Other News In Brief

Strule Funding Welcomed But Questions Still Remain – SDLP

The SDLP has welcomed the Executive announcement of funding for the Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh but said that questions still remain over removed funding previously announced for other school projects.

SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson and East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said: "News of this funding will be a welcome relief for the six schools set to benefit from the Strule Shared Education Campus. This project has been in the works for over a decade and my SDLP colleague Daniel McCrossan has spent many years fighting to see progress. The price to build the campus has significantly increased due to a failure by Ministers to advance the project in a timely manner, with the constant delays leaving schools, parents and pupils in limbo. I hope that today's announcement will provide some much-needed clarity at last.

"This new campus has the potential to change the face of education in the wider Tyrone area, providing these schools with much needed modern facilities to provide our children and young people with the best educational experience possible so they can reach their full potential. I also welcome the shared aspect of the campus, with pupils and students from different backgrounds learning and working together.

"We now need to see similar action from the Executive to restore funding for ten shared and integrated schools across the North who have had their new build projects thrown into chaos as a result of the Executive's failure to protect ring-fenced funding, removed by the British government as part of the Stormont restoration package. The SDLP Opposition will be pushing Ministers to take similar decisive action so that they too can get the new facilities their school communities deserve."

Alliance Calls For Increased Transparency On Waiting Lists

The Alliance Party has called for increased transparency and communication around waiting lists.

MLA and health spokesperson, Nuala McAllister made the call following a briefing on the current state of waiting lists from departmental officials to the health committee on Thursday afternoon.

Nuala McAllister has said: "While it is no secret that waiting lists in Northern Ireland are extensive, there needs to be increased levels of openness and transparency from the Department of Health about wait times.

"Alongside Danny Donnelly MLA, I attended a Versus Arthritis roundtable event focussed on increasing support for patients on waiting lists. Whilst it was encouraging it hear the work the sector is doing in this area, it was extremely concerning to hear reports from patients on waiting lists that they felt the silence was deafening from the Trusts."

Alliance health spokespeople Nuala McAllister MLA and Danny Donnelly MLA also met with representatives from the Royal College of Surgeons on Thursday morning. "Evidence shows that there are options available to decrease waiting lists – the effective roll-out of surgical hubs across the region has shown this, and this must be continued," said Ms McAllister.

"However, there also needs to be increased physical support for those awaiting treatment to ensure their condition does not deteriorate further, alongside improved communication to ensure expectations are managed and patients do not experience further stress in what is already a stressful situation.

"We will continue to work with the sector to ensure our health service can be transformed, efficiencies found, and patient outcomes improved."

Croí na Cathrach To Mark First Year In Office For Lord Mayor Of Belfast

A special event has been announced to take place at the Ulster Hall on Saturday 13 April to mark the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy's year in office.

Croí na Cathrach – Heart of the City – will see many of the city's emerging and traditional musicians coming together to perform a selection of pieces, reflecting Belfast's rich and diverse shared heritage.

A limited number of tickets for the free event will be available from ulsterhall.co.uk from 10am on Friday 22 March on a first-come, first-served basis (maximum of two per person).

Curated by renowned composer Neil Martin and presented by acclaimed broadcaster Lynette Fay, the show will open with a piece, led by Neil Martin, which evokes the spirit of the Belfast Harpers' Assembly, while Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea will perform a selection of readings throughout the evening.

There will be a collaboration between Glengormley School of Traditional Music and Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, members of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band will perform solo pipe pieces and there will also be two special renditions from the 1st Old Boys' Brass Band. 

There will also be a unique performance of Slumdog Millionaire favourite Jai Ho from Mukesh Sharma and ArtsEkta, along with contributions from singers Gráinne Holland and Maurice Leyden

TG4 Gradam Ceoil Bursary recipients Catriona Gribben, Ciara McGuire and Brendan Kerr will showcase their skills, before a special finale featuring soprano Petra Wells and her take on the classic Ae Fond Kiss, followed by an ensemble rendition of The Minstrel Boy. 

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: "In what is a very special year for Belfast, I wanted to do my part to show how music, and culture in general, can be used positively to bring communities together and celebrate the ties that bind us.

"The Belfast Harpers' Assembly was a fantastic opportunity back in 1792 not just for musicians to show off their skills, but also for Belfast to invite people here - to our city - to experience the amazing talent we have here.

"My hope is that my Croí na Cathrach – Heart of the City – event will do the same, celebrating our wealth of musical talent and showing how music can unite us in what promises to be a really fun and enjoyable evening for everyone who attends."

To book tickets for Croí na Cathrach – Heart of the City – visit ulsterhall.co.uk from 10am on Friday 22 March.