Alliance Rejects Plans To Develop New Homes On University Campus

The Alliance Party has raised objections over the development of 600 homes on the Jordanstown University of Ulster campus in Northern Ireland.

East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson said it would be "overwhelming" for the local community.

Mr Dickson said: "That amount of houses in a tight corner of the university site causes concern to residents. It's bitterly disappointing a university which prides itself on turning out architects and town planners has failed to leave behind a legacy project.

"I would have been delighted to sit down to discuss an eco-village or legacy project on this site, but this is accounting-driven."

Farmers Urged To Sign Up For CAFRE's 2015/16 Level II Agricultural Business Operations Courses

Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill is encouraging members of the farming community to sign up for CAFRE's 2015/16 Level II Agricultural Business Operations Courses before enrolment closes on 24 July 2015.

The Level II courses will be administered by CAFRE and will run over the winter months with participants obtaining a certified qualification that will satisfy the agricultural training eligibility requirements for the Young Farmer's Payment and New Entrants Scheme.

Minister O'Neill said: "Last year over 2,500 students completed the Level II certificate course which enabled them to meet the requirements for the Young Farmers' Payment and New Entrants Scheme.

"Those students I met when I visited classes last winter said they found the subjects covered very interesting and enjoyed the environment provided by CAFRE.

"I would therefore encourage those in the industry without any formal agricultural training to consider the course as it provides a good practical basis for improving farming practices and is a certified qualification."

SF Claims Villiers And Tory Colleagues Are Pushing More Children Into Poverty

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy claims Theresa Villiers and her Tory colleagues are pushing more and more children into poverty and ramping up their assault on the low paid.

Mr Murphy said: "Yesterday's budget makes it clear yet again that this Tory government is entrenched in its ideological commitment to attack public services and the most vulnerable in society. It was a clear assault on working families and those on low pay.

"Theresa Villiers and her Tory colleagues in Cameron's cabinet of millionaires have no mandate in Ireland. It's rich of the British Secretary of State to accuse parties elected by the people of the North to oppose Tory austerity of hardening their position when her government is pushing increasing numbers of children into poverty.

"The reality is that the austerity agenda of the British government is at the root of the problems facing the Executive."

(CD/JP)