Ailbhe Conneely

Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent

Over 17,500 homeless in March, rise of 209 in month

The number of people in emergency accommodation rose again last month to 17,517, an increase of 209 on February's figures.

Ireland • 24 Apr

IPAS residents in tents despite on-site accommodation

Inspectors with the Health Information and Quality Authority found residents at an IPAS centre in the mid-west living in tented accommodation, despite 146 vacancies in on-site accommodation blocks.

Ireland • 23 Apr

generic image of drugs transaction with 100 euro note

Travellers disproportionately impacted by substance abuse

The Traveller community experiences significantly higher levels of drug-related harm, barriers to treatment, and poorer outcomes compared to the general population, according to a new study.

Ireland • 23 Apr

Bishop Tom Deenihan said the 'discourse' on Catholic schools depicts them as 'grim places of indoctrination' (stock image)

Narrative on Catholic schools is 'ill informed' - Bishop

The narrative on Catholic schools is "ill-informed and false", according to the Catholic Bishop of Meath.

Education • 22 Apr

It would see Focus Ireland's housing stock increase to around 2,700 homes by 2030 (stock image)

Focus Ireland to acquire 1,000 homes over next five years

Focus Ireland has set out how the organisation will expand the delivery of secure, affordable homes and strengthen prevention and support services for people who are homeless and those at risk of losing their homes over the coming years.

Ireland • 22 Apr

Commissioners appointed to school sexual abuse commission

Four commissioners have been appointed to the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools.

Ireland • 21 Apr

SERP found that hundreds of women are advertised to sex buyers across the island of Ireland through various websites (stock image posed by model)

Call for cross-border action on pimping websites

The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute has called on Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to investigate the role of so-called 'pimping websites' in the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland • 21 Apr

a photograph of president catherine connolly

President convenes Council of State to discuss IP bill

President Catherine Connolly has convened a meeting of the Council of State under Article 26 of the Constitution to discuss the constitutionality of the International Protection Bill 2026.

Ireland • 17 Apr

Rise in people leaving Direct Provision becoming homeless

A growing number of people leaving the Direct Provision system are entering homeless services in Dublin, according to the statutory authority responsible for addressing homelessness in the capital.

Ireland • 16 Apr

Draft National Drug Strategy a backwards step, group says

The Government's draft National Drugs Strategy has been described by the Network of Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces as a backwards step.

Health • 16 Apr