Ireland spends less on education than OECD average, new data shows
The report also found the number of primary teachers in Ireland increased by 27 per cent over the last seven years, which is much higher than the OECD average
Autism
Stories about autism
Irish Guide Dogs at 50: ‘He made the difference of being able to leave the house or not’
Service users old and new share stories of how the Irish charity has improved their lives
State reneged on promise to provide school place to autistic girl (7), court told
Twins cried when seeing friends going to ‘big school’ and they could not, judge told
TV guide: the best new shows to watch, starting tonight
September 13th-18th highlights: including The Late Late Show’s return, Forever Home and The Random Driving Test
‘He isn’t lazy. He isn’t badly behaved. He is frightened’: The children struggling to attend school
Children are experiencing anxiety, vomiting and frightening behaviours
Chronically Hopeful at Dublin Fringe: Exploration of long-term illness that feels reductive
Dublin Fringe Festival 2026: Theatre and music production is inventive but often lacks nuance
How Ireland’s seas and rivers are becoming spaces for healing: ‘It changes how we pay attention to our bodies’
For decades, environmental psychology has explored why humans feel better outdoors in green spaces like forests, but attention is turning now to blue spaces, asking why water makes us feel happier
Blindboy unmasked: ‘The thing I’m most afraid of is having to work in an office... so now I work in an office’
The writer and podcaster on adapting his short stories for the Abbey stage, how his podcast is used as a kind of advanced Duolingo, and how the fairies will rise against AI
What’s college life like for disabled students?
Specialised disability support services are improving, but stigma still exists and transition to third level can be a challenge
New Orleans lawyer wins The Moth Short Story Prize 2026
Judge Wendy Erskine said: ‘This is a mesmerising story told in a tender, unhurried way by a poised and talented writer. It’s poetic and has a beautiful toughness’
Illness in our family was treated as a kind of untidiness. Something to manage privately
The Shoulder, by Jeffrey-Michael Kane, winner of the Moth Short Story Prize 2026
Jason Arday: Was the British media to blame for his death?
His supporters blame the media but others say public scrutiny of the tragic academic was justified
Day centre may have to reduce services after Ukrainian staff forced to leave accommodation
Manager Irina Bereznytska, herself Ukrainian, says the centre is likely to operate for only two or three days a week
Ireland will retain substitute decision-making for disabled people when ‘necessary’, UN told
State tells committee it will maintain ‘reservation’ under human rights convention
The Broken King by Michael Thomas: An artfully relentless memoir
Thomas seeks to repair the broken king rather than to unking the broken world
Star scholar Jason Arday resigns from Cambridge amid questions about his life and career
Arday quits as accusations of plagiarism and disputed scholarship and biographical claims mount
Meet Tori the hospital dog: ‘One of the best things we have done’
At St Luke’s Hospital in Rathgar, the community dog provides comfort to cancer patient and helps them open up
Disabilities and integration: hollow policies mean too many children miss out
Inclusion has to mean more than just offering someone the chance to take part
Disability campaigner Cara Darmody begins third 50-hour protest over ‘disgraceful’ delays
Latest figures show 21,782 children waiting beyond the six-month statutory deadline for Assessment of Need
Austin, season two on BBC One: A well-judged and charming comic take on neurodivergence
Television: In real life, Michael Theo, who portrays Austin, is neurodivergent. There are loads of laughs, though never at the character’s expense
HSE to examine whether money provided to any funded organisation was sent abroad
Health service tells Oireachtas committee of review of governance and financial records at autism charity
Mother takes High Court challenge over potential years-long delay to autistic son’s care
Health Service Executive not in a position to provide certain services for four-year-old boy until 2033, says parent
Einstein’s childhood suggests a little naughtiness nurtures big ideas
A rebellious and often angry child, known for intense temper tantrums, grew up and blew our minds
Boy with autism detained in windowless hospital room for 12 weeks due to lack of placement
Mother in ‘chasm of despair’ that there is no prospect of her son’s situation being remedied, court hears
Case highlights a contradiction in private education
If fee-paying schools can afford facilities for one cohort of students, why not equipment for another?
More time, extra points: parents of dyslexic children sitting Leaving Cert have their say
Parents suggest extra marks could help level the playing field for dyslexic students
‘Masterclass in inclusive design’: Ireland’s favourite building in RIAI public choice award revealed
Little Angels School, the new facade at Royal College of Surgeons, and Shackleton Experience among people’s top picks in RIAI Architecture Awards 2026
Children with autism denied special class places due to ‘inappropriate’ admission policies
Half of schools reviewed had clauses that could prevent those with greatest need getting a place
Omniplex employee awarded €29,000 over lack of disability accommodation
Conditions sought included avoiding late shifts, rostering two days off at a time and access to quiet room
Cara Darmody (15) to sit ‘real’ Junior Cert exam – four years after getting 97% in maths paper
Teenager who inspired the creation of ‘Cara’s Fund’ says ‘I will just go in there and do my best’
Will a new autism diagnosis system speed up service delivery?
In the News podcast: Approach will ‘streamline’ access to autism diagnoses, HSE says
New HSE autism assessments may ‘harm children’ and lengthen wait lists, groups say
Updated protocol, which will introduce three-tiered approach, likely to come into force mid-2027
Psychiatrists’ body ‘cannot endorse’ new State autism protocol
Approach will ‘streamline’ access to autism diagnoses, HSE says
Long-delayed Occupied Territories Bill to be brought to Cabinet but will exclude services
Legislation proposes to ban the import and sale of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine
Growing up in care: ‘I remember a lot of people not being allowed to be friends with me in school’
Four young adults who have spent time in Ireland’s care system tell Patrick Freyne about their lives
Mother of autistic child challenges circular over special school eligibility requirements
Circular states children seeking a special school placement must provide a letter from NCSE confirming autism diagnosis
Mothers’ exposure to stress and chemicals at work linked to autism in offspring – study
Observational study noted increased incidence of ASD in children whose mothers were employed in particular fields
Stressful, torturous and a scramble: report highlights issues around access to special school places
Mother recounts one of ‘worst times in my life’ in her bid to secure placment for autistic son
‘My daughter gets anxious and overwhelmed, and it can escalate into angry outbursts’
Ask the Expert: When the meltdown is over, she doesn’t understand why she was so angry
Autism charity under review told HSE it was ‘transitioning away’ from UK parent
Autism a Chara, alleged to have moved €1.5m out of State, says it ‘fully complied’ with reporting requirements
Pregnant rough sleepers, autism charity controversy and a seagull screeching competition
Early Edition with Aideen Finnegan
Alleged transfer of €1.5m by autism body to UK parent charity ‘possibly criminal’
Alleged transfer of €1.5m by autism charity to UK parent charity ‘possibly criminal’
‘Although I understand why my sibling received more attention . . . issues remain strong in my life’
Having to take on adult responsibilities at an early age can have negative effects that last into adulthood
Doubling size of special classes is troubling
Society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable people
Plan for new ‘inclusive special classes’ is anything but inclusive
Department of Education announcement did not consult a single autistic child, parent or representative organisation
Preparing to move from primary school to secondary starts now, not in September
A new school can feel like an alien experience. Everything is different
Casual use of term ‘autistic’ demeans those with condition, charity says
Report from charity AsIAm finds perceptions are changing but there is still a lot of misinformation around autism
Diocese apologises over priest’s sermon claiming autism is caused by ‘evil demons’
Diocese says comment was not appropriate and that apology was issued for any hurt or offence
Senator’s comments on education supports ‘insulting’, say autism campaigners
Senator Joe Conway ‘anxious to record that the school ethos and culture has a definite role to play in ... additional support’
‘If you have one diagnosis, you end up with 10’: Are we over-medicating mental distress?
One study found 85% of adults met the criteria for two or more major mental disorders
What’s to become of intellectually disabled people when caregiver family members die?
Lobby group Before We Die claims more than 1,500 such adults live full-time with a parent aged over 70
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices