Newsroom
Parents urged to secure children in car
As the school run starts again across Northern Ireland, you are being urged to ensure that children are safely secured while travelling in the car. If you don’t, you are not only breaking the law, you are potentially putting a child at risk.
Thursday 2 September 2010
Change in family circumstances? Tell your Benefits Office
If you are claiming benefits, you must tell your local Social Security Office/ Jobs and Benefits Office about any change in your circumstances. This includes if you have started a full-time or part-time course or if your child has left full-time education.
Thursday 2 September 2010
Well-known buildings open doors to public
Next weekend (11-12 September) a series of events will be held to celebrate Northern Ireland’s rich and diverse architecture and heritage. There are more than 260 events taking place as part of European Heritage Open Days.
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Alien species mussels in on local lough
Boat owners have been warned to be on the alert for an ‘alien species’. Zebra mussels, which are originally from eastern Europe, have been found in Lough MacNean, County Fermanagh. These mussels can cause problems for native wildlife and to water-based activities.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Apply for Winter Fuel Payment
If you are aged 60 or over you could be entitled to get help heating your home. If you have not received Winter Fuel Payment before, you should find out if you’re eligible. If you apply before 24 September 2010, you should get your payment in time for Christmas.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
No excuses - wear a seatbelt
You should wear a seatbelt for every journey, no matter how short. Parents are also urged to take responsibility for ensuring their children are safely secured while travelling. It increases a child’s chance of survival in a collision. Unless you are exempt on medical grounds, there is absolutely no reason for not doing so – no seatbelt, no excuse.
Thursday 26 August 2010
Health risks of sunbed use
If you use sunbeds regularly, it can have a negative impact on your health. The long-term effects can range for making your skin look older to developing skin cancer. Young people are particularly at risk from the harmful over-exposure to sunbeds.
Wednesday 25 August 2010
Reduce your use of carrier bags
Have you thought about reducing the number of plastic carrier bags you use? Re-using bags can help the environment. There are many ways to cut your use of plastic bags.
Wednesday 25 August 2010
Pakistan Floods Appeal - how you can help
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation for 13 humanitarian agencies, has launched an appeal to help those affected by the floods in Pakistan. Find out how you can donate to the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal below.
Tuesday 24 August 2010
GCSE results - consider your options
GCSE results have been released in Northern Ireland. Once again there has been an increase in pupils getting the top grades. But if you didn’t get the results you had hoped for, don’t worry - there are many other opportunities available to you.
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Helpline set up due to incorrect exam results
The Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) has announced that some students who received their chemistry A level results last week were given incorrect grades. The relevant exam papers have been rechecked. A helpline has been set up to deal with enquiries.
Monday 23 August 2010
Have you thought about giving blood?
Around 500 people in Northern Ireland need life-saving blood each week. Why not consider donating blood? To ensure an adequate supply to our hospitals, 300 people need to give blood every day.
Monday 23 August 2010
Information and advice about flooding
With heavy rain forecast for some parts of Northern Ireland, it might be useful to take note of the flooding incident line - 0300 2000 100.
Friday 20 August 2010
Concerns about mephedrone - what to look for
If you have concerns about the drug mephedrone, information is available on nidirect. You can also get contact details for support and other services available in your area.
Thursday 19 August 2010
Results - your next step
A Level results have been released in Northern Ireland. This is the first year of the new A* grade, and 9.3 per cent of all grades awarded were the new top mark. If you didn’t get the results you were hoping for, try not to worry, help and advice is available.
Thursday 19 August 2010
Talk to your child about alcohol
With thousands of young people receiving exam results over the next week, parents should consider talking to their child about alcohol. Alcohol is a huge part of our culture in Northern Ireland. There is a strong link between starting to drink at a young age and having an alcohol problem as an adult.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Exam results - options and advice
For thousands of students the waiting is nearly over. Exam results will be published on Thursday 19 August (AS Levels/ A-Levels) and Tuesday 24 August (GCSEs). There is a range of advice on nidirect which can help both if you don’t get the grades you expect and what you need to be thinking about if you do.
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Help available if you want to quit smoking
If you smoke, have you thought about taking the first step towards quitting? Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death in Northern Ireland. Kicking the habit now could add years to your life.
Monday 16 August 2010
Public Record Office announces temporary closure
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has announced that its offices at Balmoral Avenue, Belfast, will close to the public from Monday 6 September 2010. Although the premises will be closed, PRONI will continue to provide a range of services both in other buildings and online.
Friday 13 August 2010
Be on your guard for tax phone scam
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning about a telephone scam involving thieves making phone calls pretending to be the taxman. The warning comes amid a recent surge in the number of tax scam ‘phishing’ emails reported to HMRC.
Friday 13 August 2010
Don't risk a fine - buy your TV licence online
More than 10,000 people were caught watching TV without a licence in Northern Ireland during the first six months of 2010. This includes 3,087 in Belfast, 778 in Newry and 773 in Londonderry. Find out how to buy your licence online through nidirect.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
How to deal with bullying
Bullying is an issue which can affect many young people, whether at school or at work. Whether you or someone you know is being bullied, or if you're the person doing the bullying, there are things you can do to stop it happening.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Be wary of unexpected callers
A 24-hour freephone service can help you check up on unexpected callers to your house. If you are worried that someone may be not be who they claim to be, phone QuickCheck on 0800 013 2290.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Information and advice about common teen concerns
The transition from a child into an adult is a difficult and challenging time. As well as the many changes to your body, there will be an increased desire to become more independent. But there’ll also be new dangers and temptations. There is help and advice available.
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Health and Safety Executive issues gas safety announcement
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is advising that if you have had gas work carried out in your home or premises by George Brown, trading as George Brown of ‘The Calor Shop’ in Coleraine, that you switch off all your gas appliances and contact the HSENI emergency helpline number on 0800 0320 121.
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Managing your money and avoiding debt
Managing your money is difficult for most people, but there are things you can do to make what you have stretch further. From keeping an eye on your mobile phone bill to getting the most out of your weekly shopping, explaining how income tax works to dealing with debt, there is plenty of information on nidirect.
Monday 9 August 2010
Warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
It’s important that you are aware of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal and it is very hard to detect because it is a colourless, tasteless, odourless gas that is non-irritating. You can also take steps to help reduce any possible risk of exposure to the gas.
Friday 6 August 2010
Young people and crime - rights and responsibilities
Like other sections in society, young people can be both victims and perpetrators of crime. From anti-social behaviour to knife crime, drugs to film and music piracy, there are both many temptations and dangers. If you’re a parent, you may be worried about your child’s safety or if they’re involved in something illegal. You can get advice and information on nidirect.
Friday 6 August 2010
Going to court and the judicial system
At certain times in your life, you may come into contact with the justice system. From being a victim of or witness to a crime, being part of a jury to being a defendant in court, nidirect has plenty of information about your rights and responsibilities.
Thursday 5 August 2010
Advice and support if you've been a victim of crime
If you’ve been a victim of crime or think you have witnessed one, you should report it to the police straight away. Your information could be used to prevent other crimes. If you've been mugged, badly hurt,or attacked in any way, or if you've just seen a serious crime being committed, then you should ring 999 as soon as possible.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Fermanagh Flooding Taskforce report published
The Executive has today published the recommendations of the Fermanagh Flooding Taskforce. The Fermanagh Flooding Taskforce Report was commissioned in December 2009 to investigate the circumstances of last year’s flooding and identify what could be done to reduce the impact of any similar flooding in the future.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Preventing and dealing with crime
There's a lot of help and support available if you're worried about crime and if you would like to help tackle it. From working together in the community to helping try and protect yourself against crime, there is lots of information and advice available.
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Be aware of gas safety on holiday
When you go away on holiday, you are potentially more vulnerable to poorly-maintained gas appliances than in your own home.You don’t always know how often the gas appliances in your accommodation have been safety checked or serviced, or if it’s been done by someone qualified. It pays to be alert to possible warning signs.
Friday 30 July 2010
Have your say on more-integrated society
Your views are being sought on building a less-segregated and more-integrated society. The Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration aims to bring about real changes for people and places across Northern Ireland. Responses must be received no later than 29 October 2010.
Tuesday 27 July 2010
Your rights if travel company goes bust
If the travel company you’ve booked your holiday with has gone bust, you might be financially protected. Your level of protection will vary depending on whether you’ve booked a package holiday or made your own arrangements. nidirect has some useful advice about your rights.
Monday 19 July 2010
Know your rights when travelling by air
If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, it’s important you know your rights. With disruption to flights due to volcanic ash likely throughout the summer, you need to know about flying and what to do if things go wrong. The Consumer Council has produced a range of free advice which can help you if you intend to fly this summer.
Thursday 20 May 2010
Mephedrone banned
The drug Mephedrone has been made illegal, following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). Mephedrone and other similar drugs called cathinones are classified as Class B drugs.
Friday 16 April 2010
Mephedrone - the facts
If you have concerns about legal highs like mephedrone, information is available on nidirect. You can also get contact details for support and other services available in your area.
Thursday 25 March 2010
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