It may not be possible to improve quality in Irish schools unless better local or regional management supports are provided, Department of Education officials have warned Education Minister Joe McHugh.

School teacher retirements have jumped by nearly one-fifth this year, according to figures reported to TDs by Education Minister Joe McHugh.

The Government has refused to rule out having to close more schools over serious fire and structural safety risks at the sites — and has conceded that some older pupils may be sent to other schools next week to allow for ongoing repairs to take place.

Schools have been told to ensure teachers stay in class when visitors are providing programmes on personal health, sex education, or other aspects of wellbeing.

The Government wants to increase the number of Irish speakers in Gaeltacht areas by 25%.

Medals recognising the role played by the fire and rescue services during the Easter Rising will be handed out to crews who served across Ireland in the rebellion's centenary year.

This is not a ‘do-nothing Dáil’: Of 61 acts passed, 56 were government bills, but we also encourage private members’ bills from opposition, says Joe McHugh.

Government chief whip Joe McHugh has become the third senior Government member to publicly say he has “concerns” over plans to allow unrestricted access to abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy and cannot yet support the potential law.

Two hundred people have protested outside the Taoiseach's office in Castlebar, Co Mayo over changes to the Aran Islands air service.

Gaeltacht Minister Joe McHugh insisted yesterday that no final decision had been made and no contract signed for the controversial air service to the Aran Islands.

One of the country's leading Irish language groups has criticised the Taoiseach's claim that the number of Irish speakers in the Gaelteacht is increasing.

A junior minister says the government is undermining its own plan to save post offices.