14
Dundalk Leader 8th July 2026
Dundalk Leader Local Democracy Reports By LAUREN ROSS l lauren@dundalkleader.com
McGreehan secures commitment Louth marks start of Ireland’s EU to extend weekend X-Ray services Presidency with Portugal partnership at Louth County Hospital FIANNA Fáil TD for Louth, Deputy Erin McGreehan has secured a Government commitment to extend weekend X-ray services at Louth County Hospital following a Topical Issue she raised in the Dáil. Deputy McGreehan highlighted that while the Minor Injury Unit is one of the busiest in the country, the hospital’s X-ray department currently only operates from 12pm to 8pm at weekends, meaning patients can face unnecessary delays while waiting for the service to open. She called on the Minister to support the recruitment of an additional radiographer to allow X-ray services to operate throughout the full opening hours of the Minor Injury Unit, seven days a week, improving patient flow, reducing waiting times and helping to ease pressure on the Emergency Department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. In response, the Minister confirmed that the HSE is putting the necessary staffing resources in place to extend radiology services, with a fully operational weekend service expected during the third quarter of this year.
Erin McGreehan, TD. “I raised this issue because patients attending the Minor Injury Unit should be able to access X-ray services throughout the unit’s opening hours, particularly at weekends when delays can be frustrating for both patients and staff alike.” The Minister also confirmed that the Minor Injury Unit at Louth County Hospital is the fifth busiest of the country’s 14 Injury Units. Between January and May this year, it treated 8,333 patients, a 2.4% increase on the same period last year and 22%
above the national average for Injury Units. Welcoming the commitment, Deputy McGreehan said: “I am delighted to have secured this commitment from the Minister. This is a really positive outcome for patients across Louth and demonstrates the importance of raising local issues directly in the Dáil. “Louth County Hospital’s Minor Injury Unit is already delivering an exceptional service for thousands of patients every year. This is not about creating a new service. It is about strengthening one that is already proving its worth every single day “Extending weekend X-ray availability will reduce waiting times and ease pressure on the Emergency Department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. I will continue to engage with the HSE to ensure this commitment is delivered and that patients begin to see the benefits of this as soon as possible.”
LOUTH County Council has marked the start of Ireland’s six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with a new partnership with Portugal under the EU Presidency County Pairings Initiative, which aims to encourage cultural engagement, exchange and cooperation during the term. Flag-raising ceremonies took place at County Hall in Dundalk, the Civic Offices in Ardee and the Civic Offices in Drogheda, where the Irish, European Union and Portuguese flags were raised. The ceremonies were presided over by Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Dolores Minogue (FG), with members of the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland performing the Irish National Anthem, the EU Anthem and the Portuguese National Anthem. The Cathaoirleach described the ceremonies as a proud moment for County Louth, noting that the European Union “shapes our lives in real and meaningful ways”. “Our partnership with Portugal opens the door to new connections, new ideas and new opportunities,” she said. “I encourage everyone to take
Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Dolores Minogue with Bernadette Woods LCC. part, explore the events tive engagement, demotaking place, and get in- cratic participation and volved in any way you involvement,” he said. The Ambassador addcan over the coming months. Together, we ed that the partnership can make this Presidency could open up “new possomething that is felt and sibilities for trade, tourcelebrated right across ism, and people to peoour communities.” ple connections” by Portugal’s Ambassador creating direct links beto Ireland, His Excellen- tween Ireland’s local aucy João Pedro Fins do thorities and the diploLago, welcomed the matic community. launch of the Louth PorA wider programme of tugal partnership and de- events is now planned scribed the County Pair- across County Louth ings Initiative as “one of during Ireland’s Presithe most creative and dency, with the aim of most innovative ideas of promoting greater the Irish Presidency”. awareness, understand“It brings Europe clos- ing and engagement with er to its citizens thereby the European Union. The council’s civic making itself better understood, promoting ac- programme is being sup-
ported by the Communicating Europe Initiative, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The scheme funds projects that help increase public awareness of the European Union and also supports activities linked to the County Pairings Programme. Bernadette Woods, Director of Services with Louth County Council, said the Presidency presented real opportunities for people in County Louth, from strengthening the local economy to creating new connections across Europe. She explained the council wanted to make sure the Presidency was “felt in our communities” and looked forward to welcoming partners from Portugal while showcasing “the very best of County Louth while building European connections”. Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026, during which the country will help guide negotiations, broker agreements between member states and support the delivery of EU laws and policies affecting more than 450 million people.
Almost €573,000 in derelict site levies remains unpaid in Louth
ALMOST €573,000 in derelict site levies remains unpaid in Louth, despite the council imposing about €667,000 in levies since 2022. The figures were provided by Louth County Council in response to a notice of question from the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Dolores Minogue (FG), who asked for a breakdown of complaints, inspections, levies and enforcement around derelict properties. The response from the council shows that 197 complaints about potentially derelict properties were received across County Louth between January 2023 and June 2026. Of those, 34 related to the Ardee Municipal
District. According to the council, an estimated 500 to 550 derelict site inspections were carried out over the same period. Each case would normally require at least two inspections, and typically three, during the course of an investigation. Since 2023, 98 properties have been added to the Derelict Sites Register in Louth, while 27 have been removed from the register during the same period. The figures show that approximately €667,000 in derelict site levies was imposed between 2022 and 2026 and of that, approximately €573,000 remains outstanding. Cllr Minogue’s question
comes amid renewed national focus on dereliction and the collection of derelict site levies, with Tánaiste Simon Harris (FG) having recently criticised the way some local authorities have handled the collection of the levy, although his comments were made nationally and were not directed specifically at Louth County Council. The Journal reported last month that Mr Harris said some local authorities were doing an “appalling” job at collecting the derelict sites levy and was also reported as saying he was “aghast” at some council responses following an RTÉ Investigates programme on dereliction. The Government now plans to replace the existing
Derelict Sites Levy, which is currently managed by local authorities, with a new Derelict Property Tax administered by Revenue. At present, councils can place properties on a Derelict Sites Register and charge owners a levy of 7% of the property’s market value each year until the site is no longer deemed derelict. Under the proposed system, local authorities would still identify and register derelict properties, but the tax would be managed by Revenue and would follow normal tax collection and enforcement rules, including penalties and interest. Government information states that the new tax rate will be at least 7%, the same
as the current levy, with a preliminary national register of derelict properties to be published in 2027 before the tax starts soon after. In its response to Cllr Minogue, Louth County Council said tackling vacancy and dereliction crosses a number of directorates. The Compliance and Land Activation Unit, within Economic Delivery, is responsible for maintaining the Derelict Sites Register and investigating dangerous structures. Other sections of the council, including Major Capital Projects and Capital Delivery, Regeneration, Housing and Culture Delivery, are involved in compulsory purchase orders and in
coordinating and administering grant schemes. Those schemes include the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants and Living Above the Shop Grants. The council also explained regular cross-directorate meetings are held to discuss vacancy and dereliction, identify buildings that may need to be investigated for possible inclusion on the Derelict Sites Register, and explore possible CPO options. When asked to comment on the unpaid levies Louth County Council stated that they would welcome future
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
involvement of Revenue. “Between 2022 and 2026 (to date) approx. €667,000 in Derelict Site Levy Invoices have been raised. Of this amount approximately €573,000 remains outstanding. Some of these cases are being pursued legally through the courts and in some instances judgement mortgages have been or are being obtained, however this is a protracted process. “In view of the challenges faced in collecting the levies, Louth County Council welcome future involvement of Revenue in collecting the new Derelict Site Tax proposed,” read the statement.