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.

A great day out at the Tullow Agricultural Show

Team Mal Noonan

Aug 17

A great day out at the Tullow Agricultural Show

The sun was shining on the Tullow Agricultural Show today, where I accompanied Taoiseach Simon Harris on his visit to Carlow.

Team Mal Noonan

Aug 16

All aboard for National Heritage Week!

As National Heritage Week begins, I'm urging everyone in Carlow & Kilkenny to connect with their local heritage over the next nine days!

Boost for EV drivers as Paulstown gets fast charge centre

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 29

Boost for EV drivers as Paulstown gets fast charge centre

EV drivers in Carlow and Kilkenny will soon find it easier to charge their cars with a new charging centre in the works at Paulstown.

Increased grant ceilings and more time for works - Built Heritage Investment Scheme open for 2025

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 29

Increased grant ceilings and more time for works - Built Heritage Investment Scheme open for 2025

Grant ceilings increase from €15,000 to €50,000 as the scheme opens three months earlier, allowing more time for completion of works.

Headstarting curlews - a new initiative to save the species

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 26

Headstarting curlews - a new initiative to save the species

This week I met some of the conservationists involved in trying to save our curlews, as they prepared 30 ‘headstarted’ chicks for release.

New social housing development approved for Kilkenny

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 5

New social housing development approved for Kilkenny

The Department of Housing has announced today a €12.5m investment for 40 social housing units in Kilkenny.

At last! Nature Restoration Law finally approved!

Team Mal Noonan

Jun 17

At last! Nature Restoration Law finally approved!

Incredible news from Luxembourg today where the Nature Restoration Law has finally been approved at a meeting of the EU Environment Council.

Sister act - a landmark agreement between Wild Nephin and Yosemite

Team Mal Noonan

May 23

Sister act - a landmark agreement between Wild Nephin and Yosemite

Today marks the beginning of a Sister Park agreement between Wild Nephin National Park in Mayo and Yosemite National Park in California.

€200,000 for Kilkenny under strand one of THRIVE fund

Team Mal Noonan

May 23

€200,000 for Kilkenny under strand one of THRIVE fund

Kilkenny is one of 26 town centres set to benefit from up to €200k funding under THRIVE: the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme.

A review of wildlife legislation is coming soon

Team Mal Noonan

May 19

A review of wildlife legislation is coming soon

The biggest review of wildlife legislation for a generation will commence shortly. It's vital that the public has their say.

€2.7 million for local biodiversity projects in 2024 LBAF

Team Mal Noonan

May 16

€2.7 million for local biodiversity projects in 2024 LBAF

I've announced our €2.7 million Local Biodiversity Action Fund today, with €181,000 for projects in Carlow and Kilkenny.

Announcing Ireland’s first Marine National Park!

Team Mal Noonan

Apr 21

Announcing Ireland’s first Marine National Park!

Today I'm launching Ireland’s first Marine National Park - Páírc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, with the Conor Pass as its gateway.

€9 million in built heritage grants announced today!

Team Mal Noonan

Mar 14

€9 million in built heritage grants announced today!

677 heritage projects will benefit from €9 million this year under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund.

Give wildlife a chance this nesting season

Team Mal Noonan

Mar 1

Give wildlife a chance this nesting season

From today, cutting of hedgerows and burning of land is prohibited under the Wildlife Act to protect vegetation and wildlife habitats.

Team Mal Noonan

Feb 27

A landmark day and a win for nature

Today was a great day for nature and for Europe as the Nature Restoration Law has passed in the Europe Parliament.

Record number of new homes got underway in January

Team Mal Noonan

Feb 23

Record number of new homes got underway in January

New figures from the Department of Housing show building commenced on a record number of new homes across Carlow-Kilkenny in January 2024.

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.

Carlow and Kilkenny to benefit from €120 million regeneration fund

Team Mal Noonan

Feb 9

Carlow and Kilkenny to benefit from €120 million regeneration fund

‘THRIVE’ scheme will offer local authorities up to €7 million to renovate disused heritage buildings and support Town Centre First approach.

632 vacant social homes brought back into use in Kilkenny and Carlow

Team Mal Noonan

Feb 7

632 vacant social homes brought back into use in Kilkenny and Carlow

Figures from the Department of Housing show 632 vacant social homes were brought back into use in Carlow and Kilkenny between 2014 and 2023.

New guidelines for upgrading traditional buildings

Team Mal Noonan

Feb 6

New guidelines for upgrading traditional buildings

This will help more people upgrade their homes and address vacancy in our towns and cities by bringing more buildings back into use.

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