Latest releases
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3,334 releases
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Tory proposals for punitive charges is about punishing workers and families – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says the British Secretary of State's proposed consultation on charges for public services would punish workers and families, and warns that water charges, higher student fees and prescription charges would add to cost-of-living pressures. He calls for the DUP to end its…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chris Heaton Harris consultation on public service charges Original release: Tory proposals for punitive charges is about punishing workers and families – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes additional funding for Special Schools
DUP MLA Diane Dodds welcomes £5 million in reprofiled Department of Education funding for maintenance in Special Schools but says it is only a small step. She calls for new Special School builds and a fix to placement problems for children with Statements of Educational Need.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Schools £5 million maintenance funding reprofiling Original release: Dodds welcomes additional funding for Special Schools (opens in a new tab)
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Royal College of Physicians report reinforces urgent need for workforce planning – Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Danny Donnelly says a Royal College of Physicians report on consultants' working conditions in Northern Ireland shows comprehensive workforce planning is needed to fill posts and improve conditions. Paula Bradshaw MLA says the system is letting consultants and patients…
Health Issue: Royal College of Physicians report on Northern Ireland consultants' experience Original release: Royal College of Physicians report reinforces urgent need for workforce planning – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Early intervention key to tackle mental health problems
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says early intervention is key to tackling mental health problems among young people, citing a survey finding 12.6% of NI children experience common mood disorders. She calls for a fundamental review of funding and increased CAMHS funding.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NI Youth Wellbeing survey on childhood mood disorders Original release: Early intervention key to tackle mental health problems (opens in a new tab)
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‘Public need an Executive to tackle growing waiting lists’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon responds to an Audit Office report on health waiting lists, saying one in four people is now waiting and that patients are being harmed. She blames a party's blockade of the political institutions for stopping ministers acting, and calls for a functioning Executive to…
Health Issue: Audit Office report on health waiting lists Original release: ‘Public need an Executive to tackle growing waiting lists’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Alan Chambers MLA responds to the NI Audit Office's Report on Tackling Waiting Lists
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA responds to the NI Audit Office report on waiting lists, saying the Department of Health has admitted the 2021 five-year plan can no longer be delivered. He calls for an Executive and local Ministers to be restored now.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Audit Office report on health waiting lists Original release: Alan Chambers MLA responds to the NI Audit Office's Report on Tackling Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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Audit Office raises concern that elective care becoming poor relation of Health Service, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA warns that an Audit Office report shows elective care is becoming the poor relation in healthcare prioritisation, citing near-tripled waiting numbers and calling for a sustainable funding plan and restored Executive and Health Committee.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Audit Office report on health waiting lists Original release: Audit Office raises concern that elective care becoming poor relation of Health Service, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Women must be supported as thousands of smear tests set to be re-checked – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says around 17,500 women whose smear tests are to be re-checked after the Southern Trust cervical screening review must be contacted urgently and fully supported. She has written to the Department of Health seeking clarity on speeding up the backlog and on the impact on…
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical cancer screening review smear test re-checks Original release: Women must be supported as thousands of smear tests set to be re-checked – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Patient confidence in cervical screening process must be restored –…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says 17,500 women due letters from the Southern Trust about re-checks of smear tests from a review dating back to 2008 will face significant distress. She calls for priority for women needing repeat tests, resources for re-testing, and answers from the Trust.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical cancer screening review smear test re-checks Original release: Patient confidence in cervical screening process must be restored –… (opens in a new tab)
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Smear test results recall greatly concerning but assistance is available for those affected, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA urges people with Southern Trust smear tests from 2008 to 2021 to heed recall letters after a BBC News NI investigation found underperforming staff and flawed checks. She says she will press the Trust to prioritise the Royal College of Pathologists'…
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical cancer screening review smear test re-checks Original release: Smear test results recall greatly concerning but assistance is available for those affected, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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‘Tackling Violence against Women and Girls strategy must be a priority’ – Michelle O’Neill
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill says the plan to end violence against women and girls should be advanced urgently, welcomes the first‑year action plan, and urges full funding and swift implementation.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Year 1 Action plan for Ending Violence against Women and Girls Original release: ‘Tackling Violence against Women and Girls strategy must be a priority’ – Michelle O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn welcomes launch of Belfast Tree Strategy
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn welcomes the launch of the Belfast Tree Strategy, saying it is the first such plan by a Northern Ireland council and gives a framework for expanding tree cover. He calls for adequate resources for it and for related initiatives such as a one million trees…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast Tree Strategy launch Original release: Cllr Flynn welcomes launch of Belfast Tree Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin Alternative Budget 2024 – Investing in Housing, Health and Climate Action
Sinn Féin launches its Budget 2024 proposals, including 21,000 social and affordable homes, a one-month rent rebate, a three-year rent increase ban, income tax cuts for those earning under €100,000 and a €6.8 billion package. Party President Mary Lou McDonald TD says the budget would invest in…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Sinn Féin Alternative Budget 2024 proposals launch Original release: Sinn Féin Alternative Budget 2024 – Investing in Housing, Health and Climate Action (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong congratulates Community Transport on 25 years of service across NI
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA congratulates Community Transport on 25 years of providing affordable, accessible transport across Northern Ireland, recalling her earlier work with local community transport groups and the role minibuses play for people with limited mobility.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Armstrong congratulates Community Transport on 25 years of service across NI (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland must not be left behind on scaling back tobacco sales, says Bradshaw
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Prime Minister's announced Commons vote on barring under-15s from buying cigarettes in England, but says Northern Ireland must not be left behind. She calls for a Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland and clearer restrictions on…
Health Issue: Commons vote on raising cigarette sales age in England Original release: Northern Ireland must not be left behind on scaling back tobacco sales, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh ecological crisis clearly shows we must do things differently and better, says Blair
Alliance's agriculture and environment spokesperson, South Antrim MLA John Blair, says policies behind the Lough Neagh blue-green algal blooms must be reviewed without exemptions, after visiting the shore with the Lough Neagh Partnership. He also calls for a coordinated effort to prevent similar…
Environment and climate Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algal bloom crisis Original release: Lough Neagh ecological crisis clearly shows we must do things differently and better, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Maghie delighted after clean indoor air motion passes Belfast City Council
Alliance councillor Jenna Maghie says she is delighted her motion for a clean indoor air strategy across Belfast City Council buildings has passed. It also asks the Council to draft and promote guidance on clean indoor air at events it supports.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council clean indoor air motion passed unanimously Original release: Maghie delighted after clean indoor air motion passes Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill backs public sector workers’ efforts to achieve fair pay
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, says her party fully backs public sector workers seeking fair pay and safe conditions after meeting ICTU at Stormont. She urges the British government to act now on health and social care pay and staffing without an Executive.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Sinn Féin meeting with ICTU at Stormont on public sector pay Original release: O’Neill backs public sector workers’ efforts to achieve fair pay (opens in a new tab)
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McDonald comments on Antrim and Causeway EDs pressures
TUV Bannside Alderman Stewart McDonald says Northern Trust hospitals are beyond breaking point after the Trust issued a statement on extreme pressure in Antrim and Causeway emergency departments, with patients reportedly kept in corridors.
Health Issue: Northern Trust statement on Antrim and Causeway emergency department pressures Original release: McDonald comments on Antrim and Causeway EDs pressures (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Free period products must be delivered
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter says free period products should reach people across the North after a Menstruation Matters event at Stormont. She calls for the period products legislation to be kept intact and implemented in schools, colleges and public buildings.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Stormont Menstruation Matters event on period products legislation Original release: Hunter: Free period products must be delivered (opens in a new tab)