Other News In Brief

New Autism Centre Opens In Co Down

A new Centre for Autism has opened in Carryduff, Co Down.

The facility will offer specific rooms to help with everything from general wellbeing to training.

Welcoming the launch, the South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw said the "long awaited" opening is testament to the fundraising work of the National Autistic Society, and to the awareness raising carried out in the background.

"This will be a unique facility, designed specifically with the needs and interests of people affected by autism in mind," Ms Bradshaw said.

"Until today, we had been without specific day provision in Northern Ireland.

"This is a significant breakthrough but there is still a distance to go. There remain significant difficulties with getting diagnoses, with receiving appropriate support in the education system, and elsewhere. This Centre will also be part of the awareness-raising process as we try to ensure people with autism are better catered for across all public services and in daily life generally."

The Autism Centre was officially opened by the National Autistic Society NI charity ambassador Christine McGuinness on Tuesday 19 November.

NI Athletes Set New Records In Dubai

Two Para Athletes from Northern Ireland have set new records at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.

Paralympian Jason Smyth won the 20th gold medal of his 14-year career in the 100m on Wednesday 13 November.

The Derry Track Club athlete beat his competition and set a new Championship Record of 10.54s, earning him the Gold medal. This was only hours after his stellar performance in the heats where he easily won in a time of 10.84s.

Smyth was joined in the Paralympics Ireland team by his club mate, Conor McIlveen, who made his debut at the World Championships on Thursday 07 November. He competed in the T38 400m, finishing in a time of 58.86 to take 7th place in the heats.

In the joint category 1500m event, Paralympian Michael McKillop (T37) and upcoming talent, David Leavy (T38) both competed on the final day of the Championships, Friday 15th November. This would be Michael's 6th World Championship, having won 5 gold medals in the 1500m and 1 gold in the 800m at the past Championships.

Michael came 4th overall in a new Championship Record time for his category of 4:09.07, while David finished in 9th place with a new PB of 4:23.86.

Ulster Farmers' Union: Milk Price Drop Is Indefensible

The Ulster Farmers' Union has condemned local dairy processors for cutting the base milk price and says it is bewildered by their decision to do so.

Speaking after the price decrease was confirmed, UFU deputy president, Victor Chestnutt said: "We have issued eight press releases since January voicing our concern at the pricing policy of local dairy processors and these have been met with appalling apathy. Local processors have ignored dairy commodity indicators and instead used Brexit as an excuse not to pay the true price for milk, leaving farmers angry and frustrated."

In August the UFU highlighted the 1.5p per litre gap between Northern Ireland and Great Britain milk prices, which has since increased.

"The latest government statistics show that the difference between milk prices in NI and GB is now over 3p per litre, which is scandalous," Mr Chestnutt continued. "The reality is, many dairy farmers are struggling to cover their overheads, specifically animal feed bills. Meal companies are reportedly carrying an increased level of debt with clients including some of our members, and this is a hidden cost that cannot be overlooked during these challenging times. This milk price drop is a further kick in the teeth for our dairy farmers and is having a serious impact on family-run farming businesses.

"The two dairy processors who have cut milk prices, need to explain the reason for their decision to their producers. The UFU is unable to understand the logic behind their reduction and winter bonuses must not be used to hide any drip-reduction in the base price especially when key dairy commodity prices are rising. If dairy processors are paying their producers on the back of what a balance sheet is dictating rather than the market price, it is a damning indication that the milk price calculator in Northern Ireland is beyond repair."



(JG/MH)