THE Department of Social Protection missed its target for savings from welfare fraud last year, despite a serious crackdown on areas including cross-border fraud and disability benefit.

Protesters have staged marches around Ireland today against cuts to disability services.

THE disability lobby has criticised the Government for restricting opportunities through delays in rolling out high quality internet access.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) today insisted patient care improved last year even though it admitted failing to spend nearly a fifth of its €555m budget.