Mr Varadkar said he has "never been soft" on the insurance industry

The Government cannot say when the process of exhuming the remains of hundreds of children buried in the former Tuam mother and baby home will begin.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says that past abuse in Scouting Ireland has ruined, and continues to ruin lives.

The new National Childcare Scheme will not open at the end of the month, as planned.

A Labour TD has criticised proposed adoption legislation as it does not give complete access to birth information.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has said the State Commission has found no physical or documentary evidence of systematic burials at Bessborough, but considers that it is highly likely that burials took place there.

The fifth interim report on Mother and Baby Homes is expected to focus on burial arrangements for the women and children who died in the institutions.

A new package of health measures has been announced for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has announced a €3m fund for creches and child-minders who sign up to the new National Childcare Scheme.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has launched the National Children's Scheme today, that aims to make childcare 'more accessible' to parents.

Children's ​Minister ​Katherine Zappone ​confirmed the plans after the Cabinet granted a one-year extension to the Commission to publish its final report - which will now be due in February 2020.

The Tuam Home Survivors Network has savaged the appeal to the Pope by Children's Minister Katherine Zappone for funds for the Mother and Baby Home site, calling it "nothing more than a publicity stunt".

Ireland is at a key moment for child protection, according to the Children's Minister.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone will lead a fact-finding mission to New York starting today to improve state agency co-operation on child protection.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says the Government is working hard on the wording for next year's abortion referendum.

Childcare workers say creche fees will increase until the Government provides 100% of their costs.

Enda Kenny has said he was upset by the findings of a damning review into how state agencies work together when at-risk or troubled youngsters are removed from their families.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has said that a referendum on abortion should take place by next spring, at the latest - and any delay would be a betrayal of women's rights.

A free childcare scheme for people in emergency accommodation is reportedly being extended beyond Dublin.

The Coalition of Mother And Baby Home Survivors is demanding to meet the Taoiseach immediately.

The Government has rejected immediate redress for children from mother and baby homes.

The Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has promised an independent review of the cost of childcare.

Latest: According to media reports this evening this is the second time the family has been affected by a fire tragedy.

The Government has failed to agree a position on a new opposition bill which would lower the penalty for abortion to a €1 fine.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald defended the price tag, blaming rising inflation in construction costs.

The Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says she expects the first children from the former migrant camp in Calais in France to arrive here within weeks.

Journalist and broadcaster Una Mullally has been named as Ireland's first independent LGBT national youth strategy chair as part of attempts to address bullying and discrimination of gay teens and young adults.

Tonight's abortion bill will not be voted on by the Dáil after Government parties agreed to block any ballot in return for fast-tracking plans to act on the Citizen's Assembly's findings next year, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner.

The Government says 1,350 people have exited homelessness in the first six months of the year.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

The Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says she seriously considered walking out of Government last week, but stayed because of the job she has to do.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

New laws introducing plain packaging for cigarettes could be passed by the Oireachtas as early as this evening.

A fresh attempt to tackle high Ireland's childcare costs is to go to cabinet tomorrow.

The Children's Minister James Reilly has signalled he may intervene to save Childline's 24-hour service.

A new report shows that children in families which have experienced poverty in the recession have suffered greater behavioural problems.

The Children's Minister James Reilly says a report into the death of a two-year-old boy is unlikely to be available until the criminal investigation is complete.

The burial site at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home in Co Galway may have been much bigger than previously thought.

Children's Minister James Reilly is appealing to parents to be careful with fireworks this Halloween.

Children's Minister James Reilly has promised progress on an inquiry into mother and baby homes within weeks.

The Health Minister says he is "very concerned" about the possibility of Irish victims of Jimmy Savile.

The Sisters of Bon Secours have said they are shocked and deeply saddened by the discovery of hundreds of dead babies in a septic tank on the grounds of a former mother and baby home in Tuam, Co Galway.

A mother forced to give up her baby 40 years ago is accusing the Government of denying adopted children the right to their identity.