Other News In Brief

Swann Highlights Work Of New Ukrainian interpreters

Health Minister Robin Swann has met with newly trained Ukrainian interpreters who have been recruited to help Ukrainian refugees access health services here.

Speaking at an event in Stormont Estate Minister Swann said: "Significant work has been undertaken recently to build capacity for the Ukrainian language – including an accelerated registration programme. As a result, the Business Services Organisation (BSO) Interpreting Service has been able to register 9 new interpreters in a shorter than normal timeframe. Four of the new Interpreters are recent refugee arrivals and I am particularly delighted to welcome them, along with their children and sponsors, to this event today.

"The work they are undertaking will, we hope, assist their country men and women to rebuild their lives in a safe and peaceful haven by helping our HSC colleagues across Northern Ireland to support Ukrainian Refugees with their resettlement."

New Specialised Cross-Party Working Group To Develop Belfast City Centre Revitalisation Plans

The creation of a specialised cross-party working group has been established to develop plans to revitalise Belfast city centre, lead by Alliance Party councillor Michael Long.

Speaking after Belfast City Council agreed to immediately create a revitalisation committee - to include Councillors, statutory agencies and Government Departments - Michael said the move "was essential" in dealing with the growing list of problems facing the city centre.

He added: "Belfast has always been a welcoming city, buzzing with visitors across the world. Yet sadly, negative headlines of rundown buildings, lack of cleaning and a generally downtrodden vibe is what the city is becoming known for.

"We must and can do better. While Belfast City Council is already progressing ways to ensure our city is cleaner, it falls on all of us to build a revitalised Belfast, capable to delivering world-class facilities for all those living, working and visiting here.

"A joined-up approach, with Council, statutory agencies and Government Departments working together, will ensure we can deliver these aims, with my vision also seeing a roll out of support for businesses and tourism and to compassionately deal with the homeless and growing drug issues on the streets.

"I'm delighted to see this plan receive unanimous support across the chamber and look forward to working as part of team with the aim of delivering the best version of Belfast."

SF Urges Formation Of Executive To Deliver Health Reforms

An Executive must be formed now to invest the extra £1 billion needed to start fixing the health service and deliver a three year budget, Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said.

The party's health spokesperson was responding to a stark warning by the health minister on the damage that the uncertainty from one party's boycott of the Executive will do to efforts to rebuild the health service.

Colm Gildernew said: "The stark warning from the health minister is another clear indication that work to invest in our health service and deliver a three year budget must start now.

"We are ready to form an Executive today to invest the extra £1 billion to help fix the health service, to tackle waiting lists, hire more doctors and nurses and support cancer and mental health services.

"People waiting on life-changing treatments and people stuck on hospital waiting lists cannot be left behind because of one party's refusal to make politics work.

"Our health workers are working under huge pressure due to staff shortages and waiting lists that are getting longer. They need support now and shouldn't be held to ransom while the DUP plays a game of footsie with a Tory party marred with chaos.

"All parties agreed to make health a priority in the Executive. It's time to make that happen. Let's get around the table and give the health service the investment it needs as quickly as possible. That must be the immediate priority."