Other News In Brief

Third Phase Of Forest Expansion Scheme Launched

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the opening of the third phase of the Forest Expansion scheme.

The Scheme, which is intended to encourage and support landowners who wish to plant their own woodland, is funded through the Rural Development Programme, part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and DAERA.

Making the announcement, Chief Executive of the Forest Service, Malcolm Beatty said: "The opening of the third phase of our Forest Expansion scheme is good news for landowners and the environment. It will provide support for farmers and landowners to plant woodlands of five hectares or larger this coming winter.

"To date the Scheme has provided £1million of grant aid to support over 400 hectares of new woodland which will make a valuable contribution to the economy through production of wood for processing, enhancing the landscape, providing places for people to enjoy and an important habitat for wildlife."

67-Year-Old Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A 67-year-old man has been convicted at Dungannon Magistrates' Court for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Thomas Rafferty of Benburb Road, Moy claimed Pension Credit and Rates totalling £8,979 while failing to declare employment. He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

SDLP Urge Executive Parties To 'Hit The Accelerator'

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has called on the Executive Parties to "hit the accelerator before the British government takes the wheel".

Mr Eastwood said that "the clock is still ticking to secure a deal", with just weeks left until the Westminster summer recess.

Mr Eastwood said: "The public deserve to know what efforts are being made to secure a deal over the summer. It cannot simply be a case of let's wait and see.

"The SDLP have arranged bilateral meetings for the week ahead in an effort to press for progress. In the interests of transparency, the DUP and Sinn Fein should publish their timetable of the meetings they will be holding over the summer months.

"Moreover, the SDLP have asked all political parties to engage in a parallel process and work to agree a way forward on many issues, including the development of an anti-poverty strategy, an increase in childcare provision, investment in higher level education, the expansion of Magee, new social housing and the delivery of City Deals to address regional disparity.

"Parties have yet to respond and I urge them to do so with urgency.

"The clock is still ticking to secure a deal. It is critical that all political parties hit the accelerator before the British Government takes the wheel.

"It is simply not good enough that the public are left without any confidence in our politics. With political will, we can restore the institutions and we can deliver real equality, which also means economic equality. None of the issues are insurmountable.

"Over the coming days, I urge all parties to knuckle down, we must bring forward a budget that works in the interests of all people. With so much uncertainty facing our public services and workers, there is no time to waste. It is imperative that we restore confidence that devolution can and must work here."

(MH/LM)