NTA announces 24/7 bus service between Limerick and Shannon Airport

NTA announces 24/7 bus service between Limerick and Shannon Airport

In a move that will significantly benefit public transport users in Ireland, the National Transport Authority has announced that a 24/7 bus service will be introduced between Limerick city and Shannon Airport. The 343 Bus Eireann route connecting Limerick Bus Station to the airport will run on a 24/7 basis with services every 20 minutes … Read more

First child born from Ireland's free IVF program

Baby Joy! First child born from Ireland’s free IVF program

Ireland’s first state-funded fertility treatment program has achieved a major milestone: the birth of its first baby. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced this exciting news, along with plans to expand the program. Key points: Over 1,000 couples have received free fertility treatments since September 2023. The program offers in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other treatments at … Read more

Childcare crisis: Creches on the brink as funding falls short

Childcare crisis: Creches on the brink as funding falls short

Childcare centers across the country are facing a financial crisis, warning they may be forced to shut down if the government doesn’t step up with more support. Elaine Dunne, who leads the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP), has raised the alarm, saying many creches and playschools are at risk of going “insolvent” – a … Read more

Back to work blues: HSE nurses hit snags after career breaks

Back to work blues: HSE nurses hit snags after career breaks

The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland recently ended its recruitment freeze, but nurses and midwives returning from career breaks are still facing challenges. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has expressed concern over the “lack of clarity” surrounding the return-to-work process for these healthcare professionals. Some staff members have reported difficulties in resuming … Read more

Ritty Saigo crowned Miss Kerala Ireland 2024

Ritty Saigo crowned Miss Kerala Ireland 2024

Ritty Saigo has been crowned as the winner of Miss Kerala Ireland 2024. The competition, which marked the first-ever Malayalee beauty pageant held in Ireland, saw Jinu Maria Varghese and Shiny Jose securing second and third places, respectively. The event took place on August 17 at Dublin’s Scientology Auditorium and was organized by Nammude Ireland … Read more

Irish grocery price inflation sees slight increase; Tesco holds highest market share

Irish grocery price inflation sees slight increase; Tesco holds highest market share

Grocery price inflation has seen a slight increase this month, with new figures from market research firm Kantar revealing that Irish consumers are spending more on items like alcohol, crisps, and sweets. This uptick comes as people enjoy a variety of major sporting events. Over the 12 weeks leading up to August 4, grocery prices … Read more

Plumbers, fitters and welders across Ireland to launch strike action over ’travel time’ pay

Plumbers, fitters and welders across Ireland to launch strike action over ’travel time’ pay

In a move that could significantly hit construction sites in Ireland, a trade union representing plumbers, fitters and welders across the country has announced that a series of one-day work stoppages will be implemented in the coming weeks. In a statement, trade union Unite said its members voted by over 90 per cent for the … Read more

Retirement age extended for defence forces, firefighters, and prison guards in Ireland

Retirement age extended for defence forces, firefighters, and prison guards

As of today, members of the Defence Forces, firefighters, and prison guards in Ireland can extend their careers by two more years. A new law allows these frontline workers to retire at 62 instead of 60. According to Irish Examiner, this change comes after the enactment of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law, and Superannuation … Read more

Alcohol consumption in Ireland drops by nearly a third over 20 years

Alcohol consumption in Ireland drops by nearly a third over 20 years

Ireland has seen a significant decline in alcohol consumption, with the average intake per adult dropping by nearly a third in the last two decades. According to a recent report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), the average annual consumption of pure alcohol per adult has now fallen below 10 litres. According … Read more

Empowering educators: Over 600 teachers now armed to combat cyberbullying

Empowering educators: Over 600 teachers now armed to combat cyberbullying

Minister for Education Norma Foley has praised the efforts of over 600 teachers who have completed specialized training to address cyberbullying in schools. The training, provided by Oide, the Department of Education’s professional development service, equips teachers with the tools and knowledge to effectively deal with cyberbullying incidents. Developed in collaboration with Webwise, the courses … Read more

hourly national minimum wage

Ireland may hike hourly national minimum wage to €13.70 in Budget 2025

The Irish government is considering a move to increase the national minimum wage by over €1 an hour in the upcoming Budget 2025, the Irish Independent reported. According to the report, the Low Pay Commission has recommended hiking the basic hourly rate of pay to at least €13.70 from the current €12.70 an hour. An … Read more

Irish mortgage rates drop to 10-month low as deposit rates hit 15-year high

Irish mortgage rates drop to 10-month low as deposit rates hit 15-year high

Irish mortgage rates continued to decline in June, while deposit rates reached their highest levels in over 15 years, according to new data from the Central Bank of Ireland. The average interest rate on a new mortgage fell to 4.11 per cent, marking the third consecutive month of decreases and bringing rates to their lowest … Read more

Ryanair warns of higher fares next summer due to Dublin Airport passenger cap

Ryanair warns of higher fares next summer due to Dublin Airport passenger cap

Calling on the Irish government to scrap the 32 million traffic cap at Dublin Airport, Ryanair on Friday warned that such restrictions could lead to higher fares for passengers using the facility next summer. The budget airline said the Irish Aviation Authority has suggested summer 2025 traffic at Dublin airport must be reduced by up … Read more