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14/01/2010
Other NI News In Brief
Snares 'Suffering' Highlighted
An Ulster Unionist member of the Stormont Assembly Environment Committee, Danny Kinahan, (pictured) has called for a change in the law on the use of snares. Speaking during the second stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, Mr Kinahan commented: "I do not like the idea of unnecessary suffering and I welcome the fact that there will be six new offences. However, I query whether we will have the resources, funding and ability to enforce them," he said, noting that snares prove useful in pest control only in a tiny number of cases, in the vast majority of cases other less barbaric methods can be better employed," he said.
M1 'Bomb' Leads To Arrest
Soon after parts of a bomb were found in a security alert on a stretch of the M1 motorway, a 20-year-old man said to be connected with the disruption has been arrested in the Newry area. The road, which was closed for several hours between Tamnamore and Loughgall while Army bomb experts examined the suspicious object, has since reopened. The parts, which were found near the Coalisland off-slip, have been taken away for further examination.
Maskey Threat Condemned
The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Barry Gilligan has condemned the threat to Board Member Alex Maskey MLA. "Alex Maskey is a public representative who is committed to moving policing forward in our society and those who made this threat against him have nothing to offer. There is no place in our society for these people who are attempting to discourage a political member from playing his full part in the policing of our community and I strongly condemn their actions," he said, commenting on this week's loyalist paramilitary threat to the Sinn Féin representative.
Suicide Prevention
A new scheme aimed at helping to reduce levels of self harm and suicide has been launched today by the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. The 'Card Before you Leave' scheme will mean that any patient being discharged from an in-patient, or an A&E setting, who requires ongoing attention from mental health teams, will now receive a card prior to discharge, giving details of contact numbers for support, and of how follow up care will progress. "This little card is very important for those for whom it has been designed – for some it could be a lifeline and we will see a standard of care across NI which will ensure that all patients at risk of self-harm, will receive details of follow-up arrangements for their ongoing care prior to their discharge from either an in-patient ward, or an A&E department."
Numbers Count
The NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has met with the Literacy and Numeracy Taskforce to discuss progress on ensuring all young people have the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed in life. The Sinn Féin Minster established the Taskforce in February 2008 and its role is to help finalise a strategy for the promotion of literacy and numeracy, and to report to the Department on the strategy's effectiveness. "I am putting in place a range of inter-connected policies, all part of the same jigsaw of reform – Every School a Good School, Revised Curriculum, Entitlement Framework, Transfer 2010, Irish medium Review, Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Review, Early Years Strategy, Review of Public Administration – all taken forward to promote equality and the raising of standards within the system," she said, yesterday, noting that she will also shortly publish a revised literacy and numeracy strategy.
Graduate Opportunity
Unemployed graduates in NI could benefit from a unique initiative, the Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP). It offers a work placement alongside further study, and it is hoped GAP will help them secure long-term employment. GAP will provide graduates with employability skills and the much-needed experience that is often required to get a job. The work placement lasts up to 26 weeks, during which graduates complete a project or piece of work while studying for one of two specially developed qualifications: the Graduate Certificate in Organisation and Management with Queen's University Belfast; or the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice with the University of Ulster. Employers who participate in GAP will not be required to pay a wage, as every graduate on the programme will continue to receive their current rate of benefit plus an additional £15.38 per week.
(BMcC/GK)
An Ulster Unionist member of the Stormont Assembly Environment Committee, Danny Kinahan, (pictured) has called for a change in the law on the use of snares. Speaking during the second stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, Mr Kinahan commented: "I do not like the idea of unnecessary suffering and I welcome the fact that there will be six new offences. However, I query whether we will have the resources, funding and ability to enforce them," he said, noting that snares prove useful in pest control only in a tiny number of cases, in the vast majority of cases other less barbaric methods can be better employed," he said.
M1 'Bomb' Leads To Arrest
Soon after parts of a bomb were found in a security alert on a stretch of the M1 motorway, a 20-year-old man said to be connected with the disruption has been arrested in the Newry area. The road, which was closed for several hours between Tamnamore and Loughgall while Army bomb experts examined the suspicious object, has since reopened. The parts, which were found near the Coalisland off-slip, have been taken away for further examination.
Maskey Threat Condemned
The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Barry Gilligan has condemned the threat to Board Member Alex Maskey MLA. "Alex Maskey is a public representative who is committed to moving policing forward in our society and those who made this threat against him have nothing to offer. There is no place in our society for these people who are attempting to discourage a political member from playing his full part in the policing of our community and I strongly condemn their actions," he said, commenting on this week's loyalist paramilitary threat to the Sinn Féin representative.
Suicide Prevention
A new scheme aimed at helping to reduce levels of self harm and suicide has been launched today by the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. The 'Card Before you Leave' scheme will mean that any patient being discharged from an in-patient, or an A&E setting, who requires ongoing attention from mental health teams, will now receive a card prior to discharge, giving details of contact numbers for support, and of how follow up care will progress. "This little card is very important for those for whom it has been designed – for some it could be a lifeline and we will see a standard of care across NI which will ensure that all patients at risk of self-harm, will receive details of follow-up arrangements for their ongoing care prior to their discharge from either an in-patient ward, or an A&E department."
Numbers Count
The NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has met with the Literacy and Numeracy Taskforce to discuss progress on ensuring all young people have the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed in life. The Sinn Féin Minster established the Taskforce in February 2008 and its role is to help finalise a strategy for the promotion of literacy and numeracy, and to report to the Department on the strategy's effectiveness. "I am putting in place a range of inter-connected policies, all part of the same jigsaw of reform – Every School a Good School, Revised Curriculum, Entitlement Framework, Transfer 2010, Irish medium Review, Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Review, Early Years Strategy, Review of Public Administration – all taken forward to promote equality and the raising of standards within the system," she said, yesterday, noting that she will also shortly publish a revised literacy and numeracy strategy.
Graduate Opportunity
Unemployed graduates in NI could benefit from a unique initiative, the Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP). It offers a work placement alongside further study, and it is hoped GAP will help them secure long-term employment. GAP will provide graduates with employability skills and the much-needed experience that is often required to get a job. The work placement lasts up to 26 weeks, during which graduates complete a project or piece of work while studying for one of two specially developed qualifications: the Graduate Certificate in Organisation and Management with Queen's University Belfast; or the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice with the University of Ulster. Employers who participate in GAP will not be required to pay a wage, as every graduate on the programme will continue to receive their current rate of benefit plus an additional £15.38 per week.
(BMcC/GK)
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A Graduate Winter Bootcamp at the University of Ulster to boost graduates' employment prospects has proved so popular that organisers are planning a series of similar events for the future. The two-day forum attracted more participants than expected and those who were unable to secure a place will be enrolled in the next session.
Bootcamp Offers Employment Boost
A Graduate Winter Bootcamp at the University of Ulster to boost graduates' employment prospects has proved so popular that organisers are planning a series of similar events for the future. The two-day forum attracted more participants than expected and those who were unable to secure a place will be enrolled in the next session.
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Marriage increase in Northern Ireland
Latest figures have revealed that there has been an increase in the number of marriages in Northern Ireland. The number for 2006 was just 8,300, a small increase on the 8,100 marriages registered in 2005, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) said. This is a significant increase on the recent low of 7,300 registered in 2001.
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Investigation Launched After Threat Made By Armed Man In Belfast
Police have launched an investigation following a report of a threat made by an armed man at a shop in Belfast city centre. The incident occurred in the Fisherwick Place area at around 3.10pm on Wednesday, 05 April. The man is believed to be aged in his 20s and was armed with a knife. He looked in the till before fleeing the scene empty-handed.
Investigation Launched After Threat Made By Armed Man In Belfast
Police have launched an investigation following a report of a threat made by an armed man at a shop in Belfast city centre. The incident occurred in the Fisherwick Place area at around 3.10pm on Wednesday, 05 April. The man is believed to be aged in his 20s and was armed with a knife. He looked in the till before fleeing the scene empty-handed.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
