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🟢 €104,000 for Heritage Initiatives in Kerry 🟡

I am delighted to confirm this funding which will support local communities in their excellent work to preserve and enhance our rich heritage.

The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is an annual initiative that supports community groups, voluntary organisations and non-governmental organisations to protect, share and celebrate heritage at a local level. It enables groups to continue existing projects or to develop new initiatives that enhance community engagement.

Six groups in Kerry have been awarded a total of €104,541 in funding under the 2026 round of the scheme, including Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne, Sneem Little Church Story House, Castleisland District Heritage Project, Kerry Maharees Conservation Association, Portmagee Tidy Towns and Ballybunion Tidy Towns.

The projects being funded in Kerry are as follows:

:: Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne Cartlann Ghrianghrafadóireachta CFCD – An Dara Céim: Bailiúchán Aodán Uí Chonchúir a Chaomhnú agus a Chur ar Fáil- €25,000

:: Sneem Little Church Story House -Conservation and Renovation of the 1810 Little Church for the Sneem Story House - €25,000

:: Castleisland District Heritage Project -Documenting the Exiles on Main Street - €17,225

:: Kerry Maharees Conservation Association CLG - Protecting Heritage At Risk - a Conservation Management Plan for the 13th Century Kilshannig Church, Maharees -€16,753

:: Portmagee Tidy Towns / Portmagee Development Group CLG - Portmagee Tidy Towns and Sea Synergy Oyster Project - Phase 2: Deep Water Surveys - €13,037

:: Ballybunion Tidy Towns - Ballybunion's HerStory - €7,526

The Community Heritage Grant Scheme provides funding for a broad range of activities, including conservation management plans, conservation works on buildings and biodiversity sites, skills-based workshops and training, collections management, biodiversity initiatives, digital resources and the purchase of specialised conservation equipment.

🚨€663,000 for Community Climate Action Initiatives in Kerry 🚨

I am pleased to confirm over €663,000 in funding for 19 community climate action initiatives in Kerry.

This funding for Kerry groups and organisations is a recognition of the great work that they and their volunteers do every single day.

The Community Climate Action Programme aims to support and empower communities in Kerry, in partnership with Kerry County Council to shape a low carbon, sustainable future, and thereby contributing to national climate and energy targets.

The funding being provided under the programme includes €100,000 for Inspired Tralee to develop a “Smart Pod” community hub, over €71,000 for a Solar PV system and LED lighting for Castleisland Desmonds GAA club, over €70,000 for a Solar PV system for Killorglin Rugby Club and over €62,000 for a Solar PV system and insulation upgrade for Tralee Dynamos AFC.

A full list of the 19 successful projects across Kerry is attached in the photos.

🚨€663,000 for Community Climate Action Initiatives in Kerry 🚨

I am pleased to confirm over €663,000 in funding for 19 community climate action initiatives in Kerry.

This funding for Kerry groups and organisations is a recognition of the great work that they and their volunteers do every single day.

The Community Climate Action Programme aims to support and empower communities in Kerry, in partnership with Kerry County Council to shape a low carbon, sustainable future, and thereby contributing to national climate and energy targets.

The funding being provided under the programme includes €100,000 for Inspired Tralee to develop a “Smart Pod” community hub, over €71,000 for a Solar PV system and LED lighting for Castleisland Desmonds GAA club, over €70,000 for a Solar PV system for Killorglin Rugby Club and over €62,000 for a Solar PV system and insulation upgrade for Tralee Dynamos AFC.

A full list of the 19 successful projects across Kerry is attached in the photos.

🚨€663,000 for Community Climate Action Initiatives in Kerry 🚨

I am pleased to confirm over €663,000 in funding for 19 community climate action initiatives in Kerry.

This funding for Kerry groups and organisations is a recognition of the great work that they and their volunteers do every single day.

The Community Climate Action Programme aims to support and empower communities in Kerry, in partnership with Kerry County Council to shape a low carbon, sustainable future, and thereby contributing to national climate and energy targets.

The funding being provided under the programme includes €100,000 for Inspired Tralee to develop a “Smart Pod” community hub, over €71,000 for a Solar PV system and LED lighting for Castleisland Desmonds GAA club, over €70,000 for a Solar PV system for Killorglin Rugby Club and over €62,000 for a Solar PV system and insulation upgrade for Tralee Dynamos AFC.

A full list of the 19 successful projects across Kerry is attached in the photos.

Yesterday, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, announced the appointment by the Government of Dr. Aisling Parkes as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for a two-year term until 19 May 2028.

Dr. Parkes is a senior academic and researcher in domestic child law and international children’s rights in University College Cork. Dr. Parkes has over twenty years’ experience in informing policy and legal developments in the areas of child and family law, children’s rights, child protection, and international human rights law.

To read the full press release, see link in stories

🟢 New supports for children with additional needs to attend Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 🟡

I was delighted to take part in the Croke Park launch of this initiative to support the fully inclusive Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps this summer.

I commend Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán CLG,the entire GAA organisation and the HSE for working together to make these opportunities more accessible to children and families across the country.

This partnership between the GAA and the HSE as a meaningful step towards ensuring that children with additional support needs can take part in sport alongside their peers. Opportunities like Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are about more than sport - they help children build confidence, develop friendships and feel a real sense of belonging in their communities.

The partnership between the GAA and the HSE involves the provision of local supports from the HSE so that children with additional needs can attend their local GAA Cúl Camps alongside their peers.

As part of the initiative, parents/guardians registering a child for Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps outline any additional support needs through the booking process.

The GAA and local HSE teams will then work together at county level to review requests and coordinate supports where possible.
The partnership will also include additional training, guidance and resources for camp coordinators and coaches to help further develop inclusive practices within camps nationwide.

To allow sufficient time for local planning and coordination of supports, parents/guardians are encouraged to complete their booking and additional support questionnaire before the June 1st deadline.

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps continue to be one of Ireland’s largest participation initiatives, providing children with opportunities to learn skills, make friends, stay active and enjoy Gaelic Games in a fun and safe environment each summer.

Further information on Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps can be found at the following website link:

https://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/

Sign up today for Cúl Camps!

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @normafoleytd and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability @emerhigginstd were delighted to join the @officialgaa and @irishhealthservice at the launch of a new national partnership supporting children with additional needs to attend Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps.

This initiative aims to make Cúl Camps more inclusive for all children. Parents and guardians can outline additional support needs during the booking process, with the GAA and HSE working together at county level to coordinate assistance.

Families are encouraged to complete bookings and the additional support questionnaire by 1 June. The partnership will also include additional training, guidance, and resources for camp coordinators and coaches, which will help to further develop inclusive practices within camps nationwide.

Click the link in our story to book your child’s place!

Delighted to be in MTU Kerry to celebrate a decade of developing hospitality managers. The National Trainee Manager Development Programme is a blended learning course delivered in partnership withMTU, employers and three Skillnet Business Networks in Kerry.

Delighted to be in MTU Kerry to celebrate a decade of developing hospitality managers. The National Trainee Manager Development Programme is a blended learning course delivered in partnership withMTU, employers and three Skillnet Business Networks in Kerry.

Delighted to be in MTU Kerry to celebrate a decade of developing hospitality managers. The National Trainee Manager Development Programme is a blended learning course delivered in partnership withMTU, employers and three Skillnet Business Networks in Kerry.

Delighted to be in MTU Kerry to celebrate a decade of developing hospitality managers. The National Trainee Manager Development Programme is a blended learning course delivered in partnership withMTU, employers and three Skillnet Business Networks in Kerry.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, will chair an Informal Meeting of EU Ministers in Tralee, Co. Kerry, this November, as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.


The meeting will be hosted in Munster Technological University’s Kerry campus in Tralee and bring together EU Ministers responsible for Equality and Disability, along with leaders from the European Commission, EU Agencies and EU civil society organisations.


Discussions will focus on the equality of opportunity for women and girls, and will also have a strong focus on advancing the rights of disabled people, building on the MTU Kerry expertise as the location of UNESCO Chair on Transforming the Lives of Persons with Disabilities.


To read the full press release, see link in stories.

A powerfulleader’s address by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, wrapping up a memorable Ard Fheis for the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil. #AF84 #100bliain

A powerfulleader’s address by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, wrapping up a memorable Ard Fheis for the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil. #AF84 #100bliain

A powerfulleader’s address by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, wrapping up a memorable Ard Fheis for the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil. #AF84 #100bliain

A powerfulleader’s address by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, wrapping up a memorable Ard Fheis for the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil. #AF84 #100bliain

Fantastic to be at 100th birthday celebrations of Fianna Fáil
#AF84 #100bliain

Fantastic to be at 100th birthday celebrations of Fianna Fáil
#AF84 #100bliain

Fantastic to be at 100th birthday celebrations of Fianna Fáil
#AF84 #100bliain

Fantastic to be at 100th birthday celebrations of Fianna Fáil
#AF84 #100bliain

Fantastic to be at 100th birthday celebrations of Fianna Fáil
#AF84 #100bliain

Fantastic to be at 100th birthday celebrations of Fianna Fáil
#AF84 #100bliain

@fiannafail Centenary Ard Fheis is officially underway! 🇮🇪

It was a privilege to chair our first policy discussion of our 100th anniversary Ard Fheis on:

“Empowering People: Disability, Access and Opportunity”

✅ Education
✅ Disability
✅ Higher Education

With Ministers @normafoleytd @moynihantd @jameslawlesstd, Senator @margaret_murphy_omahony and @1_sinead

@fiannafail Centenary Ard Fheis is officially underway! 🇮🇪

It was a privilege to chair our first policy discussion of our 100th anniversary Ard Fheis on:

“Empowering People: Disability, Access and Opportunity”

✅ Education
✅ Disability
✅ Higher Education

With Ministers @normafoleytd @moynihantd @jameslawlesstd, Senator @margaret_murphy_omahony and @1_sinead

@fiannafail Centenary Ard Fheis is officially underway! 🇮🇪

It was a privilege to chair our first policy discussion of our 100th anniversary Ard Fheis on:

“Empowering People: Disability, Access and Opportunity”

✅ Education
✅ Disability
✅ Higher Education

With Ministers @normafoleytd @moynihantd @jameslawlesstd, Senator @margaret_murphy_omahony and @1_sinead

Delighted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil this evening at the Ard Fheis in Dublin. It was this weekend 100 years ago, when the party was founded in the La Scala theatre next to the GPO. We are having a very livelyopening debate on disabilty, access and opportunity. #AF84 #100bliain

Delighted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil this evening at the Ard Fheis in Dublin. It was this weekend 100 years ago, when the party was founded in the La Scala theatre next to the GPO. We are having a very livelyopening debate on disabilty, access and opportunity. #AF84 #100bliain

Delighted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil this evening at the Ard Fheis in Dublin. It was this weekend 100 years ago, when the party was founded in the La Scala theatre next to the GPO. We are having a very livelyopening debate on disabilty, access and opportunity. #AF84 #100bliain

Delighted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil this evening at the Ard Fheis in Dublin. It was this weekend 100 years ago, when the party was founded in the La Scala theatre next to the GPO. We are having a very livelyopening debate on disabilty, access and opportunity. #AF84 #100bliain

Delighted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil this evening at the Ard Fheis in Dublin. It was this weekend 100 years ago, when the party was founded in the La Scala theatre next to the GPO. We are having a very livelyopening debate on disabilty, access and opportunity. #AF84 #100bliain

Delighted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fianna Fáil this evening at the Ard Fheis in Dublin. It was this weekend 100 years ago, when the party was founded in the La Scala theatre next to the GPO. We are having a very livelyopening debate on disabilty, access and opportunity. #AF84 #100bliain

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins have today launched a new €750,000 Power to Participate Fund for Disabled Persons’ Organisations and eligible Civil Society Organisations.

The Power to Participate Fund 2026 will provide grants to organisations led by disabled people to work with Government on policies supporting the National Human Rights Strategy 2025–2030.

This supports Ireland’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to ensure disabled voices shape decisions that affect their lives.

Funding can support assistive technology, training, governance, and organisational growth.

Tap the link in our story for the full press release.