The Government is set to announce the chair of the long-awaited commission of investigation into the Grace foster home abuse scandal next Tuesday, 13 months after the State inquiry was first promised.

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has removed the final roadblock to publishing two key HSE reports into the ‘Grace’ foster abuse sex scandal.

The HSE is missing vital files explaining why a decision to remove ‘Grace’ from an abusive foster home in 1996 was ignored after one of the alleged abusers contacted the Department of Health.

Pension rises top the list of differences before budget, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Former health minister Leo Varadkar knew of widescale foster care abuses in the south east more than a year and a half ago, but did not make the issue public because of strict whistle-blower laws.

HSE bosses have been summoned to a meeting with Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath in the coming days over revelations that hundreds of vulnerable adults were abandoned in care settings for years without any State follow-up.

Former President Mary Robinson has launched Ireland’s first human rights charter for people with dementia.

NEXT week, I will begin the task of steering the new Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

TWO groups that lobby for vulnerable people yesterday called for major reform of the nursing home inspection system.

THE GAA has defended its decision to impose fines totalling €1,400 on Laois County Board for allowing the twin sons of corner-back Joe Higgins parade as mascots at last month’s Leinster football final.

AIDAN DOWNEY is preparing for the biggest day of his life when he will represent his country at the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday.