Other News In Brief

Two People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Michael Doherty claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,945 while failing to declare employment. He was given a conditional discharge for two years.

Louise McDermott claimed Income Support totalling £2,831 while failing to declare employment. She was given a conditional discharge for two years.

They are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Additional Funding Announced To Tackle Cybercrime

Justice Minister Claire Sugden has announced additional funding to improve the PSNI's ability to tackle cybercrime.

The PSNI plans to use £167,000 of funding to introduce two purpose-built mobile cyber labs.

Claire Sugden said: "It is estimated more than 50% of all crimes committed nowadays utilise the cyber environment to some degree.

"Tackling cybercrime is a priority for the PSNI, which has established a dedicated Cyber Crime Centre. The introduction of these mobile labs will both improve the capacity and capability of officers to respond to these sorts of crime."

Call For Autism Services To Be Reformed

Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has challenged Department of Health Officials to reform Northern Ireland Autism services at a hearing of the Stormont Health Committee.

Mrs Dobson recently revealed that the number of children waiting for an autism spectrum assessment has increased by 280% over the last five years.

She said: "I have met with so many parents who face a double dilemma – getting to grips with the fact that their son or daughter is a little bit different from their peers but then fighting an over-complicated system where waiting times for assessments and treatments continue to rise.

"It is very clear that the current system is failing children who need specialist help and support at an early age and a new integrated model is absolutely vital if those children are not to continue to be failed.

"With officials confirming to me that referrals are increasing by up to 12% this year alone and that to the end of March this year they are expecting 3,300 assessments it is clear that the failing system must be reformed.

"Early intervention is absolutely critical and an issue which has, in far too many cases, left children and young people without the support they need, and if and when it does come, that support can in many cases be too late.

"Support must be put in place before diagnosis – given the lengthening waiting times – those children who need help must get it as soon as possible."

(CD/MH)