Latest releases
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3,448 releases
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Council to review how it supports childcare provision in Belfast, says Maghie
Alliance Councillor Jenna Maghie urges Belfast City Council to examine how it can back childcare, including whether council school-holiday schemes can grow, after bringing a cross-party motion to the Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee. She blames the DUP for blocking Stormont action on the…
Education Local government Issue: Belfast council motion on childcare support and school-holiday schemes Original release: Council to review how it supports childcare provision in Belfast, says Maghie (opens in a new tab)
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Victims of sexual offences let down by blockade of Stormont – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says victims of sexual offences are being failed by the DUP's boycott of the Assembly, which is blocking outstanding Gillen Review recommendations and delaying the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic and Sexual Abuse strategies. She calls for a…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Victims of sexual offences let down by blockade of Stormont – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers calls for an urgent review of how social care is delivered and its impact on local unpaid care providers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA urges a swift review of social care delivery in Northern Ireland, citing its effect on unpaid carers, and says carers should have a voice in future reform after a Carers NI research launch.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Carers NI economic value of unpaid care research launch Original release: Chambers calls for an urgent review of how social care is delivered and its impact on local unpaid care providers (opens in a new tab)
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Essential reform of adult social care sector hampered by stop-start government, says Bradshaw
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says essential reform of adult social care is blocked by stop-start politics, responding to BBC figures on unmet care packages across Northern Ireland's Health and Social Care Trusts. She calls on the DUP to end its Assembly boycott so an Executive…
Health Issue: BBC figures on unmet social care packages across Health and Social Care Trusts Original release: Essential reform of adult social care sector hampered by stop-start government, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Rise in minimum wage without measures to support childcare providers is a recipe for disaster – Kate Nicholl MLA
MLA Kate Nicholl, the Alliance Party’s early years and childcare spokesperson, says the almost 10% rise in the national living wage announced in the Autumn Statement comes without support for childcare providers and will damage the sector. She calls for a wider reform plan, including boosting theTax
Education Economy and employment Issue: British government Autumn Statement 2023 public sector funding cuts Original release: Rise in minimum wage without measures to support childcare providers is a recipe for disaster – Kate Nicholl MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Patients and families of deceased patients of Michael Watt deserve answers – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín calls for full truth and answers for patients and bereaved relatives affected by Michael Watt's misdiagnosis cases, and points families to RQIA for clinical record reviews.
Health Issue: Michael Watt misdiagnosis cases RQIA clinical record review Original release: Patients and families of deceased patients of Michael Watt deserve answers – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Grief education and bereavement support in schools needed for student mental health, says Mathison
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says change is needed in how schools handle bereavement support and grief education, after sponsoring a Marie Curie child grief event at Parliament Buildings. He backs Marie Curie's push to add grief education to the Northern Ireland curriculum.
Education Health Issue: Marie Curie Children's Grief Awareness Week event at Parliament Buildings Original release: Grief education and bereavement support in schools needed for student mental health, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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ADHD services require commissioning and budget to progress, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw warns Trusts lack the budget and political direction to commission ADHD diagnosis and support services, calling for a health minister, Health Committee and Assembly budget to be in place.
Health Disability and equality Original release: ADHD services require commissioning and budget to progress, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna proposes inquiry into childcare in NI
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna says she has proposed that the Westminster Northern Ireland Affairs Committee launch an inquiry into childcare costs in Northern Ireland, to start early next year if no Executive is in place.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Hanna proposes inquiry into childcare in NI (opens in a new tab)
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Campbell celebrates Ulster Scots Language Week in Parliament
The DUP's East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell marks Ulster Scots Language Week with a Commons motion, saying the language is widespread across Northern Ireland and border counties and that the week should be inclusive and not politicised.
Disability and equality Original release: Campbell celebrates Ulster Scots Language Week in Parliament (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes confirmation that drug to protect against breast cancer will be available in Northern Ireland
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw welcomes Department of Health confirmation that Anastrozole will be made available in Northern Ireland to help prevent breast cancer, mirroring its availability elsewhere in the UK, and says it will benefit women at elevated risk.
Health Issue: Anastrozole breast cancer prevention drug availability in Northern Ireland Original release: Bradshaw welcomes confirmation that drug to protect against breast cancer will be available in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Our schools are beyond crisis point and minister is needed, says Mathison, ahead of further strike action
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says schools are beyond crisis point ahead of NAHT joining teaching unions in strike action on 29 November. He calls for a locally elected Education Minister in post and blames the DUP's boycott of the Executive.
Education Economy and employment Issue: NAHT strike action announcement for 29 November schools dispute Original release: Our schools are beyond crisis point and minister is needed, says Mathison, ahead of further strike action (opens in a new tab)
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Transgender Day of Remembrance an important day of reflection, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, reflecting on people lost to violence or suicide and pledging to end discrimination and targeted violence against trans and gender-diverse people, while calling for action after attending a Belfast City Hall event.
Disability and equality Original release: Transgender Day of Remembrance an important day of reflection, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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No one should suffer in silence, says Donnelly, marking International Men’s Day
Alliance Omagh Councillor Stephen Donnelly says no one should suffer in silence on International Men’s Day, highlighting that 74% of suicide deaths in 2021 were men and urging people to talk about mental health and use services such as Lifeline, Samaritans and Minding Your Head.
Health Issue: International Men’s Day 2023 Original release: No one should suffer in silence, says Donnelly, marking International Men’s Day (opens in a new tab)
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Non-teaching staff deserve fair pay and employment terms - Allen
UUP Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA calls on EA and the Westminster government to resolve the non-teaching staff pay dispute, and has written to the Secretary of State urging funding be allocated now rather than awaiting restoration of Stormont.
Education Economy and employment Issue: School support staff strike over pay on 16 November 2023 Original release: Non-teaching staff deserve fair pay and employment terms - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan expresses solidarity with striking education staff
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan voices solidarity with striking educational support staff over pay, citing their role in school transport and meals. He urges the British government to introduce a fair pay settlement for public sector workers while Stormont has no Executive.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Educational support staff strike over pay in Northern Ireland Original release: Sheehan expresses solidarity with striking education staff (opens in a new tab)
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‘Executive needed to deliver mother and baby unit’ – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithi Flynn says an Executive must be restored to fund a new mother and baby unit, welcoming the Department of Health's choice of Belfast City Hospital as its site. She urges an end to one party's boycott so that funding can be secured.
Health Issue: Belfast City Hospital selected as site for mother and baby unit Original release: ‘Executive needed to deliver mother and baby unit’ – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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‘Any delays in cervical smear review must be dealt with’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says any hold‑ups in the cervical smear review must be addressed and communicated to the 17,500 women affected, urges an urgent update from the Department of Health on the backlog, welcomes the pledge to start HPV testing in December and calls for the Assembly and an Exec
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical smear review delays and Belfast Trust cytology suspension Original release: ‘Any delays in cervical smear review must be dealt with’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Paisley presses for approval for new Cystic Fibrosis drugs
The DUP's North Antrim MP Ian Paisley says he has again raised NICE approval for new drugs for Cystic Fibrosis and certain cancers in the Commons. He says he will meet drug company Vertex on Wednesday to discuss its attempts to secure approval.
Health Original release: Paisley presses for approval for new Cystic Fibrosis drugs (opens in a new tab)
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£27million paid to date through Victims Pension Scheme: Pengelly
DUP MLA Emma Little Pengelly welcomes the release of £27million to victims and survivors so far through the Victims Pension Scheme and urges all eligible people to apply. She says about 300 applications lack a psychological injury, pointing to lasting mental health burdens from the Troubles.
Community relations and legacy Social security and welfare Original release: £27million paid to date through Victims Pension Scheme: Pengelly (opens in a new tab)