Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Craigavon Crown Court.

John Ramsey claimed Employment and Support Allowance totalling £27,828 while failing to declare he was living with a partner. He was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for three years.

Mr Ramsey is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Funding Secured To Refurbish Building In Comber

A Christian organisation has been awarded a total of £235,000 to refurbish its building in Comber, Co Down.

The money for the Comber Youth for Christ organisation was given under the Department of Education's youth capital works scheme.

The funding will be used to refurbish the existing building and extend the rear to comply with DDA and Fire Regulations. In addition, a lift facility will also be installed.

Education Minister Peter Weir said: "It is estimated that over £9 million will have been invested in the programme of youth capital works in the 2016/17 financial year. This investment will enable improvements to be carried out across the youth service positively impacting on children and young people.

"I am confident that the substantial investment in capital projects will help in the drive to improve the infrastructure of youth provision and the completion of all of these works will ultimately provide better facilities for our children and young people. This ongoing significant investment also provides a boost to our local construction industry, helping to sustain jobs."

Call For Public Funding Of Charter NI To Be Suspended

SDLP Communities Spokesperson Nichola Mallon MLA has called for public funding of Charter NI to be suspended pending a full review of the organisation’s governance arrangements including comments made by CEO Dee Stitt.

Ms Mallon has submitted an urgent oral question to the First and deputy First Ministers but it was rejected by the Speaker.

She said: "Ever since the First and deputy First Ministers awarded £1.7m to Charter NI, there have been serious questions about the relationship between a senior staff member in this organisation and the UDA.

"Despite this, a series of government Ministers have poured scorn on scrutiny of Charter NI and its relationship with active paramilitaries.

"The comments made by this organisation’s most senior staff member Dee Stitt last week, referring to working class areas as jungles, are deeply offensive. The reference to the ‘North Down Defenders’ as North Down's 'Homeland Security' are disturbing, alarming and need urgent clarification. There clearly needs to be an evaluation about this individual's support for the rule of law and his fitness to lead an organisation in receipt of significant public funding.

(CD)