Other News In Brief

Work To Begin On A2 Coast Road

Roads Minister Danny Kennedy has confirmed that work is set to begin this week on a £230,000 resurfacing scheme on the A2 at Garron Road, Carnlough Road.
Almost 2km or road will be resurfaced between Branch Road in Carnlough, north to Largy Road. Work is expected to last around two weeks.

Mr Kennedy said: "Once complete, road users will immediately benefit from the improved road surface. The improvements will also help to enhance this important tourism gateway from Larne to the North Antrim Coast and Glens.

"The scheme is a further demonstration of my Department’s continued investment in the A2 Coast Road and in the Larne Borough Council area."

£10m Allocated For Front Line Service Delivery

The Health Minister today welcomed the allocation of £10million in-year funding to help front line service delivery.
Welcoming the Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson's announcement today, Minister Edwin Poots said: "I am very pleased my Department has been allocated £10million towards front line services. This will enable the Health and Social Care sector to address additional demands on emergency departments and other services resulting from winter and unscheduled care pressures. Funding will also be allocated to General Dental Services and Family and Childcare to help meet increasing demands."

The £10million funding is to be allocated to address the following:

•£7million for Winter Pressures/Unscheduled Care. This will enable us to address additional demand on emergency departments and other acute health services as a result of winter and unscheduled care pressures;

•£1million for Family and Childcare services, due to greater demand for adoption allowances and foster homes;

•£1million for increased demand within General Dental Services; and

•£1million for Infection Control.

Benefit Assessments Must Retain Flexibility - Ritchie

SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has spoken out against British Government's plans to replace Disability Living Allowance with Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) and the impact of this on those who are blind, partially –sighted or deaf.

Speaking after taking part in a Westminster debate on the matter Ms Ritchie stated: "DLA is absolutely essential to assist those in need of support and am deeply concerned that the new regime under Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) will leave many more people vulnerable. While the government have made some important changes to the PIP descriptors to make it somewhat fairer to those who are blind or partially sighted, it is clear that the government still have many issues to clarify to ensure that the new system reflects the fact that blind, partially sighted and deaf people often have very specific challenges and needs. Indeed there are real fears that the new assessment criteria will not be flexible enough to address the challenges faced and resulting costs that have to be met by these people as they go about their daily life.

"It is not surprising that real concerns have been voiced by many charities that the new criteria may not create a level playing field and effectively discriminate against the particular mobility and communication needs of people with certain disabilities. Of particular concern here is the suggestion that an element of the assessment – that claimants be able to undertake each activity ‘safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a timely manner’ – will be removed from the guidelines. The government need to clarify this guidance and the assessment criteria as soon as possible."

(CD/GK)