Taoiseach Simon Harris has announced that the upcoming Budget 2025 will include a new cost-of-living package, while acknowledging that people are grappling with financial strain despite falling inflation. Speaking at Government Buildings, Irish PM Harris said: “In relation to the Budget, yes, there will be a cost-of-living package this calendar year. I think it’s very … Read more
In a significant crackdown on illicit online activities, gardaí have seized cryptocurrency valued at approximately €6.5 million in Dublin. The operation, targeting darknet markets and money laundering, led to the arrest of three individuals. The seized digital assets include popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Monero. This marks one of the largest hauls in the … Read more
Minister Humphreys Announces Expansion of Child Benefit Program Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a significant milestone in the Child Benefit program. Since May 1, 2024, Child Benefit has been extended to include 18-year-olds who are in full-time education or have a disability, benefitting nearly 60,000 young people across Ireland. This extension … Read more
Ireland’s Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has called for a significant increase in the renters tax credit to at least €1,000 a year for each tenant in the upcoming Budget 2025. Acknowleding the financial strain renters face in the country, O’Brien said the current €750 credit should be increased in October’s Budget. “I have been clear … Read more
Police in Northern Ireland have arrested six persons following a third night of disorder across Belfast on Tuesday, during which a number of racially-motivated hate crimes were reported, RTE reported. A young boy sustained minor facial injury after he was assaulted by up to ten youths in an incident being treated as a hate crime, … Read more
Wicklow County Council has advised its residents in Aughrim not to drink tap water in the wake of a chemical spill that led to the death of up to 2,000 fish on the Aughrim River, the Irish Independent reported. Last week, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) reported an investigation into fish mortalities along a 3km stretch … Read more
The unemployment rate in Ireland jumped to 4.7 per cent in July, marking its highest level in two-and-a half years, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). On a monthly basis, the unemployment rate increased by 0.2 per cent, up from 4.5 per cent in June. “The seasonaly adjusted number of people … Read more
Belfast witnessed another night of violence on Monday as police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, masonry and bricks thrown at them during several hours of rioting, said Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). A man in his 50s was taken to hospital after he was seriously attacked in the Donegall Road and … Read more
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced the continuation of its support for female rural entrepreneurship through the 2024 Rural Innovation and Development Fund. After a competitive public procurement process, Fitzsimons Consulting has been selected to deliver a programme aimed at fostering the growth of nascent female entrepreneurs in rural areas. This … Read more
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has conducted reviews into the deaths and brain injuries of almost 500 babies over the past four years. These investigations, which took place between 2020 and 2023, highlight significant concerns in prenatal and neonatal care. Of the nearly 500 cases, 247 reviews focused on stillborn babies or those who died … Read more
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, has confirmed an €8.6 million investment for a new Communications and Information Services (CIS) Workshop at the Defence Forces Training Centre in Curragh Camp. This project, part of the Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), aims to enhance the infrastructure and facilities for the Defence Forces. Speaking … Read more
Taoiseach Simon Harris on Monday warned Irish citizens against travelling to Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon in view of “growing instability” in the region. “Our travel advice for Israel has changed due to growing instability in the region. The government is now advising Irish citizens do not travel to Israel. The same advice applies to Lebanon … Read more
Ireland is considering a ban on wearing balaclavas and other face coverings at protests, the Irish Independent reported. According to the report, Justice Minister Helen McEntee is examining legal advice from Attorney General Rossa Fanning on the modalities of introducing such legislation. The proposed legislation aims to prohibit protesters from wearing masks with the intention … Read more
COVID-19 Pandemic Blamed for Significant Delays, HSE Reports Waiting lists for community healthcare services have surged by more than 50% in the past five years, now totaling over 230,000 people, new data reveals. An analysis of Health Service Executive (HSE) figures by Sinn Féin shows that as of May, 233,766 people were on waiting lists … Read more
Gardaí on Monday revealed that over 900 individuals have been caught speeding so far on Irish roads during the August Bank Holiday weekend, RTE reported. Among these cases, some involved significantly excessive speeds, posing a substantial risk to road safety. One of the most notable incidents occurred at Seapoint Promenade area of Galway, where a … Read more