Other News In Brief

New Interim Head Of The Northern Ireland Civil Service Announced

Jenny Pyper has been named as the new Interim Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service has been announced by First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

Mrs Pyper was most recently Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (UR). 

It is intended that this interim role will be in place for eight months.

The Ministers said: "We are pleased to announce that Jenny Pyper will be the interim Head of the Civil Service.

"She will take up post at a critical time as the Executive continues to manage its response to, and recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic and prepares for the end of the EU exit transition period. This includes addressing immediate health, societal and economic challenges as well as planning for the future and putting us in the best possible place to rebuild our economy, rejuvenate our society and transform our public services.

"We have agreed that Jenny will chair a newly-established Covid-19 Taskforce, which will deal with crucial issues such as vaccination rollout, mass testing and compliance.

"As set out in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, the Executive is committed to significant and ambitious reforms in the development of an outcomes-based Programme for Government. We have every confidence in Jenny's ability to lead and further reform the Civil Service and support the development of a PfG that will deliver for our people."

New Assured Skills Academy Training Places Announced

A further 20 high quality training places for people with degrees on an Assured Skills Academy with PwC has been announced by Economy Minister Diane Dodds.

Focussing on Future Business Skills, the Assured Skills Academy will see participants receive industry-relevant pre-employment training at Belfast Met.

Participants who complete the training will gain industry-recognised qualifications and are guaranteed a job interview for a role at PwC in Belfast.

Highlighting the opportunity, the Minister said: "I am pleased to announce another Assured Skills Academy with PwC and Belfast Met. This is an excellent opportunity for people with degrees seeking to start or change career in the professional services sector.

"Developing the local skills base is a key element of the economic recovery. Assured Skills Academies have a track record of success in upskilling people and helping them secure employment, and we intend to open more Academies for applications in the coming months."

Call For New Winter Fuel Benefit For The Terminally Ill

A new winter fuel benefit for terminally ill people should be introduced, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said.

Ms Armstrong was speaking after the launch of a report entitled the Vicious Cycle of Fuel Poverty and Terminal Illness by Marie Curie. The report, launched on Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, examines the cycle of fuel poverty for those with terminal illnesses.

"The recommendations of this important report back many things Alliance has been calling for, including scrapping the cruel ‘six-month rule’ and subsequently providing fast-track access to benefits for those with a terminal illness, and calling for automatic qualification for them for benefits such as winter fuel payments," said Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong.

"It is vital people with ill health or a terminal illness keep their home warm. The recent additional winter heating payment announced by the Communities Minister is aimed at those with disabilities or on pension credit and is welcome, but the Executive needs to follow this with a winter fuel payment for those with a terminal illness.

"Those with such illnesses can easily get caught up in this cycle, having to spend more to heat their homes, at a time when they are already experiencing depleted incomes, perhaps leading to symptoms flaring up and even in some cases hastening their death. That is not good enough and we must do what we can to prevent it."