Momentum for home energy upgrades and Solar PV in County Offaly in 2023 is heartening and important, showing that homeowners are embracing the opportunities offered by SEAI schemes. Nationally, Government
Photo credit Philip Doyle. The date for the upcoming referendums on Family and Care is this Friday, March 8th; which is also International Women’s Day. The date choice is intentional,
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D. has announced the opening of the 2024 Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures. Pictured with Minister Ossian Smith and
Today I was on the shores of Lough Ennell to officially launch the €60 million Water EIP “Farming for Water” project with colleagues Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister Malcolm Noonan.
I am delighted to work alongside Minister Malcom Noonan on a new €34m Strategic Nature Project (SNaP) to transform Ireland’s approach to biodiversity data. Pictured with Dr Derek Mc Loughlin
It’s with great disappointment, but not a surprise, that I find myself as the only strong political representative in Offaly calling for a Yes Yes vote in the referendums to
Congratulations to the Town Team and wider community of Clara following the official launch of the Clara Town Plan. We are already seeing the fruits of your labour and I
Recently, I wrote to the Chief Executives of local authorities offering collaboration in support of community gardens. Last June, I published Ireland’s National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 – 2027. One
I was delighted to receive an update in today’s Cabinet meeting on women’s health services, including for women in the Midlands. I have been an advocate of one-stop “see and
I am delighted that the largest ever review of the School Transport Scheme has been published. Most especially I welcome the plans to improve the scheme to better suit the
Cllr. Mark Hackett and I have today welcomed the allocation of over €3.9million for the County Offaly stretch of the Grand Canal Greenway. Cllr. Mark Hackett and I on Offaly
I received details that 2,469 businesses in Offaly will be potentially eligible for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant, announced as part of Budget 2024. This grant is intended to
Welcoming the Local Authority Climate Action Plan are Green Party representatives from L-R Liam Walsh, Tullamore, Ekaterina Koneva, Birr, Minister Pippa Hackett and Cllr Mark Hackett, Edenderry. Offaly Green Party
I welcome this funding which will support the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network across Offaly. We cannot underestimate the importance of maintaining roads for
The Project Brief for ‘Ireland’s Climate House’, founded in EU LIFE IP Peatlands and People, a seven-year climate action project responding to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, has been published as
I’m pleased to announce I have launched the new Native Woodland Conservation (NWC) scheme to support the restoration, conservation and enhancement of existing native woodlands. The scheme has been developed
My colleague Minister Eamon Ryan along with the National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced €3m funding allocated to Offaly to support the rollout of walking and cycling infrastructure in 2024,
Below is the speech I delivered at the Extended Congress, Lyon, France, 4th February 2024. Me alongside other panelists Rasmus Nordqvist, Anna Baiomi, Enrico Somaglia,Sophia Wiegand and Rasmus Wiegand at
Last week I had the privilege to participate in a seminar ‘Partners in Transformation’ organised by Birr 20:20 Vision, which considered the future of the biomethane industry in Ireland. Brendan
I have received confirmation from Minister of Transport Eamon Ryan TD, that funding for road safety improvements at Durrow, on the N52 will be made available. I attended a public
Today, my colleague Minister Malcolm Noonan launched Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan. The NBAP aims to protect and restore nature across the country. Bird cover crop on our farm
Today, my Green Party Colleague, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan T.D., confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated funds to Ireland’s local authorities with a view to spending
In front of Mary A.Kelly’s ‘Women in Seanad Eireann 1922 to 2022’ which hangs in Leinster House On March 8th, which is International Women’s Day, the people of Ireland will
The Offaly Tourism Strategy, which will guide Council direction in the sector through to 2027, was published recently. It is a comprehensive piece of work undertaken by CHL Consulting, under
This is a great opportunity for many farmers to maximise sustainability and future-proof their business by reducing their input costs. Today, I can confirm the opening of the Organic Farming
Projects in rural areas across #Offaly and #Laois will benefit from a fund in excess of €200,000 per county in 2024. Image: Minister Pippa Hackett together with Minister Heather Humphreys, Cllr. Liam
Today, Government launched the Community Climate Action Fund to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take climate action at a local level. This is a really exciting
A health check of your personal situation could place more money in your pocket. New Year is traditionally a time to reflect and to plan ahead. I see it as
It is very important to acknowledge the role that Ireland played in helping to push for the historic language to transition away from fossil fuels during COP 28. Minister Eamon
Today, the Solar for Schools Programme was launched. The scheme will open to applications on a phased basis from 30th November and will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of
Addressing the Global Food Security Summit in London, November 2023 Ireland has been a long-standing champion of global efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition, so it was a privilege to
I’m continuing a Christmas tradition by publishing a list of Christmas markets for Offaly. Shopping locally and buying local produce, is the easiest way to support our communities and reduce
Good afternoon everyone. First of all I’d like to say I really am sorry I couldn’t be here this morning to open the event, and to listen to the discussions
I welcome today’s Government approval of payments to farmers located in the Shannon Callows who have lost fodder as a result of exceptional flooding. I am delighted that my colleagues
I am delighted with progress on the Government’s home energy loan guarantee scheme which will open to homeowners early next year. Under the new scheme, homeowners will be able to
In 2020, when the Green Party entered Government and I was appointed as Minister of State within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine I was determined to work
I welcome the latest progress of the Bill for Safe Access Zones which, once enacted, will provide for a 100m buffer zone around an entrance or exit to a premises
I am delighted to announce the opening of the Native Tree Area Scheme today at Avondale House, the home of Irish forestry. This scheme will allow farmers to plant up
I am delighted to announce that the Organic Farming Scheme is now open and will remain open until 8th December. This Government has a strong vision for organic farming, and
This week I had the pleasure of announcing the new, free to use, ‘Organic Hub’ Online Platform. As Minister of State I have special responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity,
Press Release 29.09.2023 Minister Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for organic farming in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has welcomed a proposal for 10% of food procured
I have been in touch with Minister O’Donovan, state agencies, the Council and local communities to ensure that plans to enhance Clonmacnoise Monastic Site will bring the potential for spin
Press release Ministers McConalogue and Hackett launch best funded, most environmentally sustainable Forestry Programme for the period to 2027 From Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarinePublished on 6 September
Today’s report on the Constituency Review, recommends that the next Dáil would see 174 TDs representing 43 Dáil Constituencies, up from the current 160 TDs in 39 Constituencies. The report
I am delighted to welcome the opening of the €17m Fáilte Ireland Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for private & community projects in Midland’s counties. I am grateful to Fáilte Ireland for
Celebrations I am delighted to see the HSE’s spotlight on safety ahead of Leaving Certificate celebrations on Friday. Parents and guardians can use this week to have important conversations. I’m
I am delighted to join Government colleagues Minister Humphreys and McConalogue, in announcing an additional €883,000 in funding for the LEADER Food Initiative (LFI) Scheme. This scheme supports artisan, micro,
Press Release 02 August 2023 European Commission approves afforestation measures in Forestry Programme 2023 -2027 Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. and Minister of State in
I welcome this week’s release of the draft All-Island Strategic Rail Review recommendations focused on increasing connectivity, frequency and quality of rail services for people of the Midlands. The Review
I have been contacted by members of the Clara community regarding the nearly 2 year closure of the Visitor Centre at Clara Bog and am delighted to receive an update
I’m appealing to anyone starting out or thinking of a career change to consider becoming a bus driver. I made enquiries recently about a new route, the 822 from Mountrath
Restoring Nature Should Not be Controversial. And it’s certainly not something our public representatives should be against. It’s quite sad, that something so noble and good as restoring nature, has
My colleague and Green Party leader Minister Eamon Ryan addressed a public event in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, on “Greening our Communities“ this week. The event, which I hosted,
The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage is running a pilot scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of vacant farmhouses in private ownership who are
2030 Strategy will reflect recent growth, focus on market development, current challenges and future potential Today, I was delighted to announce the development of a new five-year National Strategy for
Over €200,000 for 22 biodiversity projects across Laois and Offaly through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF). Over €80,000 is being awarded to Laois County Council and €120,000 is being
From my speech in the SEANAD 30/05/2023, see link to full speech below. The climate and biodiversity crises have plunged us into a significant time of change – for every
I am delighted to announce today that Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding has been allocated to promote and develop the growing Irish organic sector. The number of farmers in the Organic
I am delighted that communities across Laois and Offaly, from Rathdowney to Clara and Birr to Portarlington, are receiving good news today as over €1.5 million is allocated to 74
I am absolutely thrilled that Laois and Offaly ETB are to lead on a pilot Nature Skills Training programme aimed at public sector staff and contractors. This pilot course is
