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20/10/2008
Other NI News In Brief
Blaze Accused For Court
A 32-year-old man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after an alleged arson attack in Co Antrim at the weekend. Two people in a flat in Main Street Ballymoney escaped injury after a fire on Saturday.
Coleraine Jobs Alert
UUP East Londonderry Assembly member David McClarty has warned that news of 33 jobs being shed at the AVX plant in Coleraine could be just the start of more bad news for the town on the employment front. The MLA said: "The economic slowdown is biting right across the province and the Coleraine area is feeling the downdraft. AVX competes in a highly competitive and volatile global market and this news is a blow for the area. There are also indications that the construction industry locally is facing a testing time with several businesses currently trying to ride the down turn in business. However, it looks likely that we will see more jobs being lost before things begin to improve. In an area such as Coleraine where there are few new employment opportunities and even less as we face into a recession, this will have a significant impact," he said.
Suicide Victims Recalled
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness has attended a special suicide remembrance event, the 'Celebration of Hope – Have Your Tomorrows' commemoration event in St Eugene's Cathedral, Londonderry. Speaking at the service, the Deputy First Minister said that statistics could never truly show the human impact of suicide or addiction related death - the suffering, the pain, and the devastation felt by those families, friends, and communities left behind - the sense of loss that all of us have to carry with us: "Often those people affected by addiction issues or mental health issues can be labelled and stigmatised. I have always held true to the view that we judge a society by how we treat these in most need. The lack of support to those in most need diminishes us all. As well as remembering, it is also important that we take action together to provide hope and support for those who need it, and try to ensure that others do not have to go though the same pain, suffering, and loss," he added.
Diversity Plan Launched
The Northern Ireland Civil Service has published an Employment Equality and Diversity Plan which identifies the key equality and diversity issues that the Northern Ireland Civil Service, as an employer, will address over the period 2008 to 2011. The Service employs around 28,000 people supporting Ministers, developing policy and legislation and above all, delivering or supporting key public services in areas such as health, education, regeneration, culture, agriculture, employment and transport. Commenting on the plan, the Minister for Finance and Personnel, Nigel Dodds, said: "It is a stated aim of the Civil Service to be representative of the community it serves. The Service will continue to work hard to promote itself as an employer committed to equality and diversity and I would urge community and political leaders to play their part by encouraging citizens to recognise it as a public sector career of choice."
Housing Promised
NI Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie has reaffirmed her commitment to providing more energy efficient social housing in Northern Ireland - stating plans to deliver 5,250 new homes in three years was 'non-negotiable'. Addressing delegates at the Northern Ireland Housing Forum, the Minister outlined her department's agenda. Ms Ritchie pledged that housing in the Province would remain her 'number one' priority. The Minister assured the forum that she was addressing the problems associated with affordability and provided an update in relation to some of the key components of the New Housing Agenda, including the recent introduction of her new Procurement Strategy.
(BMcC)
A 32-year-old man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after an alleged arson attack in Co Antrim at the weekend. Two people in a flat in Main Street Ballymoney escaped injury after a fire on Saturday.
Coleraine Jobs Alert
UUP East Londonderry Assembly member David McClarty has warned that news of 33 jobs being shed at the AVX plant in Coleraine could be just the start of more bad news for the town on the employment front. The MLA said: "The economic slowdown is biting right across the province and the Coleraine area is feeling the downdraft. AVX competes in a highly competitive and volatile global market and this news is a blow for the area. There are also indications that the construction industry locally is facing a testing time with several businesses currently trying to ride the down turn in business. However, it looks likely that we will see more jobs being lost before things begin to improve. In an area such as Coleraine where there are few new employment opportunities and even less as we face into a recession, this will have a significant impact," he said.
Suicide Victims Recalled
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness has attended a special suicide remembrance event, the 'Celebration of Hope – Have Your Tomorrows' commemoration event in St Eugene's Cathedral, Londonderry. Speaking at the service, the Deputy First Minister said that statistics could never truly show the human impact of suicide or addiction related death - the suffering, the pain, and the devastation felt by those families, friends, and communities left behind - the sense of loss that all of us have to carry with us: "Often those people affected by addiction issues or mental health issues can be labelled and stigmatised. I have always held true to the view that we judge a society by how we treat these in most need. The lack of support to those in most need diminishes us all. As well as remembering, it is also important that we take action together to provide hope and support for those who need it, and try to ensure that others do not have to go though the same pain, suffering, and loss," he added.
Diversity Plan Launched
The Northern Ireland Civil Service has published an Employment Equality and Diversity Plan which identifies the key equality and diversity issues that the Northern Ireland Civil Service, as an employer, will address over the period 2008 to 2011. The Service employs around 28,000 people supporting Ministers, developing policy and legislation and above all, delivering or supporting key public services in areas such as health, education, regeneration, culture, agriculture, employment and transport. Commenting on the plan, the Minister for Finance and Personnel, Nigel Dodds, said: "It is a stated aim of the Civil Service to be representative of the community it serves. The Service will continue to work hard to promote itself as an employer committed to equality and diversity and I would urge community and political leaders to play their part by encouraging citizens to recognise it as a public sector career of choice."
Housing Promised
NI Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie has reaffirmed her commitment to providing more energy efficient social housing in Northern Ireland - stating plans to deliver 5,250 new homes in three years was 'non-negotiable'. Addressing delegates at the Northern Ireland Housing Forum, the Minister outlined her department's agenda. Ms Ritchie pledged that housing in the Province would remain her 'number one' priority. The Minister assured the forum that she was addressing the problems associated with affordability and provided an update in relation to some of the key components of the New Housing Agenda, including the recent introduction of her new Procurement Strategy.
(BMcC)
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05 January 2017
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29 November 2024
£1.2m Fund To Support Pre-School Children With SEN
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£1.2m Fund To Support Pre-School Children With SEN
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29 November 2024
£350,000 Boost For SME Productivity
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a new £350,000 initiative to boost productivity and skills in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). The SME Productivity Booster aims to help over 70 businesses across Northern Ireland by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
£350,000 Boost For SME Productivity
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29 November 2024
New Pharmacy First Service To Ease Winter Pressures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a new 'Pharmacy First for Sore Throat' service, which will be available in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland from 1 December 2024. The service will offer advice, assessment, and treatment for people aged five and over who are suffering from a sore throat.
New Pharmacy First Service To Ease Winter Pressures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a new 'Pharmacy First for Sore Throat' service, which will be available in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland from 1 December 2024. The service will offer advice, assessment, and treatment for people aged five and over who are suffering from a sore throat.
05 March 2010
Housing Association Achieves Excellence
One of Northern Ireland's largest housing associations has been presented with its Customer Service Excellence Standard. Helm Housing (previously BIH Housing) is the first housing association in Northern Ireland to achieve this accolade, which was presented by Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, (pictured, on site).
Housing Association Achieves Excellence
One of Northern Ireland's largest housing associations has been presented with its Customer Service Excellence Standard. Helm Housing (previously BIH Housing) is the first housing association in Northern Ireland to achieve this accolade, which was presented by Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, (pictured, on site).
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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.
