Cabinet to Discuss Energy Affordability, €500M SME Loan, Valerie's Law

The Cabinet will discuss energy affordability measures today, including updates from the National Energy Affordability Taskforce. This follows the opening of the Fuel Support Scheme for up to 120,000 farmers and 1,500 agricultural contractors, which runs until May 27, with payments expected by the end of June.

Tánaiste Simon Harris will present Revenue Commissioners' accounts showing €258.4m in drug and excisable products seized in 2025, up from €229.9m in 2024, indicating progress against the shadow economy. Harris and Minister Jack Chambers will also publish April's Exchequer returns, after tax receipts for Q1 were up almost 9% year-on-year.

Ministers Peter Burke and Martin Heydon will seek approval for a €500m low-cost loan scheme for SMEs and farm enterprises, extending the existing Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme. Loans from €25,000 to €3m will be available, with no security required for amounts up to €500,000. The scheme is administered by AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB, funded by the European Investment Bank.

Minister Jim O'Callaghan will seek approval for Valerie's Law, preventing parents who kill their child's other parent from retaining guardianship rights. This law is named after Valerie French, murdered by her husband James Kilroy in 2017. Additionally, Minister Patrick O'Donovan will introduce a new Arts Capital Scheme for theatre groups and plans for the first Golf for Disabled event at the 2027 Ryder Cup. Minister Helen McEntee will report on St Patrick’s Day visits and an EU-Mexico partnership, while Minister James Browne will update on a new Gov.ie housing information hub.