All Ireland economic realities discussed at NSMC - McGuinness

Martin McGuinness MP MLA, speaking from the North South Ministerial Council, where a focus was placed on economic issues affecting people across the island of Ireland said:

“A number of issues in relation to the economy and the realisation that the all-Ireland economy is a reality were discussed including the revelation that NAMA will now hold in excess of £5bn worth of assets in the north of Ireland.

“Sinn Féin also raised the issues with regards to the regulation of the Quinn group and the fact that two of the banks operating in the north are owned, and regulated, from Dublin and the impact this has on customers in all parts of the island.

“Given these and other issues there is now a clear need to recognise the economic realities that exist and plan the economy on an all-Ireland basis.

“This is essential if we are to maximise economic growth through research and development to promote and enhance indigenous companies.

“Sinn Féin’s proposals for economic recovery have been published. These are based on growth through investment, job creation, and all-Ireland co-operation.

“The greater this co-operation the greater the delivery of substantial savings and stability. Evidence can be shown in more efficient and effective public service provision such as the cancer services at Altnagelvin, with the linkage of Letterkenny and Magee education campuses, and the A5 and A8 dualling projects.

“This is a very clear message that we will be putting to the people of Ireland in the forthcoming months and one that has already been widely accepted as a positive and constructive way forward.”

Social Development Minister has left Neighbourhood Renewal groups in the dark – Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast and member of the Social Development committee at Stromont, Carál Ní Chulín has stated that there needs to be immediate clarity from the Minister of Social Development, Alex Attwood, as to the criteria and time span for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding applications.

Speaking today Ms Ní Chuilín said:

“Serious concerns have arisen only days before the closing date for applications to the Neighbourhood Renewal programme. Community groups have not been made aware of vital criteria that is essential to their applications.

“There has been no clarity on whether the funding is for one or four years, on what is the criteria for assessment or if the department using previously submitted data to assess the applicants, or indeed will there be cuts to the amount of funding available?

“Any application for funding needs careful consideration by the applicant in order to ensure maximum success and continuity of projects and employment posts.

“Without the correct and proper guidance from the Department these groups have essentially been left to shoot in the dark and can only hope that they get the required funding.

“This is absolutely no way to run a funding programme. In these economic times the Minister is playing russian roulette with peoples jobs and with community service provision. He must, over the space of this weekend, provide clarity to these immediate and pressing issues.”

The change is good for local Gaels

North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said the start of the work on changing facilities at the Cricky pitch on the Cliftonville Road is a victory for local Gaels.

Work began this week on the long-awaited changing facilities on the pitch, which is used by the two local GAA clubs Ardoyne Kickhams and Pearses GAA clubs.

"It's been a hard fought battle for these changing facilities and if you recall, children were having to change at the side of the road to play here," said the Sinn Féin representative.

"We are delighted with the start of this work and the highest praise must go to the GAA for their determination during this campaign.

"It's a significant development, we overcame sectarianism in the city council to win this fight and I must say that the SDLP reversing their position to block these changing facilities for local young people was the right thing to do and hopefully they can join with us in future community leisure campaigns."

Councillor welcomes Ardoyne home repair scheme

Sinn Féin Councillor Gerard McCabe has commended all those involved after it was announced that more than 100 homes in the Ardoyne area are getting external improvements as part of a Housing Executive repair scheme.

The Housing Executive’s External Cyclical Maintenance Programme will carry out the work on 132 homes in the district including putting in uPVC windows in homes that have none and services of the windows of those that do.

The work will also include replacing any defective external doors and rainwater goods as well as carrying out repairs to roofs, chimneys, fencing, external walls, railings and paths, work which will be carried out prior to redecoration.

“This scheme is excellent news for the residents of the Jamaica/Havana area. I have been working closely with the Jamaica/Havana residents group and together we have developed an excellent working relationship with the Housing Executive’s North Belfast District Office.

"The Jamaica/Havana residents group and I would like to thank the officers involved for all their hard work and will continue to liaise with them to ensure the scheme progresses as smoothly as possible for all the residents involved,” said McCabe.

Bin burnings by anti-socials
Meanwhile McCabe said bin burning incidents near a sheltered housing facility in Ardoyne have come about after as alleyway has become a well-known hot-spot for anti-social behaviour.
Youths have been stealing black wheelie bins and burning them out in the alleyway that runs adjacent to Holyrood House on Flax Street.

“It is important that we get the appropriate agencies working together including Council and police,” he said.
He commended Belfast City Council for coming out to clean the area after recent incidents.

Deadline approaching for pensioners to avail of free Irish passports

North Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Mary Ellen Campbell has urged local pensioners who need an Irish passport to apply now before the entitlement to a free passport ends.

Mary Ellen called on locals not to miss the deadline for a free passport, which ends this month. Those over the age of 65 have been entitled to a free Irish passport since 2005, however the concession is due to end at the end of this month when they will be charged.

"I'm urging constituents to quickly avail of the remaining opportunity by calling to our Antrim Road office," said Mary Ellen.
"Irish passport entitlement is a very popular issue with constituents and we deal with a large volume of applications.

“As finances are limited currently I'm urging those over 65s concerned to act now and save themselves a substantial cost. The passport office aren't currently busy so you shouldn't have the difficulties many experienced last year,” said the Republican Councillor.

Tar Isteach move house

New Lodge based group X-prisoners group Tar Isteach are in the process of packing up their old base in the New Lodge to move to a bigger building beside the Antrim Road Baptist Church, facing Mannys chip shop.

The organisation was set up in 1999 to provide counselling and welfare rights advice for ex-republican prisoners and their families in the North Belfast area but has now expanded and offers advice, emotional support, youth provision and training and education to those that need it.
Project co ordinator Tommy Quigley said the new premises will allow all their services to be provided under the one roof. Funding is provided by the Peace III programme.

"With the regeneration work being planned for Hillman Street where our old premises were we knew we had to move so chose this spot here on the Antrim Road," said Quigley.
"Before we were divided between the Ashton Centre and Hillman Street but now it is all under one roof. We will still be providing the same service but from another location.

"Tar Isteach has grown so much over the years, now more than 2500 people are helped by us every year."
Service users are warned there may be some disruption over the coming weeks while the official move takes place.

"We will officially be moving on 27 January so there might be a bit of disruption in the next couple of weeks. We are telling people to just give us a ring to check.
“We are also updating our ex-prisoners database so any ex-prisoners in the area should get in touch with their contact details. This is a new phase for us in Tar Isteach and we will continue to make it the success that it is."
Contact Tar Isteach on 90754967

North Belfast behind fight to save Mater A&E - Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said the decision to close the Mater A&E on Sunday was most alarming.
Ambulances with emergency patients were diverted away from the Mater Hospital and staff fear it is part of a wider plan to downgrade the accident and emergency unit.

“This hospital is vital for both the health of the community and the large number of local people employed there,” said the North Belfast MLA.
"This decision to close the Mater A&E was made at a very senior level and is most alarming. It's my understanding that staff have provided a first class service in the past with double this amount of trolley waits and there was no operational rationale for this move," she said.

"Since becoming the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey seems to have favoured the City Hospital A&E which is in his local constituency. We will fight tooth and nail not just to save Mater Hospital facilities but to extend and further develop them.

"The Mater is our biggest employer and vital to the health of surrounding deprived communities. My heart goes out to the professional and dedicated Mater staff who must feel demoralized at present. The whole North Belfast community is behind you in the fight ahead."