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A recent event organised by the Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network sought to identify the key issues for women in rural areas and how these might be addressed. The event held in the Linen Green, Moygashel on Wednesday night last drew considerable support from the public and from community development practitioners.

Gender wage imbalances, isolation, marginalisation, domestic violence, access to quality healthcare, education and our male-dominated Judiciary were a number of the issues which were discussed over the course of the evening.

Fermanagh & South Tyrone Ulster Unionist Party Assembly candidate, Kenny Donaldson was amongst the political panellists.

Speaking after the event, Kenny said: “I was delighted to be asked to participate in what proved to be; a highly informative and interactive discussion.

“What came out in discussions above all else was the need for; ‘a sustainable, rural childcare strategy’ to be developed. Lack of quality, affordable childcare in rural areas is a major barrier for rural women whom wish to become involved in economic, social and political life.

“I pledge my support for the efforts of our rural women’s movement. Women have been the lynchpin of rural society for decades and it is long gone time that they were afforded every opportunity to contribute to the wider social, economic and political life of this Region.

“The days when, ‘women made the tea’ while ‘men did the business’ is not reflective of a modern, rights based society. All should be afforded equal opportunity to develop without being discriminated against. I look forward to working in partnership with our rural women’s movement in delivering upon the many issues which have up to now, been neglected by Direct Rule Government,” concluded the Fermanagh & South Tyrone UUP Assembly Candidate.

On March 7th, the Ulster Unionist Party will have five young candidates seeking to become MLA’s. Kenny Donaldson (Fermanagh & South Tyrone), Cllr Mark Dunn (East Antrim), John McCallister (South Down), Peter Munce (Foyle), and Robin Swann (North Antrim) will seek the support of the public to take on the reins of political responsibility and lead Northern Ireland forward.

In a joint statement, the UUP candidates said: “There are many reasons why young people don’t feel the need or inspiration to vote. We are all aware of the apathy amongst younger voters towards the political process - only by placing the concerns of young people at the heart of the political process here can we start to address this apathy.

“There are a whole raft of issues which we are determined to see taken forward by the future Assembly on behalf of our younger population. Young families face enormous difficulties in getting a first foot on the property ladder here. Far too many of our young school-leavers are forced to leave the province for their higher education. Young people want to build a just and a fair society here in Northern Ireland - and to ensure that the United Kingdom as a whole plays a leading role in international development abroad.

“We understand and share the frustrations of many about the sterile punch-and-judy politics which the extreme parties use to distract from the issues that really matter. But the only way to change things is to get involved. Young people across the Province need to stand up to the tired, old views of the extremes – it’s about moving beyond the punch-and-judy politics and working together to build a future for all of us.

“Distant direct rulers are not interested in the concerns of young people here. Only by getting a devolved government of our own can we deliver the future Northern Ireland deserves.

“Young people must have a say as to how this country develops – why be a spectator in your own country? Be sure to cast your vote on March 7th to place the concerns of young people at the heart of the new Assembly,” concluded the UUP Assembly candidates.

Speaking on Monday after a question-and-answer session with students, organised by the NUS-USI Student Movement, Kenny Donaldson - Ulster Unionist Candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone - urged students to use their vote wisely and secure a better future for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Donaldson said, “Many of the issues that are important to students are the concerns addressed by the Ulster Unionist Party in our election manifesto. Young people want normal politics in Northern Ireland, not a sectarian headcount. They also realise that candidates should not be playing politics with education - put simply, education is too important to Northern Ireland future’s for political games.

Questions from the NUS-USI representatives focused on issues from top-up fees, the lack of student university places in Northern Ireland, changes to FE colleges and graduate employment opportunitIes.

The students were also concerned about the results of a recent study showing that applications to Northern Ireland universities and colleges have risen this year by a mere 0.3%, while the number of applications to universities and colleges in England rose by 7.2%.

Mr. Donaldson said “Ulster Unionists are committed to equitable access to higher education and the reversal of funding cuts imposed on Further Education colleges. We are calling for a new Northern Ireland Executive to review how we finance our universities and students. A balance has to be sought between enabling our universities to compete with those in GB and opening up higher education to young people from all backgrounds.”

“The UUP propose to extend degree-awarding status to all Further Education colleges - as is the case in GB. This would increase access to degree-level courses and give better opportunities to young people across Northern Ireland.

“A 21st knowledge-based economy needs the skills and talents produced by our FE colleges and universities. Investing in further and higher education offers a better future for all us in Northern Ireland.”

Fermanagh & South Tyrone Ulster Unionist Party Assembly candidate, Kenny Donaldson has said that Direct Rule has been extremely costly on the Northern Ireland public both in political and financial terms – making the return of devolved Government here ‘the commonsense option’.

In a statement, Kenny said: “For over thirty years our Region has been governed by a remote Westminster-based administration which has conclusively failed to build the Northern Ireland most people here aspire to see develop.

“Direct Rule has not served Northern Ireland well - of late the financial effects of Direct Rule have been made painfully clear - Westminster proposals to; impose unjust water taxes on our people, inflated household rates, which discriminate against many within our population, their refusal to remove the MaSN Cap on third level education places coupled with their failure to step in with innovative proposals to tackle the housing crisis this Country experiences are but an example of the gross mismanagement that administration is guilty of.”

Kenny added: “For many of our young people Northern Ireland is simply becoming too expensive to live in, their potential earning power simply doesn’t equate to their general costs of living.

“Northern Ireland needs a devolved Government, our people deserve the opportunity to hold politicians accountable for their actions. Northern Ireland faces many challenges and it is not only right but indeed, natural that these challenges are faced up to by men and women elected by the people of Northern Ireland,” concluded Kenny.

Following publication this week of research into Northern Ireland’s ‘brain drain’ by University of Ulster academic Bob Osborne, UUP Assembly Candidate Kenny Donaldson has today appealed for “a pro-active and united approach” in order to tackle the issue.

In a statement Mr Donaldson said: “As a young person from a rural background, I am keenly aware of the problem of the brain drain.

“Far too many of our young people are forced to travel to the mainland for their third-level education. Most of these young people would like nothing better than to continue their studies here at home in Northern Ireland, but they are prevented from doing so by the government-imposed hard cap on student numbers here.

“Higher education is the lifeblood of any 21st century economy. Two-thirds of our young people who go elsewhere for higher education will never return. Far too many of our talented young people are being lost to Northern Ireland. Our economy is losing 20% of our university-educated young people on an annual basis. This exodus greatly undermines our aim of creating a competitive, knowledge-based economy fit for the challenges of the new century.

“The Ulster Unionist Party has placed this issue squarely at the top of the policy agenda. Addressing the problem of the brain drain is one of the most important challenges Northern Ireland faces. We will work pro-actively in any new Executive to ensure this problem is comprehensively addressed.

“We will work with social partners across the community to promote Northern Ireland as a great place to study, work and live - both for our own school-leavers and for Northern Ireland students studying in England, Wales and Scotland. The removal of the cap on undergraduate numbers must be our ultimate aim. Whilst the cap remains in place, we will never be able to reach our full potential as a society.

“The failure of direct rule ministers to get to grips with this problem underlines the urgent need for Northern Ireland to get our own Assembly up and running again. We need to elect our own locally accountable representatives into the driving seat so that we can put in place the long-term strategies needed to tackle this issue.

“Distant direct rule ministers have failed time after time to address the challenges that matter to people here. The Ulster Unionist Party is determined to address the real issues which matter to everyone in Northern Ireland - and to make sure that, in future, our Higher Education system will be the option of preference for our Province’s school leavers.”

Fermanagh & South Tyrone Ulster Unionist Party Assembly candidate Kenny Donaldson has today stated that if Government doesn’t take radical steps to address the inability of young people getting on the property ladder, thousands will be forced to leave Northern Ireland.

In a statement Kenny said: “All evidence points to the fact that first-time buyers are being priced out of the market. There is no simple answer to redressing the problem but there are grave consequences if Government (of whatever hue) fails the challenge.

“The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors revealed last week that housing in Northern Ireland increased by a whopping 36% over the last 12 months, the largest increase of any Region of Europe. Have wages increased by that percentage in Northern Ireland? No, they certainly haven’t.

“First time buyers can be likened to a boxer on the ropes, who is unable to protect himself, we receive hit after hit, whether that be the proposed home-value rates increases or the proposed water taxes. The costs of living in Northern Ireland outweigh the income most young person could possibly aspire to generate.

“In the last 10 years, average house prices in Northern Ireland have tripled from £42k in 1995 to £153k in 2006. Ulster Bank research in 2005 indicated that 2/3rds of potential NI first time buyers were unable to finance a deposit. Critically, there was a 24% decrease in the number of Northern Ireland first time buyers between 2000 and 2005 – the decrease in the rest of the United Kingdom was only 7%.”

Kenny continued: “The Ulster Unionist Party are broadly supportive of the Semple Review into Affordable Housing. We share his view that, “housing is the key to countering poverty and social inclusion and the inability to access decent, affordable housing impacts significantly on quality of life.”

“There is undoubtedly a shortfall in the housing stock available for first-time buyers, the current Planning policy, PPS14 threatens attempts to maintain “sustainable rural communities,” – retaining young people in the areas to which their families and their families before them lived. In the Private rented sector – I would also support the registration of all landlords by NIHE; statutory registration of Houses in Multiple Occupation by NIHE – this would curb those who abuse the system.”

Kenny concluded: “When a Stormont Executive is restored I believe that serious consideration should be given to implementing a similar policy to that of the Scottish Executive whereby via Planning Advice Note 64 into
“Affordable Housing” – in areas identified as having affordable housing needs, up to 25% of houses in new developments should be for rent of low cost ownership.

“I would also urge the United Kingdom Government to raise the current threshold for stamp duty which would improve affordability for first-time buyers. The current threshold set at £120,000 does not reflect today’s Housing market.

“The fact is that current Government policy is, ‘exiling young people from this Region.’ I for one am not prepared to stand idly by. I wish to retain our young people, they are the future and it is they who can and will build the “New Northern Ireland,” All of Us can be proud of.”

Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Candidate for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Kenny Donaldson has received assurances that Dungannon Leisure Centres’ Sunday service will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Kenny was contacted by a number of users of the facility on Monday who were concerned that the future of the service was in doubt because of Council concerns over the service’s financial viability. Kenny has since learnt that there was a “miscalculation” in the budgetary figures and that the service is not in threat.

In a statement Kenny said: “When approached by local users of the facility who were expressing concerns, I made representations to both the Leisure Centre and the Council on their behalf.

“It certainly seemed to me that rather than cutting service provision, that the Leisure Centre in tandem with Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council should be actively attempting to publicize the facility to a broader audience.

“The Sunday service, which operates from 2pm – 6pm is often the only opportunity members of the public have to avail of the Centre’s services. At a time when we, as a society are dogged with obesity related health concerns, we must be supporting local recreation facilities and not restricting their impact.”

Kenny added: “I am pictured with two youngsters who represent the future of this District, I want they and their children to have a Leisure Centre to be proud of.

“I would appeal with Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council to look at possibilities for re-investment at the facility. Let’s make our Leisure Centre a facility ‘All of Us,’ can enjoy,” concluded Kenny.

Following the recent knife attack in Caledon, County Tyrone, UUP candidate, Kenny Donaldson said: “Monday’s incident highlights the need for a strong and visible community policing presence. It was folly to embark on the wholesale closure of police stations, particularly in isolated rural communities, which has resulted in reduced police coverage.

“There is a sense throughout our rural communities that they are vulnerable to crime, we must get to a point where we have adequate, timely and proactive service provision. Recent initiatives such as knife amnesties are a step in the right direction, but there is obviously a continued need for a strong police deterrent to be in place.”

In conclusion Kenny said: “I wish to extend my sympathies to those caught up in this incident, I wish those injured or traumatised a speedy recovery. The family of the young man involved are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened and I hope that they receive the support they require from the local community over the days and weeks ahead.”

A delegation of Unionist candidates visited the Buddy Bear School in Dungannon to pledge their support for the retention of the school, which has educated children with cerebral palsy since 1993. Amongst the delegation were, Kenny Donaldson and Tom Elliott, Ulster Unionist Party Assembly candidates for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

In a statement, Kenny and Tom said: “We are all united in supporting the Buddy Bear School. Parents of children with cerebral palsy and other Special Needs should have a choice when selecting a school. Parents are entitled to be informed about the great work of the Buddy Bear Trust in teaching children with cerebral palsy.

“We have pledged our support for the Buddy Bear School and we will strive to honour our word when the Assembly returns. It appears that the Buddy Bear School is only able to help a limited number of children because the Education Boards and Hospital Trusts do not have to inform parents. We will look at this issue when the Assembly reconvenes.

“Buddy Bear crosses all political boundaries. Cerebral palsy can impact on any family regardless of political, cultural or religious background. We have no difficulty in working with fellow MLAs in striving to secure the future for the Buddy Bear School.

“We feel The Buddy Bear School must be protected until the Assembly is able to make a long term solution. A North/ South Conductive Centre of Excellence similar to the Autism Centre in Middletown may be one way of making progress. Children with cerebral palsy from all over Ireland are entitled to be helped.

“We would urge companies, firms, suppliers, clubs, organisations and schools to include the Buddy Bear Trust in their fund raising activities. We all know of the generosity of the people from Northern Ireland and we would urge everyone to be a buddy to the School.

“We had the privilege of seeing the school and meeting one of the youngest children, Ella from Coalisland. Who in the Education Board, local Government or the Assembly will say to Ella’s parents that she was denied the chance of independent living because the Education Boards went strictly by the book in not informing parents about conductive education. We all have a moral obligation to help children particularly children in need. What greater need is there than a child who can be helped but because of red tape the child is left imprisoned by cerebral palsy.

“We will look closely at the regulations when the Assembly returns to ensure that the Buddy Bear School is given every chance to stay open and that parents are fully informed about all the options. Surely common sense and decency should be applied when dealing with parents of children with special needs. The Buddy Bear School has been helping children for almost 18 years. It works in partnership with other Schools and has always welcomed Board Officers and Inspectors.

“We intend to raise this matter with the Members of the Council and the Members of the Education and Library Boards as I have no doubt they support the Buddy Bear’s work with children who suffer from cerebral palsy.

“We are all family men and we can only guess at the pressures on a parent when he/she learns that the child they have been praying for has cerebral palsy. Why does anyone want to add to his or her burden? Surely common sense demands that they should be supported in everyway possible. The Buddy Bear School is only providing for our children what is being provided in the rest of the UK. Parity of treatment for all is needed. Our children deserve the best. Boards spend over a billion on education each year, surely the fees of 5 or 6 children from the five education Boards is not too much to expect without a major debate. Three Boards have paid the fees for over 12 years so why the fuss now? Why are parents not told about the Buddy Bear School? It is not in competition with any school, Special or otherwise. The Teachers Unions welcome the additional resource. We will raise this matter at the highest level of Government.”

UUP candidate Kenny Donaldson indicated that he will be working closely with representatives of the Buddy Bear Trust in attempting to source grant-aid from outside funding sources.”

Mr Brendan McConville thanked the visitors for their support and interest in the school.

Brendan said: “We are delighted that the future decision makers and leaders of the Country have pledged their support for children who are unable to help themselves.

“Buddy Bear and the children it represents brings out the good in people. Hopefully those in the Education Boards and Hospital Trusts will give parents full information and not hide behind the letter of the law. It would be a shame if the work of the Dungannon people and the politicians and church leaders who helped set up the school was lost because information was not willingly given to parents. Boards are urged to send children with cerebral palsy to the school to remove any fear or stress from parents. We will raise this matter at the highest level for the Voiceless Buddy Bear Children,” said Brendan.

Ulster Unionist Party Assembly candidates for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Kenny Donaldson and Tom Elliott have expressed their best wishes to the newly elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rev John Finlay.

It is the first time that a minister from Harryville has been elected to the position. Rev Finlay will take up office on 4 June at the Church’s General Assembly and will lead the Church for the next 12 months.

In a joint statement Kenny and Tom said: “We have confidence that the responsible church and indeed, civic leadership given by Rev John Finlay in his current position of; Minister of Harryville Presbyterian Church in Ballymena will prepare him well for his new role as overall Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

“There are many challenges facing the new Moderator both within the church and in the wider community as a whole. We expect Rev Finlay will continue along the path laid down by his predecessor, Dr David Clarke in offering the church responsible, progressive leadership.

“The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has approximately 300,000 members in over 560 congregations and is the largest protestant denomination in Northern Ireland. We wish Rev Finlay God’s blessing in being a wise shepherd for this large flock of people,” concluded Kenny and Tom.