Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Newtownards Magistrates' Court.

Stuart Rafferty (24) of Blenheim Drive, claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £1,173 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £500.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

NI Organisations Urged To Apply For Funding Through Horizon 2020

Organisations across Northern Ireland are being urged to apply for funding through the new EU funding initiative, Horizon 2020.

Justice Minister David Ford was speaking as he opened the first all-Ireland Horizon 2020 Secure Societies event at the QUB Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology.

Horizon 2020 is Europe's largest EU innovation and research programme with nearly €80billion available over the next six years. The event aimed to promote the Secure Societies strand of the funding programme, as well as inform participants of the upcoming funding calls.

Mr Ford said: "I would encourage full participation in the Secure Societies funding programme, particularly considering the benefits of cross-border collaboration in previous funding projects. I am pleased that the Northern Ireland Contact Point for the Secure Societies strand of the programme sits within my Department and I would urge those interested to establish contact with the Department of Justice."

Alliance Concerned Over Leisure Centre Closure

The Alliance Party has expressed concern over the 'indefinite' closure of a leisure centre in east Belfast over an asbestos problem.

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has expressed his unhappiness at the ongoing closure of the Robinson Centre.

Councillor Long, who alongside his party colleagues successfully led the campaign with staff and users to keep the centre open when it was previously threatened with closure by the DUP's Peter Robinson in 2003, said it had an important place in the local community.

Cllr Long said: "I have previously expressed concerns about the lack of communication between Belfast and Castlereagh Councils over the transfer of the facility, which if had taken place could have resolved many of the current issues before the handover and avoided the frustrating stalemate.

"In 2010, I backed plans to redevelop the centre in a phased process. If that had happened, there would be a new centre in place by now. Instead we have a situation where former Castlereagh ratepayers have increased rates bills but severely reduced leisure facilities.

"I understand health and safety must take priority but once the centre is proven safe to reopen, Alliance will be calling for the gym to be reopened immediately and the Council to provide the necessary repairs to ensure the pool follows suit. In the interim, we have been pressing the Council and GLL to assist those who have faced job cuts and provide adequate facilities for local swimmers. Naomi Long and my other Alliance colleagues have met with staff and users, and it is clear how distressed they are at this impasse and the manner in which it has been handled."

(CD/MH)