The Rape Crisis Centre has expressed deep concern over today’s crime statistics which reveal a decrease of two thirds in the number of aggravated sexual assaults.

The Crime Victims Helpline has reported a 60% increase in calls during the first three months of this year. The service, which offers support to people who fall victim to

Talks between health service employers and nursing unions resume this morning under the auspices of the National Implementation Body. The fresh round of discussions got under way yesterday afternoon at Government Buildings.

The final stages of the Criminal Justice Bill were passed in the Dáil, last night, by a vote of 62 to 11. The bill was opposed by Sinn Féin, the Greens and a number of Independents, while Fine Gael and Labour abstained.

The Irish Nurses Organisation and Psychiatric Nurses Association have agreed to suspend a planned escalation of one-hour work stoppages in over 50 hospitals due to take place later this week. The announcement was made after talks between the nursing unions and the National Implementation Body.

The Irish Health Service has come under increasing pressure with the news that hospital consultants are to be balloted on possible industrial action. The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) took the decision yesterday and if approved by the 1600 members the action will take place on May 21.

The Northern Ireland chief inspector of schools is expected to say vulnerable and low achieving pupils need more help in schools and training organisations. Marian Matchett is due to sum up what her team of inspectors found over two school years.

A scam to steal people’s medical details to secure prescriptions for the heroin substitute drug, diazepam, has been uncovered in County Antrim. Last week, a 77-year-old woman got a phone call, allegedly from a Ballymena health centre.

A charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis is hoping devolution will lead to better services for sufferers in Northern Ireland. Kate Fleck of Arthritis Care was speaking as the charity prepared to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Fresh talks are reportedly being planned for next week in a renewed effort to resolve the nurses’ dispute. Reports this morning say the National Implementation Body could be set to step in and call both sides back to the table.