The Data Protection Commissioner is being asked to examine permissions for the use of photographs of teenagers on Facebook.

Ballymena tasted victory in Division 1B for only the second time this season as they overcame fellow strugglers Bruff on a 29-14 scoreline at Eaton Park.

The Government’s budget cuts to post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses make a mockery of commitments to tackle youth unemployment, a youth work organisation has claimed.

The number of people on the dole for more than a year is at an all-time high, it emerged yesterday.

Non-denominational school patron Educate Together will be involved in the running of secondary schools for the first time from next year.

Wicklow will field a team containing just one Championship debutant when they meet Meath at Dr Cullen Park on Sunday (throw-in 3.30pm).

MICK O’DWYER has dismissed the idea his Wicklow players will be inspired by the possibility Saturday’s All-Ireland first round qualifier against Sligo could be his last in charge of the county.

The latest rise in unemployment proves the Government’s policy of cuts is not working, union leaders have warned.

Roscommon and Longford will contest the Allianz Football League Division 4 final on Saturday, April 23, following today's final round matches.

THE live register showed an increase of 1,622 last month although the seasonally adjusted figure slightly decreased.

The High Court will approve a rescue plan for a group of companies that operate a number of pharmacies and employs 46 people in Galway if certain modifications are made.

AMERICAN consumers would like to have greater access to Irish food products, according to a new survey by Dublin-based Amárach Research.

THE Director of Public Prosecutions actively considered taking out a High Court injunction last weekend to prevent publication of a book detailing the recollections of disgraced banker Seán FitzPatrick about events which led to the collapse of Anglo Irish Bank.

The State training agency FAS is once again at the centre of controversy following revelations last night that FETAC has withheld the granting of all FAS course certificates pending the results of their national audit.

Plans to revamp State training agency FÁS were today branded a spin job that avoids tackling the problems at the root of the organisation.

A BACKLOG of 60,000 Garda vetting applications for people working with children is keeping them out of work for longer and stalling youth projects across the country, it has been claimed.

FINE GAEL is reshuffling its communications team in an apparent attempt to appease Enda Kenny’s critics and boost his struggling leadership of the party.

Calls are being made for any certification doubts at FÁS to be corrected immediately following news yesterday that further irregularities have arisen at the state training agency.

Ireland currently has the highest level of net outward migration in more than 20 years.

A ban on ’head shop’ highs must be extended to the internet, campaigners claimed today.

CHILDREN attending special schools are missing twice as much time at school as other pupils – but staff feel greater medical support and links to home could help address the imbalance.

All but a few flights in and out of the UK will remain grounded until 1am tomorrow, it was announced today.

A LEADING youth organisation has hit out at the alcohol industry claiming many venues continue to show little regard for laws banning so-called “happy hour” promotions.

THE Government is drawing up laws to ban “legal high” products on sale in head shops throughout the country.

More than 440,000 people are signing on for benefits, it emerged today.

Ireland's unemployment rate has now hit over 440,000.

KENNETH EGAN is within one victory of a spectacular ninth successive national senior title following last night’s comprehensive defeat of Denis Hogan (Grangecon) in the first light heavyweight semi-final at the National Stadium.

Ken Egan moved to within one fight of winning his ninth Irish senior title in a row following a 16-3 semi-final win over Denis Hogan at the Elite National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Dublin tonight.

KENNY EGAN will make his first public appearance in the ring since Beijing in the semi-finals of the national senior championships tonight at the National Stadium.

The number of people claiming jobless benefits jumped by 71% last year and the total is set to breach the 300,000 barrier in coming weeks, alarming figures showed today.

THE National Lottery jackpot this weekend will be another bumper prize. We have been told for years the benefit of the lottery wasn’t for the millionaires it created but the good causes it supported.

VULNERABLE children could be put in danger because the Government is backtracking on a constitutional amendment ensuring their rights, Fine Gael warned last night.

FOUR handicaps and three moderate maidens make this evening’s programme at Ballinrobe a real minefield for punters.

MORE juvenile liaison officers and better mental health and resource facilities are needed to tackle growing youth crime, according to a leading lobby group.

YESTERDAY marked the second anniversary of the statutory rape crisis which arose when the Supreme Court found the existing legislation to be unconstitutional as it did not allow a defence of not guilty due to an honest mistake regarding the girl’s age.

A LEADING youth organisation yesterday called on the Irish Human Rights Commission to closely monitor the first application for an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) for a child.

The New Stand at Donnybrook will be officially opened this Sunday before the Leinster Schools Senior Cup first round match between Belvedere College and Terenure College

Youth Work Ireland is welcoming Government promises to tackle the price and availability of alcohol.

A leading youth organisation is warning employers against ripping off young employees this Christmas.

MEASURES to make maths more interesting for Leaving Certificate students will be in place within two years, Education Minister Mary Hanafin insisted yesterday.

A leading youth organisation has called on the Government to raise taxes on alcohol in an effort to cut alcohol abuse.

The country’s leading youth organisation has called on Minister for Education Mary Hanafin to take on board the views of teenagers before reforming the Leaving Certificate.

A property development company hit with a €3.48m bill for tax evasion tonight said it was embarrassed by the incident.

THE Ombudsman for Children is concerned about “mosquito devices” that are being used by business premises to disperse children — and which could constitute an assault.