04 May 2012

Other News In Brief

Roads Service Reports On £4.9m Schemes In Strabane

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has congratulated Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of a record number of road resurfacing schemes in 2011/2012 which accounted for £4.9 million expenditure in Strabane.  Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Strabane District Council, the Minister said: "Last year’s budget for structural maintenance and local transport and safety measures allowed a good range of such schemes to be successfully delivered by Roads Service.

“Roads Service’s budgets for road maintenance and improvement schemes are greatly reduced this year, in line with the four year budget agreed by the Executive. However, Roads Service is using its available resources effectively and continuing to deliver quality public services,” said Danny Kennedy.

The Minister welcomed the Executive’s agreement on the 14 February 2012 to take forward two sections of the A5 dual carriageway between Londonderry and Strabane and Omagh and Ballygawley. He said that construction work would commence later this year, subject to the outcome of the public enquiries held last year.

Partnerships In Ballymena Can Help Local Businesses

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has said organisations like Ballymena Business Centre have an important role to play in helping to deliver a stronger and more vibrant local economy.

Speaking as she launched the Centre’s Strategic Plan for 2012-2015, the Minister said it would further enhance the help already available to support new and existing businesses.

Arlene Foster said: “A key objective of my Department and Invest Northern Ireland is to provide the support and guidance that will help entrepreneurs get their new venture off the ground as well as growing existing businesses. This can only be enhanced by the measures outlined in this strategy.

“Enabling our local entrepreneurs by giving them access to the finance, advice and support they need means we can empower them to realise their ambitions and deliver more economic development for Northern Ireland.

Additional £700,000 Investment In School Age Childcare

Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell and Martina Anderson today announced that OFMDFM will be providing support to PlayBoard’s After Schools Clubs for another financial year.  The investment, worth an additional £700,000 over the next 12 months, will support a range of after school settings, and allow PlayBoard to maintain continuity of services to children and parents who use their after schools clubs.

Junior Minister Bell said: “This funding is evidence of Government’s determination to support essential services, and represents another strand of our continuing investment in our children and young people. Affordable, good quality after school provision is important to allow parents to continue to work and train, knowing that their children are in a safe, child-centred environment.”

(CD)