Other News In Brief

Magee Expansion Could Meet Demand For Uni Places – SDLP

An expanded and properly resourced Magee University could meet the demand for increased university places, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said.

He was speaking after a forecast from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) predicted a 20% rise in school leavers from the North seeking a university place by 2030.

Mr Eastwood said the British and Irish governments must live up to their commitment to 10,000 student places at Magee as secured by the SDLP in the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "The first responsibility of any government is to provide hope and opportunity to a new generation. It's the first hurdle and Northern Ireland is still falling at it.

"The UCAS projection demonstrates the clear need to increase higher education places or risk exporting hundreds of young people abroad to find a better life for themselves. And we know from experience that when they leave, they're unlikely to ever come back.

"The answer is obvious. We need sustained priority investment in skills and education - including at Magee where we have secured a commitment to at least 10,000 places. It's time to live up to those promises. We have been fighting for an expanded university in Derry for over 50 years, at New Decade, New Approach I insisted that our city must get these university places and it's long past time that this was delivered.

"The SDLP's vision for a New Ireland is one where people have access to opportunities on their doorstep. A new country where the limit of your aspiration isn't capped by the low ambitions of a failing government. The long-awaited expansion of Magee has the potential to create a major university that serves the entire North West of the island and we will keep making that case until its delivered."

UUP Concerned For Groups Losing European Social Fund Support

The UUP has joined growing calls for action to help NI community groups about to lose their funding from the European Social Fund.

UUP Deputy Leader, Robbie Butler MLA said: "The current perfect funding storm that has brewed due to the removal of the European Social Fund (ESF), coupled with the lack of a functioning Executive will certainly see lives turned upside down. More seriously it could see lives put at risk. There has been a measured response until now in a belief that a solution would be forthcoming, however at this late stage the serious threat cannot be ignored anymore.

"For over 20 years ESF funding has ensured that the Community and Voluntary sector has stepped up to plug a gap left by already stretched statutory services. The fact that a charity such as Action Mental Health provide services for over 1000 clients every day undoubtably alleviates significant pressure on our Health and Social Care sector.

"The European Social Fund (ESF) has been a mainstay of funding support for some of the most vulnerable in our society for a generation. With just a few days until the funding ends we are calling on decision makers to secure the immediate future of these services."

Alliance Condemns Weekend Violence In North Down

The Alliance have condemned a string of attacks seen in Newtownards and Bangor over the weekend, and have reasserted that such violence and intimidation have no place in our society.

This included pipe and petrol bomb attacks on a number of residences across both areas. No one was seriously injured, though one man was treated by paramedics after an incident involving petrol bombs being thrown at a residence in Newtownards.

Strangford representatives Nick Mathison MLA has said: "One attack of this kind in our community is one too many, but to hear of multiple happening over the course of one weekend is immensely concerning.

"We wholeheartedly condemn all instances of violence and attempts at intimidation. Let it be clear that these cowardly individuals represent nobody other than themselves and their actions stand to achieve nothing but meaningless destruction."

Kellie Armstrong MLA added: "This deliberate assault on the peace and safety of our communities is absolutely sickening and there is no justification for it.

"Whilst we're thankful that miraculously nobody was seriously hurt, undoubtedly due in no small part to the timely and professional response of the NIFRS and other emergency services, the terror inflicted both on those targeted and on other residents is reprehensible and must be robustly denounced by all across society.

"We would urge anybody with potentially relevant information about any of these incidents that could aid in bringing those responsible to justice, to please contact the PSNI, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers."