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"Does Government Even Know What it's at Regarding SNA's?" ? Asks Navan Councillor - 17/01/2026
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The Government’s apparent new criteria for children to qualify for Special Needs support has drawn criticism, with one Navan Cllr describing it as ‘stripped back and narrow’
Aontú’s Cllr Emer Tóibín says:
“I am deeply concerned over talk of Special Needs Assistants (SNA) Cuts and Redeployment.
I have been contacted by so many SNA’s over the last few days who have told me that this government appears to be fundamentally narrowing the definition of what qualifies a child for SNA support.
Under the revised deployment model introduced through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), allocation is now based almost exclusively on tightly defined primary care needs such as toileting, feeding, significant medical interventions, mobility or serious safety risks.
Emotional regulation, sensory overload, communication difficulties, transitions, anxiety, or a child’s inability to cope in a busy mainstream classroom may no longer meet the threshold unless linked to intensive care needs.
Councillor Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
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New Initiative to Attract More Businesses to Drogheda Town Centre Launched by Drogheda & District Chamber - 18/03/2026
10:28|A new initiative aimed at attracting more businesses to Drogheda town centre has been launched by Drogheda & District Chamber, in partnership with Louth County Council, the Local Enterprise Office Louth and Love Drogheda BID.The initiative is designed to make opening a business in Drogheda more achievable by connecting entrepreneurs with practical guidance, local expertise and financial supports available to new businesses.A key incentive is Louth County Council’s Commercial Rates Waiver Scheme for 2026, which offers substantial savings for businesses locating in eligible vacant town centre premises.The scheme applies to commercial premises that have been vacant for more than 12 months and aims to encourage a wider range of businesses to locate in the town centre.We were joined in-studio this morning on The Agenda by President of Drogheda's Chamber of Commerce, Miriam Simon, to find out more about this.
Minister’s Plans for Electronic Tagging of Prisoners Faces Fresh Delays - 18/03/2026
10:22|Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s plans to roll out electronic tagging for certain prisoners by the end of last year have been delayed once more because no viable responses were submitted for a tender to supply the service.The devices, which would track inmates on temporary release or bail, were due to be rolled out by the end of last year, but no viable responses were submitted for a tender to supply the service.The Irish Independent reports the Department of Justice has since made changes to the request for tender, with a pilot expected to be operational this year.Fianna Fail MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
Couple in Meath Planning Row Asked Council to Donate House to Charity - 18/03/2026
07:24|A Meath couple's almost 20-year battle to save their 6,220 sq ft home - built without planning permission - looks to have come to an end after Meath County Council took possession of the property.In a statement released yesterday, Meath County Council said it is "currently acting on foot of a High Court order issued on Monday 16th March 2026, in relation to the property at Bohermeen."The Court directed that An Garda Síochána assist the Council in taking possession of the property, which has now been secured.The owners of the property lost a last ditch legal bid last August aimed at preventing the demolition of their large Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, home built in “wilful breach” of planning laws almost 20 years ago.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Public Affairs Correspondent at The Irish Independent, Amy Molloy, to find out more about this.
Indian women living in Ireland opens up about racism that the Indian community in Ireland face
08:22|Nivedita Shukla spoke to us about rasicm the Indian community have received
Convoy of aid for Ukraine leaves Trim this week
12:46|Luba Healy, who is heading off to Ukraine this week with at least three vehicles full of aid to the war torn country.It will be her second trip to her home country this year and she is currently raising funds and collecting aid to bring with her.She will be hosting a fund raising afternoon tea in the Castle Arch Hotel tomorrow (Friday) between 3 and 6pm and is planning a coffee morning in Brogans on the 20th.Luba is hoping to raise enough money to buy another van to help deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Buckets catching water in Louth primary school assembly hall highlights urgent need for renovation work
08:57|Rainwater leaking into a school hall at St Joseph’s National School at Sunday’s Gate in Drogheda has highlighted the need for upgrades to the historic town-centre building, according to a local Senator.Senator Alison Comyn said she observed buckets being used to catch rainwater when she visited the school following a recent spell of heavy rain.
Concerns over illegal parking disrupting Drogheda town centre traffic
06:20|Concerns have been raised about illegal parking and misuse of designated traffic lanes in Drogheda town centre following incidents that caused disruption along busy streets.Local councillor Declan Power highlighted one such incident where a vehicle was parked directly in a taxi lane, even backing over a traffic flexi bollard.
Sinn Féin will bring a motion before the Dáil on Wednesday demanding urgent action to tackle the soaring cost of home heating oil, petrol and diesel,
18:30|Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has announced that the party will bring a Private Members' motion before the Dáil on Wednesday, demanding the government take immediate action to address the soaring cost of home heating oil, petrol, and diesel. The motion specifically calls for an immediate reduction in fuel prices and the scrapping of a planned tax increase on home heating oil due on May 1st
'The LMFM Roundtable' - All Culture Incusive St Patrick's Day Events, Safety for Politicians & Rise in Number of Vape Shops - 13/03/2026
26:37|This morning on The Agenda had our second segment of ‘The LMFM Roundtable’, where we were joined in-studio by 3 contributors from different parts of Louth and Meath to discuss and debate the big stories of the week.This week we were joined by:John Sheridan - Fianna Fail - ArdeeFionnan Blake - Sinn Fein - Dunshaughlin Paddy Meade - Fine Gael - Laytown-Bettystown LEAThis morning we discussed:Migration into the country must be to the benefit of Irish people, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has privately told Government ministersFine Gael councillor Paddy Meade, who joined us today, was assaulted in a pub by a man who spat in his face. Councillor Meade has raised concerns about the risks public representatives may face due to their roleA local councillor in Louth has urged the Government to give local authorities the power to shut down vape shops.