The Government is expected to sign the controversial contract to extend broadband coverage to over 500,000 rural homes and business today. The contract is likely to be signed with National Broadband Ireland, the group led by the US businessman David McCourt. The plan has been subject to widespread criticism, both from outside and inside the Government.

The CervicalCheck review, led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK has found hundreds of “discordant” results after re-examining the slides of over 1,000 women who had been tested for the disease under CervicalCheck, were given the all-clear and later developed cancer. The college is due to submit an aggregate report on its findings to Minister for Health Simon Harris shortly. 

The Times features this piece on how and why the direct provision system was introduced.

Fórsa has met with the Garda Commissioner over serious concerns regarding the lack of engagement centrally on the new policing model, and its impact on the Garda civilianisation programme. Read more about that here.

Teachers are to stage a one-day strike in February in a significant escalation of the long-running campaign to end the two-tier pay system in schools. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said its executive had decided to hold the stoppage as its efforts to bring the issue of pay discrimination to a conclusion had been “frustrated by Government inaction”.

Hundreds of University of Limerick staff to be balloted over UL@50 industrial action. It is understood that the action is being taken in response to the restructuring of the university's four main faculties under UL's new strategic plan, UL@50, which could be implemented as soon as September 2020.

A survey on youth mental health in Ireland has shown a significant increase in the number of young people suffering from anxiety. The My World 2 Survey, carried out by UCD in conjunction with youth mental health organisation Jigsaw, spoke to more than 19,000 young people aged 12-25. It is the largest survey of its kind in Ireland and shows the number of young people suffering from anxiety has doubled since the last survey was conducted in 2012. 

The new National Childcare Scheme opens for online applications on Wednesday, November 20th. The scheme is the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare. The scheme aims to improve children's outcomes, support lifelong learning, make work pay, and reduce child poverty by providing subsidies to reduce the cost of childcare for families. 

This opinion piece by The Times explores the falling numbers in Defence Forces, and criticises the Government for ignoring what it calls a 'crisis'.  

And finally, just a quick reminder to staff to complete the staff training needs survey before it closes this Friday.

Our zen this morning is brought to us by The Supremes. The group became the first all girl group to have a UK No.1 single when 'Baby Love' went to the top of the charts on this day in 1964.