The head of the Department of Social Protection is emphasising that women who have been subjected to domestic abuse do not have to make attempts to contact their attacker in order to receive the lone parent’s allowance.

Incentives for ex-pilots to return to the Air Corps, promoting enlisted men to officers, and attracting more women may stem the exodus of highly-skilled personnel from the military.

The head of the Department of Finance said incoming US president, Donald Trump, would change corporation tax rates there and this could affect Ireland.

More than €45,000 of public money is being spent just to get two third-level colleges in the south-east talking to each other about the possibility of resuming merger talks.

The Department of Finance have been accused of blindly rushing into an inquiry on deals done by IBRC, without agreeing a fee for the probe into the bust bank's sales.

The head of the Department of Justice faces questions from TDs today about his role in the controversial resignation of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan as well as the handling of serious allegations against the force.

The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee has expressed shock that over €70m is paid out annually for free travel passes based on usage figures from 1973.

Primary school pupils will have their progress tracked in the education system by a long-awaited database that could help the Government develop better education and social policies.

The head of the Department of Finance said banks will exit the State’s guarantee scheme early next year. However, he expressed disappointment with their level of progress with distressed mortgage holders.

More than 160 allowances for existing local authority workers are set to be cut after the Department of the Environment said it was surprised at having discovered hundreds of unknown perks for staff.

The final cost of the Mahon Tribunal is likely to be €200m, according to an estimate provided by the planning inquiry to the Government.

The final cost of the Mahon Tribunal could top €250m and see lawyers and witnesses claim fees for years to come.

MORE than 3,000 public service workers will be hired next year to replace retiring employees, despite promises to cut the public sector wage bill.

SOCIAL welfare claimants could have their bank accounts scanned for suspicious transactions to guard against fraudulent welfare claims under plans being considered.

THE head of the Department of Enterprise has denied burying a critical report into an alleged €167 million Fás “slush” fund for employers.

THE Department of Finance has blamed “cabinet confidentiality” as one of the reasons for not releasing files to TDs looking into the events surrounding the night the Government decided on the bank guarantee.

THE Department of Education has clawed back €25 million in taxpayers’ money after tightening up rules on substitution cover for teachers.

ONLY 4% of EU migrant workers who applied for a social welfare payment for their children living outside Ireland are receiving the annual €1,000 allowance.