Ministers Talk Border Co-operation

Officials From the North and South of Ireland came together yesterday in a bid to discuss co-operation. Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, met with First Minister, Peter Robinson and Acting Deputy First Minister, John O'Dowd to discuss North/South Co-operation. The meeting, which took place in Stormont was held in the framework of the North/South Ministerial Council set up under the Good Friday Agreement. The ministers discussed practical co-operation in the context of current economic and budgetary challenges facing each jurisdiction. Also discussed was the working of the North/South Bodies, Cross-Border Mobility Issues, the North West Gateway Initiative and EU matters of shared interest.

Pharma Charge To Return?

Prescription charges that could then help pay for life-saving drugs may be factored into a shake-up of the NHS in NI. However, the DUP's Edwin Poots said the move could mean charging members of the public as little as 50p per prescription a move that would reverse the abolishment of charges in April 2010 under the former Health Minister, Ulster Unionist, Michael McGimpsey. Now, after Mr McGimpsey had said it would cost the Stormont Executive around £13m, Mr Poots has said the actual cost is much higher at around £30m. The current Health Minister believes the charge, which initially could raise several million pounds, could pay for drugs that treat cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Women Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman was convicted at Antrim Magistrates' court this week for claiming benefits she was not entitled to. Linda McDowell (48) claimed Jobseekers Allowance, Rates Relief and Income Support totalling £8,275 while failing to declare capital. She was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £43. Ms McDowell has since repaid in full the money she wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency. Also this week, a woman was convicted at Downpatrick Magistrates' court for benefits fraud. Kylie Sloan (30) of Tollymore Cottages claimed Income Support totalling £6,987 while failing to declare employment. She was given a four month prison sentence suspended for two years.

SF Want More Derry Undergraduates

There has been a call for additional student places at Magee Campus in Londonderry. Sinn Fein's Raymond McCartney, an MLA for Foyle, will impress on the Education Minister that the expansion of the University of Ulster campus is essential to the of the North West Regional regeneration plan.

Doorstep Handymen Targeted

Rogue doorstep sellers are increasingly preying on the elderly and vulnerable, the Trading Standards Service has warned. Doorstep sellers typically turn up at homes, without advance notice, offering to carry out building, repair or landscaping work to homes or gardens. They will often offer services at attractive rates and use persuasive sales techniques to encourage people into making hasty decisions. A rogue trader may 'discover' other problems, advising that it's vital to have them fixed urgently to prevent the property from leaking and become liable to rain damage. A high fee will then be charged for this additional (unnecessary) work. Mary McKeown, from Trading Standards, said: "This is the time of year when people are beginning to prepare their homes for winter and rogue doorstep traders may take the opportunity to offer services before the bad weather sets in. It is not illegal for handymen to canvas for work, but it is important that people are cautious and do not make hasty decisions. Rogue doorstep selling is an ongoing problem in Northern Ireland and work carried out can sometimes be unnecessary, of a poor standard, much more expensive than originally quoted or not done at all," she said.

Fire Alert Crosses Border

RThe NI Public Safety Minister Edwin Poots has marked the start of a week long campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers of fire. The Minister attended the launch of North-South Fire Safety week at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Training HQ in Boucher Crescent. He was joined by Fergus O'Dowd TD, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and Environment, Community & Local Government in the Irish Republic. "Fire Safety Week aims to raise awareness across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland of the potential risks from fire. The campaign reminds the public of the need to minimize the risk of fire and the potential horrendous consequences both at home and in the work place," he said, adding, "We all have a responsibility to know about the dangers of fire, regardless of geographical boundaries, and how to keep ourselves, our colleagues and our loved ones safe from fire."

(BMcC/GK)