The Ombudsman has launched an investigation into why more than 1,300 people under 65 are being housed in nursing homes.

Two academics advocate for each side as the country prepares to vote on the Divorce Referendum on Friday.

A yes vote would offer a lifeline to the tiny number of people coping with the difficulties of marriage breakdown, writes Louise Crowley.

Lads, what’s going on? Have ye forgotten the floodgates? The end of civilisation as we know it? The heavens falling in? Or have ye just lost your bottle, and given up the ghost entirely?

“Granny dumping” in nursing homes, pilfering from pensions, and lack of clear obligation on the State to protect vulnerable adults are among the reasons adult safeguarding legislation was needed, an Oireachtas committee heard.

An elderly man living in a nursing home was medicated because he was upset having being informed of the death of his wife.

Lions led by donkeys. The phrase refers to the brave soldiers led by incompetent generals in the First World War, but it could just as easily refer to us.

I WAS trying to figure out why Taoiseach Brian Cowen called Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny a fool for trying to raise the crisis facing thousands of people with an intellectual disability. Was it because the Taoiseach really believes there is no such crisis?

EVERY big hospital in Ireland should have an end-of-life co-ordinator to ensure dying patients get consistent quality care, the Irish Hospice Foundation has urged.

THE vast majority of hospitals in Ireland are unable to offer suitable facilities to allow patients to die with proper dignity, according to a new report.

Former Fine Gael TD Maurice Manning was today re-appointed as president of the Human Rights Commission for a second five-year term.

The Government could give initial backing to the first-ever draft legislation on gay marriages, it emerged today.

EILEEN DESMOND was one of the greats.

It is remarkable that those lobbying for the rights of people with disabilities in this country have faced an unrelenting struggle with successive governments, and continue to do so with the current administration.