Donegal Minister Joe McHugh has announced that 18 schools in the county are to be added to the School Meals programme. Mr Varadkar’s officials have now written to schools that are not receiving DEIS supports this year but have a level of disadvantage. “I would urge principals and school managers to avail of the scheme and to apply by the deadline of May 12.

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has this week extended the Treatment Benefit scheme to some 450,000 self-employed people and their dependent spouses for the first time.

Fine Gael Limerick Senator, Kieran O'Donnell, said the Moyross After School service is one of many community projects that will benefit from €3 million in Government funding to the local Community Enterprise Centre. 　

Fine Gael Senator and Government spokesman on EU Affairs, Neale Richmond, has welcomed today's (Friday) issuing of draft negotiating guidelines, which have been circulated to Member States by the European Council President Donald Tusk. This provides some clarity on contentious issues for Ireland, notably the ability of our citizens to travel, work and live freely in a post Brexit Britain

Fine Gael Cork Senator and Leader of Seanad Éireann, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement by Minister for Health, Simon Harris, of additional investment in services at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH).

When the drafters of the European treaties put them together they never contemplated that anybody would actually leave. Yet that is precisely what the United Kingdom has decided democratically to do. And we must therefore deal with the consequences of that decision.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan TD, today launched the new Online Passport Application Service. This new service that will allow adults to renew their passport books and cards online wherever they are in the world.

Fine Gael Senator for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, said the ongoing Bus Éireann strike is causing chaos in the public transport system. 　

Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim Tony McLoughlin’s Private Members Bill to ban fracking has been unanimously supported by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action and Environment in a report released this week. 　

Fine Gael Limerick Senator, Maria Byrne, said the Restaurants and Foodservice sector in Ireland is facing a crisis shortage of Chefs and Skilled Hospitality Staff.