Cuts To Youth Services And Early Years Will Not Proceed

Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said news that cuts to youth services and early years will not go ahead is a "relief" to many families and communities.

He said: "These projects are a lifeline to many and crucial to children’s development in the early stages of life, particularly young people in disadvantaged areas and it’s absolutely paramount that they are protected.

"Today's announcement is a welcome step, but we now need to see an end to cruel and heartless cuts to other services.

"Children and young people are bearing the brunt of Tory austerity and one party's refusal to form an Executive.

"We need the Assembly and Executive back up and running with no more delays and parties working together to support workers and families facing cruel Tory cuts."

Call To End Delays On A5 Upgrade

Alliance Omagh Councillor Stephen Donnelly has called for an end to delays on the delivery of the A5 upgrade, following a session of the A5 public inquiry.

Councillor Donnelly said: "People across West Tyrone gathered in Omagh to say loudly and clearly: enough is enough. Our region deserves safe and proper infrastructure. That starts with the A5 upgrade.

"The testimony we heard from bereaved families during today’s session of the public inquiry was utterly devastating. Communities and families have been torn apart by the loss inflicted as a result of the failure to deliver this project. I would also like to thank Tyrone GAA for spearheading the latest civic initiative to provide our local community with the platform to make their voice heard."

Delays To New School Buildings Will Have A Significant Impact - SDLP

SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan has said that delays to new buildings for 28 post-primary schools across Northern Ireland will have a significant impact.

He said the delays could lead to development plans at schools being held back for years.

The Department of Education has said the delays are due to budgetary pressures.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "I previously backed a call from the Construction Professionals’ Council of Northern Ireland for then Education Minister Michelle McIlveen to clarify the situation surrounding these schools and set out a timetable for progress, no answer was forthcoming and now unsurprisingly we have confirmation that we can’t expect any in the near future.

"I know from regular discussions with school leaders that far too many of our buildings across the North are badly out of date and unfit for purpose. Far too often principals, teachers and other staff are just having to make do with what they have, patching over issues and being unable to plan for the future without clarity around investment.

"If we want to provide the best educational experience for our young people then we need to provide modern facilities that enable them to reach their full potential. These delays cannot result in these vital projects being shelved indefinitely and when the Stormont institutions are restored I will make it a priority to ensure that the new Education Minister gets plans for these new buildings back on track."