Farm Training Offered

Farmers and their families are being urged to 'get on course' to funded training this winter and update their skills for a better future. Under the Farm Family Options initiative, which is funded through the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, training costs of up to a £1,000 per farm family member can now be grant aided. Martin McDonald of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC), the organisation responsible for managing the Farm Family Options measure, stated: "RDC is delighted to be involved in this partnership by providing access to training grants enabling farmers and their families to develop their existing skills or to retrain in new areas as a means of boosting farm incomes and sustaining the farm business. This can be training to enable the existing farm business to work more efficiently such as workshop repairs, forestry, horticultural or IT skills, or an opportunity to gain skills required to diversify into other enterprises such as engineering, farm shops, childcare facilities or hairdressing. Grants of up to £1,000 are available for eligible training activities. In addition, a training allowance of up to £250 will be paid to cover time away from the farm to participate in the agreed training," he said. Contact the Farm Family Options team on 0845 026 7534 or email options@countrysiderural.co.uk or, alternatively log on to www.countrysiderural.co.uk

Carers Rewarded

Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has congratulated Down Lisburn Carers' Forum on winning a prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Paying tribute to the Forum at a reception at Hillsborough Castle, Michael McGimpsey said: "This Award ranks alongside the MBE in status and prestige. It represents the highest level of achievement by a Voluntary and Community Sector organisation and, given the values and standards set by the Voluntary and Community Sector in Northern Ireland, Lisburn Carers' Forum is therefore among the best of the best. The significance of this achievement is even greater in view of the fact that members of your organisation are themselves carers. In that context, the work you have done in improving the lives of so many people humbles us all."

Trusts Slammed

Local health trusts are failing to reach some of the most basic standards of care, according to the findings of a review of NI's child protection services. The health service watchdog, the Regulation Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), identified problems and shortfalls in work of all five local trusts. It listed an overreliance on newly-qualified social workers and poor record-keeping among its concerns. The RQIA also found evidence of delays in assessing children at most risk.

Fermanagh Link Road Fillip

Northern Ireland's Roads Service has acquired the land necessary to construct the new Cherrymount Link Road in Co Fermanagh. Transport Minister Conor Murphy confirmed the purchase, as part of a £6.4m investment in the county's roads. Mr Murphy said his department remains committed to completing the "worthwhile" Cherrymount project. The Minister said the development of several improvements on the A32 Enniskillen to Omagh Road were continuing, and work to widen and realign the road at Esker Bog could commence this financial year.

Kids Health In Focus

NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has welcomed the Stormont Executive's endorsement of a new strategy for children in care. He said that 'Care Matters in Northern Ireland' outlines a strategic vision for wide-ranging improvements in services to children and young people in and on the edge of care. It seeks to reduce the number of children who need to be in care and improve outcomes for those who do. "I welcome the endorsement of the strategy, which will deliver improvements in the health, educational, social and economic outcomes of children in and on the edge of care," he said.

(BMcC/KMcA)