Almost 2,000 motorists were fined in Dublin last year for illegally parking in disabled bays, marking a dramatic increase of nearly 700 penalties compared to 2023, new garda data reveals. The sharp rise in enforcement has prompted calls from disability advocates for technology-driven solutions to tackle the persistent problem of unauthorized parking in spaces reserved … Read more
Irish households completed 11,910 energy upgrades in the first three months of 2025, marking a two percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to new figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Government spending on energy efficiency schemes reached €76 million in the first quarter, representing a four percent year-on-year increase. … Read more
The National Ambulance Service has recorded 280 crashes and near misses involving emergency vehicles over a two-year period from 2023 to 2024, raising significant safety concerns for paramedics and patients alike. Among the most serious incidents was a collision involving a masked individual on a scrambler motorcycle who weaved through traffic before striking an ambulance … Read more
CCTV cameras installed in Dublin’s north inner city to combat illegal dumping have been met with skepticism from locals who doubt the surveillance will solve what they describe as a “disgraceful” problem. The cameras went live Monday on Belvedere Place, Sherrard Street Lower, and Summer Street North, with violators facing minimum €150 fines. Additional penalties … Read more
Ireland’s biggest private residential landlord, Ires Reit, has sold 16 apartments for €6.6 million in the first half of this year, achieving €1.6 million above their book value. The Dublin-based company secured more than 25% premium to book value on what CEO Eddie Byrne described as “underperforming assets.” The sales form part of the company’s … Read more
Up to 350 primary schools will not receive promised hot school meals in September due to procurement rule changes, with the earliest possible start date now pushed to mid-to-late October. The schools, eligible to join the Hot School Meals scheme for the first time this academic year, have been caught in bureaucratic delays after the … Read more
Public transport usage in Ireland reached an all-time high in 2024, with 343.6 million journeys recorded on state-subsidized services – an increase of almost 11% from the previous year. The National Transport Authority reported 33 million additional trips compared to 2023, marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking passenger numbers. The surge shows public transport … Read more
The cost of butter has jumped dramatically, with consumers paying €1.08 more for a pound of butter compared to July 2024, according to new Central Statistics Office data. The significant increase continues an upward trend reported earlier this year, when butter prices had already risen 70 cents by March compared to the same period in … Read more
Ireland has experienced a dramatic increase in prescription painkiller use over the past decade, with opioid prescriptions rising 25% and paracetamol prescriptions jumping 50% between 2014 and 2022, new RCSI research reveals. The surge contrasts sharply with England, where most pain medication classes declined during the same period. Some specific drugs showed even more alarming … Read more
More than one-third of Irish taxpayers would accept lower quality public services in exchange for reduced taxes, according to a new EU-wide survey on public attitudes to taxation. The European Commission’s Eurobarometer poll of over 1,000 Irish respondents found 35% favour lower taxes even if it means fewer or poorer public services, while 34% support … Read more
Parents say savings from Ireland’s free schoolbooks scheme are being negated by schools requiring expensive digital devices, forcing families into debt to meet back-to-school costs. A new Barnardos survey of 830 parents found that half of primary school parents and 60% of secondary parents worry about affording school costs this year. Digital devices alone are … Read more
New statistics reveal dramatic variations in birth and death rates across Ireland, with some areas experiencing population decline while others show strong natural growth. The Central Statistics Office’s analysis of 2022 data shows Ireland recorded 54,483 births with an overall birth rate of 10.2 per 1,000 people. However, regional differences are striking – Tallaght South … Read more
Ryanair carried a record 20.7 million passengers in July, despite significant disruption from French air traffic control strikes that forced the airline to cancel 680 flights. The Dublin-based carrier’s July passenger numbers represent a 3% increase from 20.2 million in the same month last year, with the airline maintaining a stable 96% load factor across … Read more
The number of children referred to Ireland’s Probation Service reached its highest level in ten years, with 609 referrals for young people aged 12-17 in 2024, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. The Probation Service’s annual report shows 567 boys and 42 girls were referred for community-based supervision rather than custody. The figures … Read more
Nearly 22,000 entire properties are available for short-term rental to tourists and holidaymakers, compared to fewer than 1,800 properties available for long-term renters, new figures reveal. Tourism Minister Peter Burke confirmed that 34,000 short-term lets were advertised across four platforms in May, with approximately 64% offering entire houses or apartments. This represents a 10% annual … Read more