Category: Government of Ireland

Announcing the expansion, Minister Naughton said:

The Summer Holiday Meals Pilot Programme forms part of the Government’s wider commitment to tackling child poverty. The initiative was developed in partnership between the Department of Education and Youth and the Child Poverty and Wellbeing Office in the Department of the Taoiseach.

The 2025 pilot supported over 5,000 young people who were at risk of going without a hot or substantial meal during school holidays. Delivered through UBU-funded youth services, meals were provided in trusted community settings throughout June, July and August.

An independent evaluation of the 2025 pilot, commissioned by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), found strong evidence of the programme’s positive impact and recommended its continuation and further development, including consideration of a permanent scheme.

The expansion to 77 participating youth services and increased capacity in existing services will enable a 90 per cent rise in programme reach, ensuring that more young people across Ireland can benefit from access to nutritious meals in supportive youth work environments.

The Summer Holiday Meals Pilot Programme will run throughout summer 2026, continuing to support young people in communities across Ireland who may otherwise lack access to a hot or filling meal while schools are closed.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

List of participating locations in 2026

The investment reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to modernising border management infrastructure and supporting Ireland’s international connectivity, tourism and economic growth. The upgraded eGates will continue to operate alongside existing immigration and international security verification systems, with passengers referred to immigration officers where further examination is required.

Closing date for TAMS 3 Tranche 12 extended to 19 June

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today confirmed that Ranking and Selection (RASS) will be applied to applications received for Tranche 11 of Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), on a differentiated basis, with priority given to applications under farm safety and nutrient storage schemes.

Emphasising the importance of farm safety, the Minister confirmed that as has been the case in all previous Tranches, 100% of eligible applications under the farm safety scheme will again be selected under this tranche. The Minister has also highlighted the importance of nutrient storage noting that 75% of all eligible applications for nutrient storage measures will be selected under this tranche.

Minister Heydon also announced the introduction of an amendment to the RASS criteria in respect of nutrient storage investments, which will apply to applications submitted in the tranche opening 20 June 2026.

A total of 63,754 applications were submitted in the first eleven tranches of TAMS 3. Tranche 11 closed for applications on 6 March 2026 with 4,452 applications submitted across all schemes (plus a further 2,216 applications which rolled over from Tranche 10).

Minister Heydon said:

The proposed changes, which will be shared with the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Monitoring Committee, will allow additional marks to be applied to nutrient storage investments under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS), Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS), Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) when future tranches are open for applications.

Minister Heydon continued:

Minister Heydon has also confirmed that he is extending the closing date for Tranche 12 of TAMS to mid-June.

The Minister said:

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) is jointly funded by the National Exchequer and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

Ranking and Selection to be applied at the following rates across each scheme to manage the number of approvals under Tranche 9:

• SCIS (Solar Capital Investment Scheme) – 10% Selection
• LESS – 10% Selection
• AWNSS (Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage) – 75% Selection
• WFCIS (Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme) – 75% Selection
• YFCIS (Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme) – 75% Selection
• OCIS – (Organic Farmer Capital Investment Scheme) – 75% Selection
• DES – (Dairy Equipment Scheme) – 20% Selection
• PPIS – (Pig & Poultry Investment Scheme) – 75% Selection
• TCIS – (Tillage Capital Investment Scheme) – 70% Selection
• FSCIS – (Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme) – 100% Selection

The Nutrient storage investments which would attract 40 additional marks under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS), Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS), Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) are as follows:

• Silage Effluent Tank
• Square or Rectangular Tank
• L -Shaped Tank
• T -shaped tank
• U-Shaped tank
• H-Shaped tank
• Double H-Shaped tank
• + Shaped tank
• Doughnut shaped tank
• Precast Concrete Tank, including cover
• Circular Slurry Stores
• Geomembrane lined Stores
• Manure Pit

2026 Tranche Closing Dates:

Tranche 12 – 19 June 2026

Tranche 13 – 4 Sept 2026

Tranche 14 – 4 Dec 2026

Under the On-farm Capital Investment Scheme known as TAMS 3 there are 11 individual schemes. These are as follows:

• Animal Welfare, Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) at 40% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling
• Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) at 40% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling
• Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme (PPIS) at 40% grant rate, with a €500,000 investment ceiling
• Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES) at 40% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling
• Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling
• Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling
• Organic Farming Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling
• Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling
• Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling that is separate from other schemes
• Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment Scheme (LESS) at 60% grant rate, with a €40,000 investment ceiling that is separate from other schemes
• Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme (NISS) at 70% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling that is separate from other schemes

Access the full range of investments and Reference Cost Documents.

Queries of a technical nature relating to the specifications should be submitted by email to the following email address: tams@agriculture.gov.ie

For all other TAMS queries contact TAMS 3 Admin on 053 9163425.

Contractors can register their eTC and access code by emailing TAMScontractors@agriculture.gov.ie

Dublin Castle was followed by Kilkenny Castle, the Rock of Cashel, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre- iconic landmarks that continue to play a pivotal role for both domestic and international tourism.

Regional Growth and Heritage Highlights

The 2025 figures highlight regional growth across the country, with notable increases at Ross Castle, Derrynane House, Tintern Abbey, Trim Castle, Cahir Castle, Swiss Cottage, Donegal Castle, and Sligo Abbey.

Dublin and Leinster: Kilmainham Gaol saw a robust 12% increase in visitor numbers. While Dublin Castle retained the top spot, 2025 volumes were impacted by Government business including Presidential Inauguration and preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council in 2026.

In Laois, Emo Court reopened in May 2025 after conservation works to improve the visitor experience- the site experienced an uplift of 50 % in visitor numbers as a result. In Meath, Trim Castle recorded a 4% rise, while the Battle of the Boyne at Oldbridge Estate saw an 8% increase. Brú na Bóinne also continued its strong performance in recent years, with a 5% uplift.

Munster: The iconic Rock of Cashel saw a 3% increase in visitors. Notably, Derrynane House saw a nearly 6% rise in visitors, following a programme of events to mark the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell. Ionad an Bhlascaoid (The Blasket Centre) continued its upward trend with a 7% increase on the previous year.

Connaught:Aughnanure Castle experienced growth of over 8%, largely attributed to an increase in trade visitors. Sligo Abbey recorded a significant 34% uplift in visitor volumes. This success is credited to deep engagement with the local community, new community-focused events, and the provision of new bus parking facilities outside the site, in collaboration with Sligo County Council.

The Midlands: Corlea Trackway in Co. Longford saw a 13% increase, with more families visiting the site as part of their holiday to the nearby Center Parcs.

A diverse and engaging events schedule will run across the heritage sites in 2026; from Irish Sign Language tours, to engaging children’s workshop and a host of biodiversity events. The OPW has complied an itinerary planner for visitors which is available at Itineraries | Heritage Ireland

For more information on the heritage sites and information on planning your visit, please visit heritageireland.ie

NOTES TO EDITOR

*2025 data, and data for previous years, is available at the link below:

**The top 10 ticketed heritage sites are set out below:

The Minister highlighted that in the past few years the OPW has trebled the number of major flood relief schemes at design and construction; and that it takes many years to deliver a major flood relief scheme. Following Storm Chandra, the Minister met with certain local authorities and allocated €6.6m in funding for interim measures to mitigate flood risk in those communities that were impacted by that event.

The Minister said: “I have taken the lessons learned from Strom Chandra and other storms, and today I am announcing that this revised Minor Works Scheme is being expanded to further provide for interim flood mitigation measures for communities where a major flood relief scheme is planned, but not complete. I am confident that by availing of this scheme and introducing interim measures, local authorities will be able to reduce the impact of any significant flood event on the local community until the full protection required is provided through a completed scheme. The revisions to the Scheme will also better support local authorities in dealing with coastal erosion problems that are impacting communities”.

Blockages of river conveyancing are a common source of flooding to properties. While the revised Minor Works Scheme can provide funding to address these restrictions, the Minister today announced the details of the allocation of €3 million in funding to local authorities to expedite their efforts to remove river conveyance blockages. This once-off allocation can be used to fund the immediate removal of blockages from locations such as river crossings, bridges or culverts and that are causing a restriction to rivers which pose an immediate risk to flooding of properties.

Minister Moran concluded: “The improvements to the Minor Works Scheme, in addition to the €3 million in funding will support the essential work undertaken by Local Authorities to address localised flooding and coastal erosion problems. I encourage Local Authorities to avail of both initiatives and today’s announcement is a further demonstration of how this Government remains committed to supporting Local Authorities to manage the flood and coastal erosion risks in their areas”.

The OPW will be writing to the local authorities today with the details and the supporting documentation will be available on the OPW website in the coming days.

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NOTES:

Funding Support to Remove River Conveyance Blockages.

On 21 August 2025, Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, announced that he was introducing a €3m fund to support local authorities to remove river blockages that are a source of restriction to conveyance, and are causing an increase in flood risk to properties. This is a once-off fund and is without precedent.

• The calculation of each Local Authority’s funding amount employed a combination of factors and included, the relevant Local Authority’s administrative area, population and length of river channels.
• The allocated amount represents up to 90% contribution by the OPW to the overall funding amount required for river conveyance restrictions that have been identified by the relevant Local Authority.

Funding Amounts for each Local Authority

LOCAL AUTHORITY – AMOUNT (€)

Galway City Council €50,000

Longford County Council €50,000

Carlow County Council €50,000

Monaghan County Council €50,000

Louth County Council €50,000

Leitrim County Council €50,000

Cork City Council €50,000

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council €50,000

Laois County Council €60,000

Westmeath County Council €60,000

Offaly County Council €60,000

Sligo County Council €70,000

Cavan County Council €70,000

Kilkenny County Council €70,000

Roscommon County Council €70,000

South Dublin County Council €70,000

Waterford City And County Council €70,000

Fingal County Council €90,000

Wicklow County Council €90,000

Kildare County Council €90,000

Wexford County Council €100,000

Meath County Council €110,000

Clare County Council €110,000

Limerick City And County Council €120,000

Dublin City Council €140,000

Tipperary County Council €150,000

Kerry County Council €200,000

Galway County Council €200,000

Mayo County Council €200,000

Donegal County Council €200,000

Cork County Council €200,000

Total €3,000,000

Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, welcomed the publication saying:

Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan said:

Further information on Continuum of Support, student support files

• The Continuum of Support is a framework to guide the identification of children and young people’s strengths and needs, and for monitoring response to interventions. The framework recognises that special educational needs occur along a continuum. The continuum contains three levels for assessment, planning intervention and review. More information on the continuum of support is available here.
• Where it is agreed that a child or young person’s need warrants targeted interventions at the level ‘School Support – Some’ or the ‘School Support Plus – Few’, this is recorded in a student support file.
• A student support file is an overarching document that schools use for children and young people who are on the continuum of support. It contains all the information relevant to the additional support the child or young person receives in the school.
• A student support plan is an individualised learning plan within the student support file. It documents the child or young person’s priority learning needs, learning targets and specific actions to achieve those targets. Student support plans provide readily available information to help teachers to plan teaching and learning approaches and activities that are responsive to the child or young person’s needs and abilities.
• Further information is available here:
• Guidelines for primary schools on the student support file and plan are available at Guidelines for Primary Schools Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Classes.

Guidelines for post-primary schools are available at Guidelines for Post­ Primary Schools: Supporting Young People with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Classes

Once the roof repairs are complete, Westmeath County Council will begin significant enhancement works at Athlone Castle visitor centre. The project was awarded €3.2 million through Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme’ co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund. ‘

Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District of Athlone-Moate, Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke said: “I am delighted to see the commencement of these important works at The Keep. These works are hugely important for the conservation of the Keep and for the development of Athlone Castle as a significant tourist attraction in the Midlands Region. We welcome the collaboration with the OPW on this project to ensure the protection and enhancement of Athlone Castle and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Castle when the enhancement works are complete’’.

The Castle is currently closed to visitors. The roof works began on 15 May 2026 and are expected to take approximately eight weeks, subject to weather and access.

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NOTES:

Athlone Castle was built as a Royal Castle in 1210 to control an important fording point over the River Shannon.

The Castle, which has been in State ownership since June 1969 is leased to Westmeath County Council, which manages the site’s day to day operations and maintenance of the site. The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of the curtain walls and the Keep.

Welcoming the announcement of today’s grantees, Edel Curtin, Coughlan’s Cork, speaking on behalf of the Live Venue Collective said:

The 2026 scheme offered grants under two separate Streams to support venues at various levels of development. Grants of up to €20k were available under Stream A to established grassroots venues with a proven track record in programming emerging Irish artists. Stream B offered grants of up to €8k to venues who have previously programmed Irish artists and will use funding under this scheme to programme emerging artists performing live music or comedy.

Applications were received from a wide range of late-night venues including pubs, nightclubs and theatres. Venues in many rural towns and villages are being supported, with funding awarded to 28 venues outside of our major cities.

Applications were assessed by the NTE Unit with input from an independent expert panel in accordance with the guidelines for the scheme.

The Grassroots Venues Support Scheme is a Night-Time Economy initiative in support of the work of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and following a recommendation emerging from Action 5 in the revised Night-Time Economy Action Plan.

This scheme will provide funding for a series of events showcasing grassroots artists performing material they have written/created themselves. It is envisaged that these events will also provide employment for crew, light and sound engineering, marketing and PR, as well as increasing footfall to grassroots venues and contributing to a thriving night-time economy.