Introducing targeted health education programmes in Irish primary schools can reduce obesity levels by almost 10%, research has indicated.

High tides and heavy rainfall mean coastal areas remain on flood alert this week.

The Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes has said cuts in public spending will be used to achieve savings in December's Budget.

The Minister of State with responsibility for disability services, Kathleen Lynch, said today that talks are underway to ensure residential settings for people with disabilities are inspected by HIQA.

The Minister of State Martin Mansergh says an independent investigation into last year's flooding is not the best way forward.

Recent difficulties in the banking sector have not turned Ireland into a “banana republic”, Minister of State Martin Mansergh said today.

The Minister of State at the Department of Education Sile De Valera has indicated that she will step down from her post in December.

Immunisation against infectious disease has saved more lives than any other public health intervention in Irish history, apart from providing clean water, it was claimed today.

The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Pat the Cope Gallagher, is calling on management and unions at Irish Ferries to immediately engage in meaningful talks ahead of threatened strike action early next week.

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Willie O'Dea, has launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness of violence against women.

The Minister of State at the Department of Health is expected to announce he's dropping controversial plans to jail adopted people for contacting their biological relatives.

Retired driving testers could be asked to return to work on a temporary basis to help relieve the current backlog in the system.

Schools are being sent guidelines on how to develop a policy to tackle substance abuse.

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice will launch a new campaign today highlighting the dangers of drug assisted or date rape.

The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children is rejecting suggestions the Government deceived the electorate in the run-up to the General Election.

Ireland is giving €11.2 million euro in aid to international crisis zones. The announcement has been made on the eve of a major aid summit in Mexico.

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mary Wallace, is meeting disability groups this afternoon to discuss the proposed re-drafting of the Disabilities Bill.