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National News Briefs

South-east sees 75 new jobs announced

Up to 75 new jobs have been announced in two separate investments for the south-east.

Thirty of them are coming onstream in Waterford at Eirgen Pharma, which specialises in developing and licensing cancer care drugs.

Meanwhile, Danone Baby Nutrition is to invest €20m in its Wexford manufacturing facility and hire 45 more people.

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton will be in the south-east today for a series of announcements about investment in the region.

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Govt to release personal insolvency Bill

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter is due to release the new personal insolvency Bill this week.

The banks wanted mortgage debt to be excluded, but it looks like secured debt, or mortgages, could in fact be covered.

A limit of €3m had been touted for what a claimant could seek in personal insolvency arrangements, without going to the High Court, but banks want that to be lower.

They fear people with three or four residences might say they cannot afford to keep up with all of their mortgage repayments, forcing the bank to write down a huge amount of debt.

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Man dies in Cork city blaze

A man in his 20s has died in a fire at a flat in Cork city in the early hours of this morning.

The man died when a fire broke out at a flat at Charlemont Terrace on Wellington Road on the city’s northside around 4am.

Units of Cork city Fire Brigade attended and Gardaí were also at the scene of the blaze.

It is expected that Garda technical experts will carry out a forensic examination to try and establish the cause of the blaze.

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Bord Gáis looking for 10% price increase

Gas bills are set to rise as Bord Gáis looks for a 10% price hike from the Energy Regulator.

The Irish Independent reports that families will face an average increase of more than €150 in their gas and electricity bills this year, pushing them past the €2,000 mark annually.

However, those using heating oil can look forward to their bills coming down, as worldwide prices fall.

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Man dies in Waterford car accident

A man in his 20s has died in a road crash in Waterford.

It happened when the car he was driving crashed into a bridge on Cheekpoint Road at around 1.10am this morning.

There was no one else in the car.

His body was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital and the road is closed for a forensic examination.

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HSE launching Crisis Pregnancy Programme

The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme is launching its new sexual health promotion campaign later today.

It is aimed at encouraging consistent use of contraception among sexually active young adults.

The new phase of the Think Contraception campaign will use TV sponsorships, on-the-street promotion, poster and digital advertising and social media to promote its key message.

Research by the HSE has shown that 20% of 18-25 year olds did not report consistent use of contraception last year.
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Westport recognised as best place to live in Ireland

The people of Westport, Co Mayo, are celebrating this morning after the town was named the best place to live in Ireland.

The competition, run by The Irish Times, pitted the town against Cork city, Rathmines in Dublin, Ardara in Donegal and Killarney, Co Kerry.

However, the panel were won over by Westport's scenic beauty, organised community and sustainability.

The chair of the judging panel and Features' Editor of the Irish Times, Conor Goodman, said the town's friendliness was key.
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Health workers may see cut in overtime, premium pay

Overtime and premium pay for some health workers could be cut in a bid to reign in overspending in the HSE.

The Irish Times has reported that the Health Minister James Reilly has raised the prospect of reduced pay rates, which would mean changes to the Croke Park agreement.

The Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has written to Minister Reilly, calling for immediate action to deal with the €200m overspend.

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