McEntee seeks to bring Ireland in line with EU through new immigration laws

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will also seek Government approval to increase fines imposed on airlines that fail to insure passengers have appropriate documentation. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

New laws around stronger border security, faster processing, and a greater focus on returning unsuccessful international protection applicants to their home countries are to be introduced.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee plans to introduce the new legislation to bring Ireland in line with the EU on migration, and will also seek Government approval to increase fines imposed on airlines that fail to insure passengers have appropriate documentation.

She will also ask Cabinet approval to revoke certificates of citizenship in very limited circumstances.

It comes as the Government launched a procurement process for charter flight services that will deport people who no longer have permission to remain in the State.

This will increase the options available to gardaí to effect removals and deportations.

Education Minister Norma Foley is bringing Cabinet a plan that would see therapists hired to schools on a permanent basis. Picture: Moya Nolan

Meanwhile, Education Minister Norma Foley is bringing a plan to Cabinet to hire 44 therapists on a permanent basis to work with teachers and children with special educational needs in the classroom. 

It had been difficult to fill the roles for 39 speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, as well as five behavioural therapists, because they were on a temporary basis. 

However, sanction has now been given by the Department of Public Expenditure to advertise the roles as permanent.

The therapists will work collaboratively with teachers in classrooms to improve learning outcomes for students.

This has been successfully piloted in schools and is known as the School Inclusion Model. The therapists will be employed by the National Council for Special Education.

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will update Cabinet on measures to restrict bulk buying of homes to promote home ownership, which have seen almost 50,000 new houses and duplex units ring-fenced for owner occupiers.

Separately, Simon Harris spoke to US president Joe Biden on Monday night for the first time since becoming Taoiseach. Both men discussed power sharing in Northern Ireland and the conflict in Gaza.