Covid testing in primary schools
Health officials are considering whether the testing of symptomless close contacts should be reintroduced in primary schools, Leo Varadkar has said.
Speaking in Monaghan on Friday, the Tánaiste told reporters he is aware of a growing rate of infection among children aged five to 12, and it is being monitored by the Government.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation has already called for the reintroduction of testing and contact tracing in primary school classrooms.
Homeless numbers rise
There are “deep concerns” over the rise in the number of people who are homeless, after the number jumped to 8,475 in September.
The number of homeless people increased for the fourth consecutive month, according to figures published by the Department of Housing.
Data shows the number of people homeless in August was 8,212, an increase of 263 in a month.
Green Party protest
Climate change activists have accused the Green Party of “betraying” young people by “doing nothing” to save the planet.
Protesters dressed as grim reapers staged a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Green Party in Dublin.
The activists, who are members of the Socialist Party, accused the Greens of being part of an “anti-green” Government. Some of the young campaigners are travelling to protest at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow next week.
Disruption on the rails
Rail passengers are facing potential travel disruption in the run-up to Christmas as train staff are set to ballot for work stoppages.
Members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) say authorities must act to protect rail workers from “anti-social behaviour and downright thuggery which has now gone well beyond a tipping point”.
Rail staff maintain they are witnessing open drug taking, drug dealing, fighting and intimidatory behaviour virtually every day on train services across the country.
Today's court stories
A married couple have been convicted of the neglect and cruelty of their daughter who has been left dependent on carers for the rest of her life after suffering catastrophic brain damage.
A 15-year-old boy who claims he developed a rare sleep disorder after getting the swine flu jab has settled his High Court action for €900,000. This is the fourth such settlement announced before the court this week.
A trainee PE teacher, who injured an Aer Lingus pilot in a "predatory" attack in Dublin's Copper Face Jacks nightclub, has been given a one-month suspended sentence.
