-term plans, as well as a 'longer-term strategic vision to position Ireland for continued growth and investment'. Additionally, Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to seek approval to draft amendments to legislation to allow for the Government to ratify the EU-Canada trade deal, or Ceta. The deal was previously blocked by the Supreme Court, with it ruling the deal was unconstitutional unless the Arbitration Act 2010 was amended. The Government has put Ceta back on the table for ratification as part of its push for diversification, amid the threat of tariffs from the US. Ceta has been in force provisionally for a number of years, with Ireland seeing an increased level of trade with Canada in recent years. Trade with Canada in 2016 was valued at €3.2bn, but rose to over €10bn in 2023.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Teen disability rights campaigner to meet Taoiseach
Fourteen-year-old disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody has been invited to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Leinster House this morning. The meeting was due to take place at 9am. Cara was accompanied by her father into the Department of the Taoiseach at Government Buildings. She spent the night in a tent outside Leinster House as part of a 50-hour protest, calling for urgent action on growing waiting lists for child disability assessments. Yesterday, Cara said the Government is "breaking the law" by failing to ensure timely assessments for children. She is demanding meaningful steps be taken to address what she describes as a "national crisis". Under the Disability Act 2005, children are legally entitled to an assessment of need within six months of applying. However, recent figures show that thousands of families are still waiting far beyond that deadline prompting ongoing criticism from advocacy groups. Currently there are more than 15,000 children waiting for an assessment of need, which is often a key requirement for children accessing certain services and supports.
Dublin Live
16-05-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
€76k flight bill for Taoiseach Micheal Martin's St Patrick's Day US trip
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Taxpayers spent over €76,000 on flights for Taoiseach Micheál Martin, his wife and eight other members of staff as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations, the Irish Mirror can reveal. This does not include money spent on accommodation on the six-day trip to the United States, which included stops in Texas and Washington DC. The Taoiseach's itinerary included the key meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday, March 12. The Foreign Travel Report for February, published by the Department of the Taoiseach, stated that "flights for Taoiseach and delegation from Dublin to Austin return for St Patrick's Day, 09/03/2025 to 14/03/2025" cost a total of €64,629.71. In response to queries from the Irish Mirror, the Government press office confirmed that an additional €11,780 was paid in March. It brings the total price of flights for the Taoiseach's St Patrick's Day trip to the US to €76,409.71. The press office confirmed that there were 10 people travelling to the US as part of the Taoiseach's trip Stateside. This included the Taoiseach, his wife Mary, the Secretary General John Callinan, Chief of Staff Deirdre Gillane, Government Press Secretary Paul Clarkson, the Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, the Private Secretary to the Taoiseach and two Garda Close Protection Officers. The Government press office further confirmed that the overall cost of the flights included the cost of Mr Martin's wife's flights. For the transatlantic flights – from Dublin to Austin and Washington DC to Dublin – four of the delegation flew business class on the outbound leg and two of the delegation flew business class on the inbound leg. No information was provided about who flew business class, but the Irish Mirror understands that Mr Martin did. GIS confirmed to the Irish Mirror that "no accommodation costs have been incurred to date" by the Department of the Taoiseach for this trip. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organised and paid for accommodation, which will be recouped later. The October Foreign Travel Report shows that flights for then-Taoiseach Simon Harris and his delegation's visit to Washington to meet then-President Joe Biden cost €14,743.61 Mr Martin flew to Austin, Texas, on Sunday March 9. On Monday, he attended the SXSW festival and met with the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott. He also attended a reception at the Consulate of Ireland in Austin. The Taoiseach and his team spent two nights in Texas before flying to Washington DC on Tuesday March 11. After arriving in the US capital that afternoon, Mr Martin attended the annual Embassy of Ireland St. Patrick's Day Reception on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the Taoiseach had a full day of political engagements, during which he met President Trump and US Vice President JD Vance and attended a lunch on Capitol Hill held by Speaker Mike Johnson. Thursday consisted of meetings with business groups and IDA client companies ahead of the Ireland Funds National Gala in the evening. On Friday, Mr Martin held further business meetings before a meeting with high-level representatives of the US Jewish community. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Inside the €76k flight bill for Taoiseach's St Patrick's Day trip to the US
Taxpayers spent over €76,000 on flights for Taoiseach Micheál Martin, his wife and eight other members of staff as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations, the Irish Mirror can reveal. This does not include money spent on accommodation on the six-day trip to the United States, which included stops in Texas and Washington DC. The Taoiseach's itinerary included the key meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday, March 12. The Foreign Travel Report for February, published by the Department of the Taoiseach, stated that 'flights for Taoiseach and delegation from Dublin to Austin return for St Patrick's Day, 09/03/2025 to 14/03/2025' cost a total of €64,629.71. In response to queries from the Irish Mirror, the Government press office confirmed that an additional €11,780 was paid in March. It brings the total price of flights for the Taoiseach's St Patrick's Day trip to the US to €76,409.71. The press office confirmed that there were 10 people travelling to the US as part of the Taoiseach's trip Stateside. This included the Taoiseach, his wife Mary, the Secretary General John Callinan, Chief of Staff Deirdre Gillane, Government Press Secretary Paul Clarkson, the Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, the Private Secretary to the Taoiseach and two Garda Close Protection Officers. The Government press office further confirmed that the overall cost of the flights included the cost of Mr Martin's wife's flights. For the transatlantic flights – from Dublin to Austin and Washington DC to Dublin – four of the delegation flew business class on the outbound leg and two of the delegation flew business class on the inbound leg. No information was provided about who flew business class, but the Irish Mirror understands that Mr Martin did. GIS confirmed to the Irish Mirror that 'no accommodation costs have been incurred to date' by the Department of the Taoiseach for this trip. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organised and paid for accommodation, which will be recouped later. The October Foreign Travel Report shows that flights for then-Taoiseach Simon Harris and his delegation's visit to Washington to meet then-President Joe Biden cost €14,743.61 Mr Martin flew to Austin, Texas, on Sunday March 9. On Monday, he attended the SXSW festival and met with the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott. He also attended a reception at the Consulate of Ireland in Austin. The Taoiseach and his team spent two nights in Texas before flying to Washington DC on Tuesday March 11. After arriving in the US capital that afternoon, Mr Martin attended the annual Embassy of Ireland St. Patrick's Day Reception on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the Taoiseach had a full day of political engagements, during which he met President Trump and US Vice President JD Vance and attended a lunch on Capitol Hill held by Speaker Mike Johnson. Thursday consisted of meetings with business groups and IDA client companies ahead of the Ireland Funds National Gala in the evening. On Friday, Mr Martin held further business meetings before a meeting with high-level representatives of the US Jewish community.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northern Ireland disposable incomes lower than Republic, says study
Household disposable incomes in Northern Ireland are lower than in the Republic of Ireland, a study has suggested.A report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Department of the Taoiseach's Shared Island Unit has compared the two report recognises structural differences make it difficult to compare the economies, including Northern Ireland being a regional economy and the "significant" impact of the Troubles. Based on 2018 data, it said disposable income per household was €5,400 (£4,656) or 18.3% higher in the Republic of Ireland than in Northern Ireland and that gap has widened over time. The report said unemployment levels in Northern Ireland were lower than in the Republic in 2023. But employment levels were also lower in Northern Ireland, which the report suggested could lead to future and ongoing skills shortages. Brexit effect The report said wages in the Republic were higher, with hourly earnings 36% higher than in Northern Ireland in 2022 (when adjusted for purchasing power parity).It also said people in Northern Ireland, on average, pay less than half the amount of personal income tax compared to their counterparts in the has been an increase in trade activity between the two economies, the report said Brexit is likely a "driving factor". However, the report also found the performance of the Irish economy was much more prone to negative external shocks compared to Northern Ireland.A comparison was also made of wellbeing outcomes across education and health. It was found that the Republic had fewer young people leave school early, a lower infant mortality rate and fewer people on a waiting list for longer report said there were 86 people per 1,000 population on waiting lists for more than 18 months in Northern Ireland, compared to 12 people per 1,000 in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, the school enrolment rate among 15–19 year olds was 71% in 2022, compared to the UK average of 81% and 92% in Ireland. This report said the fact that almost 30% of young people aged 15–19 in Northern Ireland were not enrolled in education, alongside the enrolment rate falling between 2018 and 2022, was "extremely alarming". It also found average life expectancy in Northern Ireland is 80.4 years, compared to 82.4 years in the report said this reflects a "growing divergence over time" in areas such as living standards, education and certain aspects of health care population in the Republic was 2.5 times that of Northern Ireland in 2022 and was growing at a faster rate from 2010-2022, which the report said was partly due to also highlighted the fact that Northern Ireland had an older population, which was more likely to put pressure on social welfare systems.
