23 April 2012

Other News In Brief

Value Of Carers To Be Better Recognised

The value of carers should be better recognised and their expertise better harnessed said Health Minister Edwin Poots during a visit to Newry and Mourne Carers Centre today. The Minister was speaking as he launched a report of a survey on the lives and challenges faced by older carers in Northern Ireland. The report, Mind the Gap, was commissioned in 2011 by the Carers Trust, a new charity formed by the merger of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care.

Mr Poots said: “It is hard to put a figure on the scale of the work that carers do; the contribution they make to others’ health and wellbeing is immeasurable, and the level of service that they provide simply could not be delivered by the formal care system.

“But they, in turn, also need support. It can be exhausting, thankless and isolating work. It is therefore so important that we properly understand carers’ needs and that service providers should be prepared to respond with flexibility, offering carers access to the quality support and services they need to live their own lives.”

Consultation Paper Published

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson today published a consultation paper seeking views on three specific areas of the current law of damages including claims for wrongful deaths in the area of fatal accidents. The paper examines three areas of the law of damages in light of recent developments elsewhere in the United Kingdom: whether the range of eligible persons who may make a claim for wrongful death under the Fatal Accidents (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 should be extended; the availability of bereavement damages under the 1977 Order, and how damages for gratuitous care should be assessed.

Sammy Wilson said: “The law of damages is a mixture of judge-made law and legislation, and traditionally the law in Northern Ireland in this area mirrors the law in England and Wales.

“There have been significant developments made in the area of fatal accidents; that is claims made by the dependants of a person who has died as a result of the negligence of another. These legislative changes were made during periods of Direct Rule and there was no meaningful public consultation on the changes.

'Quarry 2012' Launches

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson commends the Quarry Products Association for its valuable contribution in helping to shape policy and best practice for the delivery of construction projects in Northern Ireland.

The Minister was speaking at an event today to launch 'Quarry 2012' – the industry journal of the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI).

The Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland represents over 95% of all local producers of aggregates, asphalt and ready mixed concrete. High grade aggregates from Northern Ireland quarries are exported to other parts of the United Kingdom and Europe.

Speaking at the event in Parliament Buildings, Sammy Wilson said: "'Quarry 2012' portrays a positive message about the vitality, innovation and strengths which many members of the Association have shown in the present economic climate.

"The past few years have seen the industry face up to and survive what is undoubtedly the most challenging period in recent times.

"My Executive colleagues and I are acutely aware of the difficulties facing the construction industry. We know that a modern and well maintained infrastructure is the life blood of a vibrant and growing economy.

(CD)