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3,926 releases
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We’re developing a two-tier health system in NI, says McAllister, regarding children’s waiting lists report
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says children's health waiting lists are unacceptable and calls for appropriate funding and an expert-informed action plan with transparency over how money is spent. She cites an RCPCH report showing a record 22,272 children waiting and claims a…
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: We’re developing a two-tier health system in NI, says McAllister, regarding children’s waiting lists report (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must take action to avoid deepening GP workforce crisis, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Health Minister to act on the Royal College of GPs' new strategy on GP workforce retention, citing low-cost options such as visa support for recruiting staff, a state-backed indemnity scheme and a review of uptake of the Attract…
Health Issue: Royal College of GPs report on general practice pressures Original release: Health Minister must take action to avoid deepening GP workforce crisis, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive not serious about tackling poverty
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Sinn Féin, Alliance and the DUP delayed action on poverty after Executive parties backed a DUP amendment removing a call for a plan to end the two-child limit.
Social security and welfare Issue: SDLP Opposition day motion on ending the two-child Universal Credit cap Original release: O’Toole: Executive not serious about tackling poverty (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a plan to tackle children's waiting lists after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report, noting over 22,000 children are waiting for various treatments. She urges the health minister to set out steps to reduce the backlog.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Ending two-child Universal Credit cap most effective way to tackle poverty
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says scrapping the two-child Universal Credit limit is the most effective way to lift children out of poverty, and calls for the Communities Minister to set out a plan to end the cap by the end of 2024, funded by proposed revenue sources.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: SDLP Opposition day motion on ending the two-child Universal Credit cap Original release: O’Toole: Ending two-child Universal Credit cap most effective way to tackle poverty (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Children being failed by health system
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says children are being failed by long waits for healthcare, citing the RCPCH report on paediatric waiting times in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Health Minister to take forward its solutions and bring legislative changes to the Executive.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Children being failed by health system (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition brings forward proposals to fight poverty, including ending two-child limit
SDLP Opposition, led by Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA, is using its second Opposition Day to press the Executive to scrap the two-child limit on Universal Credit, which it says is costed and practical, alongside fuel poverty measures and a ban on no-fault evictions.
Social security and welfare Original release: SDLP Opposition brings forward proposals to fight poverty, including ending two-child limit (opens in a new tab)
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Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says a certificate acknowledging pregnancy loss before 24 weeks would recognise bereaved families, and announces a motion at the Assembly on Monday backing a Baby Loss Certificate scheme. She welcomes the finance minister's commitment to review the scheme with the health…
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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“Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says 628 patients were kept in hospital unnecessarily on 15 March despite being fit to leave, calls for a dedicated team to be put in charge of resolving the bed blockage immediately, and says the figure is likely higher.
Health Issue: Health Minister figures on patients medically fit for discharge remaining in hospital Original release: “Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous"
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes Shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn to Lagan Valley and urges focus on prosperity, citing fibre broadband rollout, the lowest UK unemployment rate and a rejection of a border poll.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous" (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, says emergency crisis management in special educational needs placements has become the norm, after officials said almost 7,000 children need new placements and only 80 of 291 schools agreed to specialist provisions.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee briefing on SEN placements and specialist provisions in mainstream schools Original release: Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Political failure responsible for state of roads
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan blames the absence of a functioning Executive and Assembly for poor road conditions and over £25m in Department for Infrastructure liability payouts over five years. He calls on the Executive and Infrastructure Minister to address road…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for Infrastructure public liability claims payouts revealed Original release: Durkan: Political failure responsible for state of roads (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Authority's leadership to listen to parents and prioritise children with special educational needs, ensuring those placed in September are placed on time. He calls for the education department to work with the health minister to overhaul SEN services…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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11 more years of delay for York Street Interchange
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Assembly's Infrastructure Committee, says an indication of at least 11 more years before the York Street Interchange is completed raises questions about delivering major infrastructure in Northern Ireland. She calls on the Minister to set out a clear plan for…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: York Street Interchange completion timeline delayed by at least 11 years Original release: 11 more years of delay for York Street Interchange (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart calls on Minister to prioritise introduction of baby loss…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart urges the Health Minister to prioritise introducing baby loss certificates in Northern Ireland, pointing to the scheme already in England, and says she has launched an online petition backing the proposal.
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Kimmins welcomes transfer of vasectomy services to GP practices
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes the health minister's announcement that vasectomy procedures are to move into GP surgeries, saying treatment closer to home will give patients earlier and easier access. She calls for continued joint work to transform health services.
Health Issue: Health minister announcement moving vasectomy services to GP practices Original release: Kimmins welcomes transfer of vasectomy services to GP practices (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly welcomes restoration of GP vasectomy services
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the return of vasectomy procedures to GP practices after funding was withdrawn in 2023. He calls on the minister to reinstate funding for the full range of GP Elective Care Services.
Health Issue: Health minister announcement moving vasectomy services to GP practices Original release: Donnelly welcomes restoration of GP vasectomy services (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood launches cross-party skills group
Alliance Economy spokesperson Sorcha Eastwood announces a cross-party All Party Group on Skills, supported by the Open University, to examine northern Ireland's worst skills shortages. Its first inquiry will focus on skills in social care for an ageing population.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Eastwood launches cross-party skills group (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes commitment to review early baby loss certificates
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Finance Minister's pledge to examine the scheme issuing baby loss certificates for losses before 24 weeks of pregnancy. She says parents and families need support during such distressing times and will keep working with the finance and health ministers.
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Dillon welcomes commitment to review early baby loss certificates (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes investment in cross border rail service
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes a funding package worth more than £140 million for cross-border rail services between Dublin and Belfast. He says the investment will improve access to jobs, help address the climate emergency and support the all-island economy.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Dublin to Belfast rail services £140 million investment Original release: Boylan welcomes investment in cross border rail service (opens in a new tab)