Children were better prepared for starting school and parents made wiser use of the health service as a result of a family intervention programme trialled in a disadvantaged part of Dublin — leading to calls for it to be rolled out elsewhere.

An early childhood intervention programme, involving 200 Dublin families, saw children’s IQ rise by 10 points.

A 13-year-old girl will be the youngest competitor to ever take part in the Liffey Swim today.

IBM in Ireland yesterday announced the winners of its first annual showcase for employee innovation.