Other News In Brief

SDLP Calls For Urgent Response To City Centre Deaths

The SDLP has called for an urgent response to the deaths of five people in the city.

It is understood that the deaths have occurred in the wake of the closure of the Welcome Organisation's headquarters after an attack.

SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty, who is working with the charity to establish a new premises, said: "The heartbreaking deaths of five people on the streets of Belfast over the past few days underlines the crisis we are currently facing around homelessness, addiction and poor mental health. All of these issues are interlinked and without a proper multi-agency long-term approach we are never going to get these people the support they need.

"It's absolutely chilling to hear workers on the ground warn that more deaths are likely in the coming days and that should focus minds around the scale of what we are dealing with here. Many people in our city are currently in the grip of addiction and we can't expect charities and volunteers to solve this problem, our health service, with support from the Executive, council and other statutory bodies needs to step in and get this under control.

"It's disappointing that at a time when their services are so badly needed that the Welcome Organisation have been forced to close their doors, but I am currently engaging with them to establish a new premises that will better serve their needs and address the concerns of residents around their previous headquarters.

"Unfortunately it is not only the Welcome Organisation that is struggling at the minute, groups across the North dealing with homelessness are facing budget cuts that will put their very existence at risk. These tragic deaths show the consequences for failing to adequately support people when they are struggling and at the very least should provide a catalyst for a reversal of these cuts from the Department for Communities and the Executive." DfE Launches Public Consultation On PGA Scheme

The Department for the Economy has opened a new public consultation on the Postgraduate Award (PGA) Scheme.

The consultation seeks views on a number of options for potential reform of the PGA Scheme, including enhancing the support available.

In addition, the consultation seeks views on proposed changes to existing PGA Scheme terms and conditions. These changes are intended to enhance the experience of PGA Scheme students, aligning more closely with the Economy Minister’s priority in relation to providing and supporting the delivery of good jobs. The proposed changes are also aimed at reducing bureaucracy for the universities administering the scheme, and widening the eligibility and accessibility criteria of the scheme to attract and secure the best talent.

The consultation is open now and will run until 5pm on 26 September 2024.

Alliance Welcomes Extension Of Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme

The Alliance Party has welcomed the news that the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme (TPDPS) is to be extended until August 2026.

Welcoming the news, Executive Office Committee Deputy Chair, Connie Egan MLA, stated: "We welcome the action taken by the Secretary of State to extend the deadline for access to backdated payments within the TPDPS. This is a positive step in ensuring that all applications can be processed, and all victims are able to access the support they are entitled to.

"This is an important move by the new Labour Government, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring that victims and survivors are not left behind.

"Alliance has consistently raised concerns about the accessibility of this system, including whether the application process is sufficiently trauma-informed, and I'm pleased to see the UK Government has listened to those who have raised concerns and some progress has been made. We must now turn our attention to the full report on the review released at the end of this month."