26/07/2017

Other News In Brief

Two People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Gavin Doole claimed Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £5,800 while failing to declare employment. He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

Mandy Cunningham claimed Income Support totalling £6,498 while failing to declare employment. She was given a two year conditional discharge.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

NI Water Dispatches Water Tankers In Meath And Louth

NI Water has dispatched tankers after around 70,000 people have been left witout water in Meath and Louth.

The firm is assisting Irish Water as its workers are carrying out repairs to a burst watermain.

NI Water said it will continue to liaise with Irish Water and provide support until the incident has ended.

NI Water's Director of Customer Service Delivery, Sean McAleese said: "Over the last number of years NI Water has worked with other utilities to identify ways in which we could provide mutual support and aid during periods of severe weather or other unforeseen situations. This agreement has worked very well in the past and can be a great help to a company when they need it most.

"We have a positive working relationship with Irish Water and are content to assist them in the event of an emergency."

Acute Pressures On Health Service Are Impacting On Staff And Patient Outcomes - SDLP

Following a meeting with the Royal College of GPs regarding health service challenges, SDLP MLA and Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has said that in spite of additional resource committed to the health service by the Secretary of State, acute pressures are impacting on frontline staff and patient outcomes.

SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA said: "In spite of additional resource committed to the health service by the Secretary of State, it's clear that acute pressures are impacting on frontline staff and patient outcomes.

"Advancing the health service transformation plan is critical, particularly in rural communities where GP provision is stretched to breaking point. Meeting with the Royal College of GPs is part of ongoing engagement the SDLP is having with health service professionals to hear their concerns and act.

"We need devolved institutions to affect that positive change."

(CD/LM)

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