Assembly return bringing 180 jobs

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Up to 180 new jobs are being created at the Stormont Assembly following the restoration of devolution.

The jobs, due to be advertised on Thursday, are for staff to support assembly committees.

Over the next two to three years around 380 posts will be filled - that includes the 200 staff already employed at Parliament Buildings.

The assembly website is listing, amongst other jobs, posts for clerks and parliamentary reporters.

On Wednesday, a number of new ministers were busy fulfilling engagements.

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew pulled on a pair of wellington boots to tour a cattle farm at Greyabbey on the Ards peninsula.

"Farmers, out of everybody, I believe, needed to see the end of direct rule," she said.

"It was really important we got a local minister in place and that they were able to hit the ground running on the issues that were important.

Social development minister Margaret Richie (second right) visits a social housing development

"I will do everything in my power to improve the lot of farmers, farming families and for rural communities."

Other politicians out and about included Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie who visited a housing construction site in Belfast and Education Minister Catriona Ruane who toured four schools.

Sports Minister Edwin Poots watched young people playing football and basketball in north Belfast, whilst Enterprise Minister Nigel Dodds opened a new robotics research centre at Magee College in Londonderry.

The first round-table meeting of the new executive is due to take place on Thursday.