Other News In Brief

DUP Call On PM To Include NI in Cost-Of-Living Measures

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has called on the Prime Minister to ensure that any cost-of-living measures introduced by the Chancellor must be accessible to UK citizens living in Northern Ireland.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Jeffrey said: "The cost of living is crippling homes across the UK. The DUP has put a package of proposals to the Chancellor to help address energy costs. The Government however has previously stated that it is limited in helping Northern Ireland people with energy costs because of the NI Protocol.

"This is an outrageous situation in the first place but it would be even more outrageous if the Government, whilst talking about legislating to deal with the NI Protocol, continue to allow homeowners in Northern Ireland to be excluded from cost-of-living help.

"As part of our five-point plan for Northern Ireland, we have been urging the Government to introduce a Windfall Tax on energy firms and make going green affordable to more homes in Northern Ireland. The reality of the Protocol has been however, that tax reliefs, available in England, Scotland and Wales have not been available in Northern Ireland because of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"This is not new news for the Government. We have been warning about it for two years and the Government committed to deal with it in New Decade New Approach Agreement. We cannot have fully functioning devolution in Northern Ireland until the Protocol is dealt with.

"The Protocol threatens our place in the United Kingdom, endangers jobs for our people, drives up costs for customers and reduces choice on our shelves. We’re making progress but London and Brussels need to keep moving."

CAFRE Host Annual Horticulture Careers Event

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has hosted a range of industry speakers at the annual Horticulture Careers event held at Greenmount Campus.

Opening the Careers Forum, Head of Horticulture Branch, Paul Mooney provided inspiring words about the opportunities a career in horticulture can present. Paul expressed confidence in the great opportunities within the industry for students who are enthusiastic and qualified in horticulture. He encouraged students to: "Put yourself out there to secure your dream job."

The first guest speaker was international Garden Designer, Diarmuid Gavin. Diarmuid, a frequent visitor to Greenmount, began by sharing his love for the horticultural industry. Diarmuid told students: "There is no better place to be, than working in the Horticulture industry." He then reflected on his past experiences, the chances he took and how he came to be a successful Garden Designer. Diarmuid discussed how his designs are inspired, the works he has completed and his future plans. 

One of his most recent projects is in Antrim Castle Gardens. He has created a fun, mechanical garden, similar to one seen at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Horticulture students from CAFRE assisted with the construction and planting of the garden, which was showcased for the first time at the Garden Show Ireland in May 2022. The Garden Designer and Television Personality advised his enthusiastic audience: "To make the most of opportunities, you are in a great college here with great facilities … totally primed to follow your own dreams."

Intertrade Ireland Announces New Funding Scheme

Intertrade Ireland has announced that the E-Merge Covid-19 grant is to be replaced by a new funding scheme, the 'Digital Sales Essential (DSE)'.

The grant will offer five days worth of fully-funded consultancy support over 12 weeks to enable improved online presence, digital marketing and e-commerce capability to eligible companies that trade cross-border.

Grofuse digital director, Denis Finnegan, said: "This fully-funded digital sales and marketing programme will help employers to develop e-commerce solutions to grow online sales.

"This funding programme gives applicants much more choice in terms of the scope of services they can benefit from and facilitates longer project timelines than were available under the E-Merge scheme. As there was significant demand for the E-Merge grant, eligible businesses are advised to apply early to ensure inclusion."