The Republic could play host to a second regular-season US National Football League game next year, with Cabinet to be told discussions between Government and the league are under way.
Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan will on Tuesday brief Cabinet on an early economic analysis done following the US football game that took place in Croke Park in September between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings.
It is expected that Mr O’Donovan will tell Ministers indications are that higher levels of income were generated by hosting the game than had been expected or projected.
It is understood that there are now conversations about hosting another game in Dublin next autumn, with several potential teams in the mix.
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Mr O’Donovan will also update Cabinet on plans for the next round of the Community Sports Facilities Funding programme, formerly known as the Sports Capital Grant scheme, which is expected to open within the next six months.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will bring a memo recommending a statutory public model inquiry into the management of scoliosis cases, with a facilitator to be appointed to scope the terms of reference with those involved.
She will also seek permission to begin the process of legislating against the sale of single-use or disposable vapes, which will come into effect six months after the Bill takes effect. Alongside this, she will be seeking Government approval to add measures to the draft Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill covering other nicotine products such as pouches.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris will seek approval for up to €56 million in funding for cross-Border initiatives under the Shared Island initiative.
‘A hot mess of unco-ordinated gibberish’
This will include €14 million for Coimisún na Meán to support cross-Border journalism, and funding for a new publicly subsidised air route between Dublin and Derry due to begin next year. Some €6 million will be made available to enable more co-operation between emergency services on both sides of the border, and for an all-Ireland pollinator plan.
Elsewhere, the Cabinet will be briefed on plans to expand apprenticeship training, with €20.5 million being allocated to the four technological universities and one institute of technology by Minister for Further Education James Lawless.
The funding will support more than 1,500 additional apprentice places, with areas targeted including motor and heavy vehicle mechanics, plumbing, fitting, and wood manufacturing and finishing.
Minister for Equality Norma Foley will seek Cabinet approval for the publication of a new five-year strategy for women and girls, which contains objectives addressing gender norms, safety, leadership, equal pay and health and caring.
The strategy is due to be launched on Tuesday. There will be two action plans associated with the strategy, the first of which is due before the end of next January.
