Other News In Brief

No Decisions Have Been Made On Youth Sector Funding - Weir

Education Minister Peter Weir has said that no decisions have been made on funding for organisations delivering Extended, Outreach and Detached initiatives.

Minister Weir said no funding has been withdrawn and no decision has been taken to remove funding.

He said: "The current political uncertainty has clearly raised anxiety over budgets generally, however, I want to reassure those working in the youth sector that I have not proposed to withdraw or reduce support for these important initiatives.

"I greatly value the work of the youth sector in supporting young people to improve their overall life chances, and I remain committed to ensuring that the needs of young people are prioritised in line with current policy objectives and within the resources available.

"The confusion that has arisen is as a result of a budget not yet having been agreed and obviously there is some uncertainty at the moment as to when and by whom final budget decisions will be made.

"The Education Authority (EA) has carried out its normal and annual process of notifying staff in the youth sector that future delivery is subject to funding available and therefore staff are placed on what is known as protective notice. This is standard practice by the EA which has sent out similar letters in previous years. It does not mean that jobs will be lost or funding removed."

£300,000 Secured For Major Carriageway Project In Co Down

A total of £300,000 has been secured to carry out a resurfacing scheme on a major carriageway in Co Down.

The project, on the B8 Newry road in Hilltown, will provide over 2km of new asphalt road surface and associated drainage improvement works

Preparatory work will commence on Monday, 13 February, and the work is expected to be completed by Friday, 07 April.

Due to the narrow road width along this stretch of road and to protect the safety of the travelling public and contractors it will be necessary to close the road during the works.

A temporary road closure will operate daily from 8.30am to 17.00pm. The road will be open each evening and at weekends.

Diversions will be put in place during the works.

Alliance Selects Dickson And Donnelly For East Antrim

Stewart Dickson MLA and Alliance activist, Danny Donnelly have been selected to contest the Assembly election in East Antrim.

Mr Dickson is the sitting MLA and was re-elected to represent East Antrim in May 2016. Mr Donnelly, who lives in Larne, is well known for his passion for campaigning on environmental issues. He also ran in the last Assembly election.

The candidates issued a joint statement which said: "We are determined to strongly contest this snap election and are more ready than ever to represent the people of East Antrim.

"The East Antrim electorate made their decision eight months ago. The two main parties have since chosen to reject this decision. Perhaps this election will give people the opportunity to vote differently and hold the failed governing parties to account.

"While the future of the institutions is more uncertain, Alliance is continuing to work hard for everyone locally and is ready for an election - what we now need is for people who want change to vote for it."

(CD)