A round-up of other news in brief.
Thornton Hall prison not now due until 2013
The planned new prison at Thornton Hall, north Co Dublin is not now expected to be completed until 2013, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has acknowledged.
A spokesman for Dermot Ahern told The Irish Timesthat the Department of Finance and the National Treasury Management Agency were in discussions with contractors the Leargas consortium, selected to build the prison in a Public Private Partnership.
However, there was no threat to the project because of the economic difficulties, he said.
“The State does not have to make any payment until it is handed over, and then there will be staged payments,” he added.
Woman rescued in home blaze
A 58-year-old woman was in a critical condition, in Cork University Hospital last night after sustaining serious injuries when fire broke out at her home in Bandon, west Cork yesterday morning.
Firefighters, using breathing apparatus, managed to rescue her from a downstairs room of her terraced house at Watergate Street after fire broke out there at about 8am.
A neighbour spotted the fire and alerted gardaí.
€8m fund for counselling
The Government is to provide almost €8 million in funding to 30 counselling organisations this year to help provide support for families in crisis.
The money is the first part of a three-year investment scheme in services providing support to families in times of distress and trauma.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin said the recession was adding to the strain on some families.
“Where a person loses their job . . . this financial strain can lead to pressures in relationships,” Ms Hanafin said.