PUBLIC hospitals are owed almost €200 million in unpaid private patient charges, inpatient levies and other costs over the past year as a direct result of insurance coverage delays.

SIGNIFICANT failings in the management and staffing of special care units are compromising the state’s capacity to meet the needs of the vulnerable children they house, a report has found.

ALCOHOL and drug abuse in the family was the primary reason why children were being monitored by social workers under child protection guidelines, according to the most recent Government report on childcare services.

THE HSE has spent more than half a million euro since the start of 2007 investigating bullying allegations and paying out compensation to workers targeted by harassment.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that seven Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the months of July and August bringing the total number of Closure Orders served this year to 18.