Free flu vaccines have been extended to include children aged between 13 and 17. The change takes effect from today and means all children aged 2 to 17 are now eligible for the flu vaccine as part of the 2023/2024 seasonal flu vaccination programme.

Pat Leahy from the Times reports on new research that states the economic effects of a united Ireland on voters’ personal finances would have a crucial impact on their choice in any future referendums.

More than a quarter of jobs in Ireland can be described as poor despite the booming economy and ongoing labour shortages, according to a report on the quality of employment. Women and younger workers feature prominently among those in these poorer jobs, according to the report published by the Nevin Economic Research Institute and UCD, which is based on what is described as the “first major national survey of job quality in Ireland”.

Patients could soon be treated in their own homes using digital technology under a new “virtual ward” programme to be rolled out in two hospitals early next year. The programme, to be announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly today, will enable patients who would normally have to stay in hospital to be monitored and treated for some illnesses at home.

Migrant Nurses Ireland has said it is “extremely concerned” that stakeholders appear to have failed to take “appropriate and timely action” in response to allegations that 29 nurses experienced “humiliating and derogatory” behaviour while undertaking training in Cork University Hospital (CUH).

And an agreement by countries to phase out fossil fuels would be “one of the most significant events in the history of humanity”, amid wrangling by governments at Cop28. More than half of the 200 countries that are represented at Cop28 have signalled they would support agreement language that mentions a phase-out of fossil fuels.

Have a good week folks.