Latest releases
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2,769 releases
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West Tyrone MP calls for the Department of Health to follow England’s lead on newborn SMA screening
West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley urges the Department of Health to adopt newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy, citing England’s recent rollout and arguing early diagnosis can dramatically improve outcomes for affected children.
Health Disability and equality Issue: England introduces newborn SMA screening programme Original release: West Tyrone MP calls for the Department of Health to follow England’s lead on newborn SMA screening (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Slashing Apprenticeship Funding is a Political Choice. Reverse the Cuts.
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin calls on the Economy Minister to reverse cuts to apprenticeship funding, arguing they will hit care workers, construction workers and international care staff and worsen health and social care recruitment and retention.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Stormont Executive apprenticeship funding cuts Original release: Slashing Apprenticeship Funding is a Political Choice. Reverse the Cuts. (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 23 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sorca Clarke TD commends Nikki’s walking challenge and renews call for better dual diagnosis services
Sinn Féin's Sorca Clarke TD commends advocate Nikki's walking challenge for highlighting gaps in services for people with dual diagnosis of mental ill-health and substance misuse. She says the Government rejected Sinn Féin's amendments to the Mental Health Act 2026 that would have recognised dual…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Mental Health Act 2026 dual diagnosis amendments rejected by Government Original release: Sorca Clarke TD commends Nikki’s walking challenge and renews call for better dual diagnosis services (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent need to improve early diagnosis and treatment for lobular breast cancer – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen expresses support for the Lobular Moonshot Project, calling for urgent improvements in early diagnosis and targeted treatment of lobular breast cancer, and for investment in research on the condition on the first anniversary of Dr Susan Michaelis's death.
Health Original release: Urgent need to improve early diagnosis and treatment for lobular breast cancer – Cullen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen calls for immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for the immediate, unconditional release of Palestinian surgeon Hussam Abu Safiya, held without charge since December 2024, warning his life is at grave risk and urging an independent medical assessment.
International affairs Health Original release: Cullen calls for immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Economy Minister cannot wash hands of cuts to apprenticeships
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan accuses Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald of trying to blame civil servants for ApprenticeshipsNI funding cuts, which take effect for existing apprentices from 27 July. He says the Minister remains responsible for her department's decisions.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: ApprenticeshipsNI funding withdrawal for existing apprentices from 27 July Original release: Durkan: Economy Minister cannot wash hands of cuts to apprenticeships (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP secures council support for restoring emergency general surgery to SWAH
SDLP secured Fermanagh and Omagh District Council backing for a motion urging Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to set a timetable to restore emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital, citing patient hardship and calling for political will.
Health Local government Issue: Restoring emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital Original release: SDLP secures council support for restoring emergency general surgery to SWAH (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 8 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Executive cannot abandon commitment to Magee
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood says the Executive must honour its commitment to expanding Ulster University's Magee campus in Derry, after reports the planned growth in student numbers is in jeopardy. He criticises Ministers for inaction and calls for expansion to 10,000 students.
Education Issue: Magee campus expansion to 10,000 students in jeopardy Original release: Eastwood: Executive cannot abandon commitment to Magee (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Yet more waste of public resources within our health estate without long term plan inexcusable, says Donnelly
Alliance health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA says the Department of Health has failed to maintain Northern Ireland's health estate properly, calling the waste of public money on it inexcusable given the absence of an overall plan.
Health Original release: Yet more waste of public resources within our health estate without long term plan inexcusable, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Strong evidence now supports a Regional Mental Health Crisis Service – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the Health Minister should prioritise funding for a Regional Mental Health Crisis Service, citing a report that the crises cost over £45 million annually, emergency visits are up 74 % and could save £9 million each year.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Report on Regional Mental Health Crisis Service economics Original release: Strong evidence now supports a Regional Mental Health Crisis Service – Flynn (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Audit report confirms Health estate is not fit for purpose – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Comptroller and Auditor General's report shows years of underinvestment and poor strategic planning in the Health estate, citing Holywell in Antrim. He says vacant buildings worth nearly £40 million have sat unused and calls on the Minister to bring forward a…
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on Health estate Original release: Audit report confirms Health estate is not fit for purpose – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the crumbling health estate threatens patients and staff after an Audit Office report found just 40% of buildings in acceptable condition. He calls for a long-term strategy and blames successive Health Ministers and the Executive for…
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on Health estate Original release: McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Funding model is failing rural communities where schools are the glue holding everything together, says Burrows
UUP leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA warns that the Department of Education's latest school funding announcement risks accelerating the decline of rural schools. He calls for shared education campuses, such as Ballycastle, to be replicated by unlocking dormant capital…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Education school funding announcement July 2026 Original release: Funding model is failing rural communities where schools are the glue holding everything together, says Burrows (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Department of Health to redouble efforts on breast cancer waiting times after new statistics showed only 8% of urgent suspected-cancer referrals were seen within the 14-day target. She urges the Minister to increase system capacity and…
Health Issue: Breast cancer urgent referral waiting times statistics 2026 Original release: DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes new ATU measures to support students applying through CAO system
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes Atlantic Technological University’s new measures that will better support northern students applying through the CAO system, praises ATU’s leadership and urges the Irish government to remove barriers to all‑Ireland mobility.
Education Issue: ATU introduces new CAO support measures for northern students Original release: Delargy welcomes new ATU measures to support students applying through CAO system (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Donna McGettigan TD welcomes changes to ATU’s admissions process to improve access for students from the North
Sinn Féin further and higher education spokesperson Donna McGettigan TD welcomes Atlantic Technological University’s new admissions scoring system that recognises mixed A‑level and alternative qualifications, saying it improves access for students from the North. She also welcomes the Dundalk IT‑QUB
Education Issue: Atlantic Technological University admissions policy changes Original release: Donna McGettigan TD welcomes changes to ATU’s admissions process to improve access for students from the North (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Families and children let down by Executive inaction
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA accuses the Executive of failing to establish a Regional Children and Families Authority, recommended by the 2023 children's social care review. He criticises the Health and Justice Ministers for shelving it and for announcing the decision…
Health Issue: Regional Children and Families Authority decision announced by Health and Justice Ministers Original release: McGrath: Families and children let down by Executive inaction (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to skills programmes undermines economic potential and could have devastating effects, says Nicholl
Alliance economy spokesperson and All-Party Group on Skills chair Kate Nicholl MLA says she is disappointed and concerned for the economy after the Department for the Economy announced major cuts to skills development programmes.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy skills development programme cuts Original release: Cuts to skills programmes undermines economic potential and could have devastating effects, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the School Uniforms Bill’s latest Assembly stage provides an opportunity to guarantee every pupil the automatic right to wear trousers, urging school uniform policy to be brought into the 21st century.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill passes Assembly stage Original release: No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive managing collapse of health service
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Executive is simply managing decline in health services, pointing to resident doctors' industrial action, high waiting lists and difficulty recruiting and keeping staff, and calls on the Executive and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to…
Health Issue: Resident doctors' industrial action and Health questions in the Assembly Original release: McGrath: Executive managing collapse of health service (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)