The winter flu season continues to pose significant challenges for Ireland’s healthcare system, with officials reporting 56 flu-related deaths so far this winter amid “very high” infection levels throughout the country. The severe flu situation is compounding problems in Irish hospitals, which are already struggling with significant overcrowding issues. This combination of high flu transmission … Read more
Killarney National Park is facing significant challenges from invasive species, with experts and officials disagreeing over the effectiveness of current control measures despite quadrupled spending on management efforts. Key developments: NPWS spent over €4.3m on invasive species management nationwide (2020-2024) Rhododendron control spending in Killarney increased from €254k to €1.08m since 2017 286 deer culled … Read more
A targeted 24-hour Garda operation has caught 266 motorists using their phones while driving, representing more than four times the daily average for phone-related driving offences in 2024. Key findings from the operation: 266 drivers detected between 7am yesterday and 7am today Significant increase from 2024’s daily average of 60 detections Each offense carries a … Read more
Children’s advocacy groups are urging the incoming Irish government to dedicate the €13 billion Apple tax payment to tackle rising child poverty, following a new ESRI report highlighting concerning poverty rates among Irish children. The Children’s Rights Alliance and Community Foundation Ireland have called for the tax windfall to be ringfenced specifically for investments in … Read more
Ireland’s inflation rate has begun to climb again, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The consumer price index reveals a 1.4 per cent increase in the cost of living over the 12 months to December 2024. This marks a sharp rise from the 0.7 per cent inflation recorded in September … Read more
Ferry services between Ireland and Holyhead have finally resumed today after weeks of closure due to damage from Storm Darragh, bringing relief to hauliers and travelers despite ongoing operational challenges. While only Terminal 5 berth has reopened, Stena Line reports it can maintain pre-closure service levels. However, Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) president Ger Hyland … Read more
The planned Acorn scheme, which would have provided €1,000 in savings for every newborn child in Ireland, has been significantly scaled back in coalition negotiations, with the final programme for government only committing to explore the concept. The proposal, which had been a flagship pre-election promise from Taoiseach Simon Harris, represented one of the few … Read more
PTSB is set to introduce substantial cuts to its mortgage rates next week, a move expected to prompt rival banks to follow suit, Irish Independent reported. This marks the fourth rate reduction by PTSB in the past 14 months and reflects ongoing competition in the mortgage market. Official figures indicate that the average mortgage rate … Read more
Ireland’s fragmented healthcare data infrastructure, comprising nearly 900 different systems, is creating obstacles to effective patient care and research, according to discussions at the inaugural All-Island Forum on Cancer Data at the University of Limerick. The stark contrast with Germany’s streamlined 30-system approach highlights the challenges facing Irish healthcare providers and researchers in gathering and … Read more
A breakthrough in government formation talks has been achieved as Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and regional independent TDs have reached an agreement on a draft programme for government. Sources indicate that the final document is expected to be formally agreed upon either this evening or early tomorrow, marking a significant step toward establishing Ireland’s next … Read more
A new wave of Generation Z TDs elected to the 34th Dáil is already making their presence felt, with housing affordability emerging as their primary concern for the incoming government. Several representatives under 30, including Fianna Fáil’s Albert Dolan, Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara, and Labour’s Eoghan Kenny – notably the first TD born in the … Read more
Party leaders Micheál Martin and Simon Harris are set to tackle several challenging foreign policy issues as government formation negotiations enter a crucial phase, with the triple lock system and the Occupied Territories Bill emerging as key points of discussion. These “highly delicate” matters must be resolved between the party leaders before a draft programme … Read more
New data from Kantar reveals that December 23 was the busiest shopping day of 2024, with consumers spending a record €107 million in just 24 hours. This marks an increase of €11.9 million compared to the busiest trading day in 2023. The four weeks leading up to December 29 saw take-home value sales rise by … Read more
Early childhood advocates are warning that efforts to make childcare more affordable for Irish families could be undermined by persistent staffing shortages across the sector. As 330,000 children return to early years and school-age care facilities after the holiday break, Early Childhood Ireland has emphasized that addressing the chronic staff shortage must be a key … Read more
Ryanair has detailed costs totaling over €15,000 that it aims to recover from a passenger whose alleged disruptive behavior forced a Dublin to Lanzarote flight to divert to Porto on April 9, 2024. The airline has provided a breakdown of the expenses: €7,000 for overnight accommodation of 160+ passengers and crew €2,500 for landing and … Read more