#Family

Sign in

#Family

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>A family fleeing the Taliban in 2021 arriving at Melsbroek military air base in Belgium. Women and girls left behind in Afghanistan have been excluded from 'public life, employment, education, and access to justice'. Picture: Johanna Geron/Reuters</p>

politics

Plight of Afghan women and girls must not fall off agenda – Helen McEntee

Foreign affairs minister said more than 2.6m girls have been denied access to secondary school since the Taliban took control in 2021

<p>63% of respondents to the Irish Examiner's Rural Ireland Thinks survey agreed the cost of childcare is an impediment to having children, up from 55% in 2024 when the survey was last taken. Picture: iStock</p>

news

Childcare cost is a barrier to having children in rural Ireland – survey

Dáithí O Sé.png

Dear Dáithí: My friend dotes on his grandchildren...now he’s being accused of favouritism

Family watching television together in living room

columnists

Colin Sheridan: The everyday things Gaza cannot get — and why Ireland should not look away

Central Bank of Ireland

economy

Mortgage arrears fall to lowest level on record as families brace for higher interest rates

Sad boy standing alone in the hallway

news

Child Law Project: Boy was sent to hospital as no suitable social care place was available

Homeschooling: Hands of an Unrecognizable Child Drawing While Sitting on her Mother's Lap, Lockdown Activities Concept (Overhead

Childminder says new regulations threaten to squeeze operators out of the system

Department of Children said its new regulations offer safeguards to children and gives quality assurance to parents

Sun, 13 Sep, 2026

Couple have a consultation with financial advisor

Inheritance tax reform would boost value of windfalls

Neale Richmond opens the door to significant reform of gift and inheritance tax as the current model does not reflect modern families

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Woman taking out money from wallet

Caitríona Redmond: 10 things I've learned from living on a budget

This year marks 16 years since I changed my life for the better by spending less

Mon, 07 Sep, 2026

Cute toddler boy in supermarket choosing fresh organic carrots

Dear Dáithí: When did grocery shopping become a family outing?

Over the last few weeks, I've seen an increasing volume of stressed-out-looking parents trying to placate toddlers in trolleys and negotiate treats at the checkout

Sun, 06 Sep, 2026

Depaul: 93% spike in mental health issues affecting homeless families

Depaul: 93% spike in mental health issues affecting homeless families

Bianca tells Niamh Griffin how Depaul helped her through homelessness and now she is about to move into a new apartment with her children

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

The adult and the child holding red heart.

Letters to the Editor: Burned-out carers let down by the State

'The State is negligent in not providing appropriate care for children and adults with additional needs'

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Professional dermatologist examines face of teenage girl with magnifying glass in her office.

Women's health isn't only about fertility — we deserve to be well

Women deserve to live healthy lives, receive timely treatment and have their concerns taken seriously, whether they decide to have children or not, writes Senator Erin McGreehan

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Group of People with Different Disabilities

S Fergus Finlay: Don’t review the Disability Act — put it in the bin, where it belongs

From the very beginning, I've seen this piece of legislation as essentially evil, if not in its intent then certainly in its outcome

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Skyclarys: Senior Fianna Fáil members urge Government to overrule HSE on life-saving drug

Skyclarys: Senior Fianna Fáil members urge Government to overrule HSE on life-saving drug

Cork dad Craig Coady lost his son Rory (13) to Friedrich’s ataxia in September. His 16-year-old son, Paudie, also has the condition.

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Teens in circle holding smart mobile phones - Multicultural young people using cellphones outside - Teenagers addicted to new te

Richard Hogan: Parents who scroll can’t call out their child’s phone use

Irish parents must wake up from this slumber so our children can experience technology in a healthy way.

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Preschool teacher in classroom greeting new student

'Children should learn about consent from pre-school age'

Children should be taught they have a choice about whether to hug someone, says leading advocate against sexual violence

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

‘It's an emergency’: More than 5,000 carers in Cork are over 65

‘It's an emergency’: More than 5,000 carers in Cork are over 65

Cork North Central Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould received HSE data which also show that 310 careers in Cork are aged over 85

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

Beautiful woman with yummy biscuits.

S Terry Prone: This anti-tradwife campaign must be stopped

The Government plans to thwart influencers promoting 'stereotypical roles for women and girls'. Meanwhile, Irish girls prefer shopping, gossip, make-up, and spice bags to a life as a stay-at-home mother

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

National Rehabilitation Hospital to trial fold-out beds for parents

National Rehabilitation Hospital to trial fold-out beds for parents

Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson David Cullinane warned 'temporary fixes' and chair beds are not acceptable for parents

Sun, 09 Aug, 2026

Letters to the Editor: A mother's struggle highlights impossible choices due to Israeli occupation

Letters to the Editor: A mother's struggle highlights impossible choices due to Israeli occupation

Readers respond to articles by 'Irish Examiner' writers including Donal O'Keeffe, Breda Graham, and Jess Casey — as well as other readers' letters

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

'Simply no words to describe the heartbreak': Tributes to girl, 16, who died during LGFA match

'Simply no words to describe the heartbreak': Tributes to girl, 16, who died during LGFA match

As Aoibheann Clarke's funeral details are published, her school and the GAA and soccer clubs she played with joined her family members in expressing their heartbreak

Thu, 06 Aug, 2026

'Tribute to organ donors' as 20 Irish athletes head to British Transplant Games

'Tribute to organ donors' as 20 Irish athletes head to British Transplant Games

West Cork athlete Val Weblin said 'The day that call came changed my life and I’ve never looked back,' as he heads to Sheffield for the games

Wed, 05 Aug, 2026

Limerick man 'trapped' in Dubai begs to be allowed leave to attend his mother's funeral

Limerick man 'trapped' in Dubai begs to be allowed leave to attend his mother's funeral

A GoFundMe has been set up for John Murphy who recently spent his 60th birthday destitute on the streets in the emirate

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Child playing with mathematical toy

Childcare deserts: 'Mothers are being forced out of the workplace'

Education Correspondent Jess Casey talks to mothers and advocates who say the State must intervene in early years education and childcare

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Children blowing birthday candles.

Dear Dáithí: My daughter has been snubbed for two of her friends' birthday parties... what do I do?

I thought about texting the mums involved, in case there was a misunderstanding, but I’m not sure that’s the right approach

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

Housing Stock

Charities criticise delay in homelessness action plan

St Vincent de Paul's head of social justice and policy highlighted the 'trauma that children go through'

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

‘I thought they were dolls’: Pat says he saw babies’ bodies in Bessborough grave in the 1940s

‘I thought they were dolls’: Pat says he saw babies’ bodies in Bessborough grave in the 1940s

Pat Mulcahy's testimony adds fresh evidence to longstanding claims of infant burials on the former Bessborough institution grounds

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Extra 274 college places for courses leading to priority health and social care professions

Extra 274 college places for courses leading to priority health and social care professions

Occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, and radiography among the fields boosted by extra third-level places

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Air fryer homemade grilled potatoes

Failing to clean air fryers properly highlighted as a key hazard

While some 60,000 air fryers were recalled due to safety concerns last year, the CCPC says people also need to know about safe ways to use and clean their air fryers

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Haircuts 4 Homeless: ‘What’s shared in the chair stays in the chair’

Haircuts 4 Homeless: ‘What’s shared in the chair stays in the chair’

Trevor Hynes and other professional hairdressers treat their homeless clients exactly the same as the clients in their salons

Sun, 19 Jul, 2026

After 67 years, the search for two missing Bessborough babies goes on

After 67 years, the search for two missing Bessborough babies goes on

Mary Donovan says Government intervention offers hope, but families still need answers about missing children from Bessborough

Sat, 18 Jul, 2026

Cork dad may move to Latvia to get life-saving drug for surviving son

Cork dad may move to Latvia to get life-saving drug for surviving son

He already lost one son to Friedrich's ataxia — now Craig Coady says HSE drug group's Skyclarys deferral could force him to move to Latvia to get the drug for his other son

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Jennie's Law: Dáil standing ovation for Jennifer Poole and her family as bill is passed

Jennie's Law: Dáil standing ovation for Jennifer Poole and her family as bill is passed

A publicly-accessible register of people convicted of serious domestic violence offences will be created under the new law named in Jennie's honour

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Older adults with intellectual disabilities face exclusion, TDs and senators to hear

Older adults with intellectual disabilities face exclusion, TDs and senators to hear

Oireachtas committee on disabilities will hear today how some are likely to experience 'frailty, exclusion, and complex health needs' far earlier than the rest of the population

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

School stock

'Early years sector losing a quarter of its staff each year due to poor pay and conditions’

In its pre-budget submission, Early Childhood Ireland is calling for action on pay and conditions for workers providing early years and school-aged care

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Anxiety, thinking and window with child in home for mental health, adoption crisis or stress. Mistake, foster care trauma and ab

Families take legal challenges over special school places

'Large number' of parents whose children have no school place for September are taking court action against education minister

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

'Violence against women is now a matter of life and death’

'Violence against women is now a matter of life and death’

Jamey Carney was the second woman killed in her own home in less than three days. It brings to eight the number of women violently killed this year. And, halfway through 2026, the number of women killed in Ireland has already overtaken the figure for the whole of last year

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Cyberattack and internet crime, hacking and malware concepts. Digital binary code data numbers and secure lock icons on hacker'

Ireland urged to push permanent EU online child sexual abuse detection rules

Children's Rights Alliance says Ireland should use its EU presidency to secure lasting protections while balancing online privacy rights

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Liam Quaide: People with intellectual disabilities have the right to a home

Liam Quaide: People with intellectual disabilities have the right to a home

TD and psychologist Liam Quaide describes how the Before We Die group, and his own research into privatisation of services have fed into the Social Democrats' private members' bill

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

Primary School Coat Pegs

Special school place deadline moved forward ahead of Budget 2027

The Department of Education wants families to notify the NCSE of September 2027 requirements by September 1 this year, the earliest deadline since the scheme was introduced

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Féile O’Sullivan: One year on, West Cork teenager is 'upbeat and all set to return to school'

Féile O’Sullivan: One year on, West Cork teenager is 'upbeat and all set to return to school'

On the first anniversary of the accident in which she lost both legs, Féile's already been active in wheelchair rugby, basketball, and boccia — and is now standing with a prosthetic leg

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Apron housewife at kitchen dish washer

S Sarah Harte: Social media is amping up the danger that women always faced at home

Intimate relationships often present the greatest danger for women — and now social media firms are openly profiting from spreading harmful porn and toxic masculinity. It's time we reined in Big Tech

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Little girl learning using digital tablet

Irish Examiner view: Can we please stop blaming parents for everything? Thanks

Yes, we should heed a study linking screen use by babies and toddlers with poorer quality of life — but it mustn't be used as a cudgel to beat already hard-pressed mothers and fathers

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Bessborough survivors vow to chain themselves to diggers to stop apartment plan

Bessborough survivors vow to chain themselves to diggers to stop apartment plan

More than 250 people at Sunday’s commemoration heard that survivors of the mother and baby home and their supporters will not stand by if planning is upheld and construction begins on the site

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Child with Disability Engaged in Arts and Crafts Activity Sitting in Wheelchair

HSE is consistently failing in its care for people with disabilities

From costly and ineffective outsourcing to an inability to parse its own data — as it's all in a single Excel-based file — HSE failure isn’t an anomaly, it’s a pattern, writes Cianan Brennan

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Many colorful electronic cigarettes in the hands of a teenager. Vaping with nicotine. Danger for teenagers.

Vaping: New law will ban flavoured and colourfully-packaged vapes

The proposed ban on flavoured vapes — and curbing the colours used in packaging — has passed through the Dáil

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Paediatrician doctor examining a young female patient sitting on her mothers lap wearing masks.

'Parents forced to take State to court for services and even diagnoses for their children'

Jesslyn Henry of the Save Our SNAs group tells Oireachtas education committee the right to an inclusive education is not 'an aspiration'

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

File Photo The Health Service Executive has said it is working to establish how many patients may need to have their medical tes

TD: Residential care for children with disabilities ‘should be a last resort’

Number of children with disabilities in State residential care doubled in two years — and the HSE cannot tell what ages they are

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

€1.3bn spent on school prefabs and other ‘temporary fixes’ in the last six years

€1.3bn spent on school prefabs and other ‘temporary fixes’ in the last six years

The Department of Education is being asked to explain the €1.3bn it spent on rented lands, buildings, and modular accommodation for schools since 2020

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026