The Cabinet sub-committee on COVID-19 will meet later to discuss the impact of the major restrictions introduced last Friday.

The death toll due to the virus here has gone up to 85.

A further 14 patients have died from the virus, while an additional 212 cases have been confirmed.

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A controversial sitting of the Dáil takes place later with the Labour Party boycotting it.

The House will meet this afternoon for a three hour session to debate the coronavirus.

But Labour has argued TDs should be supporting the 'stay at home' message and not having non-essential sittings of the Dáil.

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Estate agents say potential house buyers are turning to virtual purchasing to buy new homes during the coronavirus crisis.

Savills Ireland is one of the companies offering the service with the launch of a new website dedicated to both viewing and buying property online.

The firm says a sale can be completed without having to set foot in the new home you want to buy.

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Owners of private student accommodation are being called on to refund students their rents for the rest of the academic year.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) says the closure of colleges due to COVID-19 has forced many to return home.

But it says companies are still charging students for the accommodation, which can cost thousands per year.

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There were fewer adoptions in Ireland in 2019 than in any of the past 10 years.

The number of adoptions has halved over the past decade.

According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, there were 79 domestic adoptions in 2019 and 33 inter-country ones.