The Tánaiste Joan Burton has lashed out at the high cost of funerals.

THE treatment of returning Irish emigrants who are being denied welfare payments due to the misapplication of a social welfare rule is “unjust and ironic”, an agency which has worked with emigrants since the 1950s has said.

NUMBERS of homeless people seeking emergency accommodation through an after-hours helpline almost doubled over a six-month period this year in a surge described as “unsustainable with the current resource” by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs).

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has defended the decision to means-test humanitarian aid payments for the victims of recent flooding.

The Government is admitting that some people hit by flooding may be means tested to get humanitarian aid payments.