Leading adoption organisation Adoption UK will today appeal for Ulster’s Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to tackle lengthy delays in the adoption process here.

Disability groups are hitting out at charges for long-term care for intellectually disabled people.

The Irish Foster Care Association has said that there is an urgent need for new foster parents throughout the country.

The High Court has reserved judgment until Monday on an action taken by a couple who say the Adoption Board is preventing them from adopting a child from Ethiopia.

A Polish man wanted in his native country for the alleged sexual exploitation of children has walked free from the High Court after the request for his extradition was refused.

The Government is being urged to suspend the introduction of its proposed new community childcare subvention scheme.

A coroner has said that there is no evidence of any lack of care by staff at a Belfast day centre after a man collapsed there and later died in hospital over a year ago.

Nearly 2,000 people died from alcohol-related problems over an 11-year period, a new study released today reveals.

The Simon Community says it is concerned that the Government will cut funding for homeless services in this December’s budget.

New measures are being introduced to tighten up the law on the sex-offenders register and to combat the sexual grooming of children.