Other News In Brief

Sion Mills Investment Huge Boost For The Area – SDLP

An investment in a food and drinks manufacturing facility in Sion Mills has the potential to be transformational for the village and the wider Strabane area, SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said.

Mr McCrossan worked with Mulrines to bring the company to the area, creating 54 jobs in the process.

He said that the investment and jobs which make a significant difference in the area and would hopefully show other companies the benefits of investing in the local community.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "I have personally worked with Mulrines for some time to show them the opportunity and potential that exists in Sion Mills, Strabane and right across West Tyrone and I’m delighted this manufacturing facility has now been confirmed. Mulrines is a local company that is expanding on both sides of the border and they have shown their confidence in this area and its people by investing significantly in this community.

"This new manufacturing facility will pump life into a site that has lain empty for nearly two decades, bringing much needed jobs to this area. For too long we have suffered due to a lack of investment and support and this project shows what we can achieve when as leaders we go out and sell our communities and people to companies like Mulrines.

"Sion Mills is a fantastic village, with a great community spirit and these jobs will create new opportunities for people living in the wider area and significantly boost our economy. I am in no doubt that this new facility will be a fantastic success, showcasing to other businesses the benefits of investing in West Tyrone and I will continue working with companies like Mulrine and advocating on behalf of this community to build a better life for everyone here."

Domiciliary Care Must Not Be Allowed To Fail Due To The Dup Boycott – Alliance

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has warned domiciliary care must not be allowed to fail due to the DUP boycott of the institutions, and plans must be put in place to improve pay and conditions of domiciliary care workers.

The South Belfast MLA stated: "The Chancellor’s recent autumn statement will mean again the cost of fuel, and therefore of travel, will rise over the coming year. We have to plan accordingly and ensure our domiciliary carers and district nurses are properly compensated.

"We should not underestimate how important the role played by carers and nurses working in domestic settings is for the entire health service, and indeed for us all. District nurses and domiciliary carers can be the people who first detect or report health issues, they are often working with the most vulnerable people in the community, and their work enables people to stay at home for longer or return home faster.

"Without our domiciliary carers and district nurses, we would find more people on waiting lists or in emergency departments unable to access the care they need. If domiciliary care goes wrong, the entire system goes wrong.

"Therefore, we need to be fully prepared for the challenges ahead, including ensuring those fulfilling such vital roles are adequately valued and compensated."

RVH Crisis 'Deeply Concerning' – SF

The ongoing crisis in emergency care is deeply concerning as staff at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital struggle to cope with the volume of patients that require treatment and admission, Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said.

The party's health spokesperson said: "Reports coming from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and the huge pressure facing staff in the Emergency Department are deeply concerning.

"A lack of care packages in the community means many patients deemed medically fit for discharge cannot leave and not enough beds are available for urgent care.

"I recently met with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, and it was clear that this is a system wide issue that needs Executive intervention.

"We need an Executive now to deliver a three-year budget and to invest an extra £1 billion in the health service to hire more doctors and nurses and tackle waiting lists.

"The DUP should end its boycott of the Executive and get back around the table with the rest of us and work together to prioritise health."