News

Thousands of families to benefit from substantial reductions in early learning and childcare costs from today

Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth today welcomed the introduction of new subsidy rates under the National Childcare Scheme, which is set to substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs for early learning and childcare for thousands of families across the country. From 2 January, the minimum hourly subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme … Read more

Almost 13,800 Ukrainian pupils attending schools across Ireland

Up until the end of the previous year, there were more and more Ukrainian students enrolling in Irish schools; there are now nearly 13,800 students from this country studying there. The Department of Education has confirmed that 13,753 Ukrainian students were enrolled in Irish schools, as of December 22. Out of that figure, 8,823 of … Read more

Minister Harris announces student maintenance grant increases

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science Simon Harris has announced that college maintenance grants for third-level students will increase from today. The changes, which were agreed upon as part of Budget 2023, will see the Special and Band 1 maintenance grant rates increase by 14%, and all other maintenance grant rates … Read more

Ireland’s first babies of 2023 welcomed minutes after midnight

Ireland’s first baby of the new year is reported to have been born at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at Holles Street in Dublin, just minutes into 2023. Baby boy Harry Denis McDevitt was born at 12.03 am at NMH and weighs 3.745 kilograms. Mum Lynn McDevitt from Terenure, Dublin brought Harry into the world … Read more

New income eligibility limits for social housing take effect

The Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has announced that new income eligibility limits for social housing have taken effect. From 1 January 2023, social housing income eligibility thresholds in Local Authorities across the country have been increased by €5,000. Commenting Minister O’Brien said: “It’s been over a decade since any changes … Read more

1.5 million income taxpayers to benefit from €1.3 billion Budget package coming into effect today

The Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, reminds taxpayers that the personal tax package announced in Budget 2023, takes effect from today Sunday, 1 January 2023. Speaking today, Minister McGrath said, “The Government is acutely aware of the cost of living pressures being experienced by people right across the country. As part of our response … Read more

Over 2.2 million households to receive €200 electricity credit payment from today

Over 2.2 million households, including pay-as-you-go customers, will receive the next €200 (including VAT) electricity credit payment from today. Depending on a household’s individual billing cycle, people will see the credit during January or February. This is the second of three €200 (inclusive of VAT) electricity credits announced as part of a suite of measures … Read more

Pedestrian deaths doubled last year as road deaths rose 13% overall

Statistics from the Road Safety Authority show that there was a 13% increase in road deaths last year. In 2022, 155 people died in 149 road accidents, up from 137 deaths in 124 accidents the year before, according to provisional figures from the RSA. The figures show that 41 pedestrians died on Irish roads last year, … Read more

Over 1.5 million people receive social welfare increases

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, announced that over €1 billion in Social Protection increases are to go into effect next week. The improvements, secured as part of Budget 2023, provide for a range of supports for pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Minister Humphreys announced the changes, which include a €12 … Read more

Do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve? Here are some events happening across the country

Another year is at an end, and although some people will be happy to ring in the New Year at home, others will be going out on the town.A listing of some of the diverse events that are taking place across the country is provided below. Dublin New Year’s Festival Dublin at North Wall Quay is the stand-out event. A family-friendly celebration kicks off at 4pm and wraps up at 7. There is music from Gavin James, Lyra and … Read more

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day opening times for Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes, and Supervalu

After Christmas, supermarkets all over Dublin will be working nonstop to refill shelves with essentials. Additionally, knowing the opening hours is usually helpful to prevent disappointment, even though New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day may not be the busiest days for grocery shopping. Although this year’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are … Read more

Record hospital overcrowding is ‘intolerable’, says INMO

In 2022, over 121,318 patients, including 2,777 children, were reported to have gone without a bed in Irish hospitals, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which has called the situation “intolerable.” In Ireland, this year’s hospital overcrowding set a new record. 11,842 hospital patients who were admitted in December alone were unable … Read more

2022 was Ireland’s hottest year on record -Met Eireann

Met Eireann data show that 2022 was the warmest year ever recorded for Ireland. According to statistics, 2022 was also the twelfth year in a row with temperatures that were above average, which led researchers to label the year “interesting” in terms of climate. Since the record’s inception in 1900, temperatures have been rising consistently, … Read more