Recent news & updates

Here, you'll find updates on my progress as Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform and T.D. for Carlow-Kilkenny. Click on the categories below to filter my posts for the issues you're interested in.

Team Mal Noonan

Oct 30

Free solar panels for Carlow schools

All Carlow schools are now eligible to avail of free solar panels as the government’s Solar for Schools initiative continues its rollout...

Figures show a retrofit surge for Carlow Kilkenny

Team Mal Noonan

Sep 24

Figures show a retrofit surge for Carlow Kilkenny

Figures released by the SEAI show a significant uptick on home energy upgrade grants by households in Carlow and Kilkenny.

€458,000 for local peatlands and protected habitats restoration projects

Team Mal Noonan

Aug 8

€458,000 for local peatlands and protected habitats restoration projects

Some more good news for nature today as I announced more than €450,000 funding for local community groups under the Peatlands and Natura...

Ireland’s record-breaking summer for solar energy

Team Mal Noonan

Aug 6

Ireland’s record-breaking summer for solar energy

This week, we received welcome news that June and July were the two best months on record for solar energy. According to data from Green...

Kilkenny schools set to lead the solar revolution

Team Mal Noonan

Feb 22

Kilkenny schools set to lead the solar revolution

93% of Kilkenny schools have applied for the government's free Solar for Schools scheme, which launched last November.

Milestone workshop on nature-based solutions for water quality

Team Mal Noonan

Jan 17

Milestone workshop on nature-based solutions for water quality

The first Nature-Based Solutions Strategy Workshop marked an important milestone in advancing the implementation of nature-based solutions.

'Seas off Wexford' - Ireland's newest and biggest SPA

Team Mal Noonan

Jan 11

'Seas off Wexford' - Ireland's newest and biggest SPA

Today I'm announcing 'Seas off Wexford', Ireland's BIGGEST EVER Special Protection Area for birds at 305,000 hectares.

A solar revolution for Kilkenny's schools

Team Mal Noonan

Nov 23, 2023

A solar revolution for Kilkenny's schools

Schools in Kilkenny will be among the first to be able to apply for free solar panels when the Solar for Schools scheme opens next week.

Announcing Ireland's biggest EVER protected area for birds

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 12, 2023

Announcing Ireland's biggest EVER protected area for birds

The new North-West Irish Sea Special Protection Area will be designated under the EU Birds Directive and will cover more than 230k hectares.

820 farmers reap the rewards of restoring nature

Team Mal Noonan

May 21, 2023

820 farmers reap the rewards of restoring nature

Good news for nature as farmers in the northwest are rewarded with €2.4 million for delivering on-farm results

2,000 hectare nature restoration project announced

Team Mal Noonan

May 21, 2023

2,000 hectare nature restoration project announced

A 2,000 hectare restoration project is set to transform a valley in the Wicklow Mountains National Park with huge benefits for nature.

€75,000 grant funding for community-led Abbeyleix Bog restoration announced by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

Aug 7, 2022

€75,000 grant funding for community-led Abbeyleix Bog restoration announced by Minister Noonan

I have approved grant funding of up to €75,000 to the Abbeyleix Bog Project for peatland restoration measures at Abbeyleix Bog in Co....

Cycle-Friendly Employer initiative launched by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

Jul 17, 2022

Cycle-Friendly Employer initiative launched by Minister Noonan

Cycle and pedestrian friendly cities are vibrant and thriving cities. We have a big collective job to do to reconfigure and reimagine our...

UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon addressed by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

Jun 27, 2022

UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon addressed by Minister Noonan

During this week's UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, I spoke about marine protection, Ireland’s cooperation with small island...

Abbeyleix Bog visited by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

Jun 16, 2022

Abbeyleix Bog visited by Minister Noonan

A long overdue ministerial visit to Abbeyleix Bod where my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, and I opened 'Urusla's Way' - a new walk...

€55m Green Transition Fund welcomed by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

Jun 15, 2022

€55m Green Transition Fund welcomed by Minister Noonan

A new €55 million ‘Green Transition’ fund has been announced today (June 16) to help businesses move away from fossil fuels and towards...

World Bicycle Day celebrated by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

Jun 3, 2022

World Bicycle Day celebrated by Minister Noonan

Today is World Bicycle Day – a day when, as the United Nations puts it, we acknowledge “the uniqueness, longevity, and versatility of the...

Malcolm Noonan

Jun 1, 2022

May Newsletter from Minister Noonan

It was a busy and fulfilling month for me as Minister and in my Constituency. Here's my Top 5 from both: Top 5 as Minister (1)...

€160,000 grant funding for peatland conservation initiatives, announced by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

May 19, 2022

€160,000 grant funding for peatland conservation initiatives, announced by Minister Noonan

I have just approved the first round of grant funding of just over €160,000 to 16 local community groups and organisations for a variety...

National Biodiversity Week 2022 launched by Minister Noonan

Malcolm Noonan

May 13, 2022

National Biodiversity Week 2022 launched by Minister Noonan

Over 100 events are set to take place across the country as part of National Biodiversity Week 2022, which is coordinated by the Irish...

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