Opening the door for significant job creation and private sector investment at Maze/Long Kesh

A spokesperson for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister said: 

“The Peace building and Conflict Resolution Centre (PbCRC) along with the investment by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society is the first step in opening the door for significant job creation and private sector investment at the Maze/Long Kesh site that has been assessed as 5,000 jobs and £300million investment. It is projected that the PbCRC could support 70 additional jobs and generate approximately £1million per annum from visitor income and employment.

"It is best practice for the Department  to try and project what additional support may be required however it is the Ministers intention that the centre will be fully sustainable when fully operational however this will require initial investment.

"The business case prepared in 2010, anticipated the Centre generating income after its start up period. Significant work is underway to develop the programme and income generating aspects of the Centre.

"The PBCRC's two main income streams will be:

·   local and international organisations paying for the use of facilities to deliver local and international peace-building programmes, and the provision of conferences, and

·  visitor numbers expected at the PBCRC.

"The level of departmental funding for the start up period is fully justified by the contribution the Centre will make and the services it will deliver both locally and internationally. 

"The capital build will be fully funded by EU Peace III funding and possibly with additional Heritage Lottery funding.”

O’Dowd congratulates local winners at BT Young Scientist and TechnologyExhibition

Education Minister John O’Dowd has congratulated local young people who scooped top awards at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry won the University of Ulster Special Award, given to the best project from the north, for their examination of how to develop methods to harvest seeds from crops for replanting by farmers in developing countries. Oakgrove were also awarded the prize sponsored by MATRIX, the NI Science Industry Panel, for the best school from the north of Ireland entering the event.

There was further success for local schools in the some of the specialist and individual categories which saw pupils from Rathmore Grammar School, Belfast and St Mary’s College, Derry receiving awards for their projects.

In addition, Sean Donnelly a teacher at St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel received a prestigious Educator of Excellence award for his work.

Congratulating the participants, the Minister said: “These young people can be hugely proud of their achievements. The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition represents the culmination of months of hard work and attendance at the event is reward in itself – but it is also a hotly contested competition across many categories and with 550 projects in the finals, to win any award category is a fantastic achievement.

“I spent an illuminating and inspiring afternoon at the exhibition during which I was greatly impressed by not only the standard of project entries, but also the enthusiasm, energy and diligence of the young people. Such passion is a tribute to the teachers who have invested so much in encouraging and helping the students progress their projects, as well as to the young people themselves who clearly enjoy the whole experience.

“It is this kind of real excitement about STEM subjects that will help the Executive deliver its long term goals of boosting the local economy on the global stage by creating an innovative, knowledge-based workforce.”

The Minister continued: “As well as congratulating all the northern participants I would also like to commend Kinsale Community College, Cork on winning the overall prize for their project on the effects of Diazotroph bacteria on plant germination”

“Once again the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has proved a great success and I reiterate my congratulations to all who took part and to BT for delivering an excellent event.”

For more information on the event, visit www.btyoungscientist.com

Robinson and McGuinness promote local tourism at the Hong Kong Open

First Minister Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA promoted local tourism at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are pictured with Keith Williams (Manager of Hong Kong Golf Club) during a tour of the competition this afternoon.

The Ministers attended the tournament at the Hong Kong Golf Club, in Fanling, at the end of their week-long business mission to China.



Ministers are pictured holding the Ryder Cup with Mr Chi-Won Yoon, Chief Executive Officer of UBS Asia Pacific, the major sponsor of the Hong Kong Open.

The First Minister said: “The participation and success of local golfers has shone the international spotlight on Northern Ireland giving us the ideal opportunity to promote tourism.

“China is a significant emerging market and that is why we are working to build awareness of Northern Ireland as a tourism destination. Golf tourism currently generates over £14 million per year for the local economy in Northern Ireland, with the average spend per golf visitor coming in at £300-£450, significantly higher than the average visitor spend.”

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are pictured with Jamie Birkmyre, Championship Director of the UBS Hong Kong Open during a tour of the competition.

The deputy First Minister added: “As our golfers continue to play at the highest level of competitive golf around the world, more people will want to come to play the courses that our local golfers enjoy, and this will increase tourism spend in our local economy.

“Tournaments, such as the Hong Kong Open, represent a window to the world to gain further widespread exposure, and we are working to make the most of the opportunities created by our world-class golfers. Promoting our golf offering to an international audience and capitalising on the current global interest in our local golfers will help grow tourism here."

Ministers congratulate JP McManus scholarship recipients

Education Minister, John O’Dowd and Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry have congratulated the recipients of the JP McManus All Ireland Scholarship Scheme at a ceremony in Limerick.

The scheme, funded by JP McManus, provides financial assistance to students across Ireland from low-income households who are intending to take up higher education places.

Former US President Bill Clinton presented certificates to the 125 winning students, including 25 young people from the north. Ministers O’ Dowd and Farry were also recognised for their support of the All-Ireland Scholarship at the event.

Speaking from the University of Limerick Concert Hall, Education Minister, John O’Dowd said: “Many young people are keen to move on to higher education in order to develop their skills and pursue specific career goals. However those from low income families can find the financial costs associated with higher education to be a barrier to pursuing this career and study path. JP McManus’s continued investment and commitment to the All Ireland scholarships is to be commended. His generous support is particularly welcome at a time when many families are facing increased financial pressures.

“The skills and qualifications acquired through higher education can broaden horizons and prospects, benefiting not only the individual but also our wider communities. The value of these awards is therefore worth much more than the monetary cost; they offer the opportunity of third level education to young people who may previously not have had that option.

“I want to congratulate all of the recipients on their hard work and wish them every success in the future in their chosen studies and careers.”

Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry said: “I commend JP McManus for his continued generosity in providing these scholarships. The vision and practical support of people like him from the world of business shows that philanthropy can make a real difference to the lives of students looking to gain all the benefits from higher education. The award of a scholarship brings with it prestige but it also brings with it responsibility. I know our students will discharge that responsibility and will use their award to lay the foundations for successful and fulfilling careers that will not only be of benefit to them but also the wider economy.

“My Department’s recently published Widening Participation Strategy, Access to Success, demonstrates my commitment to ensuring that those who are most able but least likely to participate in higher education should be given every encouragement and support to achieve the necessary qualifications to apply to, and to benefit from, the higher education that is right for them. This Scholarship will help to support this commitment to widening participation by ensuring that all young people, irrespective of their background, have the opportunity to access higher education.”

The All Ireland scholarships provide financial assistance for up to 25 students per year, in the north, for studies at Undergraduate level. Scholarships are worth £5,500 per year with recipients coming from low income households and in receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance. The ceremony took place on Saturday 17 November in the University of Limerick Concert Hall.