FAQ · Living & People 48

In the public health service, the National Ambulance Service takes seriously ill people to hospital or between hospitals, and the Dublin Fire Brigade provides the emergency ambulance service for the greater Dublin area. These public ambulance services are free, and neither the National Ambulance Service nor the Dublin Fire Brigade will charge you. You reach them by calling 999 or 112, and every call is free, with 112 working throughout the European Union. If the journey is for non-urgent care, a taxi, a minibus or the Intermediate Care Service may be used so that emergency ambulances stay available for emergencies. A private ambulance, including an air ambulance, has to be paid for, which can happen if you are transferred to a private hospital, and private health insurance may cover part of that cost. Volunteer ambulance organisations generally give immediate help at public events, and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council regulates ambulance personnel and their training.

Life expectancy in Ireland has shown a general upward trend since the mid-1990s. In 1994, the life expectancy was 75.7963, and it grew steadily over the following decades. By the year 2009, the figure reached 80.0954. Recent data shows that in 2023, the life expectancy was 82.4118. This reflects a long-term increase in longevity for the country.

Historical reports and investigations have highlighted significant concerns regarding the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam. The Health Services Executive noted that letters were sent to parents asking for money for the upkeep of children who had already died. There were also concerns that death certificates might have been falsified so that children could be brokered for adoption. Some reports suggested that up to a thousand children may have been trafficked from the Home. These issues have been covered in various media, including an RTÉ documentary and a New York Times multimedia article.

Healthcare in Ireland is provided by both public and private providers. Every resident is entitled to receive care through the public system, which is managed by the Health Service Executive and funded by general taxation. While maternity services and care for children up to 6 months are free, other residents may need to pay subsidised fees based on income, age, or illness. Visitors to emergency departments for non-emergency situations without a GP referral may incur a fee of €100. Private health insurance is also available for those who wish to use it.

Healthcare in Ireland is provided through both public and private providers. Every resident is entitled to receive care through the public system, which is managed by the Health Service Executive and funded by general taxation. While some services like maternity care and care for children under 6 months are free, others may require subsidised fees based on income, age, or illness. Most patients with median incomes or above are required to pay these subsidised hospital charges. Private health insurance is also available for those who wish to avail of it.

Leo Varadkar studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin. During his career, he worked as a non-consultant hospital doctor. He also worked as a general practitioner. These medical roles were held prior to his extensive political career. His father, Ashok, is also a doctor.

During heatwaves, emergency rooms have been overcrowded with people experiencing various health-related issues. These problems often include sunstrokes, heat exhaustion, and heatstrokes. Such conditions can lead to a high number of fatalities during extreme weather periods. The overcrowding is a direct result of these heat-related medical emergencies. This situation typically occurs when temperatures break historical records.

In Ireland, the startup Manna has been involved in delivering essential goods to remote locations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company restructured to provide prescription medication and food to isolated residents in the village of Moneygall. This service was designated as an essential service by Ireland's national health service, the HSE. It took the company one week to pivot from their original food delivery plan to delivering these essential medical goods. This approach helps ensure that people in isolated areas can receive necessary supplies.

The COVID-19 booster campaign in Ireland followed a phased rollout starting with immunocompromised people over 12. Various age groups including those over 60, 50 to 59, and healthcare staff were authorized for boosters at different times. Following recommendations, boosters were eventually offered to everyone aged 30 and over starting in late December. By early January 2022, all remaining age groups were included in the programme. Additionally, booster vaccines were later offered to children aged 12 to 15 years. A fourth dose was also recommended for everyone aged 65 and older and for immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and older.

The pandemic impacted the political system of the Republic of Ireland by causing the suspension of legislative activities. Several politicians tested positive for the virus during 2020, 2021, and 2022, leading to instances of isolation. A Cabinet Sub-Committee on COVID-19 was established on 9 March and published a National Action Plan shortly after. Dáil Éireann also reconvened under social distancing measures to pass emergency legislation. This legislative process included a sunset provision for review in November.

Mental health in the Republic of Ireland is managed through both state and community sector interventions. The Irish state devolves responsibility for mental health to the Department of Health, with services delivered by the Health Service Executive. Community groups and charities also provide support for the prevention and management of mental illness and suicide prevention. Additionally, non-governmental organizations have historically been involved in delivering health and educational services. Research on suicidology is led by the National Suicide Research Foundation.

All maternity services are provided free of charge in Ireland. Additionally, children up to the age of 6 months also receive free services. These services are part of the public health care system managed by the Health Service Executive. While some residents may pay subsidised fees for certain healthcare based on income or age, maternity care remains free. This system is funded through general taxation to support the population.

Avadel Pharmaceuticals was formed in January 2017 following a cross-border merger from France to Ireland involving Flamel, Éclat, and FCS Pediatrics. The company previously acquired FSC Holdings and its pediatric and therapeutics subsidiaries in 2016. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019, the company later received FDA approval for Lumryz in 2023. A bidding war occurred in 2025 between the Irish company Alkermes plc and Danish company Lundbeck over the acquisition. Alkermes eventually completed the acquisition of Avadel on February 12, 2026, leading to the company being delisted.

In March 2021, the administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was suspended in Ireland as a precautionary measure. Following approval from the European Medicines Agency, the NIAC recommended that the vaccine could continue to be used. Later in April, it was recommended that only people over 60 years of age should receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. Additionally, a second dose should not be given to anyone who developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after the first dose. Regarding the Janssen vaccine, an inquest into the death of a young man from Waterford found insufficient evidence to link a brain haemorrhage to the vaccine.

The Social Democrats have pledged to appoint a Senior Minister for Disability if they are elected to government. They aim to implement a weekly Cost of Disability payment to account for the higher costs of living with a disability. The party also intends to address waiting lists for assessments of need. Additionally, they plan to tackle staffing issues within the Children's Disability Network Teams. These measures are part of their 2024 manifesto goals.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommended that additional vaccines be given to elderly people aged over 80. Furthermore, anyone over 65 who is in a long-term care facility was also recommended to receive additional vaccines. The NIAC later approved vaccine boosters for people aged 60 and over. Additionally, all residents in long-term healthcare facilities were included in the extension for booster vaccines. These recommendations were part of the broader COVID-19 booster vaccination campaign in Ireland.

Modern Irish cuisine includes a mix of traditional dishes and international options like pizza, curry, and Chinese food. While supermarkets offer ingredients for many global cuisines, the rise of fast food has contributed to public health issues such as obesity and high rates of heart disease. The Full Irish breakfast is often cited as a major source of cardiac problems because its ingredients are typically fried. However, a new Irish cuisine has emerged that focuses on fresh vegetables, fish, shellfish, and handmade cheeses. There is also a growing trend to grill ingredients instead of frying them to improve health outcomes.

Ireland introduced a public smoking ban in 2004 to regulate tobacco use. The country was also the first EU country to ban in-store tobacco advertising and product display in 2009. Additionally, Ireland became the second country in the world to introduce plain cigarette packaging in 2015. Despite these various measures to discourage tobacco use, smoking rates remained at approximately 15.4% as of 2020. These steps reflect the nation's ongoing efforts regarding public health and tobacco control.

The United Kingdom is a party to many international agreements including those concerning air pollution, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur. It has also signed the international agreement on air pollution regarding persistent organic pollutants. These agreements are part of a broader commitment to environmental protection. The nation is also working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Such measures are intended to address various environmental challenges in the area.

Northern Ireland Water Limited is the main water company in Northern Ireland. It is a government-owned company that sits as an Agency within the Department of Infrastructure. The company provides 575 million litres of clean water a day for almost 1.8 million people. They are also responsible for treating 340 million litres of wastewater every day. This organization manages a vast network of watermains and treatment works across the region.

Water and wastewater services in Ireland are governed by the Water Services Acts and regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation. Since 2015, a utility company called Irish Water has been responsible for providing these services through direct billing. Previously, local authorities provided these services and funding came from central taxation and local authority rates. The quality of water from public mains is usually quite high. For wastewater, approximately 94% of water collected in urban sewers receives at least secondary treatment.

Some experts have raised concerns regarding horse meat from Romania potentially being contaminated with equine infectious anaemia. While this specific disease does not pose a risk to humans, it can indicate other health problems in horses caused by poor living conditions. The European Union has restricted the export of live horses from Romania unless they have passed a Coggins test for this condition. Although some outlets refer to it as Horse AIDS, the virus is equid-specific and not an immunodeficiency syndrome. Research on this lentivirus may actually assist in broader research efforts regarding HIV/AIDS.

The provided text does not contain information regarding malaria in Ireland. It focuses on the historical discovery of visceral leishmaniasis, which was once believed to be a quinine-resistant malaria. This disease was widespread in India following the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The text details the scientific discoveries made by William Boog Leishman and Donovan in 1900 and 1903. There is no mention of the current status or prevention of malaria in Ireland.

In the local area, a public health official once poisoned all of the local foxes under the guise of stopping a rabies epidemic. This official was described as a bullying figure. However, local residents MacFarlane and Aunt Louise helped rescue the sole surviving fox. This rescued fox was named Cupid. The sisters encountered this official during their time in the Irish countryside.

You do not need to worry about snakes because there are no snakes in Ireland. The only reptile native to the island is the common lizard. There are also no large apex predators present in Ireland other than humans and dogs. Some animals like semi-wild deer are managed through annual culling since they are not controlled by smaller predators like the fox. This means the local wildlife is generally safe for visitors and residents.

Altitude sickness is generally not a concern for visitors to Ireland. The highest point in the country is Carrauntoohil in County Kerry, which reaches an elevation of 1,041 m (3,466 ft). This height is not significant enough to cause altitude-related issues. There are no points in the country below mean sea level. Therefore, travelers can explore the landscape without worrying about high-altitude sickness.

Many businesses in areas like Newcastle West have been found to be uninsured or under-insured following recent flash floods. These businesses are currently calling on the government to provide necessary financial assistance. The flooding caused significant damage, with estimates reaching millions of euro in some parts of Limerick and Cork. Local business associations are advocating for help for those most affected by these events. A large cleanup operation is still ongoing in the impacted regions.

During the investigation, blood type testing played a significant role in the conflicting theories. Tests showed that a baby born on the Hayes family farm had type O blood, matching both Joanne Hayes and Jeremiah Locke. In contrast, the baby boy found on White Strand had blood group A. One theory suggested the baby's blood type might have changed due to decomposition. However, the Gardaí initially insisted the mother had been pregnant by two different men. Ultimately, the Tribunal found that Hayes was not the mother of the baby found on the beach.

The provided information does not specify whether there are hospitals in Ireland that offer services in Korean. Healthcare in Ireland is managed through both public and private providers. The public system is overseen by the Health Service Executive and funded by taxation. While residents are entitled to public healthcare, the text does not mention language-specific medical services. You may need to check with individual hospitals regarding language support.

Waste collection practices vary across different counties in Ireland, but most services follow similar guiding principles. Waste is typically sorted into different categories at the household level to manage disposal. Generally, charges are highest for waste that goes to landfill sites to discourage its use. Most householders pay for every black bin collection, while brown bin collections cost a lesser fee. There is no fee for the collection of green bins used for packaging and glass. Many services are now run by private companies rather than local government authorities.

The CRU licenses and monitors electricity suppliers in the country. Since April 2011, the domestic market has been deregulated so that all electricity suppliers may set their tariffs without price regulation from the CRU. This follows the liberalization of the electricity supply market which culminated in a full market opening in February 2005. All business markets were deregulated earlier, on 1 October 2010. The regulatory framework has allowed competition to increase in both the business and domestic markets.

Yes, the PRONI headquarters located in the Titanic Quarter includes a wifi cafe for visitors. The facility is housed in purpose-built premises at 2 Titanic Boulevard. This location offers various amenities for those needing to use digital tools. Most seats in the reading room also provide access to power for laptops. It is a convenient spot for researchers and visitors in Belfast.

Ireland has three mobile networks that own and operate their own network infrastructure. These infrastructure owning networks are Eir Mobile, Three, and Vodafone. There are also a number of MVNO operators that provide mobile phone services using the radio networks of these infrastructure providers. Eir Mobile and Meteor were the first to launch 4G LTE services in the country in September 2013. Vodafone followed in October 2013, and Three launched their service in January 2014.

There are concerns regarding a rise in cases of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illness. In response to these concerns, the HSE announced that people aged 18 to 49 would be offered their second booster dose. Additionally, a first vaccine for infants and children aged six months to four years was also authorised. These measures were part of the broader vaccination efforts managed by the HSE and the Minister for Health. The recommendations for various vaccine doses have been influenced by advice from the NIAC.

There are 302 species of cnidarians recorded in Ireland. These include sea jellies, also known as jellyfish, as well as sea anemones, corals, hydroids, and sea pens. These creatures are characterized by specialized cells called cnidocytes used for capturing prey. Their bodies consist of a jelly-like substance called mesoglea between two layers of epithelium. They exist in two basic forms which are swimming medusae and sessile polyps.

Historically, laundries in Ireland were often associated with Magdalene Asylums and institutions for women. These places sometimes provided work, meals, and housing for women considered unattached or fallen. Literary works like James Joyce's Dubliners mention specific locations such as the Dublin by Lamplight Laundromat. Various documentaries and books have explored the history and purpose of these institutions. These studies examine the experiences of women who were interred in these asylums and orphanages.

In Ireland, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the statutory and professional body responsible for the regulation of community pharmacies. This organization regulates the pharmacy profession in the public interest to ensure standards are met. The PSI also oversees the inspection of pharmacies to ensure they follow legislation regarding the supply of certain preparations. Registration with the PSI is essential for any person to practice as a pharmacist or to operate a pharmacy in the country. This regulatory framework helps ensure that pharmacies are properly managed and qualified.

Family is one of the pillars of Irish culture and families tend to be close-knit. Because of this cultural value, children may be included in various social activities. The Irish people are generally incredibly welcoming, friendly, and approachable. You can expect a friendly atmosphere when interacting with locals. This welcoming nature applies to social settings across the country.

During periods of tension, some protesters claimed they were being denied access to facilities in certain areas, such as shops and playgrounds. These claims were made by protesters who felt their community was in decline. In some instances, people alleged that the journeys children made to and from school were being used to gather intelligence. Such tensions were part of larger community disputes and protests. These issues were linked to feelings of vulnerability among certain populations.

There is speculation that horse meat from the United States may have entered the food chain via Mexico and then been exported to Europe. Some horses are given drugs like phenylbutazone during their racing careers, which is approved for horses but not for humans. These animals are sometimes described by a research veterinarian as walking pharmacies due to the medication levels they receive. Because of this, some meat may be too toxic to eat safely. This issue is linked to concerns about meat being mislabeled during export processes.

A significant change to pub culture in the Republic of Ireland was the introduction of a smoking ban in all workplaces. This includes both pubs and restaurants. Ireland was the first country in the world to implement such a ban when it was introduced on 29 March 2004. A similar ban also came into effect in Northern Ireland on 30 April 2007. A majority of the population supports this ban, including a significant percentage of smokers.

Some university campuses in Ireland have implemented specific policies regarding smoking and vaping. For example, the Healthy Campus working group introduced a Clean Air policy. This initiative established a No Smoking or Vaping Campus starting on 01/01/2020. These measures are part of broader efforts to support student wellbeing and tobacco reduction. Such programs aim to create a healthier environment for both staff and students.

The Rutland Centre treats addicts of gambling, narcotics and alcohol. For those under the age of 18, state healthcare is accessed through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). These services are funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and provide mental health care for young people. CAMHS specifically treats mental issues that have a significant impact on daily lives. The Child and Youth Mental Health Office (CYMHO) provides governance and oversight for all youth mental health services in Ireland.

The Irish passport card includes a biometric chip located in the top-left corner. This chip contains a copy of the information printed on the card along with a facial scan of the holder. To prevent unauthorized remote access to the RFID biometric chip, the machine readable zone must be scanned first. This specific security safeguard is known as Basic Access Control. These features are designed to make the document difficult to forge.

Social media platforms have played a central role in coordinating and amplifying recent protests. Facebook groups have been used to organize specific community actions regarding local hotels. Coordination also occurs through the use of WhatsApp and Telegram. Telegram has specifically served as a key coordination hub for certain networks. Additionally, the platform X has drawn attention for its role in amplifying misinformation.

Newspaper Licensing Ireland Ltd is a not for profit company that provides licences to organisations for copying and distributing copyrighted material from print sources. This includes newspapers and magazines that are photocopied, scanned, or published on an intranet or website. The company was established in 2002 by the National Newspapers of Ireland group. Its creation was prompted by changes to Irish copyright law and the use of press cuttings by businesses. The members of this organisation are companies involved in the Irish printing industry.

Television broadcasting in Northern Ireland began with the BBC in 1953. Currently, there are three analogue terrestrial channels available to viewers. These include BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Two Northern Ireland, which are both operated by BBC Northern Ireland. The third channel is UTV, which is the Office of Communications Channel 3 licensee for the region. UTV is part of the UK ITV network and operates under the ITV Ulster licence.

Gaelic games are collectively identified as Ireland's favourite sports. Gaelic football is the most popular sport in terms of support and attendance. Hurling is a native sport that ranks second only to Gaelic football in attendance figures. It is sometimes described as the fastest field sport in the world. Other notable sports include camogie, which is played exclusively by women, and Gaelic handball.