The minister’s plan to tie such payments to the minimum essential standard of living is welcome and progressive, writes Paul Ginnell.

A key issue for our economy for the next decade is that of housing. There are reportedly 7,000 homeless people on our streets and there are tens of thousands of others living in highly expensive glorified squats.

Ireland has the lowest divorce rate in the European Union, but is the third most expensive country in which to live.

Dublin is the second most expensive city in the eurozone in which to live for foreign workers, a study shows.