Tánaiste visits Louth and takes part in Dáil-style Leaders' Questions session with 200 students

Tánaiste Simon Harris visited Louth yesterday turning the sod on a housing development in Drogheda, taking part in a Dáil-style Leaders' Questions session with 200 students, and meeting with Fine Gael local representatives.

The Tánaiste was joined by Deputy Paula Butterly TD throughout the visit, with Minister of State John Cummins TD attending the housing site visit in Drogheda.

The visit began with an informal meeting with Fine Gael Councillors Rachel Kerley, John Reilly, Robert Nash, Ejiro O'Hare Stratton and Anne-Marie Ford at Enzio's Café in Dunleer, where the Tánaiste heard directly about local priorities including housing, healthcare and town centre regeneration.

Speaking after the meeting, the Tánaiste said:

"Louth has a fantastic team of Fine Gael councillors and representatives who are doing incredible work on the ground every single day. I was glad to hear from them about the issues that matter most to their communities and how we can continue working together to deliver for this part of the country."

The Tánaiste then took part in the "I am the Future" Louth Youth Forum at Lann Leire Pavilion in Dunleer, a Dáil-style Leaders' Questions session organised by Deputy Butterly with over 200 student council members from 14 secondary schools across the county.

Students put questions to the Tánaiste on topics including housing, mental health services, education reform, the Irish language, vaping regulation and youth participation in politics.

Speaking after the event, the Tánaiste said:

"That was one of the most impressive events I have taken part in. These young people were sharp, passionate, well-informed and unafraid to challenge. They asked me about everything from housing and mental health to the Mercosur trade deal and Leaving Cert reform.

"This is exactly the kind of engagement we need more of. I want to commend Deputy Butterly for organising this forum and every single student who stood up and had their say today. We need to listen to young people; they are the future and every thought they have is extremely valuable to us in Government."

The Tánaiste then visited the Avourwen housing development on the Platin Road in Drogheda, where a total of 663 new homes are being delivered by Manley Homes, funded through Home Building Finance Ireland.

To date, 425 homes have been completed and a further 76 are under construction, including 30 apartments recently handed over to Meath County Council and 50 apartments being developed for Oaklee Housing. The Tánaiste and Minister Cummins formally turned the sod on the next phase of the development.

The Tánaiste said:

"This is housing delivery in action. A family-run business from Duleek, with 32 staff, has delivered 425 homes on this site and is still going. That is exactly the kind of builder we set up HBFI to support, small and medium developers who are building homes in towns right across the country.

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"Since 2019, HBFI has approved over €3.3 billion in funding, supporting nearly 17,000 homes across 25 counties. 82% of those loans are for €20 million or less."

The Tánaiste recently signed orders formally designating both Drogheda and Dundalk under the Living City Initiative, enabling property owners to apply for tax relief to refurbish, convert and bring vacant buildings back into use including the new 'Living Over the Shop' measure introduced in Budget 2026.