The top stories trending this morning.
Budget 2022: Parents to see a rise in back-to-school allowance
It is believed parents will receive a €10 increase in the back-to-school allowance. The increase is set to be revealed in Budget 2022 today. The increase in the clothing and footwear allowance is bound to be welcomed with open arms.
According to reports, the criteria for back-to-school allowance is set to be equalised. This means both single-parents and families with two parents will have the same income threshold applied.
Lone parents allowance is due to increase by €5 per week.
Women aged 17-25 to be offered free contraception
Women aged between 17 and 25 will be offered free contraception in Ireland.
The €10 million fund will be unveiled in today's Budget plan.
The free contraception scheme is set to launch next summer, reportedly in July or August.
Women will be given the contraceptive pill for free, but they will have to pay the prescription charge.
Women in this cohort will also be offered two free GP consultations once the appointment is about contraception.
A source told The Mirror, “The cost of fitting and removing chosen forms of long active reversible contraception such as implants will also be free.”
At Home: Gardaí call on the public to help find a missing teenage girl
Gardaí are calling on the public to help in the search for missing Reihaneh Mohamadzadeh.
The 16-year-old was last seen in Youghal, Co. Cork on Saturday, August 28th.
Mohamadzadeh was wearing a white crop top, white tracksuit bottoms, and a beige coloured, padded gilet when she was last seen.
She is 5"8 in height with brown eyes and black long hair.
Anyone with information can contact Gardaí in Midleton on 021 4621550 or any Garda station.
Nadine Lott killer moved to prison 'protecting landing' over attack fears
Daniel Murtagh has been moved to a "protecting landing" in Wheatfield Prison.
It is believed there are concerns the murderer will be attacked by fellow inmates.
Murtagh was found guilty of killing his former partner Nadine Lott last week.
He was sentenced to life in prison last at the Central Criminal Court.
Lott was beaten to death by Murtagh. It is believed she was attacked so brutally that she wasn't even recognisable.
Nadine's mother described Murtagh as a "monster" during the hearing.
She said they will forever be haunted by the thoughts of their daughter's suffering and the"prolonged, evil attack".
Entertainment: Strictly's AJ is reportedly falling for pro-dancer Kai
It looks like love is in the air in the Strictly ballroom. Apparently, TV presenter AJ is "falling" for her pro-dancer Kai.
The couple, who is one of the show's top contenders, reportedly have a strong bond.
Things are supposedly heating up between 33-year-old AJ and 25-year-old Kai.
“Everyone backstage is talking about the sparks flying between AJ and Kai. It’s very passionate and intense whenever they’re together," a source told The Sun.
"They’re both single and have really hit it off and everyone on the show is saying it’s only a matter of time,” they added.
“They’re always laughing and flirting — romance is 100 per cent on the cards. Kai is totally AJ’s type."
