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12/10/2022
Other News In Brief
John Finucane And Daniel Baker Portraits Unveiled At Belfast City Hall
Official portraits of two former Lord Mayors of Belfast, MP John Finucane and Daniel Baker MLA, have been unveiled at Belfast City Hall.
The portraits were unveiled at a special ceremony on Tuesday 11 October.
The current Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tina Black attended the unveiling at City Hall and said: "These portraits represent a significant time in history for John and Danny and encapsulate the immense pride both had in wearing the chain of office.
"Commissioning a portrait to mark a Lord Mayor's term in office is a long-standing tradition which further enhances the visitor experience at City Hall. They are also considered important historical artefacts and contribute greatly to the fabric of the building's rich history."
The portraits are on public display in Belfast City Hall and will be viewed by thousands of people each year during public tours of the building.
Councillor Black also remarked that the portraits were curated by local artists and warmly congratulated the artists involved for their "outstanding time, effort and skill".
Describing the portraits as "unique and an endorsement of the city's artistic talents", Councillor Black said that the work of artists Tony Bell and Leah Davis will now become part of the legacy and history of City Hall.
She added: "As a city we are incredibly proud of our phenomenal artists and the Lord Mayor's yearly portrait helps shine a spotlight on our artistic community.
"I hope that by providing local artists this opportunity and championing their skill, it will open more doors for them to showcase their talent."
Lack Of Funding Is Hindering Education Reform
A lack of funding is hindering education reform in Northern Ireland, SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said as he welcomed the Interim report from the Independent Review of Education.
This report spells out the major issues regarding the education sector but has not spelt out solutions.
West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "This report accurately spells out the problems within our education system, and echos many of the issues I and the SDLP raised in our written submission to the panel. It rightly highlights issues including those around early years, underachievement, curriculum, FE and HE and governance.
"However, the real crux of the matter is how these changes will be funded. The report itself (page 20) points out that our school funding is 5.5% lower than the UK average, that there was a 10% cut in funding in the seven years before Covid, and that spending on higher education, further education and industry skills has been cut by a third.
"At a meeting earlier this month with the Education Authority, they identified a need for £267m in additional funding just for things to stand still. Without a reversal of previous cuts, a significant increase in resources and a functioning Executive to make the legislative changes necessary, we are not going to see the change in our education system we all want and need and this will have a significant impact on our young people and their ability to realise their full potential."
Alliance Address £15m Health Spend On Agency Staff
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has responded to the Department of Health's instruction that spending on agency staff must be reduced by £15 million by emphasising that the issue has long been known and that Northern Ireland is unique in not having addressed it.
The South Belfast MLA said: "We are now facing an emergency cut of £15 million to staffing when we had the opportunity years ago to deal with this issue.
"Other parts of the UK have dealt with this issue since 2015, either by regulating agency pay or through safe staffing legislation which prohibits pay to agencies above a certain level.
"Yet again, we are seeing that Northern Ireland opted for inaction, and now has to act in the short term to meet budget restraints.
"Once again we see here the cost, literally, of the Executive failing to operate from 2017 to 2020 and again since March, when safe staffing legislation could have been put in place to deal with these issues, boost morale among staff, and put the Health Service on a firmer financial footing.
"Those who fail to meet the responsibility which comes with the mandate are failing those who rely on the Health Service. Heading into a winter of economic crisis, it is time those holding up the functioning of our democratic institutions recognised that the penalty for their refusal to do the work they were elected to do will be paid by the people, not political opponents."
Official portraits of two former Lord Mayors of Belfast, MP John Finucane and Daniel Baker MLA, have been unveiled at Belfast City Hall.
The portraits were unveiled at a special ceremony on Tuesday 11 October.
The current Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tina Black attended the unveiling at City Hall and said: "These portraits represent a significant time in history for John and Danny and encapsulate the immense pride both had in wearing the chain of office.
"Commissioning a portrait to mark a Lord Mayor's term in office is a long-standing tradition which further enhances the visitor experience at City Hall. They are also considered important historical artefacts and contribute greatly to the fabric of the building's rich history."
The portraits are on public display in Belfast City Hall and will be viewed by thousands of people each year during public tours of the building.
Councillor Black also remarked that the portraits were curated by local artists and warmly congratulated the artists involved for their "outstanding time, effort and skill".
Describing the portraits as "unique and an endorsement of the city's artistic talents", Councillor Black said that the work of artists Tony Bell and Leah Davis will now become part of the legacy and history of City Hall.
She added: "As a city we are incredibly proud of our phenomenal artists and the Lord Mayor's yearly portrait helps shine a spotlight on our artistic community.
"I hope that by providing local artists this opportunity and championing their skill, it will open more doors for them to showcase their talent."
Lack Of Funding Is Hindering Education Reform
A lack of funding is hindering education reform in Northern Ireland, SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said as he welcomed the Interim report from the Independent Review of Education.
This report spells out the major issues regarding the education sector but has not spelt out solutions.
West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "This report accurately spells out the problems within our education system, and echos many of the issues I and the SDLP raised in our written submission to the panel. It rightly highlights issues including those around early years, underachievement, curriculum, FE and HE and governance.
"However, the real crux of the matter is how these changes will be funded. The report itself (page 20) points out that our school funding is 5.5% lower than the UK average, that there was a 10% cut in funding in the seven years before Covid, and that spending on higher education, further education and industry skills has been cut by a third.
"At a meeting earlier this month with the Education Authority, they identified a need for £267m in additional funding just for things to stand still. Without a reversal of previous cuts, a significant increase in resources and a functioning Executive to make the legislative changes necessary, we are not going to see the change in our education system we all want and need and this will have a significant impact on our young people and their ability to realise their full potential."
Alliance Address £15m Health Spend On Agency Staff
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has responded to the Department of Health's instruction that spending on agency staff must be reduced by £15 million by emphasising that the issue has long been known and that Northern Ireland is unique in not having addressed it.
The South Belfast MLA said: "We are now facing an emergency cut of £15 million to staffing when we had the opportunity years ago to deal with this issue.
"Other parts of the UK have dealt with this issue since 2015, either by regulating agency pay or through safe staffing legislation which prohibits pay to agencies above a certain level.
"Yet again, we are seeing that Northern Ireland opted for inaction, and now has to act in the short term to meet budget restraints.
"Once again we see here the cost, literally, of the Executive failing to operate from 2017 to 2020 and again since March, when safe staffing legislation could have been put in place to deal with these issues, boost morale among staff, and put the Health Service on a firmer financial footing.
"Those who fail to meet the responsibility which comes with the mandate are failing those who rely on the Health Service. Heading into a winter of economic crisis, it is time those holding up the functioning of our democratic institutions recognised that the penalty for their refusal to do the work they were elected to do will be paid by the people, not political opponents."
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Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has made funding available to allow payments of £250 to be made to low paid staff in the education sector. The payments, for staff earning less than £21,000 a year, reflected the decision across the public sector to provide additional payments to low paid staff at a time when a pay freeze was effective.
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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.
