Latest releases
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3,448 releases
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30 free hours of childcare concept has failed to deliver for parents, says Nicholl, as Alliance launches childcare proposals
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl says the 30 free hours of childcare model has failed families, and launches its 'Children First' plan for an affordable, child-centred childcare scheme in Northern Ireland with core funding paid directly to providers.
Education Issue: Alliance 'Children First' childcare proposals launch Original release: 30 free hours of childcare concept has failed to deliver for parents, says Nicholl, as Alliance launches childcare proposals (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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British government should provide proper funding rather than decimating public services – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says schools face an unsustainable financial position after the Education Authority estimated a shortfall of around £220m this year. He calls on the British government to provide proper funding for education and to restore the Executive.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority estimated £220m school funding shortfall Original release: British government should provide proper funding rather than decimating public services – Sheehan (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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€34 milliún don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht: Buiséad Malartach Shinn Féin 2024 – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Irish language, Gaeltacht, arts and culture Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD announces €34 million for the Irish language and Gaeltacht in the 2024 Alternative Budget, including €5.2 million for Údarás na Gaeltachta and €2.9 million for summer colleges.
Public finance and taxation Education Issue: Sinn Féin 2024 Alternative Budget Irish language and Gaeltacht funding Original release: €34 milliún don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht: Buiséad Malartach Shinn Féin 2024 – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (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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Dunne – Euro 2028 is good but no blank cheques
North Down MLA Stephen Dunne says the DUP backs the joint Euro 2028 bid but will oppose any extra public money for the GAA’s Casement Park shortfall, urging the government to fund schools and health infrastructure instead.
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Funding request for Casement Park stadium Original release: Dunne – Euro 2028 is good but no blank cheques (opens in a new tab)
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Butler supports the Feminism in School campaign of driving youth voter registration through the post-16 curriculum
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA backs a Feminism in School proposal to register young voters during post-16 lessons, such as morning registration or Learning for Life and Work classes. He says it would make enrolment easier and could lift youth turnout, and says his party supports…
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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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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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Students Rising! – Join The Cost Of Living & Housing Protest 7Th October
People Before Profit says several hundred students marched with USI against living costs and fees, calling for an end to student fees and affordable student housing. It urges students to join the Saturday 7 October housing and cost-of-living demonstration at Parnell Square, backed by TD Richard…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Student cost of living and housing march with USI on 4 October 2023 Original release: Students Rising! – Join The Cost Of Living & Housing Protest 7Th October (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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UUP call on Department for the Economy to support pay parity for FE lecturers
UUP Education and Economy representatives Robbie Butler MLA and Mike Nesbitt MLA call on the Department for the Economy’s Permanent Secretary to commit to pay parity for further‑education lecturers, noting a 25% real‑terms pay fall since 2015 and a £4,000 gap with secondary‑school teachers.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Further education lecturers strike over pay disparity Original release: UUP call on Department for the Economy to support pay parity for FE lecturers (opens in a new tab)