Other News In Brief

Three People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Three people have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Glenn Courtney of Berlin Street, claimed Incapacity Benefit and Housing Benefit totalling £5,634 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £450.

Deborah Jones of Pembrooke Court, claimed Income Support totalling £3,935 while failing to declare employment. She was fined £400.

Anthony Fields of Southview Cottages, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £8,523 while failing to declare employment. He was given 120 hours community service.

All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Education Minister's £33m Scheme 'Discriminatory' - Lunn

Alliance Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said the Education Minister's £33 million scheme to replace prematurely retiring teachers is potentially discriminatory, as it bars those who have qualified more than three years ago.

Mr Lunn said while allowing older teachers to leave the profession early without the reduction of their pension entitlement was a sound idea, only allowing recent graduates to replace them was a mistake.

He said: "The rule that only teachers who have qualified within the last three years can replace those retiring is not only unfair, but potentially legally dubious, as it clearly discriminates against those who graduated longer ago.

"This scheme, like many other initiatives before it, does nothing to address the basic problem of producing too many graduate teachers year-on-year, and is instead another example of waste and duplication in our public spending."

Northstone (NI) To Begin Work On Co Armagh Improvement Scheme

Contractor Northstone (NI) is to begin construction work on the final phase of Public Realm improvements to Lurgan's town centre streets, Co Armagh.

The total cost of the Lurgan Public Realm Scheme Phase 3 is approximately £700,000. It includes £153,000 from the Department for Social Development (DSD). The remaining funds are being provided by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

The Public Realm works include new footways with granite kerbs, new street lighting and furniture to complement previous completed phases.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Darryn Causby said: "I am delighted that Council and the Department for Social Development have again been able to work together to progress this project. The success of the earlier phases of work in Lurgan is clear for all to see, so to have the opportunity now to complete the scheme as originally envisaged is a real boost for the town. We have worked closely with traders and businesses throughout the design process; we have listened to them and understood that Christmas trade is crucial to them. This is one of the reasons why the work will now not start until mid-January 2016. We will continue to engage with them throughout the construction phase to ensure we can successfully deliver a quality of environment throughout the entire town centre that everyone can be proud of."

(CD/LM)