Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Belfast Crown Court.

Ann Donnelly claimed Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £8,789 while failing to declare employment. She was given a two year conditional discharge.

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

Refurb Work Starts At Methodist College In Belfast

Refurbishment work has begun to upgrade and improve Methodist college in Belfast.

The McArthur Hall, which is a listed building, is to undergo repair and remedial works.

Once completed, the £4 million scheme will provide new educational spaces to include an ICT Suite, Business Information Systems, Library, Careers Suite and general classrooms. Ancillary accommodation will include admin office, staff and pupil toilets, and roofing over the main and minor internal courtyard to provide new accommodation.

The project is provided through the School Enhancement Programme (SEP).

Education Minister Peter Weir, said: "Improving the schools estate is a priority for me and the School Enhancement Programme is an excellent way of delivering capital work projects which have an immediate positive impact on the school environment and the young people within schools."

The SEP was initially announced in 2013 for projects costing between £500,000 and £4,000,000. The programme is targeted to meet the immediate and pressing needs in schools, through smaller scale works, where a new build is not deemed deliverable.

Over 50% Of Spinal Patients Wait Over A Year For First Appointment - UUP

Over 50% of spinal patients have been waiting for over a year for their first consultation appointment, according to the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

A further 2,502 patients have been waiting between 18 weeks and 52 weeks. The information was revealed through an Assembly Question.

Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, described the situation as "absolutely appalling".

She said: "These figures further illustrate the sheer unprecedented scale of the crisis affecting our local health service.

"The simple reality is that the current capacity in the Musgrave Park Hospital spinal service does not meet the demand for services. Until the Minister and the Executive recognises this, the situation will inevitably worsen.

"Earlier this year the Ulster Unionist Party revealed that the current waiting time for routine spinal appointments in April was 110 weeks, and shockingly it was rising in four weekly increments each month. In reality that meant that some patients may never have been seen as the delays were growing at the same rate as people were waiting.

"The latest revelation that over half of the total number of patients on the waiting list, have been on it for over a year would suggest that the plight of those people with severe spinal pain has further deteriorated."

(CD)