Menu
20/01/2017
Other News In Brief
Two People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
Two people have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.
Michael Doherty claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,945 while failing to declare employment. He was given a conditional discharge for two years.
Louise McDermott claimed Income Support totalling £2,831 while failing to declare employment. She was given a conditional discharge for two years.
They are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
Additional Funding Announced To Tackle Cybercrime
Justice Minister Claire Sugden has announced additional funding to improve the PSNI's ability to tackle cybercrime.
The PSNI plans to use £167,000 of funding to introduce two purpose-built mobile cyber labs.
Claire Sugden said: "It is estimated more than 50% of all crimes committed nowadays utilise the cyber environment to some degree.
"Tackling cybercrime is a priority for the PSNI, which has established a dedicated Cyber Crime Centre. The introduction of these mobile labs will both improve the capacity and capability of officers to respond to these sorts of crime."
Call For Autism Services To Be Reformed
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has challenged Department of Health Officials to reform Northern Ireland Autism services at a hearing of the Stormont Health Committee.
Mrs Dobson recently revealed that the number of children waiting for an autism spectrum assessment has increased by 280% over the last five years.
She said: "I have met with so many parents who face a double dilemma – getting to grips with the fact that their son or daughter is a little bit different from their peers but then fighting an over-complicated system where waiting times for assessments and treatments continue to rise.
"It is very clear that the current system is failing children who need specialist help and support at an early age and a new integrated model is absolutely vital if those children are not to continue to be failed.
"With officials confirming to me that referrals are increasing by up to 12% this year alone and that to the end of March this year they are expecting 3,300 assessments it is clear that the failing system must be reformed.
"Early intervention is absolutely critical and an issue which has, in far too many cases, left children and young people without the support they need, and if and when it does come, that support can in many cases be too late.
"Support must be put in place before diagnosis – given the lengthening waiting times – those children who need help must get it as soon as possible."
(CD/MH)
Two people have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.
Michael Doherty claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,945 while failing to declare employment. He was given a conditional discharge for two years.
Louise McDermott claimed Income Support totalling £2,831 while failing to declare employment. She was given a conditional discharge for two years.
They are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
Additional Funding Announced To Tackle Cybercrime
Justice Minister Claire Sugden has announced additional funding to improve the PSNI's ability to tackle cybercrime.
The PSNI plans to use £167,000 of funding to introduce two purpose-built mobile cyber labs.
Claire Sugden said: "It is estimated more than 50% of all crimes committed nowadays utilise the cyber environment to some degree.
"Tackling cybercrime is a priority for the PSNI, which has established a dedicated Cyber Crime Centre. The introduction of these mobile labs will both improve the capacity and capability of officers to respond to these sorts of crime."
Call For Autism Services To Be Reformed
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has challenged Department of Health Officials to reform Northern Ireland Autism services at a hearing of the Stormont Health Committee.
Mrs Dobson recently revealed that the number of children waiting for an autism spectrum assessment has increased by 280% over the last five years.
She said: "I have met with so many parents who face a double dilemma – getting to grips with the fact that their son or daughter is a little bit different from their peers but then fighting an over-complicated system where waiting times for assessments and treatments continue to rise.
"It is very clear that the current system is failing children who need specialist help and support at an early age and a new integrated model is absolutely vital if those children are not to continue to be failed.
"With officials confirming to me that referrals are increasing by up to 12% this year alone and that to the end of March this year they are expecting 3,300 assessments it is clear that the failing system must be reformed.
"Early intervention is absolutely critical and an issue which has, in far too many cases, left children and young people without the support they need, and if and when it does come, that support can in many cases be too late.
"Support must be put in place before diagnosis – given the lengthening waiting times – those children who need help must get it as soon as possible."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 May 2022
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
01 March 2019
Sinn Fein: Stormont Must Follow Through On Legacy Funding
Sinn Fein has called for the establishment of bodies to carry out investigations into Troubles related deaths after funding was announced for legacy inquests.
Sinn Fein: Stormont Must Follow Through On Legacy Funding
Sinn Fein has called for the establishment of bodies to carry out investigations into Troubles related deaths after funding was announced for legacy inquests.
27 August 2021
14 Cancer Charities Receive Grant Funding Totalling £7.95m
Fourteen cancer charities have received grant funding totalling £7.95 million, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. The payments have been made through the Cancer Charities Support Fund, part of a £24m package of funding made available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support carers, cancer charities and mental health organisations.
14 Cancer Charities Receive Grant Funding Totalling £7.95m
Fourteen cancer charities have received grant funding totalling £7.95 million, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. The payments have been made through the Cancer Charities Support Fund, part of a £24m package of funding made available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support carers, cancer charities and mental health organisations.
09 July 2002
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
11 August 2022
UUP Welcomes Commitment To Energy Bill Support Scheme
The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed a renewed commitment from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that equivalent support under the energy bills support scheme will be delivered to households in Northern Ireland East Belfast MLA and Communities Spokesperson, Andy Allen, said: "Since the energy bills support scheme was announced by the then Chancello
UUP Welcomes Commitment To Energy Bill Support Scheme
The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed a renewed commitment from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that equivalent support under the energy bills support scheme will be delivered to households in Northern Ireland East Belfast MLA and Communities Spokesperson, Andy Allen, said: "Since the energy bills support scheme was announced by the then Chancello
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
