Latest releases
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2,359 releases
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Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says vital autism legislation and the Autism Strategy may be delayed without an agreed budget, citing Health Permanent Secretary Peter May's warning about financial uncertainty and the unfilled Independent Autism Reviewer post. He calls for the strategy to proceed without…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Permanent Secretary warning on Autism Strategy delivery without budget Original release: Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy (opens in a new tab)
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Government figures highlight Northern Ireland’s lead on Gigabit…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says Government figures show Northern Ireland leads the UK on gigabit-capable broadband, with 90.6% of premises covered against a UK average of 74% and a 2025 target of 85%. He credits DUP-secured funding for the progress.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Government figures on gigabit-capable broadband access in Northern Ireland Original release: Government figures highlight Northern Ireland’s lead on Gigabit… (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Welcomes Seachtain na Gaeilge
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly celebrates Seachtain na Gaeilge, urging that the Irish language be accessible to all year round and calling for greater support in schools and councils, especially where it is currently limited.
Disability and equality Issue: Seachtain na Gaeilge 2023 Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Welcomes Seachtain na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Allen urges Housing Executive to resolve the ongoing pay dispute
UUP MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE urges Housing Executive chief executive Grainia Long and her senior team to end the strike by its direct labour maintenance workers over a pay dispute. He says the action has left thousands of repairs undone and calls for officials to seek…
Housing Economy and employment Issue: NIHE direct labour workforce pay dispute industrial action Original release: Allen urges Housing Executive to resolve the ongoing pay dispute (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers calls for facts to be gathered before any rushed decision is taken to scrap key transport service
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA calls on the Department of Health to conduct an impact assessment of the dial‑a‑lift transport service, which provides about 200,000 journeys a year, before any decision to scrap it is made.
Infrastructure and transport Health Issue: Proposed scrapping of dial-a-lift health transport service Original release: Chambers calls for facts to be gathered before any rushed decision is taken to scrap key transport service (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: SEN children must get support they need
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says children with special educational needs must get the support they need, after parents described their struggle to secure help. He cites reports that the Education Authority has conceded most SEN appeals and calls for a complete overhaul of the assessment…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Reports of Education Authority conceding most SEN appeals Original release: McCrossan: SEN children must get support they need (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan requests urgent meeting over Community Transport funding
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan asks the Department for Infrastructure to meet urgently after it only extended Community Transport funding for a month, warning that cuts would jeopardise a vital service for older, disabled and isolated people in rural north.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: DfI one-month community transport funding extension Original release: Boylan requests urgent meeting over Community Transport funding (opens in a new tab)
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DUP expresses concern on future of community transport
Phillip Brett MLA, DUP Infrastructure Spokesperson, says the Department for Infrastructure’s temporary extension of funding for the ‘dial‑a‑lift’ community transport service to end‑April 2023 threatens rural residents and urges the department to work with the Community Transport Association to keep
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: DfI one-month community transport funding extension Original release: DUP expresses concern on future of community transport (opens in a new tab)
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International Women’s Day
People Before Profit marks International Women's Day by arguing that housing, cost of living and health service pressures disproportionately affect women, and that women still earn 14% less than men on average. It calls for a broader fight for women's rights, including full bodily autonomy North…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Original release: International Women’s Day (opens in a new tab)
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We deserve every seat we have at every table, says McAllister, marking International Women’s Day 2023
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister marks International Women's Day 2023 by paying tribute to female party colleagues, citing legislation under Naomi Long as Justice Minister and Michelle Kelly's Belfast City Council changes. She calls for continued work on equity, including accessible and…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: We deserve every seat we have at every table, says McAllister, marking International Women’s Day 2023 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Loss of community transport will leave vulnerable isolated
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter warns that uncertainty over Department for Infrastructure funding for the dial-a-lift community transport service could leave elderly and disabled people isolated. She says she has raised concerns with the department's Permanent Secretary and urges Stormont…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: DfI one-month community transport funding extension Original release: Hunter: Loss of community transport will leave vulnerable isolated (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Staff and road safety bearing brunt of winter service cuts
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says budget pressures are limiting the Department for Infrastructure's winter services, citing FOI figures showing spending cut sharply over five years. He has written to the Permanent Secretary seeking urgent reform of road maintenance pay amid…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: DfI winter service cuts and road maintenance workers strike action Original release: Durkan: Staff and road safety bearing brunt of winter service cuts (opens in a new tab)
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A restored Assembly must deliver for women – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin tells a Glasgow event marking March 8th that a restored Assembly and Executive must act to advance equality and deliver better for women, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBT+ women and women with disabilities.
Disability and equality Original release: A restored Assembly must deliver for women – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Community Transport Providers Left Behind
Alliance MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Andrew Muir criticise the Department for Infrastructure's one-month extension of community transport funding, warning it leaves providers facing staff redundancy notices. Muir says he has written to the department's Permanent Secretary about its budget position.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: DfI one-month community transport funding extension Original release: Community Transport Providers Left Behind (opens in a new tab)
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Lollipop men and women face the axe under EA plans – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls the Education Authority's freeze on recruiting School Crossing Patrol staff, including temporary cover, 'madness', warning it will increase safety risks at schools. She says she has urged the EA to rethink, and that MLA Diane Dodds will raise it again at a meeting.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Education Authority freeze on School Crossing Patrol recruitment Original release: Lollipop men and women face the axe under EA plans – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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£25 vote of confidence for Wrightbus: Paisley
DUP MP Ian Paisley welcomes a major order for Wrightbus in Ballymena to supply 117 zero-emission buses to councils in the North of England, following £25.3million Government investment. He credits lobbying and the workforce and congratulates the company.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Wrightbus order for 117 zero-emission buses from North of England Original release: £25 vote of confidence for Wrightbus: Paisley (opens in a new tab)
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Translink commitment to Feasibility Study on Knockmore Line is great news says Honeyford
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA David Honeyford welcomes Translink's commitment to a feasibility assessment of reviving the Knockmore to Antrim railway, arguing it could boost growth by linking Lisburn, Ballinderry and Glenavy to the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink commitment to Knockmore Line feasibility study Original release: Translink commitment to Feasibility Study on Knockmore Line is great news says Honeyford (opens in a new tab)
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Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA warns exhausted carers will face more pressure when Mencap's Employment Support Service for people with learning disabilities closes on 31 March 2023. She blames a lack of budget following the end of European Social Fund money and calls for…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls for urgent clarity on budgets after Mencap NI issued 30-day redundancy notices to staff running its employment support services, citing a lack of funding information from Departments and the UK Government.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices (opens in a new tab)
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Historic Downpatrick discovery needs urgent response – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls for an urgent response from government agencies to protect a potentially major Bronze Age site uncovered during work for the new Down High School in Downpatrick. He has asked authorities to set out how they will protect and examine the area.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Downpatrick Bronze Age site discovery during Down High School works Original release: Historic Downpatrick discovery needs urgent response – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)