04/02/2013
Other News In Brief
Two Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
Two people were convicted at Larne Magistrates court recently for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Violet Hunter, 51, of Linn Road, Larne claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £11,900 while failing to declare employment. She was given a two month prison sentence suspended for two years, fined £1,200 and ordered to pay court costs of £55.
James Shaw, 67, of Hillmount Gardens, Larne claimed Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Incapacity Benefit totalling £15,145 while failing to declare capital. He was given a two month prison sentence suspended for two years, fined £750 and ordered to pay court costs of £49.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
SDLP Calls For Free School Transport For Everyone
SDLP Education spokesperson Sean Rogers has pressed the Minister for Education and the Minister for Regional Development to adopt a joint up approach when it comes to pursuing free public transport for all school pupils.
Mr Rogers was speaking today ahead of an Assembly debate on the feasibility of free school transport.
He said: "It is fair to say that since the current arrangement for the provision of home-to-school transport came into effect in 1996 a number of its provisions are now clearly out of date. Since then there have been a number of papers published into various cost saving measures the department could utilise in respect of improving the school transport policy for children.
"A review of the home- to- school transport policy is long overdue. An opportunity now exists for the Minister for Education and the Minister for Regional Development to adopt a joint up approach and assess the feasibility of a policy which would provide all school pupils access to public transport. This must be done with minimal delay. Transport policy, including eligibility, the definition of suitable school, and the potential for some parents to contribute to costs, should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity.
"I understand that the concessionary fares schemes currently in place cost the Department £30 million per annum but this support is crucial to alleviating the financial burden of parents. It is essential that access to public transport is not undermined by curtailing access to concessionary schemes."
(CD)
Two people were convicted at Larne Magistrates court recently for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Violet Hunter, 51, of Linn Road, Larne claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £11,900 while failing to declare employment. She was given a two month prison sentence suspended for two years, fined £1,200 and ordered to pay court costs of £55.
James Shaw, 67, of Hillmount Gardens, Larne claimed Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Incapacity Benefit totalling £15,145 while failing to declare capital. He was given a two month prison sentence suspended for two years, fined £750 and ordered to pay court costs of £49.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
SDLP Calls For Free School Transport For Everyone
SDLP Education spokesperson Sean Rogers has pressed the Minister for Education and the Minister for Regional Development to adopt a joint up approach when it comes to pursuing free public transport for all school pupils.
Mr Rogers was speaking today ahead of an Assembly debate on the feasibility of free school transport.
He said: "It is fair to say that since the current arrangement for the provision of home-to-school transport came into effect in 1996 a number of its provisions are now clearly out of date. Since then there have been a number of papers published into various cost saving measures the department could utilise in respect of improving the school transport policy for children.
"A review of the home- to- school transport policy is long overdue. An opportunity now exists for the Minister for Education and the Minister for Regional Development to adopt a joint up approach and assess the feasibility of a policy which would provide all school pupils access to public transport. This must be done with minimal delay. Transport policy, including eligibility, the definition of suitable school, and the potential for some parents to contribute to costs, should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity.
"I understand that the concessionary fares schemes currently in place cost the Department £30 million per annum but this support is crucial to alleviating the financial burden of parents. It is essential that access to public transport is not undermined by curtailing access to concessionary schemes."
(CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
