Yet many students in Ireland reach secondary school without foundational financial skills. Teaching money in the classroom supports life readiness and builds confidence, particularly when combined with age-appropriate, hands-on learning. A “mini-market” activity—where students create and sell crafts using classroom currency—is another fun way to link entrepreneurship with money management. Secondary: Life skills and financial wellbeingSecondary students benefit from structured learning on budgeting, savings, and long-term planning. Why it works across all levelsTeaching about “enough” allows students to think critically about needs versus wants, financial values, and future planning.

The new Garda commissioner is set to be announced early next week, following a recruitment competition. Deputy Commissioners Justin Kelly and Shawna Coxon are believed to have applied for the position. The new Garda commissioner is set to be confirmed and announced early next week, following a recruitment competition. Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly has applied for the position, while sources said Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon has also done so. Although the successful candidate has not been notified yet, sources say Deputy Commissioner Kelly is widely regarded as the favourite [2].References:[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/07/24/new-garda-commissioner-set-to-be-announced-within-days-to-succeed-drew-harris/[2] https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/new-garda-commissioner-succeed-drew-35613924

The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge following the shooting. Photograph: Oliver McVeigh/PAThe victims of a shooting in Co Fermanagh are understood to be a mother and her two children. A fourth individual, an adult male, is in a serious condition in hospital in Belfast. The woman and one child were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other child died later in hospital. The police chief said the incident “just happened prior to police attending so ... it [was] a very harrowing scene for all involved”.

Locals in Dungloe have nicknamed a local abandoned housing estate as "the Titanic", as it has been sinking since being completed in 2007. Video: Joe Dunne

The U.S. and European Union are nearing a trade agreement that would establish a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods imported into the United States, according to multiple diplomatic sources. The deal, if finalized, would stabilize existing tariffs and mitigate the risk of a full-scale trade war, particularly after years of escalating tensions under previous administrations. The agreement has advanced to a critical phase, with EU diplomats confirming that negotiators have narrowed the scope to a framework centered on the 15% tariff, alongside limited exemptions. The 15% tariff would impact billions of euros in annual EU exports, including automotive parts and consumer electronics. The 15% tariff, while significant, offers a structured path to stabilize trade relations ahead of potential disruptions from U.S. elections or shifts in EU policy priorities.

Elon Musk speaks at Tesla earnings callTesla is set to report its Q2 financial results on Wednesday, July 23, following a year of challenging news for the electric vehicle (EV) giant. Earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be 42 cents, down from 52 cents in Q2 2024. Elon Musk's return to full-time focus on Tesla, following his departure from the White House, will be a significant talking point. Musk has been "sleeping in the office" to reassure shareholders that his companies have his full attention [3].Analysts are mixed in their expectations for the earnings call. Despite the challenges faced, Tesla's stock performance suggests that investors are cautiously optimistic about the company's prospects.References:[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2025/07/22/tesla-is-set-to-report-earnings-who-cares/[2] https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46560027/tesla-q2-earnings-preview-will-robotaxis-ai-wartime-ceo-elon-musk-deliver[3] https://nypost.com/2025/07/21/business/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-back-to-sleeping-in-the-office-ahead-of-earnings-this-week/

Locals in Dungloe have nicknamed a local abandoned housing estate as "the Titanic", as it has been sinking since being completed in 2007. Video: Joe Dunne

Irish merger and acquisition (M&A) activity rose 4% in the first half of 2025 compared to last year, bucking European and global trends. The total value of transactions, however, fell by over half due to a slowdown in large-cap and transformational deals worth more than €500 million. Irish merger and acquisition (M&A) activity continued to defy European and global trends in the first half of 2025, with a 4% increase in the number of deals compared to the same period last year. The total value of transactions announced in the Republic this year was €8.8 billion, down 51% from the first half of 2024. At the macroeconomic level, the slower pace of global economic growth forecast by the International Monetary Fund is also a headwind for Irish M&A activity.

There was no provision for it either in the Dublin city development plan 2016-2022 or in the 2009 George’s Quay local area plan. Tower of darkness: plans for the redesigned, blue-black residential tower at College Square. The new Longstone House/College Square building development over the Dublin skyline. Photograph: Chris MaddaloniThe new Longstone House/College Square building development over the Dublin skyline seen from College Green. Photograph: Chris MaddaloniThe new Longstone House/College Square building development over the Dublin skyline seen from inside Trinity.

The Irish presidential election is underway, with Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness and Galway TD Catherine Connolly emerging as candidates. The election campaign has been criticized for being expensive and brutal, deterring some potential candidates from running. The Irish presidential election, scheduled to take place by November 11, 2025, is shaping up to be a closely contested race. Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness and Galway TD Catherine Connolly have emerged as the leading candidates, with other major parties still undecided on their nominees. With McGuinness and Connolly leading the race, the election is expected to be closely contested, with several undecided voters.

The Irish government is preparing to publish its revised National Development Plan, focusing on state investment in energy, water, and housing, while tightening control on day-to-day spending and ending one-off budget giveaways. The budget will likely include extra cash for state services and welfare, as well as a modest tax package. However, the government will have to sell the message of restraint to voters, who have become accustomed to budget day goodies. This strategic shift aims to address longstanding infrastructure challenges and stimulate economic growth. The focus on state investment in critical sectors is a strategic move aimed at addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges and stimulating economic growth.

Voters have become more cautious on the Occupied Territories Bill in recent months, with almost half of all voters now favouring either not passing the Bill or investigating the possible consequences for Ireland before passing it. About 38 per cent of people, however, say the Government “should investigate possible consequences for Ireland before passing the Bill”, while a further 10 per cent are opposed to passing the Bill at all. There is significant nervousness in Government about the possible economic consequences of passing the legislation. Meanwhile, head of employers’ group Ibec, Danny McCoy, citing concerns about the consequences for business, said the Bill was “hypocritical”. After meetings with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Michael D Higgins and Attorney General Rossa Fanning, Agnes Callamard told The Irish Times she believed the Government’s assessment was that the costs would be “minimal”.

Denis Morris appeared before Dublin District Court on Monday charged with stalking an online influencer at a hotel in the city. Photograph: Collins CourtsA man accused of stalking an online influencer in Dublin has been remanded on bail and warned not to contact the woman or carry out research about her. Denis Morris (23) appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court on Monday. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal of the case at District Court level. The offence, on conviction in the District Court, carries a maximum 12-month sentence, but ten years’ imprisonment if the case proceeds on indictment to the Circuit Court.

Meath 0-13 Donegal 3-2258 Mins: Goal for Donegal! Meath 0-6 Donegal 0-713 Mins: Donegal are so efficient up front, another score, this one from Langan. Meath 0-3 Donegal 0-47 Mins: Meath turnover Donegal, but Morris is too keen for a goal and his pass is overplayed. Meath 0-3 Donegal 0-25 Mins: Donegal patiently play with the Meath defence before Conor O’Donnell gets their second. Meath 0-3 Donegal 0-23 Mins: Meath a little ponderous, but then they win the Patton kickout.

Flipped fuel cutoff switches starved engines of crashed Air India jet, according to a report. Heatwave Continues in IrelandThe Irish weather has been characterized by a prolonged period of extremely warm temperatures, with record-breaking heat forecast for the coming weekend. Temperatures of 30 degrees are possible in many parts of the midlands, while the south, particularly Cork and Kerry, will experience temperatures below 25 degrees. The fuel cutoff switches for both engines went from the "RUN" position to the "CUTOFF" position within one second, starving the engines of fuel. The fuel flow was restored shortly after, but the plane crashed due to insufficient time for the automatic restart sequence.