The government’s promise to provide free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) from January 1st has fallen through, leaving thousands of Irish women facing continued medical costs, The Journal has learned. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly’s Budget 2025 pledge to eliminate HRT costs at the start of the year has been pushed back indefinitely, with the Department of … Read more
Electric vehicle sales in Ireland dropped dramatically in 2024, with new registrations falling by 23.6% to 17,459 units compared to 22,852 in 2023, according to new figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). The sharp decline in EV sales coincided with the reduction of the SEAI grant from €5,000 to €3,500. However, … Read more
House prices across Ireland increased by an average of 9 percent in 2024, according to Daft.ie’s latest house price report. The typical listed price nationwide in the fourth quarter was €332,109, a 1.4 per cent rise from the previous quarter and a 30 per cent surge compared to pre-pandemic levels. Dublin matched the national average … Read more
Met Éireann has issued a nationwide Status Yellow low-temperature and ice warning as Ireland braces for severe winter conditions, with temperatures expected to plummet as low as -5C in some areas. The alert, running from 6pm Thursday to 11am Friday, warns of “hazardous traveling conditions” and potential animal welfare issues. The forecaster predicts “very cold” … Read more
Irish households are facing the prospect of increased energy costs in 2025, even as wholesale gas and electricity prices decline, creating additional pressure on family budgets during a period of broader economic challenges. The warning comes at a particularly challenging time as Ireland prepares for an incoming Arctic weather system that could drive up energy … Read more
Road fatalities in Ireland showed a modest decline in 2024, with 174 people losing their lives in 160 fatal collisions, according to new figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The data represents a 4% decrease from 2023’s total of 181 deaths across 170 collisions, suggesting a slight improvement in road safety over the past … Read more
Hospitals have introduced visitor restrictions as flu cases surge, with University Hospital Kerry and Cork University Hospital implementing mask mandates for visitors. This comes as flu-related hospitalisations reached 1,017 on New Year’s Eve, up from 984 on Monday, 869 on Sunday, and 562 the previous Tuesday, reflecting a sharp rise over the past week. According … Read more
A unique proposal has emerged in the debate over Ireland’s €14 billion Apple tax windfall, with Limerick Mayor John Moran calling for more than half the funds to be allocated to the Munster region. In a detailed submission to Taoiseach Simon Harris, Mayor Moran argues that since the tax revenue originated from Apple’s industrial operations … Read more
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has reported a significant rise in flu-related hospitalisations, with 869 patients in hospital this Sunday. Admissions have steadily climbed, reaching 742 on Friday and 809 on Saturday. HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster predicts the number could exceed 900 in the coming week. Mr Gloster highlighted that intensive care units (ICUs) … Read more
Nearly 250 Irish students were forced to receive home tuition during the last term due to severe mental health challenges, including school phobia, depression, and anxiety. The figures, revealed to the Irish Examiner, highlight a growing concern about student mental wellbeing in the education system. These 247 students required alternative educational arrangements through home tuition … Read more
Ireland is bracing for a challenging start to 2025 as Met Éireann warns of an incoming Arctic airmass that will bring freezing temperatures, rain, and strong winds across the country. The national forecaster has issued status yellow weather warnings for multiple counties, signaling the arrival of potentially hazardous conditions as the new year begins. This … Read more
Derek Mahon has become Ireland’s oldest person to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents, completing his remarkable achievement on December 14 by summiting Mount Vinson in Antarctica. The Meath mountaineer faced extreme conditions during his Antarctic climb, battling severe snowstorms and the constant threat of frostbite while hacking through ice in temperatures so … Read more
Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow weather warnings for several counties as Ireland braces for deteriorating conditions, with an Arctic airmass set to bring a significant temperature drop across the country. The national forecaster has specifically highlighted concerns for Cork, Kerry, and western counties, where residents can expect a combination of wet and windy conditions … Read more
Student attendance concerns have reached a new high in Ireland, with Tusla receiving over 8,000 referrals in the 2023-24 academic year, marking a 25% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. The dramatic rise in referrals to Tusla’s Education Support Service (TESS) signals a growing challenge in maintaining consistent school attendance following the disruptions caused by Covid-19. … Read more
Ireland’s free contraception program is set to reach a significant milestone, with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announcing that an estimated 320,000 women will have accessed the expanded scheme by the end of 2024. Recent data from the first nine months of the year shows strong engagement with the initiative, with approximately 245,000 people having already … Read more