Other News In Brief

Council Help Strabane Residents Cope With Cost Of Living

Derry City and Strabane District Council have hosted an information event in Strabane to give local people help in coping with the cost of living crisis.

The Council hosted the event in partnership with the Department for Communities.

Attendees received free advice and information on a range of cost-of-living issues around housing, mortgages, and benefits as well as tips and advice on dealing with food waste and every-day household bills.

Department for Communities staff advised people on additional supports they may be entitled to regarding pension credits, working tax credits, tax-free childcare or benefit entitlements.

Skills Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council, Nicky Gilleece said: "January is a time of year when the additional costs of winter begin to bite and this was therefore an opportune time to highlight ways you can trim your household bills and expenses and meet the additional costs of day to day living.

"It was an ideal way for people to get further important information on how to save money and navigate the cost-of-living crisis.

"Whether through advice from the local Jobs and Benefits Office to ensure people are getting the correct entitlements or pension credits, or advice on cut price activities for children, the event had something for everyone."

Alliance Welcomes Access To Treatment For PKU Patients In NI

Alliance has welcomed equity of access to treatment for PKU patients in Northern Ireland.

The party's Health spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw, supports the Department of Health's decision to use its current powers to enable the use of Kuvan (also known as Sapropterin) for the treatment of hyperphenylalaninaemia in phenylketonuria (PKU) in Northern Ireland, by patients over 21 years.

This move would bring NI into line alongside what's already in place in England and Wales.

Paula Bradshaw said Northern Ireland residents with rare conditions report the condition to the party, including through the All-Party Group on Rare Diseases at Stormont. She said such people "feel left behind when treatments are made available elsewhere but not in Northern Ireland".

In a statement the South Belfast MLA said:

"I know the campaign has been ongoing for some years. Among the last questions I put to the outgoing Health Minister in October 2022 were two on exactly this subject, given the comparatively high prevalence of PKU in Northern Ireland.

"Endorsement is a vital step forward but of course we now need assurance that specific and immediate provision will indeed be the consequence.

"While I welcome this significant step, it goes without saying that this overall process would be much more efficient if MLAs were back doing their jobs and scrutinising the work of a proactive Health Minister in a functioning Assembly."

Heron Bros Secures Over £150m In New Contracts

Heron Bros have secured more than £150 million over three notable new contracts.

The contracts include the Edinburgh Innovation Hub, the Ballycastle Shared Education Campus and the Dundonald Ice Bowl.

The £30m Edinburgh Innovation Hub, a joint venture between East Lothian Council and Queen Margaret University (DEVCO). In September 2023, the 7,200sqm facility was granted planning permission and is set to become a nationally significant Hub supporting innovation-led enterprise in East Lothian and the wider area.

The hub will cater to high-growth sectors, providing specialised services for research and business development, featuring commercial laboratory, office, and events spaces.

Heron Bros have also been awarded the £70m Ballycastle Shared Education Campus, which involves creating an educational shared campus for Cross & Passion College and Ballycastle High School.

The new campus will feature a range of sports facilities including an indoor climbing wall, Gaelic and soccer pitches as well as synthetic hockey pitch with flood lights. The indoor Sports Pavilions will include modern games courts and community facilities.

In addition to these contracts the company has been appointed to deliver the new £52m Dundonald International Ice Bowl project to replace the existing outdated provision. The project will deliver a modern facility promoting excellence in leisure, health and well-being, tourism, and sustainable development.

The new facility will include an Olympic-sized ice rink with spectator seating, a ten-pin bowling facility, children’s soft play and adventure play area, party rooms, a gymnasium, café & coffee shop, healthcare centre with pharmacy, multi-use community rooms, offices, general support accommodation, and parkland with adventure and community play areas. The project also entails additional parking and outdoor amenities in a new parkland setting.