Laura Lynott

1 week ago | independent.ie | Adrian Weckler |Laura Lynott

Revealed: The stark difference between smartphone usage among eight-year-olds in Deis schools and better-off schools Figure for children in more middle-class areas is 22pc, new study by CyberSafeKids shows More than half of Irish eight year olds from disadvantaged areas own a smartphone Adrian Weckler and Laura Lynott Today at 03:30 More than half of Irish eight-year-olds from less advantaged areas now own a smartphone, which is twice the rate of those from wealthier backgrounds, according to...

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Laura Lynott

‘I know of dads, all separated with kids, and all with good jobs, who have to live in a car or a van’Age restrictions on mortgage repayments, and escalating property prices, are seriously impacting people in midlifeSean Conroy (54) from Dún Laoghaire is divorced with children and renting with his partner. Photo: Gerry MooneySean Conroy (54) from Dún Laoghaire is, on paper, a successful man, working in construction and in a happy relationship with a 51-year-old woman. Both are divorced.

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Laura Lynott

Leaving Cert students not solely focused on CAO as they look to a new wave of careers, including web entrepreneurs and influencers Dr Áine Moran says current batch of students are more savvyA secondary school principal has said she is “delighted” to see a growing number of students who no longer see college as a guaranteed route to a job, house and financial stability.

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Laura Lynott

Members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) have already voted to accept proposed Leaving Certificate reforms ahead of industrial action. However, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) will announce its ballot of members on Friday. The union has not recommended a decision to its members. Originally both unions had been firmly against reforms to be rolled out in September. Educators raised concerns regarding a lack of preparation and a lack of resources.

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Laura Lynott

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) said the record number of candidates was “linked to demographic increases, with the numbers entered passing 140,000 for the first time”. The number entered to take the 2025 certificate examinations has increased by 3pc (up 4,297) compared with last year’s entry figure of 136,160 candidates, with the most significant increases in the numbers entered for the Leaving Cert programme (5pc) and Leaving Cert Applied programme (up 11pc).