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

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission member Salome Mbugua: “We need as a society to ensure that in our communities and country, racism has no safe harbour, no resting place.” Photograph: Maxwell’s

Ireland urged to take up action plan to combat racism

Sorcha Pollak
December 13, 2019, 18:36

Ending direct provision and prosecuting hate speech among UN’s recommendations

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: he described direct provision as a source of “shame”

Direct provision needs ‘fundamental reform’ or must be replaced, says report

Sorcha Pollak
December 12, 2019, 18:26

Oireachtas committee report into State’s international protection system lists 43 recommendations

State is ‘letting children down’ on housing, says Minister

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said ‘there is big hypocrisy in this debate’ as some politicians calling for action also object to housing projects. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.

Olivia Kelly
December 12, 2019, 15:24

Eoghan Murphy criticises TDs for ‘rabble rousing’ communities against developments

Voluntary housing association Circle to build 250 homes

The social housing scheme will be backed by a three-part loan from AIB. File image: Alan Betson / The Irish Times

Olivia Kelly
December 12, 2019, 09:20

Social and affordable housing will be built using €51 million AIB loan

Mothers with newborns going from hospital to homeless services

The Night Cafe emergency shelter in Dublin run by Merchants Quay Ireland for homeless people. Photograph: Tom Honan

Mark Hilliard
December 11, 2019, 22:01

New mothers being placed into ‘one night only’ emergency accommodation

Around 500 families turned away from one refuge last year due to a lack of space

Emma Quinn and Adrienne McDermott representing Dublin 15 Action Against Gender Violence pictured outside Leinster House on Wednesday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Sarah Burns
December 11, 2019, 21:52

Dublin 15 Action Against Gender Violence protest outside Leinster House calling for service to be expanded

More than 3,500 parents waiting to have childcare scheme applications approved

Figures from the first weeks of the operation of the scheme show that the highest applications come from Dublin and Cork. Photograph: Getty Images

Jennifer Bray
December 11, 2019, 12:01

Minister believes waiting time for approval of these applications will take a number of days

Medics call for end to direct provision over child welfare concerns

File photograph of children living in direct provision at the Montague Hotel. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Sean McCárthaigh
December 11, 2019, 09:30

RCPI report says system is having hugely negative impact on children’s mental and physical wellbeing

Over 3,000 requests for refuge from domestic violence refused in 2018

53,627 helpline calls were answered by domestic violence support services, an average of 147 calls every day. Photograph: iStock

Sarah Burns
December 11, 2019, 09:21

Safe Ireland says women refused refuge as services were full; support system ‘creaking’

Direct provision centre to open in Ennis

A demonstration calling for an end to the direct provision system. File photograph: Tom Honan

Sorcha Pollak
December 10, 2019, 20:37

Clare Lodge to house 64 adult asylum seekers arriving on phased basis

More than 1,000 homes approved for south Dublin

Homes at Kilcarbery in Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Photograph: Niall Noonan

Olivia Kelly
December 10, 2019, 14:20

Council site to be developed in joint venture with private builder Adwood

Travellers forced to hide identity to get jobs, committee hears

In one case, two young Traveller men applied for a job with a local pharmaceutical company using their Traveller name and heard nothing back. After they removed their Traveller identification from their CVs, the two men were both subsequently interviewed and hired by the company. Photograph: iStock

Shauna Bowers
December 10, 2019, 13:39

Groups call for measures to tackle community unemployment such as quotas, internships

Poverty in Ireland: Over 140,000 children in cold, damp homes

Growing up in the Cold: Children in the private-rented sector twice as likely to experience energy poverty as those in owner-occupied homes. File photograph: Getty

Kitty Holland
December 10, 2019, 00:17

Families in the cold as they have 'nothing at end of week to top up their pre-pay meter’

Owners of four crèches ordered to close will fight to continue operating

The Hyde & Seek creche on Botanic Road, Glasnevin was one of four ordered to close by Tusla last month. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

Kitty Holland
December 9, 2019, 21:34

Hyde and Seek, in letter to Dublin city councillors, said it will defend services in court

Columnists

David McWilliams

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David McWilliams: Spend, spend, spend. A worried nation lives for today

Pat Leahy - Political Editor

Pat Leahy: Chipping away at inner-city neglect

Cliff Taylor

Cliff Taylor -

Cliff Taylor: Brexit will be done – Ireland needs our election soon

Diarmaid Ferriter

Diarmaid Ferriter -

Diarmaid Ferriter: Much light still to be shed on origins of State

Religion & Beliefs

Thinking Anew: How our hope for the future can change the world

Patience is an important aspect of the Advent season – a time when we wait with hope

Parents not schools to lead communion preparations, says Archbishop of Dublin

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin says new approach, centred on parents and parishes, should begin immediately

Renewed appeal made for recovery of head of Archbishop statue

Reward being offered by Tipperary parish for information on missing piece of figure

Government must address anti-discrimination laws, says Norris

Call comes after two men dismissed from Church duties after marrying same-sex partners

Words ‘refugee’ and ‘asylum seeker’ should only arouse concern – Archbishop

Racism is nasty in its effects on men and women who need help, care, and respect

The Advent candle is a call to action

The first Advent candle, which will be lit on Sunday symbolises hope

Government caught between contesting passions over retention of abuse files

Some abuse survivors want files opened while others are terrified about revelations

Funeral of Irish missionary Fr Michael Sinnott takes place

Priest spent month in captivity after being kidnapped in the Philippines in 2009

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Features & Opinion

Thinking Anew: How our hope for the future can change the world

Patience is an important aspect of the Advent season – a time when we wait with hope

Christmas in a women’s refuge: ‘We don’t turn anyone away’

‘I was exhausted, and I slept so fast and so hard. It was the best night of my life’

More stories from commuter hell: ‘On the bike there is the constant battle between logic and chance’

Readers’ stories from around Ireland and beyond

Commuter hell: ‘My daily commute is affecting my mental health’

Commuter-belt living is fruitful for some, but the majority are dismayed by transport links

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