Joe Little

Religious & Social Affairs Correspondent

Pro-choice protesters match in Belfast this afternoon

Protesters gather for separate Belfast abortion rallies

Protesters from both sides of the abortion debate have gathered in Belfast for separate rallies.

Ulster • 07 Sep 19

Eamon Martin delivered his remarks at the Kennedy Summer School

Ireland and UK face period of 'dangerous uncertainty'

The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has warned that Ireland and Britain are going through a period of dangerous political, social and economic uncertainty, while also cautioning against aggressive secularism.

Ireland • 05 Sep 19

Fr Tony Coote set off on a month-long charity walk in July 2018

Trinity professorship in memory of Fr Tony Coote

Trinity College Dublin has announced it has named a chair in memory of Dublin priest Fr Tony Coote.

Dublin • 05 Sep 19

Marion Carroll travelled to Knock in 1989 on a stretcher

Catholic Church recognises woman's 'healing' at Knock

The Catholic Church has said that a pilgrim was cured in Knock for the first time.

Ireland • 02 Sep 19

John Farrelly highlighted deficits in governance and management of mental health services

Mental health services are inconsistent - Commission

Inspections by the Mental Health Commission of inpatient centres in three counties have revealed what it calls the "stark contrast" between conditions in a Co Galway unit and other facilities in Kildare and Louth.

Health • 29 Aug 19

HIQA inspected Dunfirth Farm, near Johnstown in Co Meath

HIQA concerns over residential centre in Co Meath

A HIQA inspection of a HSE-run residential centre for adults on the autistic spectrum has found that it was understaffed and parts of it were in a poor state of repair.

Ireland • 28 Aug 19

A mother complained about the Chestnut Daycare facility in Crumlin, Dublin

Tusla to report concerns over fire safety in crèches

Tusla has revealed to RTÉ News that it recently agreed to report specific fire safety concerns in crèches and other early years services to local fire authorities.

Ireland • 18 Aug 19

Tusla said all of the cases referred to were reviewed and prioritised

Tusla says 'rapid plan' used to deal with files backlog

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has responded to a report that several cases involving convicted sex offenders which required urgent attention were among a backlog of hundreds of unassessed files held in the agency's Portlaoise office.

News • 14 Aug 19

HIQA said child protection referrals were not consistently screened with 24 hours

Tusla criticised for failures over crime reporting

HIQA has criticised Tusla for not notifying gardaí in a timely manner of suspected crimes of neglect, physical and sexual abuse in the Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow area.

Ireland • 13 Aug 19

Minister for Education Joe McHugh said he supports the creation of a survivor-led consultation group

Child abuse survivors want urgent Government action

The Christine Buckley Centre has called on the Government to issue special medical cards to survivors of child abuse in industrial schools.

Ireland • 03 Aug 19