Ireland

Advisory of a "prolonged spell of very warm or hot weather" has been confirmed in place for next week, with temperatures hitting 29°C mainly the west of the country; forecasters also warn of water safety issues due to increased use of lakes and waterways

Higher-level construction studies paper was particularly accessible with question one, on walls and roofs, containing a useful diagram to help students; the choice was praised for questions on adapting household extensions for the disabled or the elderly

Reuse of vacant buildings could meet 40% of Dublin’s housing targets according to a report commissioned by City Council; refurbishment instead of demolition will make meet climate and housing objectives, with around €2,86 billion required

Watchdog Charities Regulator said the beneficial ownership of many of the properties used by scouts around the country should be clarified in the interest of relevant individual scout groups, Scouting Ireland Unincorporated Association and Gasóga CLG

1926 census records have been released; searchable online for the first time, they show Ireland 100 years ago, detailing ages, occupations, status (including "orphanhood"), religions and genders of citizens of newly established Irish Free State

Homeless people total 17.308 individuals, +12,5% in a year, of which 49,7% Irish; the data refers to those in emergency accommodation including children but not people sofa-surfing, sharing overcrowded homes, in domestic violence refuges or rough-sleeping

The first new homes at the site of the former Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, south Dublin, are expected to be completed by the end of 2028, after High Court has cleared the way to resuming works

Imbolc and St Brigid's Day have been celebrated: now a public holiday, they mark a renewed engagement with Indigenous Irish ways of understanding time, land and belonging: Imbolc signaled longer hours of light and the beginning of the agricultural year

Flood risks are forecast to persist for the rest of the week as Storm Chandra has hit Ireland leaving 20.000 homes and businesses without power yesterday morning, commuters experiencing delays nationwide, roads closed; yellow weather warning is in force

Vada and Borgo restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide, bringing to 112 the number of restaurants in the Republic featured in the listings; both are located in Dublin 7 and both are relatively new openings

The Greater Dublin Drainage project, seen as a key piece of infrastructure enabling house building and growth in the capital, is to move forward after a judicial review was settled; due to be completed this year, it will serve up to 500.000 people

“Something like an Olympic village” could be built to accommodate the 8.000 construction workers needed for the completion of the planned new metro system running from Dublin city to the airport; the facility could subsequently be returned to the State