The Best Comment & Opinion in Kilkenny

68% of Irish adults aged between 25 and 29 were still living at home last year. at compares to an EU average of 42%.

For women in this age group, 61% have yet to move out, while almost three-quarters (74%) of men have yet to y the nest.

However, a decade ago, just 36% of those aged 25 to 29 were still living with their parents.

A combination of high rents and a lack of a ordable housing means more Irish adults than ever before are unable to leave the family home.

In 2019, fewer than half (45%) of Irish adults aged 25-29 were living with their parents, which was only just above the EU average.

PAUL HOPKINS

Telling it like it is. And with no holds barred

In 2020 and 2021 the gures climbed to 52% and 61% respectively as the country struggled through the Covid-19 pandemic which saw many young adults return to their childhood home.

However, as other EU countries saw a decline in the number of adults living with their parents since then, in Ireland it

MARIANNE HERON

A straight shooter. Considerate and wise words has increased still further and now stands at 68%.

In comparison, just 5.7% of Finnish adults aged 25-29 live with their parents, 4.4% of Danes and 6.3% of Swedes.

In France, a quarter of adults in their mid to late 20s are still living at home.

See Special Report Page 14

JOHN ELLIS

Great advice. Your money in mind tries must be checked as part of the vetting process, which was slower when it involved an international component. e Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents more than11,000 rank and le Gardaí in a near 14,000-strong force, said was “worried” at the continued fall in Garda numbers.

Sound of Music for 50 years

Founded in 1973 by Kilkenny theatre legend Donal O’Brien and the late and great Kitty Drohan, Kilkenny Musical Society is this year, celebrating its 50th anniversary. is group of local singers, actors, musicians and dancers performed their rst production of ‘ e Gypsy Baron’ in the spring of 1974 in the Friary Hall, Kilkenny and this was to become the home of the society until 1992.

Full story Page 10

Your work rights when you’re ill

In the past, as an employee you had no legal right to receive payment from your employer during periods of sick leave and you had no entitlement to statutory payment during the rst three days of a medically certi ed absence. However, since January a new sick pay scheme was introduced to provide workers with some level of nancial support during illness.

John Ellis Page 16

Peadar Malone’s chirpy smile

Peadar Malone was laid to rest on Monday, August 7. I loved Peader. Everyone did as evidenced by the chock-a-block crowd in St Patrick’s Parish church that morning. Standing room only. Not to mention the huge crowd standing outside. Half of the parish was there plus a huge contingent from the ‘Continent’ .

Gerry Moran Page 20