Alliance Calls For Emergency Financial Support Scheme

The Alliance Party has called for an emergency financial support scheme for businesses affected by flooding across Northern Ireland.

Flooding has caused serious disruption across Counties Down, Armagh and Antrim, with many areas of Newry particularly affected in recent days, leaving some businesses without flood insurance due to previous flooding in the city.

Alliance representatives Patrick Brown said the situation had been exacerbated by the lack of an Executive, meaning an inability to create a strategic response to the crisis and properly invest in infrastructure.

"The flooding seen across Northern Ireland has been shocking, with it being particularly unprecedented in Newry and South Down," said Mr Brown.

"Whilst households can access an emergency support scheme of up to £1,000, Alliance has contacted the Departments of Infrastructure and Finance for urgent clarification on what will be put in place to support businesses, many of whom have lost thousands in stock and equipment from these floods. That could be in the form of rate relief or additional discretionary support.

"There is no doubt the lack of an Executive and Ministers is exacerbating the situation. A more strategic approach would allow proper investment in our infrastructure to improve rainwater management systems and rehabilitate our sewers, helping prevent such scenes reoccurring. In the absence of that, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris needs to step up and provide leadership to ensure Northern Ireland receives the financial support required to recover from the impact of this flooding."

Councillor McMurray said the local Alliance team had been working closely with those leading the multi-agency response to the flooding and urged anyone affected to seek the help available.

"I want to thank the Council and other agencies for their work on this issue, as they have been working around the clock to support businesses and households affected. Now in the absence of an Executive, we need the Secretary of State to step up and provide the financial support to allow local recovery to take place.

"These floods are as a direct result of climate change and our inability to improve our infrastructure. With extreme weather events increasing and no Executive in place to invest in what needs improved, it’s likely we will see similar events across Northern Ireland in future.

"In the meantime, I urge anyone affected by the floods to ring the Floodline on 03002000100, where they can report flooding, request sand bags and find out more about the household assistance scheme. I would also encourage everyone to follow PSNI advice and avoid all but essential travel. Our Alliance local council team will continue to support people as required."

First Derivative To Host Assured Skills Academy

Newry company First Derivative is set to lead a second Assured Skills Academy on an eight week industry-relevant, pre-employment training at Southern Regional College's Newry campus.

The Department for the Economy will fund the 12 person academy.

Highlighting the opportunity, Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Skills at the Department for the Economy said: "I am very pleased to announce 12 high quality training places on this Assured Skills Academy with First Derivative and Southern Regional College.

"This is the second Assured Skills Academy with First Derivative and is an excellent opportunity to gain training in a cutting edge sector and be strongly positioned for a role with the company.

"With no experience required and an allowance of £175 per week while you complete your training I would urge everyone who is eligible and interested to apply."

Participants who complete the Academy will be guaranteed an interview with First Derivative for an Analyst position.

Mark McGivern, Senior Vice President at First Derivative, said:

"We're delighted to engage for a second time with the Assured Skills Academy after a successful academy programme in early 2023. Across First Derivative, we are committed to recruiting and developing local talent to support our next phase of growth. The Academy offers a tremendous opportunity for successful applicants to learn and enhance key data and systems analysis skills while also building broader technology and digital capabilities for the FinTech industry. We look forward to the Assured Skills Academy playing an important role in the ongoing growth and development of our local workforce."

The Academy will deliver training in a range of areas, such as Introduction to Capital Markets, Introduction to Project Management, Introduction to Using Python for Analytics, Software Fundamentals, Introduction to Cyber Security, Introduction to Cloud Technologies, RDBMS/SQL, Excel and Introduction to PowerBI.

Applications for the First Derivative Analyst Assured Skills Academy are open until midnight on Friday 24 November 2023. Training for successful applicants will commence on 29 January 2024 and run until 22 March 2024.

No experience is required but applicants must hold at least a 2:2 in any degree discipline, or have a Level 5 qualification in an ICT, Business or STEM related subject.

Newry Courthouse Closed And All Business Moved To Craigavon

All business due to take place at Newry Courthouse from today on wards (01 November) is to be moved to Craigavon Courthouse.

Due to the severe flooding in Newry, the decision has been taken to temporarily close Newry Courthouse and move the scheduled Magistrates’ Courts to Craigavon Courthouse, Court 1.

This is a temporary measure to allow for remedial works to take place and to make sure the staff and public are kept safe. Court business will return to Newry Courthouse as soon as possible.

The Department of Justice is working to minimise any disruption to service and will provide updates as necessary.