Padraic Geoghegan

Updated / Monday, 18 May 2026 14:28 Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government had to try to reduce pressure on people over the cost-of-living increases Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said it is "too early" to get into specifics when asked if the Government was looking at cuts to the USC as part of the next budget. Mr Martin said the Government had to try to reduce pressure on people over the cost-of-living increases arising from the war in the Middle East.

The notification rate for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Ireland fell 11% in 2024, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). Figures released this week show the drop was mainly due to big reductions in chlamydia and gonorrhoea. However, that follows significant increases in notifications of both STIs in 2022 and 2023. Figures show that younger people are more affected by STIs, notably women aged 20-24 years. Cases in men are spread over a wider age range.

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