SDLP Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said it is increasingly clear that the culture of paying large bonuses to civil servants is beyond the control of the ministers to whom they are supposedly answerable.A series of Assembly questions put down by Mr McGlone established that senior civil servants are receiving more than a million pounds a…
Month: June 2009
Jim Nicholson welcomes European victory
Returning Conservatives and Unionists MEP Jim Nicholson has welcomed his re-election to the European parliament. “I am delighted to see that the Ulster Unionist Party’s percentage has increased since 2004, and indeed since the last Assembly election“I would like to thank the solid core who have remained with this party, and also those who have come…
GILDERNEW LAUNCHES NEW RURAL CHILDCARE PROGRAMME
Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has officially launched a new Rural Childcare Programme during a visit to Eskra Childcare Centre in Co. Tyrone.Praising the work of the childcare centre, the Minister said: “Every child has the right to be cared for in a stimulating and safe environment and the childcare facilities offered here…
BAKER CALLS DOUBLE ROAD DEATH ‘TERRIBLE TRAGEDY’
SDLP Councillor Mary Baker has expressed her remorse at the loss of two young lives on the Ballymulligan Road near Moneymore on Tuesday.Ms Baker is a neighbour of the deceased and knew them since they were children.She said: “This is just a horrific accident and I’m so sad that two young lives have been lost…
Public Health Agency encourages children to get active
A new campaign Physical activity: it all adds up! was launched today by the Public Health Agency to encourage parents and carers to ensure children are active for at least 60 minutes every day. Research shows that primary school children in Northern Ireland have low levels of physical activity, with less than a quarter (24%)…
E-LEARNING HELPS PUPILS ENGAGE WITH LANGUAGE LESSONS
More than half of language teachers in the UK are frequently using technology-based tools to support their lessons, with 85 per cent opting for computer-based language-learning programs that can be integrated into classroom teaching, according to a survey by Rosetta Stone (UK) Ltd.Nearly three quarters of these technologically savvy teachers would vouch for the positive impact of computer-based learning…
NORTHERN IRELAND RENAULT DEALERS TAKE TOP HONOURS IN UK QUALITY AWARDS
TC Autos in Omagh was one of three Northern Ireland Renault dealers to scoop one of the top prizes in Renault’s Global Quality Award Programme.In line with Renault Commitment 2009, the company’s three-year growth plan aimed at improving quality, profitability and sales, Renault’s Global Quality Award is held annually to recognise the active contribution of…
MULTI GENERATION HOMES BEAR BRUNT OF RECESSION
Among the biggest victims of the recession are not those who suffer redundancy – but their parents, according to new research from online broker, Selftrade. At a time of economic slowdown, there has been a resurgence of the multi generation home – couples taking in their elderly parents and also putting a roof over the…
LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT SOCIAL CARE GIVES CAUSE FOR GRAVE CONCERN, SAY NATIONAL CHARITY
Counsel and Care has today welcomed the report from the ippr and PriceWaterhouseCoopers on attitudes towards social care. The report highlights that there is still a worrying lack of awareness of social care and its nature amongst the public, with the majority not making any preparations for their own care in the future. The report…
MCGLONE: METEOR CLOSURE DEVESTATING TO KILDRESS AREA
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has expressed his regret at the loss of 70 jobs due to the closure of Meteor in Kildress, near Cookstown. He said: “This is a devastating blow for the Mid Ulster area. Meteor is a brand known throughout Ireland and it is very sad that a company that has…