12/01/2012 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline with Donna Traynor. The headlines

this Thursday evening. 350 jobs are to go up the Ulster Bank in

Northern Ireland. A father and his two sons are rested after a man

shot dead in Comber. A boost tonight for school budgets. Big

changes at the top of a troubled housing association ahead of a

government report. Parents of children who need braces could now

be expected to pay for the service. It's the most important game of the

season so far for Ulster's rugby players. But are all the big names

fit for tomorrow's European showdown with Leicester?

And after today's sunshine, temperatures will tumble away under

clear skies tonight - find out if the chillier weather is here to

Today has been described by a banking union as a dark day for

staff and customers. Workers at the Ulster Bank have been told that 350

of them are to be made redundant in Northern Ireland, 600 in the

Republic. This is the latest jobs cut to hit the bank. The management

says it's a necessary move. Kevin Magee has more.

This is an example of what went wrong at the Ulster Bank. A lone

was given to bite this site but like many others the developer went

bust and could not repay the loan. In the first nine months of last

year alone the Ulster Bank wrote off bad debts, many related to

property deals like this one. Today, staff were told 350 jobs will be

lost in Northern Ireland at the Ulster Bank move to reduce costs.

So that went into the back this morning know that a beginner is

that was to be made. When the announcement was made the Bank did

not give much details. There is anger because staff have made a big

contribution and they feel let down. The Ulster Bank has 2300 staff in

Northern Ireland. 350 will lose their jobs and 600 will go in

Northern Ireland. The bank declined to discuss the redundancies. In a

short statement it blamed the current economic climate and said

the cuts were being made as part of its overall business strategy to

ensure that it can compete effectively in the market. All the

major banks in Northern Ireland have been affected by the property

crash. Today's job losses and the Ulster Bank are indicative of what

is happening across the banking sector. It is not the end of the

story. When you look at the other banks we can expect EXT although

statements at the end of the year to say they will be tried to manage

with smaller staff. The shake-out will continue. The Ulster Bank has

90 branches on this side of the border. There was no mention of

branch closures but branch staff will be affected. Cuts will be made

in all areas of the Bank's operations.

Our business and economics editor, Jim Fitzpatrick, is live outside

the Ulster Bank's Headquarters in Belfast. Why do you think the Bank

is shedding these jobs now? Kevin mention the property crash and that

is key. Remember the property boom, everybody partied, and nobody party

harder than the banks and now they have a terrible hangover. Ulster

Bank cost its parent bank, RBS, which we own, �1 billion in

property write-offs. Cuts are being made in order that RBS can return

some valuable took its shareholders, the tax payers. So many businesses

at the moment need money yet we learned today that in best Northern

Ireland is giving back grant money to Stormont. Why is that happening?

It is not unconnected to what we are seeing with the banks.

Businesses need to get money from banks or elsewhere before they can

get top-up investment. If they cannot borrow from the banks, then

that is a problem. Also, many businesses are so scared of the

Environment at the moment that they are not even asking for the money.

One of the rules is that invest Northern Ireland has to give the

money back to a central pot. Also today we had an interest being by

eight. -- an interesting buyout. Yes, a software company. We also

have the sale of one of our biggest car dealerships which has been

bought by the second beat his dealer in the UK in a 100 million

pound deal. The Three members of the same family have been arrested

in connection with the murder of Philip Strickland in County Down.

The 36-year-old's body was found in a car on the Quarry Road just off

the Ballydrain Road in Comber in the early hours of this morning.

He'd been shot. Claire Savage has spent the day in the town.

This police lorry was used in the recovery of the car that Philip

Strickland was murdered in. He was shot from behind while sitting in

the front Street. Passing motorist tried to give him Thursday but he

was pronounced dead at in hospital. At about 9:15pm I heard a deep thud.

I had excited female voices. So I thought the car had gone into the

hedge. And somebody was standing outside talking about it.

police would not be drawn on the motive about the attack as they

have no arrested a father and his two sons, aged 54, 26 and 25, and

from Comber. It is a very vicious murder and in an area such as

Comber with a low crime rate it is highly unexpected. We would like to

provide reassurance that investigation is being led by

specialist detectives from the crime operations department,

supported by a uniformed colleagues. Local politicians did not want to

speculate. It is just a shock and I think it will be particularly

shocking to people around Strangford Lough that it has

happened in such a raw, peaceful area. The human instinct and the

journalistic instincts will be to try to find an explanation but what

ever that exploration is it does not excuse murder. Murder is wrong.

Police say there were a number of other vehicles in the area at the

time of the killing and they would like help in identifying them. The

Minister for Education has announced the amount of extra money

schools will get over the next three years. It totals �120 million.

The funding means that instead of a threatened cut in the school

budgets of almost 3% in the first year, the drop will be much lower -

at 0.2%. The minister, John O'Dowd, is here.

�30 million in that first year, �50 million the second, and �75 million

in the third cheer. By is this money coming from? The money has

been agreed with the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the

Finance Minister and myself. The money will come out of in a-year

savings, out of a budget review which Mr Wilson will explain

further in a statement next week, and from departmental savings. We

are running a more effective, efficient government than was

previously the case and departments are beginning to see more money's

with inept spending programmes. That will be read directed at this

stage to education. Our schools budget was under serious pressure.

The administration has recognised that. We're also saying we have

assisted schools up this time but no-one is saying bag complete

pressure has been taken off. governing body so that they are

still under severe pressure. But this is a step in the right

direction. Can you do more? It is significant step in the right

direction. �102 million commitment, the executive have recognised the

prize of investment in schools. I have launched a programme of work

which will see the rationalisation of our schools estate. We will see

a more refined management system around schools and any savings

identify from that will be directed toward front line education.

jobs of hundreds of teachers and teaching staff were threatened. Can

they now relax given this extra funding? We were looking at the

very high number of redundancies in education. There will be

redundancies in education in the time ahead. I think we have reduced

that dramatically. I will be sitting down with unions next week

and we will be scared -- discussing how we bring about those

redundancies and what packages I can put on the table to assist and

recognise the contribution of those staff who will believe think

education. How soon will the schools get to know the detail,

because April is the start of the first financial year. I'll be

writing to schools early next week giving them full DK's cost of how

this will affect their budgets. Schools have been studying their

budgets over this last number of weeks and months on they will be

clear that this is a beneficial contribution. But on Monday, or

early next week, I will give them the fine detail. Think you for

coming in. Still to come on the programme. Healthy habits - the

cancer charity using shock treatment to get its message across.

And we speak to the rower Alan Campbell, who has set his sights on

Olympic gold at the London games this summer.

Because of new police powers, more than 4,000 minor criminal offences

in the past nine months haven't had to go through the courts. Instead,

police officers have got the offenders to apologise to their

victims, or repair any damage they have caused. The police say the

system offers a quick solution for victims and cuts down on red tape.

Vincent Kearney reports. Keeping people out of the courts

and preventing them being given a criminal record for minor offences

is skewed as essential to improve the criminal justice system. Police

officers were given new powers last year and encouraged to use their

discretion when dealing with minor crimes. They did so more than 4000

times during the past nine months, with the approval of the victims of

the crimes. It is reducing bureaucracy but, most important, it

is taking a personal needs of the victim and making sure that they

are taken into account. It does not happen unless we have the agreement

from them. The police say the system is all about using common

sense. To help them to that, officers are provided with a

traffic light like guidance system. Red indicates the most serious

crimes look like murder and discretion should not be applied.

Amber Ind case less serious offences were discretion may be

suitable. Green indicates offences when discretion should be used if

possible. At dense is deemed suitable for this process include

low-level crime like minor shoplifting, minor assault,

disorderly assaults and minor criminal damage. The suspect must

admit the offence and not be a persistent offender for discretion

to be considered. The victim must also give their consent and agreed

to meet the suggested outcome. Outcomes could increase -- include

an apology, repairing damage caused, or paying for an item that was

stolen or damaged. Discretion is not a criminal conviction so the

suspect is not given a criminal record but the details are held on

police records and can be considered by officers if there are

further offences. If a suspect refuses to take part, details of

the offence are sent to the Public Prosecution Service to decide if

the case should go to court. Those who work with victims of crime say

the majority who have been involved support the process. They like the

fact that it is practical, it is visible and it is faster than going

through what might be called the traditional criminal justice system.

From April the sheer, police will be able to offer fixed penalty

notices is and on-the-spot fines Now, the problems that Northern

Amen's biggest social housing organisation. Senior executives and

board members have left helm housing. This is a head of the

publication of a pop -- government publication next week which is

expected to be critical of several purchases of land. It sounds like a

major overhaul? It is. Most of those who have left Helm would have

found this extremely uncomfortable reading. Three senior staff,

including the Chief Executive, have departed. Someone else is on

suspension. Three members of the Board have gone or are going. This

will be a wide-ranging shake-up. Some of the departures are for

health reasons but many positions could have been untenable

irrespective of that once the report is published. What about the

government investigation and report, what does it say? There will be

severe criticism on many fronts, not least over land purchases. Top

of the pile is the 10 million iPad acquisition of a site at Great

George's Street behind the flyover in Belfast. 200 homes were promised

and nothing has happened. It is being leased to a car-park operator.

�3 million were paid for for a semi-detached houses off the Antrim

Road. The houses promise never materialised. All told, as many as

eight deals will come under the microscope. They must have cost in

the region of �20 million and each will have questionable potential

given what was paid for them and what has happened. Were they just

caught out by the collapse in the market? To an extent, yes, but

there were much more basic problems here. That Bellevue Park site may

have been bought without even a valuation being done. I think Helm

had its eye wide on more than one occasion by developers. Senior

staff did not get on well and matters were withheld from the

board. When Nelson McCausland gets to his bid on Monday to announce

the findings of the report, there will be dozens of recommendations.

Many questions will flow from this report. Does it mean that Camel get

access to public money again? It was blacklisted last year. Why did

DST inspections not pick up the problems before a whistle Blower

arrived? -- DST. Bad news for anyone needing braces

on their peak. Proposed cutbacks will mean many more will have to

pay to have them fitted. The Department of Health says a new

grading contest and will decide who needs them most. Some Port Dundas

say it is not fair. -- Orthodontists.

For many teenagers, breezes are almost a rite of passage. Last year,

over 20,000 people had orthodontic appliances fitted. Visiting the

author darndest is no longer a taboo. In south Belfast, this

practice deals with the 600 cases a year. It was easy coming in. It was

very painful for the first week. My brothers and sisters came and when

they left they had nice teeth. Hopefully my teeth will be Berwick

-- really nice by the end. regulations could make it tougher

for young people to get a perfect smile. In December, the Health

Minister told the Assembly steps could be taken to reduce pressure

on the dental budget. They include removing cosmetic treatments.

Altering the number of treatments per person, for example, scaling

and polishing. And introducing a scoring system to work out if

patients are entitled to free orthodontic treatment. That will be

based on an internationally recognised index. Grade won't take

like these are rated as almost perfect. By Grade 3, there will be

some irregularities were no health problems. With four or five would

be severe problems. Those at grade three are entitled to a brace in

the future -- to a breeze. In future they would have to reach

grade four or five. There will be a group of children with moderate

problems. In the past they would have been eligible for treatment

but under the new arrangements they no longer well. According to the

Department of Health, this will allow the most urgent cases to be

prioritised by dentists say it will create inequalities, as it is not

the same across the UK. criteria for selection up NHS

orthodontic cases in Northern Ireland is likely to be much more

stringent. Those cases, in Birmingham for example, are likely

to get Health Service funding. Similar cases in Northern Ireland

are not. That is hardly fair. These proposed changes highlight

the Department of Health's plan to provide services based on need

rather than demand. Meanwhile, the British Dental with the station

says it will only discriminate against those children whose

parents cannot afford to provide them with their help the smile. --

with a healthy smile. That has got people talking on our

Facebook page with most people against the prospect of having to

pay for orthodontic treatment for children.

New year, new you! It is a time when many people pledge to cut back

on food, alcohol and cigarettes. Some people need shock treatment to

develop healthier habits and that is what a local cancer charity is

providing. For Family Focus, we discovered how a picture speaks

volumes. 21-year-old Halina is getting a

glimpse of what she will look like in 50 years' time. She is not

impressed. It could be a whole lot worse. This is aged 71, but this is

what she could look like if she takes up smoking, sunbathing or

overeating. The effects are created by a computer program. It is a

simple process. A photograph is taken and downloaded and the

program creates a stream of images of the person's face. Health and

lifestyle factors are applied and the after pictures can be dramatic.

I was really shocked to see what I would look like at 70. I am going

on holiday in a month. It will make me put on all my sunscreen, it is

quite scary. I am glad I do not smoke. The software is used around

the world to encourage young people to adopt a healthier lifestyle and

reduce their risk of getting cancer. When you are young you never think

of what will happen in 10 or 15 years. I saw pictures of myself as

obese at 40 or 50. It shocked myself. If you are not seeing side-

effects it is hard to see how it will affect you later in life.

service is now available on the Action Cancer big bath. Anyone

brave enough to peer into the future should contact the charity

for more details. It is a sell-out at Ravenhill Rugby

Ground tomorrow for Ulster's biggest game of the season. Stephen

Watson will be there. Will they when?

Are of course. It will be sold out. We are hoping for a repeat of last

time Leicester Tigers came to Ravenhill, and Ulster walloped them.

Ulster will be at full strength for the showdown. Ian Humphreys and

Pedrie Wannenberg have been passed as fit to play. The Ulster line up

shows just one it changed -- one change, with Paddy Wallace

partnering Darren Cave. Leicester Tigers have injury problems.

It is a winner takes it all fixture. We are going to Ulster, who have

got a home record, and they are successful at Ravenhill. It will be

a difficult game. If we do not win it will be as out of the European

Cups and it is as big as it comes. They players are a good side. There

are lots of good for employers and Irish internationals. It is an

intimidating place but if one club can go to Ulster and when, I am

sure it is Leicester. We did against Munster, why can decide not

go to Ravenhill and do the same? -- this side.

This man has become only the second Irish gymnast ever to qualify for

the Olympics. Kieran Behan, who qualified to represent Ireland

because of his parents, secured his place at the London test event this

week. He will complete it -- compete this summer in the all-

round discipline. One man with plenty of time to be

about the Olympics is Alan Campbell. He qualified for London 2012 last

summer. He spends most of his time training in England but was home

recently in Coleraine, or be caught up with him.

-- where we caught up with him. Even on a break, Alan Campbell is

still keen to get out in a boat on a river. The choppy wintry waters

of the River Bann are a far cry from the blast at -- placid lake

where he secured his place in London 2012. For every single

second we are competing, each of my competitors will have done but to

11 hours of training. We have rehearsed the final 36,000 tyres,

if you like. It is a huge amount. I would give anything to have one

perfect race. It will be on August 3rd.

Nothing would give me greater pressure than to bring home a gold

medal to the people of Northern Ireland. -- pleasure. We deserve it.

I believe my best race will be better than anyone else's on that

day. Until that day, every second in a boat counts.

Liam Boyce has rejoined Cliftonville on a two-and-a-half

year contract. He was linked with a move to Glentoran after attending

their match last Saturday. He has decided to restart his Irish League

career with his former club. Tomorrow, we will look ahead to the

5th round of the Irish Cup and we will be live from Ravenhill. I am

not sure if Ulster will wanted wet and windy.

-- the ones it. It is going to be cooler for the

next two days. It will not be wet and windy but it will be coley --

chilly tomorrow. We have had strange weather recently. Things

would get back to normal tonight. There is frost in places and

although it will be curler over the next few days, it will be more

settled. -- cooler. Not much rain before Tuesday or Wednesday next

week. High pressure will be in charge. As a high pressure moves

away, it means that the sunnier skies will be moving away as well.

More cloud in the forecast but for a good part of the night it is

going to be clear. You can see the frost. Temperatures in most places

just above freezing. Temperatures at their lowest in the east. It is

going to feel chilly tomorrow. It will start off frosty in places and

the cloud will move eastwards. You may need to scrape a car windscreen,

particularly in Antrim, Down and Armagh. As we confront the West,

temperatures are a little higher. - - as we come further west. The

cloud moves eastwards during the morning. Not so much sunshine but

not so much of a breezy there and maybe a cloud will begin to bring

rain in the West. Not estuary a day and it will feel chilly as well. --

not as the cheery a day. You may need to look after your snowdrops.