More than 8,000 people joined the dole queue last month as the unemployment crisis deepened, it was revealed today.

The Government is considering a new scheme to take 64-thousand part time workers off the live register.

It has been speculated this morning that the Government is to introduce a a PRSI holiday for companies that hire new workers.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation is to meet with multinationals operating in Ireland - to determine if any firms are facing problems.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer today announced plans to shut down three of its Irish facilities and reduce operations at a fourth, with the loss of 785 jobs.

Enterprise and Innovation Minister Batt O'Keeffe is to meet top bankers to discuss lending to small and medium- sized businesses.

Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keefe has said job losses at Quinn Insurance are likely.

Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keefe has announced that business process outsourcing firm Abtran is to create 300 jobs over the next three years in Cork as part of a €3.5m investment in research and development.

Up to 300 new jobs are to be created in Co Cork.

There has been another slight increase in the number of people signing on.

The cabinet reshuffle set to be announced in the Dáil by Taoiseach Brian Cowen this afternoon will be more wide-ranging than had previously been thought, according to political sources.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has ordered the costs of ministerial trips around the world for Saint Patrick's Day to be curtailed.

Unions representing secondary school teachers have ordered their members to escalate industrial action against cutbacks.

The Taoiseach is insisting the Government did handle the problems posed by the cold snap correctly.

A €22m grant scheme has been announced for the provision of laptops and projectors in primary schools.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe has urged teachers intending to engage in strike action later this month to think again, for the sake of pupils and parents alike.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe has announced that construction work will begin on six new schools next spring.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe is to establish a quality mark for language schools and colleges of further education.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe has announced that the first bundle of public-private partnership projects in the third level sector is going to market.

The Government has voted down a Dáil motion calling for the reversal of its decision to abolish 128 special-needs classes in schools around the country.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has said the decision to close 128 special classes in primary schools without warning must be reversed.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe says he is taken aback by Fine Gael's stance on special needs education.

One of Ireland's most senior church leaders has accused the Government of discriminating against protestant schools.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) is vowing to continue campaigning against cuts in the primary school sector.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) is warning of the pitfalls of re-introducing third-level fees.

The Union of Students in Ireland is planning a major demonstration in Dublin today to protest against any move to reintroduce third-level fees.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Dublin today in protest over Budget cuts in education.

Green Party leader John Gormley has said he believes many voters feel they were conned by politicians at the last general election.

Three Church of Ireland bishops are to meet the Minister for Education tomorrow.

Three groups representing teachers and students have joined forces to protest against education cuts announced in last month's Budget.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe says schools should consult the school community when drawing up policies on uniforms.

Nearly 56,000 Leaving Cert students are due to get their results later this morning.

The Union of Students in Ireland has hit out at the Department of Education's decision to examine the possible return of third-level fees.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe has revealed that third-level fees may be reintroduced despite the Government's previous promises to the contrary.

The Archbishop of Dublin has reiterated his willingness to divest some primary schools of their Catholic patronage if that is what parents want.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe is inviting students to meet him next month to give their views on the new Leaving Cert timetable.

A customs officer has denied he was "selective" in laws he enforced when investigating the case of a north county businessman charged with failing to pay tax on cider he produced and sold in farmers' markets.

A Fine Gael TD has raised questions about the role of certain junior ministers.

Fianna Fáil will continue its preparations for the next General Election tonight, as it holds two selection conventions in Dublin and Cork.

Junior Minister Batt O'Keefe has vowed to take action to ensure that pubs and restaurants clean up litter left by smokers outside their premises.

There is tension between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil today over the issues of stem cell research and the cutting of community employment schemes.

TDs and Senators are to hear first-hand accounts of the effects of Ireland's alcohol problem when consultants from accident and emergency wards address the Oireachtas Health Committee later today.