Ailing Health Service Slammed

Staff sickness cost the Department of Health more than £1.1m in the last financial year, it was revealed yesterday. With proposals to cut 722 nursing jobs and close residential homes for the elderly as part of wider efficiency savings, the DUP's Alex Easton claimed there was too much waste already in the system. Mr Easton, of the Health Committee told the Assembly Health Minister Michael McGimpsey was in danger of being labelled the Minister for cuts. See: Western Health Care Debt 'Quashed'

Help Small Businesses On Rates, Says SF

There has been a call for the immediate introduction of a rates relief scheme to assist small businesses. Sinn Féin Equality Spokesperson, Martina Anderson MLA (Foyle) said: "For small businesses already struggling as a result of the recession, the issue of high commercial rates is proving crippling. I have met with a number of local traders who are severely struggling in the current economic climate and the burden of huge commercial rates charges can literally mean the difference between survival and bankruptcy. Obviously, there is only so much that any government can do about a global economic crisis but there are positive interventions which could be made – the introduction of a rates relief scheme is one of them. The Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds has already indicated that he would consider implementing such a scheme and I am now calling on him to bring forward measures as soon as possible."

Buncrana Road Route Announced

The preferred route for proposed improvements to Buncrana Road in Derry has been announced. NI Roads Minister Connor Murphy said improvements will be carried out on-line along the entire route between Pennyburn Roundabout and the border. The existing carriageway will be widened on-line to provide two lanes of traffic in each direction and will include work to improve the efficiency of major junctions along the route. It is also intended to introduce measures to provide benefits for public transport as well as providing improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. The Sinn Féin Minister said: "This project will provide significant benefits in terms of improving traffic flows, reducing delays and improving safety for all road users along the whole length of this busy route," noting that the project is part of an overall strategy to improve the network of key transport corridors.

Apprentice Scheme Hits Target

A government target on training has been met a year early, NI's employment minister has said. More than 10,000 people have joined an apprenticeship programme even though it was only launched at the end of last year. It aimed to have 10,000 people in training at any one time by 2010 but has reached tat target already. It is open to anyone made redundant since September 2008 who was working in the construction, engineering and motor vehicle sectors. Stormont Minister, Sir Reg Empey said it was important to ensure skills continue to be developed.

From The Horse's Mouth..?

Stormont politicians are calling for the same kind of protection against having to name sources which is given to doctors, solicitors and priests. The DUP is tabling a motion in the Assembly recommending a client confidentiality-style law so public representatives will not be forced to reveal where they obtained sensitive information. The move comes as the party's North Antrim representative Ian Paisley Jnr faces a High Court challenge to try to compel him to disclose the identity of a prison officer to an inquiry team investigating the murder of loyalist prisoner Billy Wright during the Troubles. Mr Paisley has claimed the officer told him that official documents were destroyed in the wake of the murder by republican inmates inside the Maze prison in 1997. But he is determined not to reveal the officer's name.

(BMcC)