Foster Backs Tourism

Inbound tourism was in focus yesterday with news that the Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster had launched the Tourism Development Scheme 2011-2013. The initiative aims to help develop and improve the visitor offering in Northern Ireland and strengthen the competitive position of the tourism industry. It will provide financial assistance to capital projects and it is open to businesses, which can demonstrate that they will increase visitor numbers, ultimately contributing to the Northern Ireland economy. Arlene Foster said: "This new scheme presents a unique opportunity for private, public, community and voluntary sectors to enhance or develop a new or existing tourism capital project. This will help contribute to the achievement of our ambitious targets, which aim to turn Northern Ireland tourism into a £1bn industry, support 50,000 jobs and attract 4.5m visitors by 2020."

Derry Man's Fraud Found-out

A man was convicted at Londonderry Magistrates' court this week for claiming benefits he was not entitled to. Thomas Grimes (23) of Tamneymore Park, Londonderry was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £28 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £286. He will also have to repay any money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Crimestoppers Hailed

The NI Justice Minister David Ford has encouraged the public to support Crimestoppers. Speaking at a fundraising event for the charity in Belfast, the Minister thanked Crimestoppers for the significant role they play in fighting crime in Northern Ireland. "This year alone 185 arrests have been made as a direct result of calls to Crimestoppers. Drugs with a street value of £1.3m have also been seized and stolen property to the value of £55,000 recovered," he said. Highlighting the fact that calls to Crimestoppers is anonymous, David Ford said: "I would encourage anyone with any information about a crime in Northern Ireland to do their bit and report it. Crimestoppers is interested in what you know - not who you are. By working together, Crimestoppers, the PSNI and the general public can help deliver a safer society for us all."

Courts Busy

Figures published today by the NI Courts and Tribunals Service in the quarterly County Court Bulletin outline the business received and dealt with from the quarter July – September 2011. The data showed that during the quarter there were 1,566 civil bills were disposed of; 42 equity cases received; 157 ejectment cases received and 3,161 small claims received during 602 sitting days.

(BMcC/GK)