Other News In Brief

SF Urge Given To 'Listen To The Wishes Of Parents

Education Minister Paul Given has been urged to "listen to the wishes of parents" at both Bangor Academy and Rathmore Primary school in their call for integrated status.

Making the call Sinn Féin education spokesperson MLA Pat Sheehan said: "Sinn Féin backed the Integrated Education Act so that families who wished to send their children to an integrated school could have that choice.

"The education minister has a duty to support, encourage and facilitate integrated education.

"The Minister should work constructively with parents and schools to fulfil that duty."

Belfast Shop Owner Fined for Obstructing Council Officers

A Belfast shop owner has been fined for obstructing council officers during an investigation into the sale of illicit vapes.

James Elwood, owner of Titanic Vapour on the Shankill Road, pleaded guilty to the offence at Belfast Magistrates Court today.

The case arose from a visit by Belfast City Council officers to the premises in November 2023 following complaints and test purchases that suggested the sale of illicit vapes.

During the visit, council officers encountered suspected illicit vapes but were prevented from completing their investigation due to obstruction by Mr Elwood.

Mr Elwood was fined £250 and ordered to pay £73 in costs.

'Serious Questions' Over Health Care Spending – Alliance

The Alliance Party has said that there are "serious questions" to be answered over the efficiency of spending in Northern Ireland's Health and Social Care system. Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA raised the issue after it was revealed that £619 million is being spent annually on independent care homes in NI without being subject to procurement processes.

The North Belfast MLA has said: "In today's challenging budgetary context, it is enormously concerning that such a staggering amount of money is being spent within our health system every year without being subject to procurement processes.

"The Health Minister never misses an opportunity to point the finger of blame at other parties when it comes to his budget shortfall, yet we find out today that more than half a billion pounds is being spent on care home services every year without going through a value for money check.

"I hear regularly from constituents about failings and low quality care in some of our care homes, so there are serious questions for the Minister to answer about where and how this money is being spent and the outcomes patients are receiving in return.

"The Department of Health is responsible for more than half of our devolved budget and the onus is on the Minister to ensure that this vast amount of public money is used efficiently and provides value. Can we have any confidence that that is happening in this case whenever Health Trusts themselves acknowledge that their contracting arrangements for care homes are so badly outdated and in need of significant review?

"I will use every power available to me through the Assembly to hold the Minister to account over this and ensure a robust procurement process for care home spending is put in place as a priority."