Menu
05/06/2023
Other News In Brief
Alliance Condemns Bangor Shooting
Alliance Councillor Chris McCracken has strongly condemned a shooting that took place in Bangor.
A young man, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s was shot in Greenside, Bangor. He suffered life-altering injuries to his knee.
He said: "I am shocked to hear of this brutal attack and my thoughts are with the victim and his family.
"There is no place in our society for these attacks and it is a clear indication that guns still remain on our streets. Attacks like this are a serious crime, in breach of basic human rights and the rule of law, and don’t represent justice but rather the coercive control of our community.
"We urge anyone with information on this incident, particularly in relation to the whereabouts of the firearm used, to contact Crimestoppers or the PSNI directly."
Health Service Urgently Needs An Executive Formed - SF
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said the health service urgently needs an Executive formed to address the worsening crisis in our health service.
Speaking after a meeting with representatives from the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), the party’s health spokesperson said: "It is clear from listening to GP representatives that the situation across our GP services and health and social care is worsening.
"Our health service and our health workers are burnt out and under huge pressure from short staffing and working long hours.
"Over 12 years of savage Tory cuts have decimated our health service and stripped money out of already underfunded and understaffed frontline services.
"Health workers need political leadership. They need an Executive formed immediately to fix the problems in our health service and to invest extra money to hire more doctors and nurses.
"The real priority for now is for all parties to get back around the Executive table and work together to prevent a collapse in our health service."
UUP Calls For Investment To Tackle Housing Waiting Lists
East Belfast Ulster Unionist Party MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE has said Northern Ireland can ill afford a cut in the number of new social homes delivered each year.
Mr Allen said: "The latest Northern Ireland housing bulletin, published by NIRSA, reinforces the stark reality of housing need across Northern Ireland. "The number of applicants on the housing waiting list as of 31st March 2023 has increased, yet again, to 45,105, against the backdrop of the Department for Communities communicating that they will only be able to fund the building of 1400 new homes due to capital funding pressures. At that rate, if we did nothing else, it would take over three decades to clear the current waiting list. Clearly, this is an unsustainable position, which requires urgent strategic intervention.
"In June 2021, the former Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, stated:
"I believe the targets for social housing build are far too low and I am keen to gain sufficient budget, as well as introducing policy changes to increase the capacity of the Social Housing Development Programme and to deliver more homes where they are most needed.”
"Fast forward 2 years and we have no Minister to take forward existing or consider additional policy changes, additionally the ability to increase the social housing targets has been hampered by significant budgetary pressures. We, therefore, require leadership and strategic direction to navigate and address this unacceptable situation, otherwise the social housing waiting list will continue to grow and we will continue to fail those in need of a home."
Alliance Councillor Chris McCracken has strongly condemned a shooting that took place in Bangor.
A young man, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s was shot in Greenside, Bangor. He suffered life-altering injuries to his knee.
He said: "I am shocked to hear of this brutal attack and my thoughts are with the victim and his family.
"There is no place in our society for these attacks and it is a clear indication that guns still remain on our streets. Attacks like this are a serious crime, in breach of basic human rights and the rule of law, and don’t represent justice but rather the coercive control of our community.
"We urge anyone with information on this incident, particularly in relation to the whereabouts of the firearm used, to contact Crimestoppers or the PSNI directly."
Health Service Urgently Needs An Executive Formed - SF
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said the health service urgently needs an Executive formed to address the worsening crisis in our health service.
Speaking after a meeting with representatives from the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), the party’s health spokesperson said: "It is clear from listening to GP representatives that the situation across our GP services and health and social care is worsening.
"Our health service and our health workers are burnt out and under huge pressure from short staffing and working long hours.
"Over 12 years of savage Tory cuts have decimated our health service and stripped money out of already underfunded and understaffed frontline services.
"Health workers need political leadership. They need an Executive formed immediately to fix the problems in our health service and to invest extra money to hire more doctors and nurses.
"The real priority for now is for all parties to get back around the Executive table and work together to prevent a collapse in our health service."
UUP Calls For Investment To Tackle Housing Waiting Lists
East Belfast Ulster Unionist Party MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE has said Northern Ireland can ill afford a cut in the number of new social homes delivered each year.
Mr Allen said: "The latest Northern Ireland housing bulletin, published by NIRSA, reinforces the stark reality of housing need across Northern Ireland. "The number of applicants on the housing waiting list as of 31st March 2023 has increased, yet again, to 45,105, against the backdrop of the Department for Communities communicating that they will only be able to fund the building of 1400 new homes due to capital funding pressures. At that rate, if we did nothing else, it would take over three decades to clear the current waiting list. Clearly, this is an unsustainable position, which requires urgent strategic intervention.
"In June 2021, the former Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, stated:
"I believe the targets for social housing build are far too low and I am keen to gain sufficient budget, as well as introducing policy changes to increase the capacity of the Social Housing Development Programme and to deliver more homes where they are most needed.”
"Fast forward 2 years and we have no Minister to take forward existing or consider additional policy changes, additionally the ability to increase the social housing targets has been hampered by significant budgetary pressures. We, therefore, require leadership and strategic direction to navigate and address this unacceptable situation, otherwise the social housing waiting list will continue to grow and we will continue to fail those in need of a home."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 July 2022
DUP Accused Of Blocking Health Service Reform
The DUP's refusal to return to the Assembly and Executive is blocking health service reform, SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said. Mr McGrath said long-overdue reform was being delayed because of the DUP’s boycott of the institutions and that patients would suffer as a result.
DUP Accused Of Blocking Health Service Reform
The DUP's refusal to return to the Assembly and Executive is blocking health service reform, SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said. Mr McGrath said long-overdue reform was being delayed because of the DUP’s boycott of the institutions and that patients would suffer as a result.
09 January 2004
Health Service needs to tackle smoking health problems
More must be done by the Health Service to tackle the problem of smoking among people with mental health problems, a University of Ulster researcher said today.
Health Service needs to tackle smoking health problems
More must be done by the Health Service to tackle the problem of smoking among people with mental health problems, a University of Ulster researcher said today.
25 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
29 September 2021
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
12 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Welcomes Latest Payment To HIA Redress Scheme The Alliance Party has welcomed the confirmation that a contribution to the Redress Scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of Children (HIA) has been received from the Diocese of Down and Connor.
Other News In Brief
Alliance Welcomes Latest Payment To HIA Redress Scheme The Alliance Party has welcomed the confirmation that a contribution to the Redress Scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of Children (HIA) has been received from the Diocese of Down and Connor.
-
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.
