Three New Campuses To Be Developed In NI

The £1.9 million design contract for the development of three new campuses in Northern Ireland has been signed by the Employment and Learning Minister.

The new campuses are to be developed at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon.

The Armagh and Banbridge projects will see new campuses being developed on the existing sites, while the Craigavon development will replace the Lurgan and Portadown campuses with a single new high quality campus in Craigavon.

Speaking from the site selected for the new Craigavon campus, which is adjacent to the existing Watersports Centre and close to the Craigavon Civic Centre and Rushmere Shopping Centre, Minister Stephen Farry said: "I am delighted to reach this critical stage in the development of these further education estate projects which will realise a capital investment of £90million in Southern Regional College over the next five years."

Brian Doran, Principal and Chief Executive of South Regional College, added: "The completion of our estates strategy is fundamental to Southern Regional College fulfilling its role as a leading provider of professional and technical education and training. Our aspiration is to create learning environments that will inspire our students to reach their potential."

Two Women Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two women have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Craigavon Magistrates' Court.

Kerry Scullion from Lambeg claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £1,036 while failing to declare employment. She was fined £200 and ordered to pay an offenders levy of £15.

Aisling Lowe from Lurgan claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £924 while failing to declare employment. She was given a four month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

More Regulations Needed In Private Rented Sector - Dickson

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said there needs to be more regulation given to privately rented homes during a debate on the growth of the sector in the Assembly.

The East Antrim MLA said he was concerned the DUP Social Development Minister was not in attendance for the debate, which called on him to introduce measures to regulate the sector.

"We are experiencing a crisis in housing provision - there is a shortage of the right kind of homes for people and often the only solution is to point them towards the virtually unregulated private rented sector, in which they can end up in some of the most difficult properties I have ever seen families forced to live in.

"Many landlords provide decent homes in the private rented sector. However, I see the situation many people live in, the rents they are required to pay and the inadequate heating systems in their properties, all of which shows it is important the Minister come forward with appropriate plans to deliver a much higher standard of regulation in the private rented sector."