Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming £10,300 benefits she was not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Lorraine Coulter claimed Housing Benefit totalling £10,300 while failing to declare she was living with her partner. She was given 100 hours community service.

The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department.

Construction Work Begins On New Play Park In Ballymena

Construction work has started on a new play park for the Tullygarley area in Ballymena.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Cllr Paul Reid said: "Tullygarley Play Park is a demonstration of our commitment to play across the Borough. Council is committed to delivering high-quality play opportunities for children in areas where there is the greatest need.

"This forms part of the Play Strategy, currently being developed for Mid and East Antrim. Whilst play takes many different forms, there is still a need for play parks which stimulate children's imagination and meet the needs of children of all abilities.

"I am really looking forward to returning to this new play park when it is completed in a few weeks to mark the official opening."

The new Play Park is to be located next to the Community Centre and will replace an old facility at nearby Riverdale following years of campaigning by local Councillor, John Carson and fellow members of the Tullygarley and District Community Association.

Sinn Fein Accused Of 'Exacerbating' Social Housing Crisis

Ulster Unionist Housing Spokesperson, Andy Allen MLA, has accused Sinn Fein of exacerbating the problems engulfing the local social housing sector. The East Belfast MLA was commenting after a shock 40% increase in the number of households presenting as homeless to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive compared to the same period last year, was revealed.

He said: "It is simply shocking that the latest DfC Housing Bulletin confirms that in the three-month period from January to March this year 5,240 households came to the NIHE presenting themselves as homeless; an increase of almost 1,500 compared to the same period last year.

"The key to ending homelessness is the adequate provision of good quality, affordable housing across a range of tenures. Yet, even though the number of people on the housing waiting list continues to grow, the number of new social houses we are building is actually falling compared to only a few years ago.

"Rising demand against shrinking supply is obviously totally unsustainable and I believe we are now seeing the consequences of that.

"Whilst most people acknowledge that Northern Ireland is not building enough social homes, nothing is actually being done to rectify it. It was outrageous earlier this year when, as a direct result of the political impasse at Stormont, the target of new homes for 2017/18 was reduced from 2,000 starts to 1,750. The ongoing stalemate means that even this lower target may not be met."

(CD/MH)