Other News In Brief

Randox Creating 25 New Jobs At Antrim HQ

Healthcare diagnostics firm Randox has announced 25 new IT jobs for Country Antrim.

The digital roles will include software development, information security and web design and will be based at the company's new headquarters, the Randox Science Park, at the former Masserene Barracks.

Randox has dedicated £161 million for the manufacturing and research facility which will employ around 540 people when complete.

The roles are set to attract an average wage of £30,000 per year and are expected to generate £16.2m in annual salaries.

Managing director of Randox Laboratories, Dr Peter FitzGerald said: "As a global leader in healthcare diagnostics, we must continue innovating, through our people, through our world-class R&D, and through our infrastructure.

"With technology heavily influencing so much of what we do, the Randox IT department remains at the forefront of our capability and has a critical role to play in the delivery of cutting-edge innovation."

Stormont Deadlock Is Responsible For Educational Issues - SDLP

SDLP Education Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the daily struggle that faces teachers and principals when educating young people with a lack of resources is a product of the devastating and unnecessary political deadlock.

Northern Ireland has been without a functioning Executive since January 2017 when power-sharing collapsed.

"The struggle of schools in Northern Ireland has been well documented of late. Teachers having to get by on a shoe-string budget and having to make drastic cuts to keep schools afloat, all to the detriment of the pupils," the South Down MLA said.

"The SDLP has received confirmation from the Head of Civil Service David Sterling that at least ten major pieces of legislation and policy decisions cannot be made by the Department of Education without a Minister in place."

Mr McGrath urged the DUP and Sinn Fein to consider the damage being inflicted on the next generation due to the lack of cooperation.

"It is time we all got back around the table to ensure we stop this before we truly rob young people of their one chance at getting an education."

Alliance MLA Hits Out At Perpetrators Of Racist Attack

Alliance MLA for east Belfast Chris Lyttle has condemned the actions of those behind the racist attack in his constituency which saw the home of a family of five attacked.

A man, woman and three children narrowly missed injury when accelerant was poured through the letterbox of their property in Hyndford Street in the early hours of Friday 09 November and then set alight.

"Racism has no place in our society and must be condemned by everyone," Mr Lyttle said.

"The vast majority of people in east Belfast are welcoming and abhor the attitude and actions of those who carried out this attack.

"Clearly the perpetrators are a danger to our entire community and I would urge anyone with information to contact police with it immediately."



(JG/CM)