Irish universities will significantly reduce the importance of the HPAT entrance exam for medicine programmes from 2027, placing greater emphasis on Leaving Certificate performance in a major overhaul of admission requirements. The Irish Universities Association announced that HPAT scores will be capped at 150 points, down from the current maximum of 300 points. Meanwhile, the … Read more
Beaumont Hospital in Dublin is investing up to €110,000 in artificial intelligence technology to tackle the growing problem of missed appointments, which currently affects more than 15% of its patient bookings. The hospital plans to launch a pilot programme using AI to predict which patients are likely to skip appointments or cancel at short notice. … Read more
More than nine in ten Irish children are in good or very good health, according to new research from the Central Statistics Office that paints a positive picture of child wellbeing across the country. The Irish Health Survey for 2024 found that 90% of children aged two to 17 years were considered to have good … Read more
IKEA has opened its seventh plan and order point in Ireland, with the new Waterford location becoming the company’s largest store outside Dublin. The 840m² store at Tramore Road Business Park is over eight times larger than IKEA’s other existing plan and order points in Ireland, which typically range from 70-100m². The new location introduces … Read more
Only 32 properties across 16 areas in Ireland were available for rent within the housing assistance payment (HAP) scheme limits in June, according to a new report from the Simon Communities. The homelessness charity’s latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ survey found that just 32 out of 978 properties met the costs within the discretionary … Read more
Digital healthcare will be a “game-changer” for patients, but concerns have emerged about the slow pace of progress on implementing the planned system. The Oireachtas health committee heard that officials cannot yet share projected costs for the digital healthcare system due to ongoing negotiations with IT vendors. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Department of … Read more
Dublin Airport has been granted permission to significantly increase nighttime flights, with the new limits subject to strict noise restrictions. An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved raising the annual cap on nighttime aircraft movements to 35,672, effectively allowing up to 98 flights per night between 11pm and 7am, compared to the previous limit of 65 flights. … Read more
New housing developments in parts of Dublin may face delays due to power grid constraints similar to those affecting 80 families in Portlaoise who cannot move into homes they have purchased. ESB Managing Director Nicholas Tarrant told an Oireachtas committee that there is “limited capacity” on the electrical network in north and west Dublin, partly … Read more
The Government is finally moving to reform the compulsory purchase order (CPO) system, eight years after an overhaul was first recommended. New legislation introduced by Fine Gael’s James Geoghegan aims to streamline the process and reduce the current 18-month timeframe required for compulsory purchase orders. The reforms come after years of criticism that the existing … Read more
A decision on whether to limit overnight take-offs at Dublin Airport to fewer than 36 flights per night is expected to be announced today by An Coimisúin Pleánala. The planning commission proposed in September to cap late-night flights at 13,000 per year, representing almost a two-thirds reduction from 2023 levels. Airlines have warned of significant … Read more
Property prices increased by 7.9% in the 12 months to May, with the median home price reaching €370,000, according to the Central Statistics Office. The latest Residential Property Price Index shows prices rising faster than the previous month, up from 7.6% growth in April. Dublin property prices increased by 6.9%, while areas outside the capital … Read more
One in five Irish adults are saving more than €125 per month despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, according to new research from AIB. The bank’s study revealed that one in ten people are managing to save more than €500 monthly, suggesting some households are finding ways to build financial reserves even amid economic challenges. However, the … Read more
Met Éireann has warned of spot flooding, local hail, and lightning expected across parts of Ireland on Sunday, following yesterday’s St Swithin’s Day downpours. The national weather service forecasts thundery showers merging into longer spells of rain as the week continues to be “changeable and rather unsettled.” However, hurling fans attending the All-Ireland final at … Read more
The introduction of mandatory health warning labels on alcohol bottles is set to be deferred until 2029, three years later than originally planned, due to concerns over potential US trade tariffs. A Cabinet memo is expected to formally delay the rollout, which was scheduled to begin in May 2026 under legislation introduced by former Health … Read more
Sarah Coyle, believed to be Ireland’s oldest person, has died aged 108, just ten days before her 109th birthday. Ms Coyle passed away peacefully on Monday surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Castleknock, Dublin. She was born on July 24, 1916, and had been living with her daughter Marian Gilligan. Her grandson … Read more