12/04/2005

Antrim Council unveils ID card for secondary school pupils

Antrim Borough Council has become the first local authority in Northern Ireland to introduce a 'Citizen Card' scheme to all secondary schools in the area.

The cards are free to anyone under the age of 18, provide a range of benefits and can even be used as a means of identification for flights to the UK mainland. The card can also be used for access to secure Internet chatrooms.

Speaking at today’s official launch of the ID card, Philip Thompson, Senior Environmental Health Officer at Antrim Borough Council, said: “Many local businesses told us how difficult it was to distinguish the age of young persons when selling age-restricted products such as alcohol and cigarettes. We took this on board and initiated the introduction of the Citizen Card.

“We set up in a unique multi-agency partnership to ensure all pupils under the age of 18 have easy access to the card and the benefits which it brings. The partnership consisted of representatives of Antrim Borough Council, local secondary schools, local businesses, local PSNI and Citizen Card.”

(MB)

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