OLDER NEWS ITEMS
HEALTH STATISTICS IN NORTHERN IRELAND MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE
NINIS is a project that collates robust statistics for small areas across Northern Ireland, and makes the information readily available through a dedicated Internet site www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ifh. The project is operated by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), an Executive Agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel.
The new website is the result of collaborative working between members of the Investing for Health Partnerships across Northern Ireland, and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey emphasised the benefits of using such a system, which will provide free access to information relating to small areas across Northern Ireland. It will also provide support for policy makers, monitoring the development of efficient and responsive services. It is expected that the new website will be a useful resource for local communities, assisting them to build a picture of the health and wellbeing needs in their local area.
NEW ELECTORAL LAWS BENEFIT PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND
New laws which came into effect on 1 July, remove the outdated common law on mental capacity to register and vote. From 1 July anyone who has any form of disability which prevents them from going to vote in person will be entitled to a postal or proxy vote and a new booklet –Information for Persons with a Disability-giving information on registration and voting for those with a disability has been published to coincide with the announcement . This booklet describes all the reasonable adjustments to electoral law and practice made to help those with a disability to exercise their democratic rights.
The changes include the abolition of the out of date common law rule on mental incapacity to register and to vote, additions to the list of the acceptable forms of photographic identification to be produced at the polling station and simplification of the process for applying for an absent vote. Those with a disability will also benefit from other changes made to electoral law including the ability to register as an elector much closer to polling day.
To download the booklet click here.
Posted 01 October, 2009 06:55:45 GMT