25 YEARS AGO/1981

Severe social problems

The extent of the severe social problems facing many people living in Tyrone and Fermanagh has been revealed in a Report commissioned by the Northern Ireland Consumer Council. It alleges that supplementary benefit is failing to keep claimants above subsistence level.

This shock conclusion underlines the serious difficulties confronting thousands of families West of the Bann. There, unemployment and bad housing conditions have already made a grim impact on every day living standards. The study document, entitled: "The Supplementary Benefit System in Northern Ireland, 1980-81" points out that the six county complainants are at a particular disadvantage as benefit rates are fixed for UK average standards, yet basic living costs here are higher. Although it does not deal with any specific part of the six counties in detail, the Report makes obvious references to 'blackspot' areas, such as Belfast and the region West of the Bann.

50 YEARS AGO/1956

American aid for seminary

Quietly and efficiently, friends of Clogher in the US are working for the fund for the new Enniskillen Seminary. Rev. V. Marron, CC, Ballybay, who has been there for several months organising for the fund, will be back in early January.

Several events lately held are, here reported. A very energetic, enthusiastic committee, under the direction of Mrs Margaret O'Connor, organised a successful entertainment in the Hibernian Hall, Lynn, near Boston, USA. Mrs O'Connor hails from Garrison, where her three brothers still reside. Her three sons gave unstinted time and energy to make this function a success. She was ably assisted by Mrs Anna Hannoway, formerly McGovern, from Cashel, whose brother has charge of the Post Office in Bundoran, and by Mr Phillip Keown, a worthy representative of Toura. Many other counties joined to help.