120 children from Chernobyl will arrive into Ireland today for a month-long rest and recuperation holiday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is facing an angry public backlash after saying he will not write a “blank cheque” or “pick up the bill” for elderly people who keep their heating on constantly during the sub-zero ‘Beast From The East’ storm.

Department of Social Protection officials came under fire when they told a Dáil committee community welfare officers are helping thousands of distressed tenants by providing rent advances and help with deposits.

Limits on rent supplement payments set by the Government are forcing thousands of families to make undeclared top-up payments to landlords to secure places to live.