Foreign parents worried by court rulingReaction: Foreign-born parents of Irish citizen children expressed fear that hundreds of families could be split up or deported…Fri Dec 21 2007 - 00:00
Many immigrants are opting to leave within a few yearsSignificant numbers of immigrants are leaving the country within a few years of arriving here, new official figures indicate.Wed Dec 19 2007 - 00:00
Further funding announced for community childcareThe Government has announced new funding arrangements for community childcare facilities which will allow working parents on …Wed Dec 19 2007 - 00:00
Ireland has fastest growing population in EUIreland has the fastest growing population in the EU, driven mainly by continuing high levels of immigration.Wed Dec 19 2007 - 00:00
Children at risk of abuse 'not getting checked'Hundreds of children considered to be at risk of abuse or neglect by family members, neighbours or doctors are not in a position…Tue Dec 18 2007 - 00:00
Archive snapshot of social change in 40 yearsAs he officially donated his sizeable personal archive to the National Library yesterday, Senator David Norris had a confession…Tue Dec 18 2007 - 00:00
Mental health funds used elsewhere, say campaignersHealth authorities have been accused of diverting money that was ring-fenced for the mental health sector into paying for cost…Tue Dec 18 2007 - 00:00
School water charges likely to stay, hints GormleyMinister for the Environment John Gormley yesterday played down any expectation of an exemption for schools who are forced to…Mon Dec 17 2007 - 00:00
One year on, no Asbos soughtGardaí have not sought any Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) against individuals almost a year after the measure was introduced…Mon Dec 17 2007 - 00:00
Charity criticises costly lottery cardAnti-poverty campaigners have criticised the National Lottery for introducing a €10 scratchcard for the Christmas market.Sat Dec 15 2007 - 00:00
Parties spent €11m on electionPolitical parties spent some €11 million during the three-week general election campaign last MayFri Dec 14 2007 - 00:00
Boyle hopes for clarification concerning Ahern paymentThe chairman of the Green Party, Dan Boyle, yesterday expressed concern over recent allegations regarding Taoiseach Bertie Ahern…Thu Dec 06 2007 - 00:00
Cowen insists stamp duty changes justifiedMINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE: Minister for Finance Brian Cowen yesterday insisted that changes to stamp duty would help bring…Thu Dec 06 2007 - 00:00
Report calls for more sheltered housingMany older people who do not require the level of care provided by nursing homes are ending up in long-stay care because of a…Thu Dec 06 2007 - 00:00
Welfare payments to outpace inflationWELFARE PAYMENTS: Welfare payments such as the pension, child benefit and the jobseeker's allowance will increase in excess …Thu Dec 06 2007 - 00:00
Survey signals drop in homelessnessAt least 104 people were sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin last month, according to an official count organised by the …Wed Dec 05 2007 - 00:00
Irish disability record average - reportIreland has been rated a "moderately inclusive" country which could do far more to help people with disabilities, a new report…Wed Dec 05 2007 - 00:00
Lenihan rules out 'divisive' referendum on gay marriageMinister for Justice Brian Lenihan yesterday ruled out the prospect of a referendum to allow for gay marriage, insisting that…Wed Dec 05 2007 - 00:00
Nursing home care Bill to be rushed throughThe Government is planning to rush through controversial legislation on financing nursing home care before Christmas.Mon Dec 03 2007 - 00:00
Tax shortfall gives Cowen little room to manoeuvre in BudgetMiddle income earners are likely to feel the effects of a tight Budget on Wednesday when increases in motor and vehicle registration…Mon Dec 03 2007 - 00:00
Enhanced family role in services for vulnerable childrenA new Government policy on social services for vulnerable children will emphasise the importance of professionals working in …Mon Dec 03 2007 - 00:00
Figures show fall in poverty due to welfareSocial welfare increases helped to bring about a reduction in the number of people at risk of poverty last year, new official…Fri Nov 30 2007 - 00:00
Warning of ghettos if integration not pursuedGhettos and segregated communities could become part of our landscape unless greater efforts are made to promote integration …Thu Nov 29 2007 - 00:00
Half of rent assisted housing is sub-standardAlmost half of all flats, apartments and houses where tenants are in receipt of rent supplement fail to meet legal minimum standards…Thu Nov 29 2007 - 00:00
Number of lone parents up almost 40 per cent in four yearsThe total number of lone parents has increased by almost 40 per cent in the space of just four years, new figures show.Wed Nov 28 2007 - 00:00
Proportion of Catholics declinesThe proportion of Catholics in Ireland is falling slowly due to immigration and greater numbers of people describing themselves…Wed Nov 28 2007 - 00:00
227 arrested for alleged welfare system fraudMore than 200 people have been arrested for trying to defraud the social welfare system in the past three years by using bogus…Wed Nov 28 2007 - 00:00
Charity warns of rise in povertyThe Society of St Vincent de Paul has warned that people it helped to escape poverty in recent years are returning for assistance…Wed Nov 28 2007 - 00:00
Government urged to increase migrant participation in societyGovernment funding for the integration of migrants into society is being directed to groups claiming to represent ethnic communities…Tue Nov 27 2007 - 00:00
Referendum proposals due in five monthsTaoiseach Bertie Ahern has asked members of an Oireachtas committee to agree recommendations for a referendum on child protection…Tue Nov 27 2007 - 00:00
Laws that split up migrant families criticisedArchbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland Dr Seán Brady has criticised immigration laws that split up family members as…Thu Nov 22 2007 - 00:00
Housework burden hinders gender equality, forum toldThe unfair burden of care work shouldered by women is having significant negative consequences on the campaign for gender equality…Wed Nov 21 2007 - 00:00
Family tops agenda for children in schools' 'big ballot'"Family and care" has emerged as the most important issue for children following the biggest ever consultation of young people…Wed Nov 21 2007 - 00:00
Thornton Hall will not reduce prison violence, says campaignerA prison reform campaigner says that plans to build the country's biggest prison in north Co Dublin will do nothing to address…Mon Nov 19 2007 - 00:00
Returning emigrants refused welfare benefitsMore than 1,600 Irish citizens and returning emigrants have been refused welfare benefits under restrictions introduced by the…Mon Nov 19 2007 - 00:00
Focus warns of foreign homelessCampaigners for the homeless have warned that the slowdown in the construction sector may lead to a significant increase in homelessness…Mon Nov 19 2007 - 00:00
Rise in numbers driving to work, CSO findsMore people are driving to work in cars while the proportion of people using the bus is falling, census figures show.Fri Nov 16 2007 - 00:00
Key social issues a priority - CullenMinister for Social and Family Affairs Martin Cullen has warned anti-poverty campaigners that the Government will have to prioritise…Fri Nov 16 2007 - 00:00
Mentally ill need more support in workplace - reportThe Government, employers and social partners are to examine ways of providing greater support in the workplace for people who…Thu Nov 15 2007 - 00:00
Concerns over time parents spend with childrenMost parents feel that mothers and fathers do not spend enough time with their children and that work patterns are negatively…Wed Nov 14 2007 - 00:00
Forum to hear of Dublin gangsSignificant numbers of secondary school students in north and west Dublin are being recruited into gangs and have regular access…Wed Nov 14 2007 - 00:00
Call for more accountability on use of disability fundingThe Government has been urged to ensure there is much greater accountability over the way it provides more than €1 billion in…Tue Nov 13 2007 - 00:00
Psychiatric re-admissions remain highA new study has revealed that high numbers of patients with mental illness are being re-admitted into psychiatric hospitals, …Tue Nov 13 2007 - 00:00
Welfare inquiry centres on non-resident PolesSocial welfare officials are investigating a case of alleged welfare fraud involving EU nationals accused of flying into the …Tue Nov 13 2007 - 00:00
Mental health body criticises progressThe State's watchdog on mental healthcare has expressed concern at the slow pace at which health authorities are working to implement…Fri Nov 09 2007 - 00:00
Staff hired to process migrant claim backlogThe Department of Social and Family Affairs has been forced to hire temporary staff in order to deal with a backlog of 20,000…Thu Nov 08 2007 - 00:00
Significant numbers of migrant women feel exploitedMany migrant women feel marginalised from society due to a range of factors such as a lack of information about their rights …Thu Nov 08 2007 - 00:00
New income threshold on subsidised childcare proposedMinister of State with special responsibility for Children Brendan Smith has said working parents on low incomes will be able…Wed Nov 07 2007 - 00:00
Parents unable to find creches for disabled childrenMany parents are not able to place their disabled children in creches because childcare providers say they are not able to meet…Wed Nov 07 2007 - 00:00
SVP warns on needs of poor in budget plansThe Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has warned the Government against using the spectre of a tight budget as an excuse to…Wed Nov 07 2007 - 00:00
