Ireland’s Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has a bold vision: free contraception for every woman and girl aged 16 and up. Currently, the government provides free birth control to women between 17 and 35 years old. But Donnelly wants to expand this program even further. “For me, contraception should be for all women from 16 up, … Read more
The Irish government has hit the pause button on a controversial new tax, sparking a heated debate between political parties. The residential zoned land tax, aimed at encouraging housing development, has been temporarily shelved. According to Irish Examiner, Taoiseach Simon Harris explained the delay, saying, “We need to fix the rules to protect active farmers … Read more
Over 1,000 couples have been referred for publicly funded Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment in Ireland in less than 11 months, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said. Around 125 couples each month are being referred through the HSE’s regional fertility hubs for publicly funded AHR treatment provided in approved private clinics. There are a total … Read more
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
Petrol prices increased by one cent to €1.81 per litre, while diesel rates remained steady at €1.74 per litre in August, according to the latest AA Ireland fuel survey. Fuel prices were expected to rise following the reinstatement of the full excise duty on motor fuels on August 1. However, a fall in crude oil … Read more
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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