Other News In Brief

SDLP Supports Compulsory CPR Training For Pupils

The SDLP is supporting a new Bill at Westminster to make it compulsory for all pupils at secondary schools to be taught CPR skills and defibrillator awareness.

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said:"“I am delighted to support this new Bill which aims to make CPR and defibrillator awareness a compulsory part of the secondary school curriculum.

"I have consistently lobbied at Westminster for improving cardiac arrest survival rates. In the last parliament I supported amendments to the Education Bill which would have had the same effect as this Private Members Bill.

"Currently only one in ten people in the UK survive a cardiac arrest. However, in countries like Norway, where CPR is taught in schools, survival rates are up to three times as high."

Work Begins On £2.2m Housing Project In L'Derry

Kevin Watson Group has started construction work on a new £2.2 million social housing project for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) in Dungiven, L'Derry.

Funded by the Department for Social Development and Apex Housing, the development on Haas Road will provide 19 new family homes and apartments, including two specially adapted homes for wheelchair users.

The scheme is being built on former NIHE land adjacent to Ard na Smoll estate.

The development is scheduled for completion in October 2016.

Martin Doherty, Chairman of Apex Housing said: "Apex is delighted to have started construction on the second phase of our development at Hass Road, Dungiven. This is a £2.2million investment in 19 new build family homes by the Department for Social Development and Apex. This will provide much needed housing for families who may be living in difficult circumstances and create much needed employment opportunities for the hard pressed construction sector in Northern Ireland."

Alliance Appoints New Belfast Cllr

Alliance has appointed Sian O'Neill as its new Belfast councillor.

She will replace Cllr Laura McNamee who is standing down to focus on her teaching career.

The project co-ordinator of Localgiving NI said she aimed to build on the excellent work started by Laura McNamee, particularly focussing on youth provision across East Belfast and community engagement.

Councillor Sian O'Neill said: "It is an honour to follow in Laura McNamee's footsteps as the newest Ormiston Councillor and I am looking forward to continuing the excellent standard set by Laura - who has shown both courage and conviction in always doing what is right for her constituents.

"I'm also thrilled to be joining the pro-active and effective Alliance team on Belfast City Council. As the third largest party we have continually worked to ensure all decisions are not only open and transparent, but fair and address key concerns of local people.

"It is an exciting time to be part of Alliance, which continues to show real leadership where others are lacking. This leadership starts at local government level and I relish the opportunity to get to work with my colleagues - together determined to create a new shared society, based on mutual respect, free from sectarianism and inclusive to all."

(CD)