Other News In Brief

Call To Ensure CAMHS Audit Is 'Comprehensive And Thorough'

Sinn Fein spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called on Minister Mary Butler to ensure the nationwide audit into CAMHS is "comprehensive and thorough".

Reports emerged over the weekend that Former Chair of the Mental Health Commission John Saunders told the Minister that the HSE has narrowed the scope of the national audit "too much", which is therefore not following the recommendations of the Maskey report.

Teachta Ward said: "It was very concerning to read reports at the weekend that the scope of the nationwide audit into CAMHS has been narrowed.

"The original report by Dr. Sean Maskey found that of 1,300 children who attended South Kerry CAMHS, there was clear evidence that 46 of them suffered significant harm. Its report also found that 227 children being treated by a junior doctor employed by the service had been exposed to the risk of significant harm.

"In April 2021 I called for an immediate comprehensive nationwide audit of all CAMHS services. This process did not start until almost a year later.

"Giving the delay it is extremely worrying to read reports that the HSE will begin its audit by focussing on CAMHS cases involving young people with ADHD, before potentially broadening the scope of the audit later."

New Skills Strategy Would Enable Everyone To Access Opportunities - Alliance

A new skills strategy for Northern Ireland would enable everyone to access opportunities regardless of their background, Alliance Assembly candidate Patricia O'Lynn has said.

The North Antrim candidate was speaking ahead of Alliance showcasing a series of economic proposals in its upcoming manifesto, including a Social Value Act to drive social change, a dedicated strategy for 14-19-year-olds to bridge the gap between education apprenticeships and training, and a comprehensive high streets and town centres strategy.

"Skills are a key driver of economic and social change in our society," said Councillor O’Lynn.

"They make our economy more open, flexible and competitive, and increase productivity across society. Raising them can also lead to improvements in standards of living, therefore increasing social mobility and equality.

"A new skills strategy would drive up skill levels across society, while ensuring skills provision aligns more closely with the requirements of employers and the wider economy. Being cross-Departmental would give the entire Executive responsibility for it, and it would enable everyone to access opportunities, regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity or socio-economic background, and it could equip people with the skills which will be the focus of the future."

New Scheme To Help Rural Businesses To Open In May

A scheme to help rural micro businesses to sustain, develop and recover from the Covid 19 pandemic will open on the 4 May 2022.

The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme, and will be delivered in partnership with local Councils.

The grant will provide capital assistance of 50% up to the value of £4,999 for the purchase of capital equipment to help rural businesses remain sustainable and recover from the ongoing pandemic. The grant funding will also provide the opportunity for some businesses to increase innovation activity as well as the efficiency of their rural businesses.