Ailbhe Conneely

Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent

Five care centres had registration revoked in 2024 - HIQA

Concerns about the governance and management of a number of centres for people with disabilities have been highlighted in an overview report by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ireland • 03 Dec 25

small boy kneeling while showing back to camera with visible feet.

More capacity needed in child care system, says HIQA

Children living in statutory residential care, foster care, special care and detention generally received good-quality, safe care throughout 2024, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ireland • 02 Dec 25

Over 16,700 homeless last month in another record high

Homelessness has reached another record high with 16,766 people accessing emergency accommodation last month.

Ireland • 28 Nov 25

Concern over residential centre's use of CCTV - HIQA

HIQA Inspectors found "insufficient recognition" by the management team of a Tusla Residential Centre for children, on the impact of monitoring children's movements through CCTV, on their fundamental rights.

Ireland • 28 Nov 25

Gardaí identified 67 trafficking victims in 2024

Sixty-seven victims of trafficking were officially identified by An Garda Síochána in 2024, but it is believed that the true number is likely to be multiples of this.

Ireland • 27 Nov 25

Resident urinated outside due to lack of toilets - HIQA

A resident in a disability service run by St John of God had to urinate in the garden because they could not access the bathroom according to an inspection report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Ireland • 27 Nov 25

President Catherine Connolly was addressing the launch of the Women's Aid Centre for Learning and Practice Development

Women need to live free from violence, fear - President

President Catherine Connolly has stressed the need for women and girls in Ireland to live free from violence, coercion, and fear.

Ireland • 25 Nov 25

Rise in legal advice requests to homelessness law centre

Requests for assistance from the Mercy Law Resource Centre - which provides free legal advice and representation to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness - rose by 15.5% last year compared to 2023.

Ireland • 24 Nov 25

Woman depressed while sitting on bed during day time.

CSO report looks at suicide deaths from 2018 to 2022

2020 recorded the largest number of female deaths due to suicide in a five-year period between 2018 and 2022, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Ireland • 21 Nov 25

Cuan launched a campaign to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence in 2025

Planning, funding impact delivery of refuge accommodation

Planning, funding and coordination challenges have impacted the pace of refuge accommodation development for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, according to Cuan.

Ireland • 21 Nov 25