Menu
06/09/2021
Other News In Brief
Call For Assembly To Provide Clear Covid 19 Guidance For Schools
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has called for the Assembly to be recalled over the lack of clear Covid 19 guidance for schools amid a growing number of pupil absences due to positive cases.
The West Belfast MLA and party Education spokesperson said: "Principals and school staff have been highlighting the lack of clear guidance for schools amid rising positive Covid 19 cases in our classrooms.
"The Education Minister needs to give clear guidance and put in place the necessary resources to support our school staff in keeping schools open.
"I have initiated a recall petition to ensure that the Education Minister comes to the Assembly and sets out exactly what the Department of Education will do to support schools.
"Schools have been clear on the need for department staff to help with contact tracing and better access to the Covid 19 helplines."
Appeal Issued Following Sectarian Attack In Belfast
Police are appealing for information after a suspected sectarian attack in Belfast last month.
A man was attacked last month by three men while walking his dog in the Throne Wood area connecting the Whitewell Road to the Antrim Road.
The attack, which took place at around 10pm on August 25, was reported to police on August 31.
The man was left with two suspected broken eye sockets and a broken nose, as well as being subjected to sectarian abuse.
Police are treating the incident as a sectarian hate crime.
NI Should Prepare To Offer Vaccines For 12+ - Alliance
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said Northern Ireland should continue to prepare to offer vaccinations to all children aged 12 and over, after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said that the risk from COVID to children aged 12 to 15 is marginally higher than that of taking the vaccine.
The South Belfast MLA said it was important to recognise there remains growing uncertainty in the evidence in assessing the known and unknown risks associated with different vaccines on one hand, and with ‘long COVID’ on the other.
"There is also considerable lack of clarity as to what impact vaccines have on long COVID itself, as opposed to on more immediate illness where the benefits are well established," she said.
"What is a little less clear, but will become apparent one way or the other in Northern Ireland over the next few weeks, is what benefit vaccinating schoolchildren would have to the spread of the virus among the wider population. The JCVI is stating the benefits would be minimal, and in fact vaccination is playing a lower role in stopping transmission of the virus itself than initially thought or than was evidently the case before the delta variant emerged. However, this seems to run contrary to the evidence we are seeing in Scotland, and we will soon have evidence of the impact of the return of schools here in Northern Ireland."
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has called for the Assembly to be recalled over the lack of clear Covid 19 guidance for schools amid a growing number of pupil absences due to positive cases.
The West Belfast MLA and party Education spokesperson said: "Principals and school staff have been highlighting the lack of clear guidance for schools amid rising positive Covid 19 cases in our classrooms.
"The Education Minister needs to give clear guidance and put in place the necessary resources to support our school staff in keeping schools open.
"I have initiated a recall petition to ensure that the Education Minister comes to the Assembly and sets out exactly what the Department of Education will do to support schools.
"Schools have been clear on the need for department staff to help with contact tracing and better access to the Covid 19 helplines."
Appeal Issued Following Sectarian Attack In Belfast
Police are appealing for information after a suspected sectarian attack in Belfast last month.
A man was attacked last month by three men while walking his dog in the Throne Wood area connecting the Whitewell Road to the Antrim Road.
The attack, which took place at around 10pm on August 25, was reported to police on August 31.
The man was left with two suspected broken eye sockets and a broken nose, as well as being subjected to sectarian abuse.
Police are treating the incident as a sectarian hate crime.
NI Should Prepare To Offer Vaccines For 12+ - Alliance
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said Northern Ireland should continue to prepare to offer vaccinations to all children aged 12 and over, after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said that the risk from COVID to children aged 12 to 15 is marginally higher than that of taking the vaccine.
The South Belfast MLA said it was important to recognise there remains growing uncertainty in the evidence in assessing the known and unknown risks associated with different vaccines on one hand, and with ‘long COVID’ on the other.
"There is also considerable lack of clarity as to what impact vaccines have on long COVID itself, as opposed to on more immediate illness where the benefits are well established," she said.
"What is a little less clear, but will become apparent one way or the other in Northern Ireland over the next few weeks, is what benefit vaccinating schoolchildren would have to the spread of the virus among the wider population. The JCVI is stating the benefits would be minimal, and in fact vaccination is playing a lower role in stopping transmission of the virus itself than initially thought or than was evidently the case before the delta variant emerged. However, this seems to run contrary to the evidence we are seeing in Scotland, and we will soon have evidence of the impact of the return of schools here in Northern Ireland."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Appeal Following Arson Attack In L'Derry
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following a serious arson attack in the Clon Dara area of L'Derry on Saturday, 23 November. Shortly before 8.20pm, police received a report that an accelerant had been used to ignite the front door and letterbox of a house in the area.
Appeal Following Arson Attack In L'Derry
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following a serious arson attack in the Clon Dara area of L'Derry on Saturday, 23 November. Shortly before 8.20pm, police received a report that an accelerant had been used to ignite the front door and letterbox of a house in the area.
19 November 2024
Police Appeal After Arson Attack In Newtownards
Detectives have renewed an appeal for information following a deliberate arson attack at a vacant property in the Weaver's Grange area of Newtownards. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 17 November, 2023. Police and firefighters were called to the scene at around 12:40am.
Police Appeal After Arson Attack In Newtownards
Detectives have renewed an appeal for information following a deliberate arson attack at a vacant property in the Weaver's Grange area of Newtownards. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 17 November, 2023. Police and firefighters were called to the scene at around 12:40am.
15 November 2024
Arson Attack On 5G Mast In West Belfast
Detectives in Belfast are investigating a suspected arson attack on a 5G mast in the Andersonstown Road area. The incident occurred around 9.55pm on Wednesday, November 13th. Detective Sergeant Faulkner confirmed that officers attended the scene alongside the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who successfully extinguished the blaze.
Arson Attack On 5G Mast In West Belfast
Detectives in Belfast are investigating a suspected arson attack on a 5G mast in the Andersonstown Road area. The incident occurred around 9.55pm on Wednesday, November 13th. Detective Sergeant Faulkner confirmed that officers attended the scene alongside the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who successfully extinguished the blaze.
12 November 2020
Call For Sick Pay Increase In Line With Minimum Wage
Alliance have called for Statutory sick pay (SSP) to be increased in line with the real living wage. Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA said that the change needed to be put in place to prevent anyone being forced to choose between their health and paying bills.
Call For Sick Pay Increase In Line With Minimum Wage
Alliance have called for Statutory sick pay (SSP) to be increased in line with the real living wage. Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA said that the change needed to be put in place to prevent anyone being forced to choose between their health and paying bills.
05 February 2014
Ministers Praise Twinbrook Adult Learning Scheme
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Junior Minister Jennifer McCann visited St Luke's Primary in Twinbrook, Belfast, today to see how adults from the Colin area are achieving qualifications through an education programme at the school.
Ministers Praise Twinbrook Adult Learning Scheme
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Junior Minister Jennifer McCann visited St Luke's Primary in Twinbrook, Belfast, today to see how adults from the Colin area are achieving qualifications through an education programme at the school.
-
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.
