Blogs

AN estimated 2,300 children across Ireland are now expected to qualify for a once-off payment worth either €160 or €285.

The cash boost, expected to land straight into accounts in just a months time, has been extended to a group under new eligibility rules that kicked in yesterday following efforts to allow “flexibility”.

Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

Getty Images - Getty

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was last year paid out to almost 150,000 families in respect of 264,400 children.

Many families get the payment automatically and don’t need to apply.

However, those who haven’t been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum.

And foster carers, who are the latest group to qualify for the payment under the new rules, must apply before applications close on September 30 this year to avoid missing out on the cash.

The once-off, means tested payment aims to assist eligible families with the cost of school clothing and footwear.

And commenting on the latest extension of the payment, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary urged those eligible to apply.

He said: “Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them.

“That’s why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. 

“In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment.

“We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare.”

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD vowed to work alongside Calleary to continue providing further supports for foster carers.

She said: “Foster carers look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and they do so much great work every day.

“They have campaigned for years for the right to get the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for the children they care for, and it is fantastic that this now has become a reality.”

The rates of payment for the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme are €160 for children aged 4-11 years and €285 for children aged 12-22 years on or before 30th September 2025.

The children must be of age on or before September 30.

And students aged between 18-22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2025 to retain an entitlement to the payment.

Deputy Emer Currie, Fine Gael’s spokesperson on childcare, said the new criteria is “an extremely welcome move” and urged all those eligible to apply for the cash.

She said: “Fine Gael is committed to reducing the cost of education and ensuring that all children reach their full potential at all stages of life.

BUDGET MEASURES

“Further investment in childcare and education in last year’s Budget was further proof of this commitment.

“My party in Government has worked hard to ensure every child in both primary and special schools can avail of a hot lunch through the Hot School Meals programme.

“Other measures include the Free Schoolbooks Scheme, which covers all students from primary school right through to the Leaving Certificate in the provision of schoolbooks and core classroom resources.

“Foster carers currently look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and I know they have campaigned to be included in this scheme.”

She added: “I will continue to work with my Government colleagues on their behalf to ensure they have the supports they need for the children in their care.”

KEITH Wood’s son Tom will be among five new academy players for Munster’s 2025/26 campaign.

The province this morning confirmed that he would be joining the ranks along with Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue and Eoghan Smyth.

@munsterrugby

The club revealed the five new members of its academy on Wednesday morning[/caption]

Garryowen RFC

The other Wood son Alex also plays to a high level with Garryowen in the Energia All-Ireland League[/caption]

All five are Ireland Under-20 internationals with Keith having cheered his son on against France in March’s Six Nations tussle.

Keith’s older son Gordon also featured in that game as he’s heading into his second year at the Munster academy.

Tom and Gordon may be chips off the old block in many ways – but they’re far from hard-nosed hookers as they line out at fly-half and centre respectively.

It’s worth noting too that Oisín Minogue is the nephew of another Reds icon and ex-head coach in Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley.

The family lineage of both legends being carried on into next season was warmly received by supporters.

Julien hailed: “Special mention to Tom Wood, carrying such a name is hard.

“There is a lot on you but know that whatever happens we, the supporters, will be with you. Just give it your all and have no regrets.”

2025/26 MUNSTER ACADEMY SQUAD:

Year 3: George Hadden, Dylan Hicks, Darragh McSweeney, Ben O’Connor, Max Clein, Ronan Foxe.

Year 2: Jake O’Riordan, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Michael Foy, Danny Sheahan, Seán Edogbo, Luke Murphy, Gordon Wood.

Year 1: Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisin Minogue, Eoghan Smyth, Tom Wood.

On a lighter note, the official Munster Supporters Club had some fun on social media yesterday by “posting” a response to Johnny Sexton after he joked about becoming a Reds season ticket holder.

The 39-year-old cracked the gag in response to being asked about how he felt about his World Cup nemesis being Leinster-bound.

Speaking at his first appearance as a member of Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions coaching staff, Sexton played down the seriousness of his former club snapping up Rieko Ioane on a short-term deal.

When asked on Monday about the Kiwi’s impending arrival, he replied: “I purchased my Munster season ticket last week, put it that way.”

Now, the good folk at the province’s official club fan club have responded by taking Sexton up on his remark. They shared a mock-up of a season ticket pass with his name on it.

The amusing social media post was captioned: “Great to hear from official Lions Rugby that we have a new member for next season. Your card is in the post Johnny. SUAF.”

BOOK BLAZE

In his autobiography, Sexton lifted the lid on the row between the pair after Ireland had lost to New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

He wrote that, after referee Wayne Barnes blew the final whistle, Ioane said to him ‘Don’t miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement you c***’.

Sexton responded by calling him ‘a fake-humble f*****’.

Auckland native Ioane reignited the row after the All Blacks beat Ireland last November with an Instagram post with the caption ‘Put that in the book’.

CHARLOTTE Crosby has bravely addressed her fresh mum “struggles” as a parent of two.

The Geordie Shore alum took to her Instagram Stories to open up on a family issue involving her eldest daughter, which she admitted was “testing my patience and temper.”

Instagram

Charlotte Crosby has bravely revealed the mum ‘struggle’ that is testing her patience[/caption]

Paramount/License To PR

She is proud parent to Alba, two, and Pixi, who was born in February[/caption]

charlottegshore/Instagram

The Geordie Shore alum told how her toddler is acting up with little Pixi CeCe[/caption]

Instagram / @charlottegshore

Charlotte made her confession about ‘hard’ parenting on her Instagram Stories[/caption]

Charlotte, 35, who went on to found fashion brand Pepper Girls Club after finding MTV show fame, has sadly been a target of cruel mum-shamers in the past, and her latest comment may well spark a fresh debate – despite her clear openness about her experiences.

Along with partner Jake Ankers, she is parent to two-year-old Alba, born in 2022, and little Pixi, who arrived in February.

Yet she laid bare the battle many mums face as she answered one fan on social media.

They quizzed: “How are you finding the 1-2 transition?

“Mine are the same ages as yours and it’s hard.”

Charlotte agreed and replied: “Honestly wow, it’s a whole different ball game.

“I don’t know if it’s the fact that as soon as Pixi was born we were flung into some pretty HUGE life moments didn’t exactly make it the easiest.

“Flying to the other side of the world to work, move house and then renovate the new one and now living out of suitcases in hotels all whilst having a very new newborn and a toddler.

“Let me tell you WOW WOW WOW.”

In her extremely frank message, which will no doubt reassure other mums, she added: “Extremely HARD. HARDER THAN HARD!

“I’ve struggled with Alba wanting to hurt Pixi randomly as well for the past few weeks.

“Just random spurts of her whacking her or biting her.

“It’s testing my patience and my temper and I’m struggling with that a lot.”

TOUGH TIMES

The TV star’s concerns came after she broke down in tears in a social media video, and admitted things weren’t “always perfect.”

She was in tears as she said: “I’m just having a little cry and I thought I’d come on to show you that not everything is always perfect. 

“I’ve got an appointment for my back that I’m still going to try and make because my back is just killing. 

“And I’ve got loads of appointments to go to this morning, for my back and then for my ear because I feel like I can’t hear properly.” 

Charlotte said she thinks it’s the “stress” that has made her emotional, before she continued to say: “Anyway I’ve got this big photoshoot tomorrow which I’m so excited for. 

“I want it to go so well but I’m also just trying to do the best with Alba and Pixi as well.” 

Charlotte broke down in tears as she carried on.

“It’s hard to do everything and I’m by myself a lot, and the majority of the week I’m doing everything on my own because Jake is away working all the time,” she said. 

Instagram/@charlottegshore

The MTV star broke down in a recent Instagram video[/caption]

@clc_17

She told how it was ‘a whole different ball game’ with two kids[/caption]

instagram/@charlottegshore

Charlotte told how her partner Jake is often away working[/caption]

A TINY holiday village in the UK is home to a unique ‘cloud bar’ – the only one in the world.

Anderby Creek is near Lincolnshire, although remains off the beaten track.

Alamy

Anderby Creek is a small holiday village near Skegness[/caption]

Alamy

Many have called the beach a “hidden, unspoilt gem”[/caption]

Alamy

It is also home to the world’s only “cloud bar”[/caption]

It is home to a number of holiday cottages hat overlook the beach.

Not only that but there are also a number of campsites and caravan sites to choose from as well.

According to the tourism website, the long sandy beach is “quiet, unspoilt and [has] plenty of space”.

Not only that but it was named one of the best beaches in the UK by The Times.

Daniel Start, author of Hidden Beaches Britain also raved about the place in his book, calling it “a perfect hidden beach with endless golden sands backed with dunes and with very few people.”

But is also home to the world’s only cloud bar.

It’s not to be confused with an actual bar, as there are no drinks being served there

Built in 2009, it it is dedicated to being a good cloud spotting place.

Instead there is a raised platform with five convex mirrors you can rotate.

A cloud menu also allows you to watch and spot them.

Alamy

The cloud bar is for cloud-spotting[/caption]

One tourist said it was “magical” while others said it was a “brilliant idea”.

Otherwise there is also a cafe, public toilets and car parking open to the public.

Or if you want to visit a proper bar, there is Popa’s Kitchen serving food and drink.

One person wrote: “Anderby Creek is a gem of a village with a spectacular beach but relatively undiscovered so wonderfully peaceful.”

Another agreed: “Beautiful hidden away secluded beach.”

Anderby Creek is around 25 minutes from Skegness.

Here is another hidden beach, this time in London behind a pub.

And we rounded up Kent’s best beaches which includes quieter bays to avoid the crowds.

Alamy

The beach is around 25 minutes from Skegness[/caption]

LOVE Island’s Blu Chegini has predicted which villa couple won’t last when Casa Amor comes around.

Construction worker Blu, 26, became this series’ first evicted lad last week following a savage villa twist.

ITV

Love Island’s Blu Chegini has predicted which villa couple won’t last when Casa Amor comes around[/caption]

Now, speaking on The Morning After podcast, he didn’t bite his tongue when asked about Remell Mullings, 24, and Alima Gagigo, 23.

“Right for right now is the perfect way to describe them,” Blu said when asked if they had long-term potential.

He added: “If a bombshell comes in that he fancies, he’s going to go with that bombshell.”

It seems Blu isn’t convinced by Remell’s connection with Alima – despite their on-screen chemistry and shared kiss.

The Londoner said: “He started to vibe with everyone a few days in. But if someone else walks in, I think it’s game over.”

Hosts Amy Hart and Indiyah Polack also predicted doom for the couple.

The first week had viewers gripped with villa drama and explosive moments.

Despite recent tensions, a U-turn saw them share a passionate kiss in Tuesday’s episode.

Speaking on the podcast, Amy said: “Thing is as well, with Remell and Alima, most people can count, right?

“You go in the villa and there’s more boys than girls. Which means that boys will be at risk.

“So, I need to find a girl – and I’m not saying that Alima was an easy option.

“She’s a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart and she’s amazing.”

Continuing, Amy remarked how Remell “didn’t even speak to anyone else” and observed her bond with Blu wasn’t the strongest.

She added: “He saw her and was like, ‘That’s my target‘ and then now he’s wanting to kiss people in the challenge.

“I just think, on paper, it looks like Remell came straight in for Alima, went for her and now they’re in a couple.

“Whereas it’s not all those things.”

The villa couple previously butted heads when Remell kissed anyone but his partner in a challenge.

Alima told him: “I think you were so disrespectful, I’m not gonna lie…do you feel like you did everything right?”

Their conversation continued, as Alima added: “You say you like me and do things that just don’t match, it’s worse you can’t even take accountability…maybe we’re not compatible…”

Following this – and after their kiss – Remell chose to stay coupled with Alima in the latest recoupling.

It comes as a major twist sees two other girls have their spots in the villa put in jeopardy.

It will be down to a new bombshell to decide who stays and who goes.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

Eroteme

Eroteme

ITV

Hosts Amy Hart and Indiyah Polack also predicted doom for the couple[/caption]

Rank Name 1 The Hummingbird Store 2 Loei thc กัญชา Exotic 3 PP Cannabis FARM By พีพี เพื่อนกัญ Loei 4 Loei​ thc​ กัญชา​ Exotic​ 5 Highspace Cannabis Dispensary THC 6 ๕๐กิโลกรัม คาเฟ่กัญชา จ.เลย 7 Loeithc6 chiangkhan 8 LOEI THC 3 9 TaiChiangkhan Shop (ไทเชียงคาน แคนนาบิส) 10 ร้านขายกัญชา จ.เลย By TOSSAKAN THC 11 GHC Cafe’(Phurua) 12 LOEI THC² PhuRuea Happy time 420*กัญชาพรีเมียม 13 Golden Horse Hemp Limited Partnership 14 ห้างหุ้นส่วนจำกัดโกลด์เด้น ฮอร์ส เฮมพ์ 15 หลังบ้านกัญ 16 Goldenhorse cafe (GHC) 17 ข้าวโพดฟาร์ม 18 Loy Shop 19 GHC Cafe’(ด่านซ้าย) 20 Chinnabis shop 1. The Hummingbird Store Rating: 0.0/5.0 ( 0 reviews ) Venturing into the lush landscape of Loei, one may stumble upon a hidden gem more delightful than a bird’s morning song: The Hummingbird Store. This enchanting purveyor of delightful greenery has crafted a sanctuary for cannabis enthusiasts, ensuring each batch of herb is lovingly planted, meticulously cloned, and expertly harvested. From seed…

THE family of British mum who died after being scratched by a stray puppy while on a holiday in Morocco have paid a heartbreaking tribute.

Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, unknowingly contracted rabies following the incident in February – before falling ill this month, her daughter says.

Facebook

Yvonne Ford died after catching rabies in Morocco[/caption]

Facebook

Facebook

A video shows her dancing weeks before her death[/caption]

Her death has led to an urgent warning from the UK Health and Security Agency today.

Yvonne’s daughter Robyn Thomson said in a Facebook post on Tuesday: “Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing.”

She went on to say: “She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February.

“At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn’t think much of it.”

Robyn added: “Our family is still processing this unimaginable loss, but we are choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others.”

In another post, she referred to her mum by the nickname “Bon” and said: “She was the heart of our family—strong, loving, and endlessly supportive.

“No words can fully capture the depth of our loss or the impact she had on all of us.

“We are heartbroken, but also grateful for every moment we had with her.”

On Sunday, Robyn shared a clip of Yvonne dancing with two children “just under two weeks before we lost mum”.

It comes after the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed a Brit had died, and said her close contacts “are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary”.

A statement added: “Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal.

“It is nearly always fatal, but post-exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus.”

Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses at UKHSA, said: “I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time.

“If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.

“There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case.

“Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.”

Facebook

Yvonne’s family have paid tribute[/caption]

Facebook

The mum fell ill months after being scratched[/caption]

View here the PCSO Grand Lotto 6/55 Lotto Result History and Summary of winning numbers for June 2025.

The post 6/55 Lotto Result History, Summary June 2025 appeared first on PCSOLOTTO.PH.

MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer on Wednesday filed a petition urging the Supreme Court (SC) to disbar Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Garcia over alleged irregularities in the 2025 national and local elections. In a petition for certiorari and mandamus, Atty. Jordan Pizarras — who ran for a congressional seat in Panglao, Bohol but

DUNNES Stores fans are set to love a cute crochet set perfect for warm days after it landed on racks.

The new outfit is ideal for the 26C heat over the coming days.

DunnesSTORES.IE

Get the perfect summer look with Dunnes Stores[/caption]

Dunnes Stores.ie

The new Helen Steele short set is perfect for the warmer temperatures[/caption]

Keep cool and stylish this summer with all the stunning new collections from a famous Irish designer.

Helen Steele is making us crazy for crochet with her new shorts and shirt set in stores.

The top retails for just €20 and is made with a super soft towelling material – perfect for the pool.

With a collared style this shirt features a button opening and two crochet detail pockets to the front. 

Dunnes bosses said: ” A perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.”

Style this look with a mini white rara skirt and sandals for a chic beachside outfit.

Or, better yet, pair it with the matching shorts for just €20.

The second half of the look is designed with an elasticated waistband for maximum comfort with two side entry pockets for personal items.

Everyone can rock the cute new set this summer with sizes ranging from XS to XL.

Both items are available online and in select shops in Ireland.

Meanwhile, other fashion fans were loving the latest dreamy dupes in stores.

One Irish shopper shared the latest t-shirts in stores that are a perfect dupe for a luxury brand.

Rebecca Whiteley,  @beccawhiteley_ on TikTok, shared the newest Skims style t-shirt in stores for just €8.

Save over €60 as the Skims original retails for €68 online.

Shop the look with sizes starting from XS going up to XXL.

Choose from butter yellow, light pink or sea green in the latest dupe from Dunnes Stores.

Shine in the colour of the season as you pair the yellow with matching wide-leg joggers and zip up for a cosy airport outfit.

Or get the perfect party look when you style the sea green with low waisted blue jeans and white kitten heels.

All colours are available on their website and in stores.