Lovely to visit the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Clubhouse on Northumberland Avenue in Dún Laoghaire this morning
ABI Ireland is headquartered here in Dún Laoghaire. Its team of around 400 staff supports people living with an acquired brain injury in communities right across the country. ABI Ireland estimates that some 19,000 people in Ireland acquire a brain injury every year
We were shown around the Clubhouse before joining members and staff for a chat during their weekly cooking class. What stood out most was the sense of community. This is a place where people rebuild skills, confidence and independence, surrounded by others who understand
A brain injury can happen to anyone, through a stroke, a fall, an accident or an illness. The support ABI Ireland provides makes a real difference to the people it serves and to their families
Many thanks to the ABI team for the warm welcome, and to the all the members for sharing their morning with us 🤝
Go raibh míle maith agaibh
An honour to attend today's PSNI attestation on the 25th anniversary of the Patten Commission report.
Its implementation has transformed policing in Northern Ireland.
Policing is a noble profession, and it was great to meet the young people who are beginning their careers.
Delighted to join everyone at DROP this evening for the official opening of their new home at Adelphi House, George's Street, Dún Laoghaire 🎉
Since 1998, the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Outreach Project has supported people across our county affected by drug and alcohol use. Its services are free. They are local and non-judgemental. DROP works with individuals, families, and people rebuilding their lives through training, education and employment
DROP had outgrown its old premises. Demand was growing and the team needed space to match the work they do. I have worked with DROP on this move for some time, and I was glad to bring Minister Jim O'Callaghan and Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O'Connor out to see that work first hand and to make the case for investment
Tonight we saw the result. Thank you to Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for cutting the ribbon and officially opening the new building
The most powerful part of the evening was hearing from participants about their own experience of recovery.
With the new National Drugs Strategy 2026–2030 published and €7 million in Budget 2027 to begin delivering it, community projects like DROP are where a health-led approach becomes real for people.
Congratulations to the Board, the Interim CEO and Chair, the staff, and every participant. Here's to the next chapter on George's Street.
Go n-éirí go geal libh!
Delighted to join Elaine Noonan and the team at Community Connect this morning for the opening of their new pop-up shop on the 3rd floor of Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre 🛍️👶
Community Connect provides essential baby items, equipment and clothing free of charge to pregnant women and new parents who need them most. The organisation reports supporting more than 2,500 families across Ireland since 2023
The new shop, supported by Green Kite, gives pre-loved baby and children's items a second life. Every purchase helps fund their Baby Bank hubs. It is good for local families and good for the environment
It was great to meet the volunteers and hear first-hand about the difference they are making here in Dún Laoghaire. Call in and see the shop, or donate if you can 💚
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir
With former UK PM Sir Keir Starmer at the British Irish Chamber dinner this evening at Dublin City Hall.
Good discussion on Ireland–UK relations and the need for continued engagement post-Brexit
Delighted to address Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber's special EU conference today at the Royal Marine Hotel
The conference brought together business and community leaders from across Ireland to discuss how we can promote enterprise and jobs
Great to be joined by Barry Andrews MEP, Cllr Justin Moylan, Senator Anne Rabitte and Minister Timmy Dooley and local councillors from the area.
Well done to Colette O'Sullivan the CEO of DLR Chamber and everyone involved in organising the conference
Delighted to address Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber's special EU conference today at the Royal Marine Hotel
The conference brought together business and community leaders from across Ireland to discuss how we can promote enterprise and jobs
Great to be joined by Barry Andrews MEP, Cllr Justin Moylan, Senator Anne Rabitte and Minister Timmy Dooley and local councillors from the area.
Well done to Colette O'Sullivan the CEO of DLR Chamber and everyone involved in organising the conference
Leading a Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party delegation to Westminster this week
We'd a series of very positive and constructive engagements with UK parties on a range of issues including the new Northern Ireland Legacy Bill, strengthening the Common Travel Area, and developing enterprise and trade between Ireland and the UK
Thanks to everyone who attended my public meeting on Retrofitting Grants at the Royal Marine Hotel, particularly Cllr Justin Moylan and the expert speakers from the sector.
If you'd like further information on the retrofitting and home adaptation supports available drop me an email to [email protected] and I'll post you out the leaflet or you are very welcome to visit one of my regular advice clinics at:
Brady's of Shankill
The Igo Inn, Ballybrack
McCormacks of Mountown
The Wishing Well, Blackrock
Contact Michael Reynolds in my office for details on 01 275 0786 👍
Great to welcome 6 new Gardaí to Dún Laoghaire as part of a national deployment of 207 new Gardaí today
The new Gardaí will support efforts to increase Garda visibility in communities and allow more targeted operations to tackle crime in Dún Laoghaire and across the country
Minister Jim O'Callaghan continues to prioritise Garda recruitment and expects the force to reach 15,000 in the near future
👮 HIGHEST GARDA NUMBERS IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE
📈 Garda numbers will reach a record 14,890 tomorrow as over 200 new Gardaí graduate from the Garda College in Templemore.
👏 This new intake of marks a significant milestone in strengthening frontline policing.
Engaging with public service workers across Dún Laoghaire today. It's essential that a fair deal is reached to address inflation and cost of living pressures
A moving morning in Dún Laoghaire as the new RMS Leinster memorial was unveiled, 108 years to the day since she was lost in the Irish sea. Every name now recorded beside her anchor on Queen's Road.
I was honoured to join Cllr Justin Moylan and Cllr Michael Clark as the new memorial was unveiled by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Barry Saul and Richard Cruise from the Leinster Memorial Committee.
It was a fitting ceremony. Representatives of the Naval Service, the Irish Army, the Gardaí stood alongside the Dalkey Sea Scouts and our friends from Anglesey, who brought the Holyhead Town Cryer, Councillor Jeff Evans. The LÉ Samuel Beckett was in the harbour for the occasion.
This memorial was the wish of the late Des Branigan, who donated the anchor. Sincere thanks to Richard Cruise, the RMS Leinster Memorial Committee, and all the volunteers who worked for years to make it happen.
If you are passing the seafront, stop and read the names.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha 🇮🇪🏴
The announcement by Secretary of State Chris Bryant regarding the Parades Commission’s determination in relation to Drumcree will come as a significant relief to the community on the Garvaghy Road.
Some good news, a free Shingles Vaccine will be rolled out as part of Budget 2027, starting with people over 65 who are immunocompromised.
I've pressed for this for several years as the vaccine is very effective and has significant benefits but is quite expensive.
I will be pressing for the programme to be expanded next year and I'll keep you posted. If you've any queries or want to be kept informed about progress please drop me an email 👍
📢 Budget 2027: What It Means For You
Budget 2027 was announced today. Here are the main measures for workers, families and businesses 👇
💶 WORK & TAX
✅ Average worker around €750 better off
✅ 20% tax band rises from €44,000 to €46,500
✅ Tax credits up by €250
✅ Minimum wage increased to €14.94 per hour
✅ Capital Gains Tax reduced from 33% to 31%
💼 BUSINESS & INVESTMENT
✅ New €500m Government-guaranteed loan scheme for businesses struggling to access bank finance
✅ Employers' PRSI threshold increased to €600 per week for lower-paid workers
✅ R&D Tax Credit enhanced, Knowledge Development Box extended to 2032
✅ New Investment Account from 1 July 2027: first €50,000 tax-free, flat 1% annual tax above that
👶 FAMILIES
✅ Maximum childcare fees fall to €550 per month
✅ €150 permanent cut to the Student Contribution Fee
✅ €10 increase in core weekly social welfare payments, State Pension at €309.30
🏠 HOUSING & ENERGY
✅ €9bn capital investment in delivering homes
✅ Help to Buy relief increased to €35,000
✅ Rent Tax Credit up to €1,150 for a single person, €2,300 for a couple
✅ Almost €655m for home retrofitting grants
🏥 HEALTH & DISABILITY
✅ Phased shingles vaccine programme for over 65s and people who are immunocompromised, something I have pressed for over a number of years
✅ 1.8 million additional home support hours
✅ First ever permanent Cost of Disability payment, of €500
🚆 INFRASTRUCTURE & SAFETY
✅ €6bn for MetroLink
✅ Up to 1,000 additional Gardaí
Any questions on how these apply to you or your business, contact my office.
Full details at https://t.co/wQsrQsAz8v
#Budget2027
This is a Budget for families, for workers and helping people with rising costs.
- We're putting more money back in workers’ pockets
- Supporting families and carers with the cost of childcare and disability
- Easing the burden of fuel and energy costs for those who need it most
Great news for Shankill today where Minister Norma Foley visited Shanganagh Castle to see the first of the new State-led early learning and childcare centres
For the first time ever, the State itself is leading the delivery of new childcare places, and this will be the first State-led service in the country
The new centre will be based at Shanganagh Castle. It's a significant facility, with plenty of outdoor play space including a lovely wooded area 🌳
A not-for-profit operator has been selected, fit-out works will begin shortly, and the service is expected to open next year
Shanganagh Castle is 597 new homes on public land: 200 social, 306 cost rental and 91 affordable homes. A new community needs more than houses, parents also need convenient reasonably priced quality childcare
Thank you to Minister Foley for progressing this new initiative for parents in Dún Laoghaire
I also want to thank Cllr Justin Moylan, Cllr Michael Clark, councillors from across the chamber, and Michael Reynolds from my office for all their work in delivering this for Shankill 👏
Beautiful morning for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's memory walk in Cabinteely Park
Well done to Colette O'Sullivan, Siobhán O'Connor, Andy Heffernan, all the volunteers and everyone who supported the @alzheimersocirl event 👏