Social Affairs & News from Ireland & Abroad | The Irish Times

Hana Fasika, an Ethiopian student living in Cork city, finishing the marathon on Patrick’s Street on behalf of her relay team. Photograph: Clare Keogh

Cork marathon goes virtual in solidarity with asylum seekers

Sorcha Pollak
May 31, 2020, 18:11

Hundreds of runners across Ireland ran a leg of the race safely within their 5km restriction

All students due to check out or who have already left would be contacted by to make arrangements for refunds, a UL spokeswoman said.

UL student accommodation refunds to cost about €3.45m

Kitty Holland
May 29, 2020, 22:28

Students will be refunded rent from the date they vacated accommodation to end of term

Number of women dying by suicide increased by almost 50% last year

There were 421 deaths by suicide last year of which 317 were among males and 104 among females.

Kitty Holland
May 29, 2020, 22:01

CSO report shows a total of 421 lives were lost to suicide in 2019

Poorest households in Ireland see biggest increase in Covid-19 cases – CSO

The poorest households have suffered the biggest increase in cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, though more affluent households have been harder hit, new figures show. Photograph: Alan Betson

Kitty Holland
May 29, 2020, 14:35

Some 23% of cases occurred in more affluent households, according to new study

No temporary increase in weekly asylum payment during pandemic

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said there were no plans to reinstate the Covid-19 payment to asylum seekers in direct provision who had lost work. Photograph Nick Bradshaw

Sorcha Pollak
May 29, 2020, 01:00

Request for €20 rise during crisis from 40 organisations is rejected

Women’s Aid helpline sees calls increase almost 40% during lockdown

The Women’s Aid national freephone line has answered over 4,000 calls since March this year

Kitty Holland
May 29, 2020, 00:05

‘We have been answering calls from women trapped at home with very dangerous abusers’

Maternity leave exclusion from wage scheme could breach EU law, rights body says

Women must “demand pay transparency”, seminar told. Photograph: iStock

Kitty Holland
May 28, 2020, 21:31

Welfare system and economy must be ‘re-imagined with a feminist agenda’, seminar told

Young Irish women the most depressed and lonely in Europe

“Unfortunately these findings reinforce existing data with regards to the health and wellbeing of younger women in Ireland.” Photograph: Getty Images

Kitty Holland
May 28, 2020, 19:47

Poll shows 18- to 34-year-old EU citizens more likely to be depressed, lonely or anxious than older peers

Parents dealing with more ‘tantrums and outbursts’ during Covid-19 lockdown

Parents have had to deal with more tantrums and outbursts from their kids than normal during the coronavirus pandemic, a survey by the childrens’ charity Barnardos has found. Image: iStock.

Jack Power
May 28, 2020, 10:53

Survey by Barnardos finds sibling rows, pent up energy and loss of routine creating issues

Readers on how their kids are handling lockdown

Charities could lose €500m due to Covid-19 pandemic

There have been more than 1,000 applicants for the Government’s €35 million Covid-19 stability fund for charities

Ronan McGreevy
May 27, 2020, 21:43

Cancelled fundraising events and economic downturn is affecting public contributions

Over 3,600 people waiting two years for citizenship application to be processed

A citizenship ceremony in the Killarney Convention Centre, Co Kerry, last year. Photograph: Valerie O’Sullivan

Sorcha Pollak
May 26, 2020, 18:19

Department of Justice confirms that July citizenship ceremonies will not go ahead

More women opting to breastfeed to protect babies against coronavirus

Breastmilk is effective against infectious diseases as it strengthens the immune system by transferring antibodies from mother to baby. Photograph: iStock

Niamh Cahill
May 26, 2020, 02:00

Rotunda Hospital has ‘drive-through service’ to test patients for virus prior to admission

Traveller realities amid the pandemic: ‘I thought I’d never see a sup from a tap again’

Bridget Harty and Helen (Nellie) Reilly with five of Bridget’s nine children (Nellie’s grandchildren), Mikey Reilly (18 months), Biddy Reilly (8), Nelly Reilly (6 months), Judy Reilly (3) and Diane Reilly (6) beside one of the wagons on a halting site the family live in just off the M8 at Cashel, Co Tipperary. Photograph: Laura Hutton

Kitty Holland
May 25, 2020, 01:00

Traveller families fear facilities put in place will be taken away after Covid-19 crisis ends

Urgent Trócaire appeal to return donations by phone or online

Trócaire teaching hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Somalia. Photograph: Trócaire

Sarah Burns
May 24, 2020, 13:26

Charity says 60% decrease in donations, putting ‘life-saving’ programmes at risk

Columnists

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Pat Leahy - Political Editor

Pat Leahy: Whatever happens, this recession will change Irish politics

Cliff Taylor

Cliff Taylor -

Forget the €350 sideshow, mass youth unemployment is the real threat

Diarmaid Ferriter

Diarmaid Ferriter -

Universities are preoccupied with market growth as if educators were stocks and shares

Religion & Beliefs

Catholic priests warn against any rush to reopen churches

Bishops are meeting this week to finalise plans

Installation of new Presbyterian Moderator to be attended by just four due to Covid-19

Church’s annual General Assembly postponded for first time in 180 years

Over 300 church groups unite for online Irish Blessing video

Musical project is dedicated to local healthcare workers dealing with Covid-19

‘I have no faith in the Catholic Church but I prayed when I’d Covid-19’

How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting religious beliefs, or the lack thereof?

Thinking Anew – Silver linings under the darkest of clouds

Church closes its doors after flouting public health rules

Priests were contacted by Dublin Archdiocese and reminded of their responsibilities

Bishops speed up preparations to re-open churches for public Masses

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin: ‘We suffer through not being able to celebrate our faith through public worship’

No ‘vested interest’ to veto procedures at new national maternity hospital

All medical procedures permitted in Irish law will be provided for, hospital group says

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