Other News In Brief

Record Number Of Children In Care In NI

A record number of children were recorded as living in care in Northern Ireland last year, as revealed by the Department of Health.

Over 3,000 youngsters were in the system, with the majority of them being looked after for less than three years.

Just under 10% have been cared for by the state for 10 years or more.

Major Resurfacing Scheme Underway In County Down

A road resurfacing project has been confirmed for a coastal County Down village.

The A2 which connects Portavogie and Ballyhalbert is set for improvement as part of the £450,000 scheme.

Work commenced today, Thursday 14 February.

A rolling lane closure with temporary traffic lights will be in place between the road's junction with Bush Road and its junction with Warnock's Road from 15 March to facilitate these works.

Main construction work is expected to begin on the scheme on Monday 18 March, with a daily weekday road closure scheduled between 8am and 5pm throughout.

The scheme should be complete by 05 April 2019.

Motorists can also travel between the villages using Main Road from Portavogie to Glastry College in Ballyhalbert.

First SDLP-Fianna Fáil Meeting 'Constructive'

SDLP Brexit spokesperson Daniel McCrossan has said that the first meeting of his party with Fianna Fáil representatives was "extremely constructive", with a focus on Brexit and breaking the political stalemate in Northern Ireland.

The west Tryone MLA commented: "These issues are key priorities for us both in this new partnership and I am pleased that this work began with constructive meetings yesterday in Dublin.

"As London show a continued failure to protect people here…we, alongside our colleagues in Fianna Fáil, are determined to deliver for Northern Ireland where London are not."

Fianna Fáil Brexit Spokesperson, Lisa Chambers TD added: "I was delighted to attend one of the first meetings with the SDLP on Brexit. Together we discussed practical issues that matter to people and businesses on both sides of the Border. We both agreed that the continued absence of the Northern Assembly during this critical period is shameful and is letting down communities across the North."



(JG/CM)