Ailbhe Conneely

Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent

A view of works carried out at the site in July this year (Image: RollingNews.ie)

Workhouse era skeletal remains found at Tuam site

Five sets of historical, skeletal human remains consistent with the workhouse era - dating from 1841 to 1918 - have been recovered at the former site of the Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam.

Connacht • 6 hrs

'No excuse' as to why Spiritan redress scheme not started

The Spiritan Order has been accused of further traumatising victims and survivors of child sex abuse, by failing to implement the Independent Restorative Justice Framework it announced three years ago.

Ireland • 11 hrs

Protesters sit outside Dáil Eireann while on hunger strike

Family of Dáil hunger striker expresses worry for mother

The family of a survivor of residential abuse who is protesting outside the Dáil has written to the Minister for Education to express "grave concern" about the physical and mental health of their mother.

Ireland • 11 hrs

SJAI abuse survivors express concerns over accountability

Survivors of child sexual abuse at St John Ambulance Ireland (SJAI) have expressed concern over what they have described as a lack of accountability at the organisation, despite the appointment of a National Safeguarding Officer.

Ireland • 20 hrs

Ivan Walsh in his room at a nursing home

'Not where I should be,' say under-65s in nursing homes

Twelve hundred people under the age of 65 are currently living in nursing homes, largely due to a lack of accessible housing according to to the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Ireland • 02 Oct

Rise in number of older people seeking charity's support

There was a rise in the number of people supported by the organisation that supports older people - ALONE - last year.

Ireland • 01 Oct

Daughter's future care causing anxiety for ageing parents

In her latest report on disability services, our Social Affairs Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely examines the impact the lack of planned residential places is having on families.

Ireland • 01 Oct

Low earners can spend up to 33% of income on healthy food

Families on low incomes need to spend up to one third (33%) of their weekly income to afford a healthy food basket that meets nutritional needs, according to the latest food basket report from Safefood.

Health • 30 Sep

Parent of neurodivergent children speaks of difficulties

The Ombudsman for Children has called for maternity hospitals to record the number of disabled children born annually. As part of a series examining disability services in Ireland, our Social Affairs Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely reports on the difficulties for parents of disabled children.

Health • 30 Sep

The latest Local Authority Performance Indicator Report showed that the lowest vacancy rates were recorded in Laois, Wexford and Westmeath

Social housing vacancy rate decreased in 2024

The average social housing vacancy rate decreased last year from 2.81% in 2023 to 2.75%, with 4,251 units vacant at the end of 2024.

Business • 30 Sep