A TOTAL of 1,600 children were placed in care in the HSE South region last year — with

MINIMUM prices for alcohol and curbs on advertising and sponsorship are planned under a government strategy.

THE HEALTH Service Executive is pursuing an “overdeferential” approach to the rights of parents at the expense of children at risk, the Government’s special rapporteur for child protection Geoffrey Shannon has said.

MINISTER OF State for Health Róisín Shortall has said she is in favour of introducing a minimum price for alcohol being sold in supermarkets and other shops to make alcohol products more expensive.

Low cost selling of alcohol, misuse of some prescription drugs and the availability and supply of illegal drugs are impacting on the lives of people, in particular young people, the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children heard today when it discussed the issue of drug abuse and illegal drug use

IRELAND’S DRIVERS WILL be subjected to stricter drink-driving laws within a matter of weeks, Transport Minister Leo Varadkar revealed today. The Minister is hoping to push through laws to allow for mandatory testing at the new, lower drink-driving limits within weeks.

Hundreds of dentists are offering free oral check-ups next week in the fight against mouth cancer. They want to encourage people to take the five-minute screening for mouth cancer.