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05/08/2021
Other News In Brief
Alex Maskey To Stand Down From NI Assembly
Alex Maskey has announced that he will not contest the next Assembly election.
The 69-year-old Sinn Féin MLA and Stormont Speaker is one of small number of MLAs who have served in the Assembly since it was established in 1998.
In 2002 Mr Maskey became the first Sinn Féin member to hold the position of Lord Mayor of Belfast and he has been Speaker of the Assembly since Stormont was restored last year.
New Bookstart Baby Programme Announced
The UK's largest children's reading charity BookTrust is to work with the Department for Education to provide book packs to families with babies born in 2021.
The new programme aims to support early learning and development and encourage a positive home learning environment.
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen said: "I'm pleased to support the Bookstart Baby programme in Northern Ireland this year, which will ensure parents are encouraged to read with their babies and young children
"Bookstart Baby packs aim to promote a love of reading in children from as young an age as possible. Reading to a child has enormous benefits from helping to build confidence, and develop empathy, creativity, communication and social skills, and is also a huge pleasure in itself.
"Around 24,000 babies born in 2020 were gifted a Bookstart Baby pack. This was especially important last year during the pandemic, as parents were limited in accessing normal support services.
"This is an essential programme for families in the local community as it reminds parents of the importance of looking at books and reading together. Shared reading with young children supports language development, confidence, communication skills and resilience."
Fund Established For Aluminium Cladding Removal
A new £1 million fund is to be established to remove aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding from private residential buildings over 18 metres.
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, made the announcement following a meeting with leaseholder representatives of Victoria Place Apartments which has ACM cladding installed on part of the building.
Minister Murphy said: "The Executive approved the establishment of this fund on 08 July. Since then my Department has worked at pace on development of the remediation fund. We are currently finalising the scheme design and eligibility criteria. Next month the Fund will open for applications and we will also be publishing a call for evidence to identify any other buildings over 18 metres with combustible ACM cladding which have not yet been identified.
"This Fund will protect leaseholders from the cost of replacing unsafe cladding on their homes, provide homeowners with reassurance and bring confidence to the housing market."
Alex Maskey has announced that he will not contest the next Assembly election.
The 69-year-old Sinn Féin MLA and Stormont Speaker is one of small number of MLAs who have served in the Assembly since it was established in 1998.
In 2002 Mr Maskey became the first Sinn Féin member to hold the position of Lord Mayor of Belfast and he has been Speaker of the Assembly since Stormont was restored last year.
New Bookstart Baby Programme Announced
The UK's largest children's reading charity BookTrust is to work with the Department for Education to provide book packs to families with babies born in 2021.
The new programme aims to support early learning and development and encourage a positive home learning environment.
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen said: "I'm pleased to support the Bookstart Baby programme in Northern Ireland this year, which will ensure parents are encouraged to read with their babies and young children
"Bookstart Baby packs aim to promote a love of reading in children from as young an age as possible. Reading to a child has enormous benefits from helping to build confidence, and develop empathy, creativity, communication and social skills, and is also a huge pleasure in itself.
"Around 24,000 babies born in 2020 were gifted a Bookstart Baby pack. This was especially important last year during the pandemic, as parents were limited in accessing normal support services.
"This is an essential programme for families in the local community as it reminds parents of the importance of looking at books and reading together. Shared reading with young children supports language development, confidence, communication skills and resilience."
Fund Established For Aluminium Cladding Removal
A new £1 million fund is to be established to remove aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding from private residential buildings over 18 metres.
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, made the announcement following a meeting with leaseholder representatives of Victoria Place Apartments which has ACM cladding installed on part of the building.
Minister Murphy said: "The Executive approved the establishment of this fund on 08 July. Since then my Department has worked at pace on development of the remediation fund. We are currently finalising the scheme design and eligibility criteria. Next month the Fund will open for applications and we will also be publishing a call for evidence to identify any other buildings over 18 metres with combustible ACM cladding which have not yet been identified.
"This Fund will protect leaseholders from the cost of replacing unsafe cladding on their homes, provide homeowners with reassurance and bring confidence to the housing market."
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20 November 2024
£17m To Support Pensioners Affected By Winter Fuel Payment Changes
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £17 million fund to support pensioners who have lost eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment due to recent UK government changes. The one-off £100 payment will be automatically issued to an estimated 250,000 pensioners in around 170,000 households before the end of March 2025.
£17m To Support Pensioners Affected By Winter Fuel Payment Changes
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £17 million fund to support pensioners who have lost eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment due to recent UK government changes. The one-off £100 payment will be automatically issued to an estimated 250,000 pensioners in around 170,000 households before the end of March 2025.
15 November 2024
New Pathway To Support Young People With Diabetes
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the launch of a new Regional Young Adults' Progression Pathway designed to support young people with Type 1 diabetes as they transition to adult services.
New Pathway To Support Young People With Diabetes
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the launch of a new Regional Young Adults' Progression Pathway designed to support young people with Type 1 diabetes as they transition to adult services.
22 November 2024
Major Drug Bust In Omagh Linked To INLA
Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force have made a significant drug seizure in Omagh. Officers searched a van in the Doogary Road area on Thursday morning, 21st November, and recovered a substantial quantity of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of £750,000.
Major Drug Bust In Omagh Linked To INLA
Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force have made a significant drug seizure in Omagh. Officers searched a van in the Doogary Road area on Thursday morning, 21st November, and recovered a substantial quantity of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of £750,000.
18 April 2002
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
10 October 2024
Ministers Affirm Commitment To Baby Loss Certificate Scheme
Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have issued a joint message of support to those affected by pregnancy and baby loss. The Ministers confirmed their commitment to working together to deliver a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme for parents who have lost a baby during pregnancy up to 24 weeks.
Ministers Affirm Commitment To Baby Loss Certificate Scheme
Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have issued a joint message of support to those affected by pregnancy and baby loss. The Ministers confirmed their commitment to working together to deliver a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme for parents who have lost a baby during pregnancy up to 24 weeks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
