RTE reports that the Tánaiste has flatly dismissed a UK proposal to create a string of customs posts along both sides of the Irish border in order to replace the backstop. Meanwhile the British Prime Minister has urged the European Union to work with him on efforts to reach a Brexit deal when he presents formal proposals to break the deadlock within days. 

The Times report that fifteen babies were born to homeless mothers in emergency accommodation last year while the number of people stuck in homelessness rose by nearly 20 per cent. A total of 10,338 people are without a home in the Republic of Ireland, according to the latest Government figures. 

An Early Years Professionals’ survey has found that 90% of educators are questioning their future in the childcare sector with low rates of pay the main issue.Some key findings include that 94% of childcare workers cannot make ends meet on their pay, while in a sector which overwhelmingly employs women 66% don’t receive paid maternity leave.

The PDForra’s annual conference gets under way in Tullow, Co Carlow, today, and will hear delegates representing 6,500 enlisted personnel in the Army, Naval Service, and Air Corps discuss 40 motions. While pay and conditions will dominate PDForra’s annual conference, so too will overburdening stress within the ranks of the Defence Forces caused by manpower shortages.

More businesses are seeking out ways to support employees and are proactively putting measures and programmes in place to enhance overall staff wellbeing in a report by The Times.

The Examiner reports that an alternative method for applying for the new National Childcare Scheme online, other than the public services card, was dramatically dropped on the advice of a State body with responsibility for the card’s expansion in January 2018. Read more about that here.

Ireland’s first reverse vending machine has started operating in Co Monaghan.The vending machine allows people to bring their clean and empty plastic bottles for recycling, and then gives out vouchers worth 10 cent. The machine, located in Carrickmacross, is programmed to recognise barcodes to stop non-recyclables getting mixed up with them. 

Our zen this morning is brought to you courtesy of a real live jail bird. 

Have a good day.