Other News In Brief

NI Families 'Deserve 30 Hours Of Free Childcare A Week'

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said that families across Northern Ireland deserve 30 hours of free childcare a week.

He was speaking after Education Minister Michelle McIlveen published plans to offer every child 22.5 hours of pre-school education per week the year before they start school.

Mr McCrossan said that progress is welcome but that the Minister’s proposals do not go far enough.

He said: "The SDLP has consistently advocated for 30 hours of flexible free childcare a week for parents of young children. Indeed, the DUP also promised as much in its Assembly election manifesto, so it’s disappointing to see a proposal that lacks ambition brought forward by Education Minister Michelle McIlveen. While I’m glad to see some progress being made on this issue, we are already playing catch-up with the rest of these islands on this issue and any childcare strategy must include 30 hours of free childcare at a minimum.

"The minimal childcare support in place in the North is having a huge impact right across our society, particularly on women. The prohibitive cost of childcare has seen many mothers forced to give up their jobs as it simply doesn’t make sense to keep working, while those who do work face huge bills. This situation has never been more acute, with fewer and fewer families able to afford these costs due to cost of living emergency.

"It's not just parents who benefit from childcare, it helps prepare children for school and introduces them to new environments, improving their socialising and integration skills. Given the massive need for childcare and the pressure facing families I believe we need to revisit this proposal and bring forward support for parents as soon as possible, the money exists to do it and I believe the political will is there."

Call For Executive To Be Formed To Secure Funding For Mental Health Projects

Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn has said an Executive must be formed now to secure funding for mental health projects and deliver a three-year Budget.

Speaking after meeting with health officials, the West Belfast MLA called on the DUP to stop blocking a government being formed.

She said: "Health officials today revealed a £3 million shortfall in funding for projects to improve mental health and suicide prevention due to the lack an Executive.

"This is deeply worrying for vital services that support people in our communities and could lead to a cliff-edge in March when funding should be renewed.

"I have contacted the Health Minister today to raise these concerns and highlight the need for these services to be protected.

"Sinn Féin is ready to form an Executive today to deliver a three-year Budget for health and invest an extra £1 billion in health, which will include funding for mental health services.

"The DUP should get back to work and stop blocking an Executive being formed which will work to improve mental health and suicide prevention work."

Anglers Urged To Dispose Of Fishing Equipment Appropriately

Green Party Councillor Barry McKee has urged anglers and members of the public to ensure fishing equipment is disposed of appropriately.

The Bangor West Councillor said: "While walking at Millisle recently, I came upon a member of the Ards & North Down Borough Council Parks team (James) making an attempt to free a young herring gull from a tangle of fishing line.

"Without a method to cut the bird free, a member of the public from a nearby house supplied a pair of scissors and I helped James to free the bird from the fishing line.

"Without the actions and initiative of James, the young gull would have perished. He went above and beyond to save an animal in need for which I commend him. This is a just one example of Council staff going out of their way to be helpful.

"Although this story has a happy ending, there is plenty of other wildlife that are not so lucky and have suffered the consequences of the careless actions of people leaving fishing equipment behind.

"That's why I am urging people to dispose of fishing lines and other equipment in the proper way."