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03/10/2022
Other News In Brief
Call For Extra Support For Schools To Pay Their Heating Bills
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said schools across Northern Ireland require extra support to pay their heating bills.
It comes after the Department of Education said schools are facing an estimated 60% rise in energy costs.
Mr McCrossan said it was imperative that support is provided quickly to ensure schools can heat their classrooms this winter.
West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "I have been warning about the impact the cost of living emergency is having on our schools and this estimated 60% spike in energy bills brings home the scale of the challenge that they are facing to keep pupils and staff warm this winter.
"It is abhorrent that we are facing a situation where some pupils could be leaving cold homes to travel to a cold school, but given the huge financial pressures our education system was under prior to this crisis I don’t see any way that the majority can meet these costs. The impact this will have on pupils and staff can't be overestimated and will significantly impact children's education and staff's ability to teach.
"The department has said 'it is anticipated' schools will get support from the UK government, but this provides little comfort or clarity to our school principals who will be receiving these eyewatering bills. Schools need to know what support is going to be put in place to heat their classrooms this winter and they need to know now."
UUP Focuses On Making NI Work For all Of Its People Within The UK
Ulster Unionist Party leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has stated that his focus is on making Northern Ireland work for all its people within the United Kingdom.
Mr Beattie said: "The Ireland's Future conference in Dublin's 3Arena may have been a substantial event for those who want a United Ireland, but as a show of unity it demonstrated that nationalism has its own problems. The event included political, civic and celebrity voices focused on the ‘what we want’, but yet again failed to outline the 'how'.
"What I saw and heard at the conference were individuals outlining a geographical unity without a people being united. There was no plan, not even an outline, instead it was heart over head time and time again.
"I certainly don’t feel threatened by it as I believe it is as fair to have an aspiration for a United Ireland as it is for me to have a strong belief in a United Kingdom. However, it is not reasonable to ask unionists to design what they are fervently opposed to.
"As a unionist with a strong sense of Britishness and Irishness I am clear the challenge is to make Northern Ireland work for all its people. That means focusing on the economy to create better services in education, health and infrastructure, creating jobs, better housing and a connected future where all are respected regardless of their religion, sexual orientation or cultural background.
"For me this can be best achieved in the United Kingdom. Unionism needs to adapt and enhance its approach, selling the positives and being more inclusive. My confidence in my Union is unshakeable, but it can be delivered better if we focus on a union of people.
"As a positive, inclusive unionist I can listen to Jimmy Nesbitt and not feel threatened or try to portray him as some kind of modern day Lundy. In fact listening to his words I feel challenged; challenged to change his mind and thousands of others minds."
Second Phase Of Women's Community Programme Open For Applications
The Department for Communities Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Two is now open for applications.
This is the second phase of the programme following on from the pilot scheme that completed in March 2022. The Minister appointed an Advisory Panel to review the pilot programme and make recommendations which have helped to shape and set the direction for phase two.
The project is part of the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism & Organised Crime.
Welcoming the opening of the application process for phase two of the Programme Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "I am pleased to be able to launch the second phase of this important programme. It is vital we continue to develop women as leaders in their communities, to give them a voice and to empower them to take on key roles that will drive change and make communities more resilient.
"I am committed to delivering for women here particularly those in areas which have been identified as most in need. This programme will provide training and support to women of all ages equipping them with the skills knowledge and confidence to become involved in transformational community development."
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said schools across Northern Ireland require extra support to pay their heating bills.
It comes after the Department of Education said schools are facing an estimated 60% rise in energy costs.
Mr McCrossan said it was imperative that support is provided quickly to ensure schools can heat their classrooms this winter.
West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "I have been warning about the impact the cost of living emergency is having on our schools and this estimated 60% spike in energy bills brings home the scale of the challenge that they are facing to keep pupils and staff warm this winter.
"It is abhorrent that we are facing a situation where some pupils could be leaving cold homes to travel to a cold school, but given the huge financial pressures our education system was under prior to this crisis I don’t see any way that the majority can meet these costs. The impact this will have on pupils and staff can't be overestimated and will significantly impact children's education and staff's ability to teach.
"The department has said 'it is anticipated' schools will get support from the UK government, but this provides little comfort or clarity to our school principals who will be receiving these eyewatering bills. Schools need to know what support is going to be put in place to heat their classrooms this winter and they need to know now."
UUP Focuses On Making NI Work For all Of Its People Within The UK
Ulster Unionist Party leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has stated that his focus is on making Northern Ireland work for all its people within the United Kingdom.
Mr Beattie said: "The Ireland's Future conference in Dublin's 3Arena may have been a substantial event for those who want a United Ireland, but as a show of unity it demonstrated that nationalism has its own problems. The event included political, civic and celebrity voices focused on the ‘what we want’, but yet again failed to outline the 'how'.
"What I saw and heard at the conference were individuals outlining a geographical unity without a people being united. There was no plan, not even an outline, instead it was heart over head time and time again.
"I certainly don’t feel threatened by it as I believe it is as fair to have an aspiration for a United Ireland as it is for me to have a strong belief in a United Kingdom. However, it is not reasonable to ask unionists to design what they are fervently opposed to.
"As a unionist with a strong sense of Britishness and Irishness I am clear the challenge is to make Northern Ireland work for all its people. That means focusing on the economy to create better services in education, health and infrastructure, creating jobs, better housing and a connected future where all are respected regardless of their religion, sexual orientation or cultural background.
"For me this can be best achieved in the United Kingdom. Unionism needs to adapt and enhance its approach, selling the positives and being more inclusive. My confidence in my Union is unshakeable, but it can be delivered better if we focus on a union of people.
"As a positive, inclusive unionist I can listen to Jimmy Nesbitt and not feel threatened or try to portray him as some kind of modern day Lundy. In fact listening to his words I feel challenged; challenged to change his mind and thousands of others minds."
Second Phase Of Women's Community Programme Open For Applications
The Department for Communities Developing Women in the Community Programme Phase Two is now open for applications.
This is the second phase of the programme following on from the pilot scheme that completed in March 2022. The Minister appointed an Advisory Panel to review the pilot programme and make recommendations which have helped to shape and set the direction for phase two.
The project is part of the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism & Organised Crime.
Welcoming the opening of the application process for phase two of the Programme Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "I am pleased to be able to launch the second phase of this important programme. It is vital we continue to develop women as leaders in their communities, to give them a voice and to empower them to take on key roles that will drive change and make communities more resilient.
"I am committed to delivering for women here particularly those in areas which have been identified as most in need. This programme will provide training and support to women of all ages equipping them with the skills knowledge and confidence to become involved in transformational community development."
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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.
