Signs Of Zoo Success

Belfast Zoo Manager Mark Challis launched Zoolympics, a new range of interactive signage, last week. Sponsor Deep RiverRock's Shane Vaughan said: "We are delighted to support Zoolympics which is an additional fun and interactive feature for visitors," he said, noting Zoolympics has not only created an interactive aspect to the zoo, but it has also had a significant visual impact. Mark Challis said the signs "are spectacular and have introduced yet another fun and interactive element to the zoo experience while also educating visitors about our animals". Ellen Walsh, pictured, helped declare Zoolympics at Belfast Zoo a 'roaring success'.

Irish Sea Rescue

Last night, a major search was successful in locating a yacht that left the Isle of Man on Sunday night but had failed to reach its destination in Northern Ireland. The boat was due to arrive in Ardglass, on the Co Down coast on Monday. Coastguards teams from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man were taking part in the search and found the sailor, safe and well.

Irish School Approved

The NI Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has approved a development proposal to increase capacity at Gaelscoil Ui Neill in Coalisland. "The Department has a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Irish-medium education, in line with parental demand," he said. "Evidence shows that demand from parents in the Coalisland area to have their children educated through the medium of Irish is strong and I have decided, therefore to approve the proposal to increase the total enrolment number at Gaelscoil Ui Neill. I expect numbers to increase gradually as more children enter P1 each year, providing the school with the opportunity to steadily grow to a seven class base school. This will, however, depend on the availability of funding for the extra land and accommodation that would be required," he said, on Monday.

Minding Children In Focus

The Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots yesterday announced a public consultation on draft minimum care standards for childminding and day care for children under age 12. The draft standards set out the minimum requirements that providers of these services must achieve. They also clarify the level of service that children who attend the centres can expect to receive. "These standards mean that children, parents and providers of services across Northern Ireland will be assured of the minimum level of care they can expect to receive and provide," he said. "As we strive to ensure quality childcare places, these standards will reassure parents that their children are well looked after and create a benchmark against which providers can measure their services," adding, "the consultation on these standards for childminding and day care is another important step on the road to achieving this goal. I am therefore asking for views on the content of these standards and fully encourage everyone, especially parents, to make their views known."

Holidaymaker Dies In Portugal

An Irish holidaymaker has died in the Algarve during a family boat trip. On Sunday the 36-year-old man jumped into the water near the popular resort of Albufeira. Witnesses report that he disappeared underwater, before re-emerging in a lifeless state. Efforts were made to resuscitate him, but they were unsuccessful

Top Marks At CAFRE

Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill has welcomed a 'very good' grade awarded to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in a recent Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) report. "This report offers another vote of confidence both in the high standard of education provided across all three CAFRE campuses, and the local agri-food sector as a whole. Access to good quality education and training, to meet the needs of business and employers is vital to the success of our agri-food and rural economy. Our agri-food industry is very well respected around the world and this report will help build its reputation further as our agri-food sector continues to be the success story as we emerge from the economic downturn," she said.

(BMcC/GK)