The main body representing psychologists has slammed the HSE over proposals to change its Assessment of Need process for children, claiming it could lead to wrong diagnoses.

There has been a dramatic fall in so-called sham marriages due to a crackdown incorporating gardaí and civic registrars.

Children’s rights groups have marked the fifth anniversary of the passing of the children’s referendum by claiming there is still some distance to go before the rights enshrined in the Constitution are fully vindicated.

Three families have launched a legal action in the High Court seeking to compel the HSE to deliver assessments of need for children who might have a disability within the designated timeframe, in a move which could affect thousands of families.

New figures show while the numbers of families turned down for the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) has fallen, almost 80% of applications that were rejected were later granted the payment on appeal.

The Ombudsman has been criticised for its “bizarre” reasoning in refusing to uphold appeals from former residents of An Grianán seeking access to the Magdalene redress scheme.

Independent TD Mick Wallace has launched a civil action against former minister for justice Alan Shatter for disclosing private information about him on RTÉ’s Prime Time.

Independent TD Mick Wallace has launched a civil action against former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter for disclosing private information about him on RTE’s Prime Time.

Migrant rights groups welcomed news that asylum seekers will be allowed to receive election literature, even though direct provision centres are still no-go zones for candidates.

A Syrian national who feared persecution in his country by the Assad regime years before the outbreak of civil war there has finally secured refugee status — after more than six years.

An increasing number of families are being forced to go to the High Court to reverse decisions not to grant allowances for children with severe disabilities.