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Department establishing a cross-Government Energy Affordability Taskforce – to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses
Minister Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the Government decision to extend the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity by a further six months – to 31 October. The 9% VAT rate had been due to revert to 13.5% from 1 May. Minister O’Brien recently wrote to Minister Donohoe, expressing support for the continuation of the current reduced rate of VAT on electricity and gas for households. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses, and commits to bringing forward taxation measures to help contain energy costs, including with regard to VAT. Officials from Minister O’Brien’s Department are establishing a cross-Government Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. This will entail both short term measures in preparation for Budget 2026, in addition to more medium and longer-term measures. The estimated savings for households from this extension (€26.60 for electricity, €20.28 for gas) are welcome and will provide much needed support for customers due to the continued high cost of energy. The Minister fully supports this Financial Resolution. ENDS The temporary VAT reduction to 9% for gas and electricity was one of the Government responses to the energy crisis and its impact on the cost of living. A reduced rate was first applied from 1 May 2022. It was possible to make this reduction because of an amendment to Annex III of the VAT Directive in 2022 which brought gas and electricity within the scope of the reduced rates category. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses, and has committed to bring forward taxation measures to help contain energy costs, including with regard to VAT. Consequently, the Government has decided to introduce a Financial Resolution on Wednesday 2 April 2025 to extend the 9% VAT rate for gas and electricity for 6 months from 1 May 2025 till 31 October 2025. The estimated cost of this extension is €85 million with the net benefit to households from 1 May to 31 October being approximately €26.60 with respect to electricity and €20.28 with respect to gas. Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien today announced that the Department of Transport will provide €633 million funding for national roads.
TII will allocate the funding in support of the following outcomes, in line with the NDP: • Protection and renewal of the existing national road network • Progressing major new road projects that are in or near construction • Progressing major new road projects that are in the development pipeline. The allocation for protection and renewal of the existing national road network will fund a range of activities including road safety improvements, pavement renewal, maintenance of bridges and structures, and measures to ensure the network can withstand the increased number of severe weather events. Among the major new national road projects funded are the Adare Bypass, the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge, and the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy. Announcing the funding allocation, Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, said: “Funding new roads and advancing the national road projects in the current NDP is a priority for this government. The allocations I’m announcing today will enable multiple new road projects on the national road network to progress, including those that are at or close to construction. This will improve regional connectivity, support economic development, and remove traffic from towns and communities across the country – making the roads safer for all users. “Projects such as the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge, which is under construction, and the Adare Bypass, for which contracts were signed on 28th February, demonstrate the clear commitment to the ongoing development of our national road network. In addition to the funding announced today, under the current NDP funding for national roads is expected to increase over the rest of the decade, unlocking more funding for vital key road projects around the country”. Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said: “There has been a great deal of investment in the national road network in recent decades. This has helped to improve regional connectivity and has supported economic development across the country. Today’s allocations build on this. Our first priority should be to safeguard our existing national roads to ensure that they are in a safe and robust condition for all road users, including freight traffic. Over the lifetime of the NDP, €2.9 billion has been earmarked for this purpose. This funding is also used for measures to improve road safety on the network, which is vital for the implementation of our Road Safety Strategy.” Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, said: “As Minister with responsibility for Rural Transport, I appreciate the important role played by the national Road Network in ensuring that all parts of Ireland are connected to each other. A safe and efficient National Road Network supports rural residents, allowing them to connect to work, education and healthcare. In addition, it also facilitates the many bus services that now serve rural Ireland. The funding announced today will serve to safeguard and improve this vital national asset for all our citizens”. Other new national roads projects funded include:
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, welcomed new regulations to deliver on the Programme for Government Commitment to extend the ten-year vehicle limit for taxis registered in 2015, offering another year of service.
Following public consultation, the NTA Board has approved the Taxi Regulation (Taxi Maximum Permissible Age) Regulations 2025. These regulations permit an extension to the final operation date of taxis currently in the fleet, first registered in 2015, and due to reach their final operation date between 1st January 2025 and 31st December 2025. The new Regulations come into effect on 1st April 2025. Minister O’Brien said: “The new regulations will provide 2015 vehicles with an additional year of operation, thus providing a 2026 final operating date for those vehicles. The introduction of these regulations by the Department of Transport and NTA is a further acknowledgement of the impact of Covid-19 on the taxi industry.” Find out more on the NTA website at https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/approved-taxi-regulation-taxi-maximum-permissible-age-regulations-2025/ Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, affirmed the Government commitment to the establishment of a Transport Security Force at a meeting of the Public Transport Safety Working Group, held by the Department of Transport on Tuesday 25 March.
This was the third meeting of the Group, and Minister O’Brien welcomed its strong cross-sectoral collaboration and efforts to date. The Public Transport Safety Working Group was established in 2024 to identify measures to improve passenger and staff safety across the public transport network. It includes representatives from across the public transport sector including the National Transport Authority (NTA); unions; An Garda Síochána; the Department of Justice; and passenger representative groups Minister O’Brien welcomed the opportunity to discuss the important issue of safety on public transport directly with the Group, and to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to tackling the issue of antisocial behaviour across the network. Creating a Transport Security Force under the NTA is a strong commitment under the Programme for Government. It is envisaged that the Transport Security Force would operate in a similar manner, and have similar powers, to Airport Police and Customs Officers. While there has been a significant increase in investment in safety measures on public transport in recent years, it remains a serious issue. It is the people who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly affected by any safety or security incidents on the network. The establishment of the Transport Security Force will play a central role in helping to tackle this important issue. Minister O’Brien confirmed that the Department of Transport has already begun work to identify the necessary legislative proposals and alterations to enable the establishment of the Transport Security Force, and highlighted the important role that the Group will play in the planning and implementation of this important commitment. Minister O’Brien said: “The establishment of the Transport Security Force is a high priority for Government. I fully support all ongoing positive work, including the meetings of this Group, that contributes towards creating a safer public transport network for staff and passengers.”  Fianna Fáil Minister Darragh O’Brien, recently met NBA legend Pat Riley at the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, where they discussed the strong ties between Ireland and the Irish-American community in Florida.
During the visit, Minister O’Brien presented Mr. Riley with a Cavan GAA jersey in recognition of his proud Cavan roots. In return, Mr. Riley gifted the Minister a Miami Heat jersey, a gesture symbolising the deep connections between Irish and American sporting traditions. “The Irish-American presence in Florida is vibrant and meaningful,” said Minister O’Brien. “It was an honor to meet Pat, discuss his family’s Irish heritage, and strengthen the bonds between our communities. We look forward to welcoming him back to Ireland in the near future.”  Funding will support the delivery of Greenway projects throughout the country
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State Seán Canney and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer have announced €67 million in funding for Greenways and National Roads Active Travel infrastructure through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in 2025. This allocation is dedicated to developing walking and cycling facilities that offer safe, sustainable and healthier transportation options to communities. It is expected that approximately 24km of Greenways will be delivered in 2025. Further section openings are expected on the Grand Canal Greenway and the South East Greenway, and work will continue on the South Kerry Greenway and on other projects located across the country. This allocation will also be used to fund approximately 60 Greenway schemes to move through the planning and design stages. These include the Fingal Coastal Way, Limerick to Scarriff, Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway and the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway. The allocation will also be used to enable delivery of active travel infrastructure on national roads, and to progress the National Cycle Network which identifies 3,500 km of cycling corridors around the country linking cities and towns. This allocation of €67 million for the Greenways programme is in addition to approximately €293 million allocated to fund the Active Travel programme, announced by the NTA in January 2025.The Active Travel programme supports a range of walking and cycling schemes including improved pedestrian environments, new segregated cycling lanes, pedestrian and cycling bridges, and pedestrian crossings. This combined allocation of €360 million for walking and cycling infrastructure in 2025 shows the Government’s continued commitment to safe, sustainable and healthy transport options. Announcing the Greenway Allocations, Minister O’Brien said: “The allocation of €360 million in 2025 for active travel and greenway infrastructure demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to expanding sustainable transport options. This funding will support the development of high-quality walking and cycling facilities in cities, towns, village and rural areas. Today in Malahide, I am pleased to announce €67 million of this investment, which will help deliver key greenway projects all over the country. There is great excitement in my community as we anticipate the completion of the Broadmeadow Greenway in 2026 and look forward to the progression of the Fingal Coastal scheme north to Balbriggan.” Minister of State Seán Canney said: “Greenways are safe and accessible transport corridors that encourage greater levels of travel by cycling and walking, rather than by private cars, for leisure users, tourists and commuters. The continued expansion of our walking and cycling network through Greenway and active travel infrastructure on our national roads is crucial in offering safe travel options to cyclists and pedestrians. It also contributes to our progress towards Vision Zero, our road safety strategy which sets out to achieve zero road fatalities or serious injuries by 2050.” Minister of State Jerry Buttimer said: “Greenways have represented a tremendous success for rural Ireland showcasing our beautiful landscape, bringing visitors to overlooked areas and helping small local businesses to thrive. Greenways also provide an outdoor recreational facility that all members of the community can enjoy. I welcome today’s funding announcement for Greenway projects and look forward to the delivery of new and expanded routes in the coming years.” Peter Walsh, Chief Executive of TII, said: “The 2025 Greenway funding highlights the commitment of the Department of Transport and the Government to deliver active travel options throughout the country. TII along with our Local Authority partners will continue to deliver and progress these important Greenway Projects.” Transport Infrastructure Ireland Greenways and National Roads Active Travel Infrastructure Investment Grants 2025 Allocations – Breakdown by Local Authority County Allocation (€) Cavan County Council 330,000 Clare County Council 1,850,000 Cork County Council 6,970,000 Donegal County Council 4,370,000 Fingal County Council 750,000 Galway City Council 200,000 Galway County Council 3,500,000 Kerry County Council 8,250,000 Kildare County Council 4,200,000 Kilkenny County Council 1,700,000 Laois County Council 50,000 Leitrim County Council 1,700,000 Limerick City and County Council 1,150,000 Longford County Council 50,000 Louth County Council 610,000 Mayo County Council 4,600,000 Meath County Council 1,400,000 Monaghan County Council 2,050,000 Offaly County Council 855,000 Roscommon County Council 2,295,000 Sligo County Council 1,230,000 South Dublin County Council 2,150,000 Tipperary County Council 625,000 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (contingency, studies and renewal works) 8,000,000 Waterford City and County Council 1,000,000 Westmeath County Council 2,115,000 Wexford County Council 3,150,000 Wicklow County Council 1,650,000 Grand Total 66,800,000 |
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April 2025
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