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Wednesday 29 November 2023 Dublin: -1°C

# noteworthy

Last year
2022
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What can be done to improve childcare in Ireland?
Noteworthy’s Peter McGuire and Professor Mathias Urban tell Susan Daly about the challenges facing Ireland’s childcare system.
HSE reports 'surge' in referrals to adult eating disorder services
Referrals to St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin increased by more than 120% last year.
Would it work here? The countries finding success in key aspects of childcare
As part of a Noteworthy and The Good Information Project deep-dive into childcare, we look to how other countries are managing the sector.
Increased State spend on childcare 'not enough' to solve crisis for parents and providers
A report by
Peter McGuire
A legal right to a childcare place, a purpose-built afterschool system and dramatic hike in public funding would help create a sustainable model.
Cost of childcare in Ireland is among the highest in the EU and parental leave entitlements among the worst, writes Peter McGuire.
This Noteworthy and The Good Information Project deep-dive finds that planned State investment will not deliver a sustainable, universal, model of care.
While the ECCE preschool scheme deemed a success, care for under-3s and primary school children is inconsistent.
EPA ‘kicked the stool’ from under peat company seeking extraction licence, High Court hears
Harte Peat Ltd is seeking to overturn the EPA’s refusal to examine its applications for a licence it made in 2019.
Horticultural peat unlawfully removed ‘much like rock from a quarry’, High Court hears
Environmental Protection Agency is seeking an injunction against Harte Peat Ltd to halt peat extraction in Westmeath.
Unlicensed peat extraction causing ‘irreversible’ environmental damage, High Court told
Environmental Protection Agency is seeking an injunction against Harte Peat Ltd to halt peat extraction in Westmeath.
Peat was cut at 280 plots in protected bogs last year without State consent
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy analysis reveals cutting has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade despite clear prohibitions since 2011.
The cutting of peat has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
No ministerial consents have been granted by the State to allow cutting in any of the protected raised bog network sites
Just 1% of Ireland's active raised bogs remain after decades of peat-cutting and land reclamation
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why are people still paying thousands for fertility treatment?
Noteworthy’s Maria Delaney tells Susan Daly about how the private fertility sector is making millions as patients are left in debt.
HSE pays €800,000 over asking price for Sisters of Mercy convent
A report by
Maria Delaney
The HSE told Noteworthy that the building – bought for over €2.7m – ‘has strategic value’ as it adjoins Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Convent site near Beaumont Hospital sold for over €2.7m last year, reports Maria Delaney of Noteworthy
It had been listed on the market for €1.9m just six months before the HSE bought it for its 'strategic value'
A report released to Noteworthy states there was 'no appetite on the vendors side' to move away from the tender process
Special branch: Over 75 cases of alleged illegal tree felling investigated last year
A report by
Niall Sargent
In several cases, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte.
Several large-scale cases still open, including the felling of 30 hectares of forest, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
Removal of trees to make way for agricultural expansion is a common issue across many cases
In several instances, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte
All time
Irish boats landing five times recommended catch of fish important to ecosystem
A report by
Maria Delaney
‘An appalling waste of marine life’: Over 60% of sprat landed in 2021 was designated for fishmeal.
'An appalling waste of marine life': Over 60% of sprat landed in 2021 was designated for fishmeal, reports Noteworthy's Maria Delaney
Wildlife organisations are concerned of the impact sprat fishing is having on other marine life
More than half of sprat landed since 2019 was by large vessels over 18m in length
Noteworthy: Community-sourced ideas and crowdfunded investigations win four awards this year
The Journal’s investigative platform published 14 investigations in 2021 and scooped 4 awards.
Families still waiting for inquiry into use of drug that causes birth defects
A report by
Maria Delaney
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly committed to an inquiry over a year ago, reports Noteworthy.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly committed to an inquiry a year ago, reports Noteworthy's Maria Delaney
The 'vast majority' of the recommended services for affected children have not been put in place
Four nurses - a key measure to 'reduce harm in the future' - are still not appointed
Rare hen harrier numbers plummet as plan to protect species pushed back
Only 18 pairs of the rare raptor species reared chicks this year in areas designated to protect it – the most unproductive year on record.
Crackdown sees 50 cases launched against illegal hedge cutting this year
A report by
Niall Sargent
Action by National Parks and Wildlife Service this year represents huge increase; only 70 cases were taken across the whole previous decade.
Huge crackdown on illegal cutting during bird nesting season over the past two years, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
Since 2020, the wildlife service has taken as many cases to court as it did between 2010 and 2019
Over €45,000 was paid by guilty parties in fines, costs and donations to charities this year alone
'Wild West': Private fertility sector making millions as patients left in debt
A report by
Maria Delaney
The Noteworthy team also reveals numerous decisions have not been finalised by Government on long-promised public IVF services.
Noteworthy reveals numerous decisions have not been finalised on long-promised public IVF services
Reporter Maria Delaney finds people are using house deposits to pay for fertility treatment
A lack of legislation is leaving Ireland a ‘Wild West’ when it comes to treatment provision
TDs and Senators recommend public sector hiring targets to tackle Traveller unemployment
Recommendations of an Oireachtas report also include mandatory anti-racism training and temporary repeal of trespass legislation.
New peat legislation slammed as ‘incompatible’ with climate targets and EU law
The Bill, fast-tracked by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail senators, would remove the need for planning permission to extract peat for horticultural sector use.
Legal experts argue that new peat legislation disregards strict EU environmental law, writes Niall Sargent as part of Noteworthy investigation of peat extraction
Bill would give planning exemption to peat extraction for horticulture and pause any ongoing enforcement action until at least 2026
Peatland experts are also concerned the Bill is ' not compatible' with our climate action goals
Two Journal Media reporters win Irish Red Cross Journalism Excellence Award 2021
Maria Delaney and Michelle Hennessy won for their series Tough Start which investigated challenges faced by Traveller children.
Tough Start Live: How can the cycle of disadvantage be stopped for Traveller children?
Watch our discussion with key Traveller advocates on the major investigative series by Noteworthy and The Journal.
Ireland exporting 11 times more peat than it imports - amid horticulture supply fears
A report by
Niall Sargent
Analysis from Noteworthy shows 500,000 tonnes of peat products exported so far this year amid supply concerns for the domestic market.
500,000 tonnes of peat products exported so far this year amid supply concerns for domestic horticulture market, writes Niall Sargent as part of new Noteworthy investigation
Global trade reports show Irish peat exported to mushroom industry as recently as this month
State confirms exports did not fall under remit of working group examining peat use in horticulture
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why are the school days of Traveller children being reduced?
Noteworthy’s Maria Delaney and social care worker Anne Marie Quilligan tell Susan Daly about the conditions faced by Traveller children in the country’s education system.
'An ongoing risk': Hep A outbreak at council site left five Traveller children hospitalised
A report by
Cormac Fitzgerald
Noteworthy and The Journal investigate lack of action on Traveller-specific accommodation across the country.
Noteworthy and The Journal investigate lack of action on Traveller-specific accommodation across Ireland
Reporter Cormac Fitzgerald reveals hepatitis A outbreak likely caused by unsanitary conditions at site
Children speak about living in overcrowded trailers, waking up freezing and having no green space to play
Home by 10am: 'Misuse' of reduced school days leaving a generation of Traveller children 'lost'
Traveller health 'not being prioritised' despite 'shocking' outcomes for children
Funding red tape has led to low output of Traveller-specific accommodation
Noteworthy takes a deep dive into the funding issues that resulted in poor resourcing of housing projects.
'Revolving door': Traveller women imprisoned for minor offences such as driving without tax
A report by
Maria Delaney and Michelle Hennessy
Noteworthy and The Journal examine the impact of the justice system on Travellers, with a focus on children.
Noteworthy and The Journal examine the impact of the justice system on Travellers, with a focus on children
Reporters Michelle Hennessy and Maria Delaney found young Travellers detainee numbers jumped last year
Children who spoke to the investigation team said they felt fear and anxiety around interactions with gardaí
Home by 10am: 'Misuse' of reduced school days leaving a generation of Traveller children 'lost'
Traveller health 'not being prioritised' despite 'shocking' outcomes for children
Two international journalism awards for our investigative platform Noteworthy
The investigative team completed a number of collaborative projects in the past three months, thanks to your contributions.
Home by 10am: 'Misuse' of reduced school days leaving a generation of Traveller children 'lost'
Noteworthy and The Journal can reveal that many Traveller children are routinely put on ‘reduced hours’ at school – with at least one student on just 40 minutes a day.
Noteworthy and The Journal can reveal that many Traveller children are routinely put on 'reduced hours' at school - with at least one student on just 40 minutes a day
Reporters Maria Delaney and Michelle Hennessy work with Traveller focus groups to expose this issue
Over 60 children on one halting site in Munster received no digital supports during Covid lockdowns
Tough Start Live: How can the cycle of disadvantage be stopped for Traveller children?
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why are the school days of Traveller children being reduced?
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What is the issue with farm subsidies and nature?
Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent and journalist Ella McSweeney tell Susan Daly how agri-subsidies are encouraging farmers to cut back on nature.
Traveller health 'not being prioritised' despite 'shocking' outcomes for children
A report by
Maria Delaney
Noteworthy delves into the uphill battle facing Traveller children and reveals a lack of targeted health actions.
In its latest in-depth investigation, Noteworthy delves into the uphill battle facing Traveller children and reveals a lack of targeted health actions
Reporters Maria Delaney and Michelle Hennessy examine numerous obstacles to children's health
The Traveller Health Action Plan to be published 'soon' but advocates frustrated it has taken over a decade
'Revolving door': Traveller women imprisoned for minor offences such as driving without tax
Home by 10am: 'Misuse' of reduced school days leaving a generation of Traveller children 'lost'
A win for farming, a win for nature: scheming for sustainability
Farm subsidies to protect biodiversity need to be channelled into results-led projects.
Land grab: How agri-subsidies encourage farmers to cut back on nature
A report by
Niall Sargent and Ella McSweeney
Carbon emissions-heavy dairy and livestock farming rewarded over environmental efforts.
The EU's multi-billion euro farm subsidy model is driving up emissions & hitting nature hard, writes Niall Sargent and Ella McSweeney in new Noteworthy investigation
Irish farmers are being financially penalised for maintaining biodiversity hotspots
€100 billion of farm subsidies for climate action have had little impact on emissions, EU audit finds
Children's Minister: 'There's ingrained institutional racism against the Traveller community'
Minister Roderic O’Gorman told Noteworthy that the State “has failed successive generations of Traveller children”.
Minister Roderic O’Gorman said that the State 'has failed successive generations of Traveller children' in an interview with reporter Michelle Hennessy
O'Gorman spoke to Noteworthy as part of a series into the challenges facing Traveller children in Ireland
He was 'surprised to see' the Cork City Council letter which hit back at the findings of the Spring Lane report
Many teenage Travellers not returning to school following pandemic closure challenges
Young Travellers found remote schoolwork extra challenging due to lack of access to digital and other resources during the pandemic.
Commission raps Ireland for 'persistently failing' to manage protected nature sites
Just over 60% of our 600-plus legally protected nature areas have conservation objectives.
'No plans' to reinstate HSE rehab unit closed during pandemic
The Keltoi Rehab Unit was converted to an isolation facility, with previous Health Minister Simon Harris promising its reopening.
The Keltoi Rehab Unit continues to be used as a Covid isolation facility, reports Maria Delaney of Noteworthy, our investigative platform.
Keltoi closed 18 months ago, with previous Health Minister Simon Harris promising its reopening
Addiction service advocates are frustrated with the HSE response and are calling for a clear reopening date
Explosion in poultry farming in Border region poses air pollution threat
Report, seen by Noteworthy, shows over 250,000 tonnes of manure is being currently produced by the industry in Monaghan alone.
There are an estimated 18.5 million farmed chickens in Monaghan producing ammonia-laden manure.
Report, seen by Noteworthy's Niall Sargent, warns of "direct and indirect negative impacts on the environment locally".
Soil, water and air pollution an increasing concern.
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What can be done to halt the decline of our precious biodiversity?
Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent tells Susan Daly how the race is on to save iconic species like the puffin and curlew – and even save ourselves.
Funding failure: Most of Ireland's biodiversity spend goes on schemes that have little impact
Ireland’s overall spending on biodiversity protection is also under internationally-accepted levels.
Loss of Ireland's biodiversity is accelerating - and we're missing the chance to halt it
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy reveals virtually no protected sites have management plans and Ireland is moving further away from a target for effective nature conservation.
A host of iconic Irish species and habitats are under threat, writes Niall Sargent in first part of Noteworthy's investigation into biodiversity loss
Virtually none of our protected nature areas have management plans
An expert forum has labelled the State as the “biggest transgressor of environmental law in Ireland”