Latest news with #NationalDevelopmentProgramme
Irish Examiner
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Inspector of prisons backs findings of jail report by European watchdog
The inspector of prisons Mark Kelly has echoed the 'deep concern' about the state of Irish prisons documented in a detailed report by a European inspection body. Mr Kelly said the findings by the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT) mirrors those that he has made. The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IRPT) welcomed the CPT report and said that key ways of reducing overcrowding are to expand the availability and use of community sanctions and reduce the increasing numbers of people being held on remand in custody pending trial. The comments come as prison overcrowding reached another record on Thursday, with 5,539 in custody. That compares to just under 5,000 when the CPT team visited in May 2024. In a brief statement online, the office of the inspector of prisons in Ireland said: 'Council of Europe anti-torture committee publishes its new report, highlighting deep concern about the state of our prisons. OIP Ireland echoes that concern and notes that the CPT's recommendations mirror those of the Inspectorate.' IPRT legal policy and public affairs manager Niamh McCormack said the committee left no room for doubt that the cumulative impact of conditions in prisons 'may well amount to inhuman and degrading treatment and that overcrowding turns prisons into human warehouses'. She said the IPRT recognised the Irish Prison Service is 'treading water' and that it was 'simply not possible' for it to comply with basic human rights. 'Responsibility does not fall solely on the prison authorities as the Government must take clear and immediate action to reduce the prison population and alleviate pressure on the system,' she said. IPRT supports the committee's recommendation that when a prison has reached capacity, no one else should be admitted. Some justice sources have said the focus on building more prison spaces has resulted in the need for alternatives to custody being 'drowned out'. They questioned how many recommendations on community sanctions in various government reports and policy documents had been implemented. The CPT said that while legislation enables the judiciary to impose alternative sanctions for short and medium-term custodial sanctions, they were 'not used as fully as they could be'. It called on Irish authorities to adopt more community sentence measures, in "a systemic approach" that includes judges. The IPRT has also called for a supported bail service, where people are supervised in the community by probation officers, to cut down on rising remand numbers. It has sought €300,000 to enable the Probation Service to run a pilot supported bail service for women and €270,000 to build capacity on restorative justice. Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan said on Wednesday that €495m in the revised National Development Programme would go to prison capital projects over the next five years and create 1,500 spaces. They will be at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, Dóchas, and the Old Cork prison site. The projects at existing jails are not expected until 2028 onwards. Some sources have doubted the old Cork prison could be demolished and a new male and female prison, for 400-500 people, built there within five years.
Business Recorder
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
NEC approves national development budget worth Rs4.22trn for next fiscal year
The National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday unanimously approved six-agenda items, including national development budget worth Rs4.224 trillion for the next fiscal year (FY26), Radio Pakistan reported. The approval was granted at the NEC meeting held in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair and with all the four provincial chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan in the presence. It was told that Rs1 trillion would be earmarked for the federal and Rs2.87 trillion for the provincial development projects. Unregistered taxpayers: 4% 'further sales tax' to be abolished The forum also approved macroeconomic framework and targets for the next fiscal year. The council directed relevant ministries, provinces, and government institutions to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning to achieve the targets set in the proposed annual plan for 2025-2026. The development projects would prioritise health, education, infrastructure, the water sector, and housing, Radio Pakistan reported. The NEC gave approval to the 13th five-year development plan and the Uraan Pakistan Framework, it said. As per the details, a third-party monitoring report on the annual National Development Programme was presented, and the meeting decided that future project planning should incorporate the recommendations of the report. The NEC also approved a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 2.7% for the outgoing fiscal year and a projected growth rate of 4.2% for the next financial year. During the meeting, revised indicators regarding the performance of the economy in outgoing fiscal year 2024-25 were presented. The meeting was informed that Rs3.483 trillion was being spent on the annual national development, of which Rs1.100 trillion was share of the federation and Rs2.383 trillion was the share of provinces. Budget talks with IMF successful: PM Shehbaz The meeting was told that remittances increased by Rs30.9% from July 2024 to April 2025 and the current account balance remained positive for the first time. The fiscal deficit in the year 2024-25 further decreased to 2.6% of the GDP, while the primary balance remained 3% of the GDP after increase. The policy rate gradually decreased to 11% due to government policies, while loans given for private sector development increased to Rs681 billion from July 2024 to May 2025. The volume of GDP in 2024-25 will be Rs114 trillion.
Mid East Info
26-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
EtihadWE Honours Over 200 Team Members for Completing the ‘National Development Programme' and Professional Certifications
Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) celebrated its team members who graduated from the 'National Development Programme' at the Dhaid Cultural Centre. The ceremony also honoured employees who earned prestigious professional certifications, including CFA, PMP, CIPS, and NEBOSH, reinforcing the company's commitment to workforce development. More than 200 employees were recognised for completing the programme, alongside 23 who obtained professional certifications. The event also acknowledged internal mentors and partner institutions for their role in the success of these initiatives. Engineer Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, highlighted the company's commitment to preparing a qualified workforce for future challenges in the water and energy sectors. He emphasised that these training programmes, including the National Development Programme and various certifications, are key to enhancing leadership capabilities and operational excellence. He further stressed that investing in human capital strengthens competitiveness, ensures efficiency, and supports national participation in the sector. He also extended his gratitude to internal and external training partners for their contributions. Shaikha Murad AlBlooshi, Senior Vice President of Human Capital and Administration, reaffirmed that EtihadWE's training initiatives align with modern professional needs and national priorities. She expressed confidence that the skills acquired through these programmes will support the company's mission, in line with the 'Year of Community' theme.
Zawya
25-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EtihadWE honours over 200 team members
Dubai: Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) celebrated its team members who graduated from the 'National Development Programme' at the Dhaid Cultural Centre. The ceremony also honoured employees who earned prestigious professional certifications, including CFA, PMP, CIPS, and NEBOSH, reinforcing the company's commitment to workforce development. More than 200 employees were recognised for completing the programme, alongside 23 who obtained professional certifications. The event also acknowledged internal mentors and partner institutions for their role in the success of these initiatives. Engineer Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, highlighted the company's commitment to preparing a qualified workforce for future challenges in the water and energy sectors. He emphasised that these training programmes, including the National Development Programme and various certifications, are key to enhancing leadership capabilities and operational excellence. He further stressed that investing in human capital strengthens competitiveness, ensures efficiency, and supports national participation in the sector. He also extended his gratitude to internal and external training partners for their contributions. Shaikha Murad AlBlooshi, Senior Vice President of Human Capital and Administration, reaffirmed that EtihadWE's training initiatives align with modern professional needs and national priorities. She expressed confidence that the skills acquired through these programmes will support the company's mission, in line with the 'Year of Community' theme.
