Latest releases
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2,987 releases
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A restored Executive must preserve the principles of NHS, says Alliance representatives
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA and East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly thank health and social care workers on the NHS’s 75th anniversary and call for a restored Assembly to transform and safeguard Health and Social Care for the future.
Health Issue: 75th anniversary of the NHS Original release: A restored Executive must preserve the principles of NHS, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: NHS must be safeguarded for future generations
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath marks the NHS's 75th anniversary, saying its future is at risk and calling on the British government to modernise it. He also urges health service reform in the North and cross-border cooperation on health.
Health Original release: McGrath: NHS must be safeguarded for future generations (opens in a new tab)
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Action to end violence against women and girls must be a priority for all — Michelle O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, welcomes the release of a draft strategy and action plan on tackling violence against women and girls and urges the public to respond to the consultation.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Draft ending violence against women and girls strategy published for consultation Original release: Action to end violence against women and girls must be a priority for all — Michelle O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the launch of a public consultation on the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework and Action Plan, which runs until 3 October, and urges people and community groups to take part. She says a restored Executive is needed to agree…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Draft ending violence against women and girls strategy published for consultation Original release: McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes ruling on continuing healthcare
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath welcomes a High Court decision to quash the Department of Health's policy requiring people to fund their own care in nursing homes and similar settings. He calls on the department to bring in a fairer approach that secures suitable care for people, and says…
Health Issue: High Court quashes continuing healthcare policy for self-funded care Original release: McGrath welcomes ruling on continuing healthcare (opens in a new tab)
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Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban
SDLP councillor Doire Finn urges progress on banning conversion therapy in Northern Ireland, proposing a Newry, Mourne and Down council motion reaffirming opposition and asking Stormont departments to outline preparations for a ban once the Executive returns.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban (opens in a new tab)
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Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says cancer patients on waiting lists cannot wait, responding to Department of Health figures on cancer treatment waiting times. She calls for urgent action and the restoration of the Executive, and criticises the delay in the cancer strategy.
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer treatment waiting times figures June 2023 Original release: Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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SF’s foreign donations must be scrutinised
DUP East Belfast MLA and US engagement spokesman David Brooks says questions must be asked about Sinn Fein’s finances, urging serious scrutiny of foreign donations – including over $50,000 from the US Friends of Sinn Fein – and calls for transparency on both sides of the border.
Other Issue: US donations to Sinn Fein before 2022 Assembly election Original release: SF’s foreign donations must be scrutinised (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)
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The Alliance Party and transgenderism
TUV's North Down branch president Patrick J. Roche accuses the Alliance Party of full commitment to transgenderism, citing Naomi Long's handling of a 'what is a woman?' question and a drag story reading, and MLA Connie Eagan's planned bill on relationship and sex education. He also attacks deputy…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Alliance Party stance on transgender issues and Gender Recognition Reform Bill Original release: The Alliance Party and transgenderism (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Education Authority to find school places for over 800 children with special educational needs still awaiting confirmation of a place for next year. He says families need immediate clarity and urges investment in resourcing schools and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a fundamental review of children's services, citing an independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for assessments and support from social care, and pointing to rising demand, staffing pressures and budget strain.
Health Issue: Independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for social care assessments Original release: Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes confirmation that Arvalee Special School in Omagh will keep full-time hours for nursery pupils after an Education Authority cut to two and a half hours was reversed. She says discussions between the EA and the school must continue and blames Tory cuts and the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Tragic death in Bushmills
TUV MLA Jim Allister expresses sadness at the death of Robert Anderson in a road crash in Bushmills, offering condolences to his parents and family and saying he is praying for them.
Other Original release: Tragic death in Bushmills (opens in a new tab)
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Long term plan needed to secure Daisy Hill – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says new proposals to stabilise Daisy Hill Hospital services are a step forward but need much more work to restore staff and community confidence. She says the Southern Trust must move quickly on a long-term plan, and she will press its leadership at a meeting the next…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital services stabilisation proposals Original release: Long term plan needed to secure Daisy Hill – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says it is unacceptable that families of children with additional needs are anxiously waiting to learn whether they will secure a nursery place. He calls for an end to the DUP's boycott of the Executive so parties can work together to support vulnerable children and young…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs nursery placement uncertainty and Executive impasse Original release: Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to drive forward reform of children’s social care services, say Alliance representatives
Naomi Long, Alliance leader and MLA, and health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, MLA, welcome the children’s social‑care review report and say an Executive is required to act on its 53 recommendations, warning that delays will worsen outcomes for thousands of waiting children.
Health Issue: Children’s social care services review report publication Original release: Executive needed to drive forward reform of children’s social care services, say Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says the Department for Communities budget allocations will reduce support for vulnerable people, including the homeless, people with disabilities, addiction service users and domestic abuse victims. She cites cuts to new homes and rising homelessness spending, and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities budget allocations for the forthcoming financial year Original release: Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)