12/03/2015
Other News In Brief
SDLP Questions Sinn Fein's U-Turn On Welfare Reform
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly is questioning why Alex Maskey did not alert the Committee to uncertainties surrounding the Welfare Reform Bill.
Mrs Kelly said: "Sinn Fein's spectacular U-turn on Welfare Reform on Monday raises a number of questions that the Assembly and the public need answered. Not least of all the question of Alex Maskey's actions, or lack of, in his role as Chair of the Social Development Committee.
"If, as his party claims, there were serious uncertainties around the Bill, why did Mr Maskey not alert the Committee to this? He has a duty as the Chair to lead the Committee in scrutinizing this crucially important Bill at every stage."
New Housing Scheme Opens In Belfast
A housing scheme built by Helm Housing, to help dementia people live independently, has officially opened on the Shankill Road in Belfast.
The Department for Social Development gave funding of £4.7 million towards the project at Hemsworth Court.
The scheme provides 35 one and two bedroom self contained apartments along with a cinema, café, gym and other facilities which allow those who live there to have a full, independent and active life. The facility has also been designed to allow a partner or carer to live with the tenant in their home which means that couples can live together as a family unit.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust also provides 24 hour support and a range of technologies are available to ensure tenant safety within each apartment.
Minister Opens New Irish Language Centre
Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has officially opened the Áras Mhic Reachtain Irish language centre on the Antrim Road in Belfast.
The centre, which is run by the McCracken Cultural Society, will offer an arts and cultural programme to promote all aspects of traditional Irish culture, including language, music, song, dance, arts and craft. It will be a community hub for Irish speakers in the area and beginners wishing to explore the language.
The Minister said: "It is a particular privilege to be here today because the Irish language and culture are very close to my heart. There is a growing Irish speaking community here in north Belfast and I am delighted to be able to support a facility which will nurture that community and allow it to grow.
"I believe that the rich cultural and linguistic heritage on this island is something that we all share and something we should embrace and enjoy."
(CD/IT)
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly is questioning why Alex Maskey did not alert the Committee to uncertainties surrounding the Welfare Reform Bill.
Mrs Kelly said: "Sinn Fein's spectacular U-turn on Welfare Reform on Monday raises a number of questions that the Assembly and the public need answered. Not least of all the question of Alex Maskey's actions, or lack of, in his role as Chair of the Social Development Committee.
"If, as his party claims, there were serious uncertainties around the Bill, why did Mr Maskey not alert the Committee to this? He has a duty as the Chair to lead the Committee in scrutinizing this crucially important Bill at every stage."
New Housing Scheme Opens In Belfast
A housing scheme built by Helm Housing, to help dementia people live independently, has officially opened on the Shankill Road in Belfast.
The Department for Social Development gave funding of £4.7 million towards the project at Hemsworth Court.
The scheme provides 35 one and two bedroom self contained apartments along with a cinema, café, gym and other facilities which allow those who live there to have a full, independent and active life. The facility has also been designed to allow a partner or carer to live with the tenant in their home which means that couples can live together as a family unit.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust also provides 24 hour support and a range of technologies are available to ensure tenant safety within each apartment.
Minister Opens New Irish Language Centre
Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has officially opened the Áras Mhic Reachtain Irish language centre on the Antrim Road in Belfast.
The centre, which is run by the McCracken Cultural Society, will offer an arts and cultural programme to promote all aspects of traditional Irish culture, including language, music, song, dance, arts and craft. It will be a community hub for Irish speakers in the area and beginners wishing to explore the language.
The Minister said: "It is a particular privilege to be here today because the Irish language and culture are very close to my heart. There is a growing Irish speaking community here in north Belfast and I am delighted to be able to support a facility which will nurture that community and allow it to grow.
"I believe that the rich cultural and linguistic heritage on this island is something that we all share and something we should embrace and enjoy."
(CD/IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 August 2024
BCC Consultation On Draft Irish Language Policy
Belfast City Council has announced a new public consultation on their new draft Irish language policy. The draft policy sets out how the council plans to promote Irish and use Irish across its services, including interpreting and translation, key documents and publications, signage at facilities, on the council website belfastcity.gov.
BCC Consultation On Draft Irish Language Policy
Belfast City Council has announced a new public consultation on their new draft Irish language policy. The draft policy sets out how the council plans to promote Irish and use Irish across its services, including interpreting and translation, key documents and publications, signage at facilities, on the council website belfastcity.gov.
17 February 2025
SDLP Criticises Minister's Handling Of Irish Language Education
The SDLP has questioned Education Minister Paul Givan on his handling of the Irish language. It comes after Minister Givan awarded himself an 'A' grade when asked how he would mark his performance around Irish language education since taking up the role.
SDLP Criticises Minister's Handling Of Irish Language Education
The SDLP has questioned Education Minister Paul Givan on his handling of the Irish language. It comes after Minister Givan awarded himself an 'A' grade when asked how he would mark his performance around Irish language education since taking up the role.
18 December 2002
Sinn Fein confident of rise in Irish speakers
Speaking ahead of the publication of the 2001 Northern Ireland census, Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has said that he expects the census to show a big rise in the use of the Irish language. The results from the long-anticipated population count are expected to be published tomorrow.
Sinn Fein confident of rise in Irish speakers
Speaking ahead of the publication of the 2001 Northern Ireland census, Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has said that he expects the census to show a big rise in the use of the Irish language. The results from the long-anticipated population count are expected to be published tomorrow.
13 February 2018
There Will Be No Stand-Alone Irish Language Act - Foster
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has insisted that her party would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act, a key Sinn Féin demand throughout the 13-month impasse. She also rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws which may emerge from Stormont's power-sharing negotiations.
There Will Be No Stand-Alone Irish Language Act - Foster
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has insisted that her party would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act, a key Sinn Féin demand throughout the 13-month impasse. She also rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws which may emerge from Stormont's power-sharing negotiations.
27 April 2017
Foster 'Uplifted' After Meeting Irish Language Students
DUP leader Arlene Foster said she had been "uplifted" after meeting Irish language students at a school in Newry. Mrs Foster met with pupils from Our Lady's Grammar School on Wednesday, 26 April. In February she said more people spoke Polish than Irish in Northern Ireland and declared the party would never agree to an act protecting the language.
Foster 'Uplifted' After Meeting Irish Language Students
DUP leader Arlene Foster said she had been "uplifted" after meeting Irish language students at a school in Newry. Mrs Foster met with pupils from Our Lady's Grammar School on Wednesday, 26 April. In February she said more people spoke Polish than Irish in Northern Ireland and declared the party would never agree to an act protecting the language.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.