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03/03/2022
Other News In Brief
SDLP Urge Communities Minister To Extend Energy Payment To All Households
The SDLP have called on Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to extend the £200 energy payment to all bill-payers, similar to the provision made by the Irish Government.
Making the call, the party's Communities Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "The Irish Government are providing €200 energy credit to all bill payers- the total cost of the measures agreed is €505m, with over two million households due to be paid the €200 energy credit in April. There is also to be a one-off payment of an extra €125 for people in receipt of fuel allowance.
"Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald deemed this the 'bare minimum' despite the package proving much more generous than the £55m Energy Support Scheme announced by her party colleague, Minister Hargey in the North.
"When I challenged the Minister on what support would be provided to households not in receipt of benefits, she argued that her scheme was not 'underwhelming.' It's clear the scheme here is lacking and the division in views within the Minister's own party is testament to that fact. More must be done to ensure every struggling household across the North is supported throughout this crisis.
"The £150m funding that was received via Barnett consequential from Westminster to tackle the energy crisis could be used to provide a £200 payment to every household. While the DUP’s selfish decision to collapse the Executive has hampered our attempts to support people, Minister Hargey still has the power to intervene to help families and she must explore every option available to her to do so."
Work To Begin On New Segregated Cycle-Footway Scheme In Newtownabbey
A new £275,000 segregated cycle-footway scheme is due to get underway this week in Newtownabbey, Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon has announced.
The improvement scheme, which extends a distance of approximately 580 metres along O'Neill Road, includes the installation of a new segregated cycle and footways totalling 1160 metres on both sides of the road.
Announcing the scheme Minister Mallon said: "I am pleased that with this significant investment from my Department new segregated cycle and footways are being delivered by this scheme in Newtownabbey which will greatly enhance provision for cyclists and pedestrians in the area for many years to come.
To facilitate the work the O'Neill Road temporary traffic management will be in place from the week commencing 28 February 2022 for a period of 12 weeks.
The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience, however, road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the area.
The dates and duration of the works will be dependent on favourable weather conditions. All work will be carried out in line with current public health and safety advice with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors.
Alliance Calls For Parties To 'Do What They Can' To Pass Teachers Fair Employment Legislation
Alliance have called on all NI's political parties to "do what they can" to ensure the successful passage of the private member's Bill to tackle the exclusion of teaching from fair employment legislation.
The party's Education spokesperson, Chris Lyttle, made the call ahead of the second stage of his Bill in the Assembly. Mr Lyttle said due to support from all sides of the chamber, everything must be done to pass the legislation before the end of the current mandate.
Mr Lyttle said: "There is an increasingly clear consensus, both in the Assembly and across Northern Ireland, that teachers should be included in the Fair Employment and Treatment Order.
"Almost all other professions in Northern Ireland except teachers can rely on legislation to protect them from discrimination on grounds of their perceived faith.
"The Assembly has previously adopted a position of undivided support for making the move, in a motion debated last May. Given the overwhelming desire from all parties to see this Bill passed, I urge everyone to do all we can to pass this important legislation before the end of the Assembly mandate."
The SDLP have called on Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to extend the £200 energy payment to all bill-payers, similar to the provision made by the Irish Government.
Making the call, the party's Communities Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "The Irish Government are providing €200 energy credit to all bill payers- the total cost of the measures agreed is €505m, with over two million households due to be paid the €200 energy credit in April. There is also to be a one-off payment of an extra €125 for people in receipt of fuel allowance.
"Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald deemed this the 'bare minimum' despite the package proving much more generous than the £55m Energy Support Scheme announced by her party colleague, Minister Hargey in the North.
"When I challenged the Minister on what support would be provided to households not in receipt of benefits, she argued that her scheme was not 'underwhelming.' It's clear the scheme here is lacking and the division in views within the Minister's own party is testament to that fact. More must be done to ensure every struggling household across the North is supported throughout this crisis.
"The £150m funding that was received via Barnett consequential from Westminster to tackle the energy crisis could be used to provide a £200 payment to every household. While the DUP’s selfish decision to collapse the Executive has hampered our attempts to support people, Minister Hargey still has the power to intervene to help families and she must explore every option available to her to do so."
Work To Begin On New Segregated Cycle-Footway Scheme In Newtownabbey
A new £275,000 segregated cycle-footway scheme is due to get underway this week in Newtownabbey, Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon has announced.
The improvement scheme, which extends a distance of approximately 580 metres along O'Neill Road, includes the installation of a new segregated cycle and footways totalling 1160 metres on both sides of the road.
Announcing the scheme Minister Mallon said: "I am pleased that with this significant investment from my Department new segregated cycle and footways are being delivered by this scheme in Newtownabbey which will greatly enhance provision for cyclists and pedestrians in the area for many years to come.
To facilitate the work the O'Neill Road temporary traffic management will be in place from the week commencing 28 February 2022 for a period of 12 weeks.
The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience, however, road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the area.
The dates and duration of the works will be dependent on favourable weather conditions. All work will be carried out in line with current public health and safety advice with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors.
Alliance Calls For Parties To 'Do What They Can' To Pass Teachers Fair Employment Legislation
Alliance have called on all NI's political parties to "do what they can" to ensure the successful passage of the private member's Bill to tackle the exclusion of teaching from fair employment legislation.
The party's Education spokesperson, Chris Lyttle, made the call ahead of the second stage of his Bill in the Assembly. Mr Lyttle said due to support from all sides of the chamber, everything must be done to pass the legislation before the end of the current mandate.
Mr Lyttle said: "There is an increasingly clear consensus, both in the Assembly and across Northern Ireland, that teachers should be included in the Fair Employment and Treatment Order.
"Almost all other professions in Northern Ireland except teachers can rely on legislation to protect them from discrimination on grounds of their perceived faith.
"The Assembly has previously adopted a position of undivided support for making the move, in a motion debated last May. Given the overwhelming desire from all parties to see this Bill passed, I urge everyone to do all we can to pass this important legislation before the end of the Assembly mandate."
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Minister Welcome Commitment To Deliver Energy Support Scheme
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Omicron Hospitality Payment Scheme Extended
The Omicron Hospitality Payment scheme will be extended to include hotels and certain sports clubs, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced. Under the scheme, following Executive agreement, hotels will be eligible for a one-off grant between £10,000 and £20,000 depending on their rateable value.
Omicron Hospitality Payment Scheme Extended
The Omicron Hospitality Payment scheme will be extended to include hotels and certain sports clubs, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced. Under the scheme, following Executive agreement, hotels will be eligible for a one-off grant between £10,000 and £20,000 depending on their rateable value.
11 January 2022
Communities Minister Urged To Take Control Of Emergency Fuel Scheme
The Communities Minister must take control of the Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme rather than passing the buck to a charity, DUP MLA Paula Bradley has said. Making the call, the North Belfast MLA said: "It will come as little surprise to anyone that there has been huge demand for the Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme.
Communities Minister Urged To Take Control Of Emergency Fuel Scheme
The Communities Minister must take control of the Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme rather than passing the buck to a charity, DUP MLA Paula Bradley has said. Making the call, the North Belfast MLA said: "It will come as little surprise to anyone that there has been huge demand for the Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme.
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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.
