The number of babies born in the first quarter of the year was down 9% from the same time in 2012, official figures have revealed.

MORE than four out of 10 women are having their first child outside of marriage, new figures show.

IRELAND could be set for another baby boom as figures show the number of births during the first half of 2008 was up almost 10% on the year before.

The number of marriages in Ireland is continuing to rise, new Central Statistics Office data showed today.