The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is planning to crackdown on AI scams and misleading bots, as well as fake reviews
It is part of the commission’s strategy for 2027 to 2029, which Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will bring to Cabinet today.
The competition watchdog delivered €21 back to consumers for every €1 spent during the previous strategy period.
It pulled half a million unsafe products from shelves, and it refunded €350,000 to Irish airline passengers,
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton will update Cabinet this morning on new supports for students with additional needs sitting State examinations next year.
The Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) scheme aims to ensure that all students can demonstrate their knowledge in exams.
This initiative removes barriers for students with disabilities, learning difficulties, medical conditions and other additional needs, while maintaining the same academic standards.
Since last year, eligible students can get more time to complete an exam along with supervised rest breaks, spelling and grammar waivers and help to write down their answers.
New measures will see students with attention or behavioural difficulties get assistance to manage their time during examinations.
Cabinet will hear an update on new supports for students with additional needs sitting State examinations
Modified large-print examination papers will be piloted for certain Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate subjects for students with visual impairments.
And there will be more flexibility for those experiencing the bereavement of an immediate family member during the examination period.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon will update the Government on negotiations for the next Common Agricultural Policy.
The revised text of this agreement which Minister Heydon helped negotiate focuses on generational renewal with dedicated provisions for young farmers.
It also recognises part-time farmers, many of whom have off farm employment, but are seen as integral to supporting the rural Ireland economy especially along the west coast.
Rise in starter home supports
Minister for Housing James Browne will tell Cabinet that there was a 57% rise in starter home supports in the first half of the year,
Almost 4,700 such supports were delivered in this period
These included the starter home purchase scheme, cost rental home, the first home scheme, and the vacant property refurbishment grant.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley is bringing a memo to Cabinet on the publication of the mid-term review of the nurturing skills plan.
This is the workforce plan for the early learning and childcare sector.
There has been an improvement in the qualification levels, with the proportion of early years educators holding a relevant degree increasing from 12% in 2012 to 39% in 2025.
There are currently around 39,000 people working in this area, compared to 25,000 in 2015.
Minister for Climate Darragh O’Brien will seek Government approval for the draft of the next update to the Climate Action Plan in advance of the environmental assessment screening process.
The plan is expected to be published before the end of the year.