Joe Little

Religious & Social Affairs Correspondent

The Tuam Home Survivors' Network hopes samples from living relatives will someday be matched to any DNA discovered in human remains

Tuam mother-and-baby home survivors in DNA sample call

More than 20 survivors of the controversial Tuam mother-and-baby home have urged the Government to begin collecting their DNA samples immediately.

Ireland • 29 Jan 19

Josepha Madigan is due to address the event

Nuns withdraw venue offer after 'threats' over Madigan

The organisation which spearheaded opposition to Minister Josepha Madigan speaking at a facility run by the Mercy nuns has welcomed their decision to withdraw their offer of the venue.

Ireland • 24 Jan 19

Katherine Zappone confirmed the extension to the deadline for the commission's work

12-month extension to mother-and-baby homes inquiry

The Commission investigating Mother and Baby Homes is to report in March on burial arrangements at what it calls "major institutions".

Ireland • 22 Jan 19

Cherry Orchard Hospital campus includes one of Tusla's two centres in the Dublin South Central Area

Tusla to recruit more staff in response to failings

Tusla, Child and Family Agency, is recruiting nine social workers, most of them to senior grades, in response to failings identified by HIQA in child welfare and protection services in the South Central Dublin Area.

Health • 17 Jan 19

Marie Collins said the Pope emphasised that he was already holding bishops accountable

Call for bishops to agree zero tolerance on abuse

Pope Francis' former adviser, Marie Collins, has called on the Pontiff to use next month's Vatican child protection summit to seek agreement for zero tolerance and full transparency on clerical sex abuse throughout the church.

Ireland • 14 Jan 19

Katherine Zappone will consult with her Cabinet colleagues on the extension request

Zappone to discuss extension request from commission

Minister for Children Kathrine Zappone is to meet the commission investigating mother-and-baby homes next week to discuss its request for a further one year extension to its deadline for delivering a final report.

Ireland • 12 Jan 19

In 2017, 22 unaccompanied minors arrived from camps in Greece while 41 came from unofficial camps near Calais

'80% rise in unaccompanied minors arriving in Ireland'

There has been an 80% increase over a three-year period in the number of unaccompanied minors arriving in Ireland and being referred to the child and family agencyTusla.

Ireland • 04 Dec 18

Nine recipients travelled to collect their awards from five continents

Ten honoured with Presidential service awards

President Michael D Higgins has presented the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards at Áras an Uachraráin.

Ireland • 29 Nov 18

The review criticised Tusla for giving the teenager and his foster carers a deficient service at a critical time

Review into teenagers death critical of Tusla service

An independent review of the death of a teenager who spent most of his life in state care has criticised Tusla for giving him and his foster carers a deficient service at a critical time when they moved from one part of the country to another.

Ireland • 26 Nov 18

Katherine Zappone said that Scouting Ireland and her office has been 'flooded' with inquiries

Authorities 'flooded' with inquiries after scout review

The Minister for Children has said that both her own office and Scouting Ireland are being "flooded" with inquiries from adults who were abused as children.

Ireland • 23 Nov 18