A major overhaul of services for children in care in Northern Ireland has been unveiled. The proposals include reducing those in care by 20% and doubling those in education, employment or training.

Charities are losing out on money because of bogus street collectors, police have warned. The PSNI said reports from across Northern Ireland suggested fundraisers were pocketing donations given by generous passers-by. People are being urged to check identification before giving cash.

Services for children in care in Northern Ireland are to be overhauled in a bid to ensure they enjoy the same quality of life as those living with parents, the Government announced today. Health Minister Paul Goggins said he has set the task of reducing the number of children and young people in care by 20%.

New figures obtained by the Belfast Telegraph have exposed the extended waiting times endured by people caring for sick and disabled relatives in Northern Ireland. Some wait for more than a year before patients can be admitted into respite care.

A convicted rapist who must inform police of his whereabouts is living rough in a tent close to hundreds of unsuspecting Newry families, the Democrat can reveal.

The number of people forced out of their homes in Northern Ireland by domestic violence is on the rise, the government has confirmed. Women are suffering broken bones and miscarriages after being attacked while pregnant, and aid organisations said up to six women were murdered every year.

The Minister for Health has welcomed the move from the eighteen existing Health and Social Services Trusts to five integrated Trusts. The five new Trusts will become fully operational on 1 April 2007. The Ambulance Service Trust remains unchanged.

A project to improve the lives of young Northern Ireland people caring for sick parents is to benefit from lottery funding. It is one of 12 programmes to receive more than £5.2m from the Big Lottery Fund in its latest round of grants.

Dismissing the Government’s claims to have delivered a world-class health service Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, highlighted the experience of one of his own constituents in Mayo during a three day stay at the General Hospital in Castlebar.

Figures obtained by the Irish Examiner show the State is facing almost 400 compensation claims from current and former prisoners who are claiming damages for the distress of cleaning out their cells and a lack of access to flushing toilets.