Latest releases
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3,448 releases
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Children going without hot food and heating must be final straw, says Mathison
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says children at an East Belfast primary school going without hot meals and hot water over education funding cuts is a catastrophic tipping point. He has written to the Education Authority and calls on parties to end the deadlock and restore an Education Minister.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: East Belfast primary school suspends hot meals and hot water Original release: Children going without hot food and heating must be final straw, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath calls for taskforce to improve junior doctors’ working conditions
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath calls for an urgent taskforce, including Department of Health and trust representatives, to improve junior doctors' working conditions, citing inadequate staff rooms, late rotas and missed training.
Health Economy and employment Original release: McGrath calls for taskforce to improve junior doctors’ working conditions (opens in a new tab)
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MP calls on NI Water to confirm safety of drinking water
DUP MP Ian Paisley calls on NI Water to urgently investigate reports of unclean drinking water in Portglenone and confirm its safety, providing emergency supplies if needed, after blue green algae affected the River Bann.
Environment and climate Health Issue: Blue green algae affecting River Bann and Portglenone drinking water Original release: MP calls on NI Water to confirm safety of drinking water (opens in a new tab)
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Dropping ‘Magee’ an abandonment of history: Middleton
Foyle MLA Gary Middleton, speaking for the DUP, criticises Ulster University's decision to stop using the 'Magee' name for its Londonderry campus, saying it abandons nearly 180 years of history and was taken without consultation. He also disputes the university's claim that no name change has…
Education Issue: Ulster University dropping 'Magee' name for Londonderry campus Original release: Dropping ‘Magee’ an abandonment of history: Middleton (opens in a new tab)
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Who Is Posie Parker And Why We Protest
People Before Profit says Posie Parker (Kellie-Jay Keen) is a social media influencer whose campaign against trans people targets the Gender Recognition Act, and says her Irish events are linked to far-right figures, which is why the party is protesting her.
Disability and equality Issue: Posie Parker Belfast rally protest Original release: Who Is Posie Parker And Why We Protest (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford dismayed by failure to provide SEN pupils adequate school transport provision
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA David Honeyford says the failure to provide school transport for pupils with special educational needs is the latest in a series of failures, citing nearly 400 children awaiting special school placement and halved funding for mainstream SEN support staff. He looks forward…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs school transport provision failure, September 2023 Original release: Honeyford dismayed by failure to provide SEN pupils adequate school transport provision (opens in a new tab)
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Right to withdraw from RSE provisions must be respected and not…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, ahead of an adjournment debate on RSE in Northern Ireland schools, says the right to withdraw children must be respected and not restricted. She calls for conscientious objection provision for teachers and says school ethos should not be dictated from Belfast or London.
Education Issue: Northern Ireland RSE curriculum adjournment debate at Westminster Original release: Right to withdraw from RSE provisions must be respected and not… (opens in a new tab)
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Mental Health spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes extended funding for the Protect Life 2 Strategy as World Suicide Prevention Day is marked
UUP mental health spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes the Department of Health's extension of funding for the Protect Life 2 Strategy on World Suicide Prevention Day. He calls for funding to be ringfenced for the Mental Health Strategy and urges a restored Executive to tackle high suicide rates.
Health Issue: Department of Health extension of Protect Life 2 Strategy funding Original release: Mental Health spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes extended funding for the Protect Life 2 Strategy as World Suicide Prevention Day is marked (opens in a new tab)
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Renewed Executive must act quickly for greater dignity in dying, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson and South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw calls on an incoming Executive to act quickly on dignity in dying after a Centre for Research in Social Policy report. She proposes a Carers Allowance Supplement, a self-care welfare element and removing mortgage interest loan…
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Centre for Research in Social Policy dignity in dying report Original release: Renewed Executive must act quickly for greater dignity in dying, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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TUV publishes response to Department of Education RSE consultation
TUV leader Jim Allister says the party has published its response to the Department of Education's RSE consultation, arguing that the post-primary curriculum changes interfere in a devolved matter under Section 9 of the 2019 Act and that the consultation is a box-ticking exercise.
Education Constitutional affairs Issue: Department of Education consultation on Relationships and Sexuality Education publication Original release: TUV publishes response to Department of Education RSE consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Poor satisfaction ratings reinforce need for improved staff conditions at SWAH and elsewhere
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says Northern Ireland hospitals ranking near the bottom of a GMC trainee satisfaction survey, including the South West Acute Hospital, reinforces the need for safe staffing legislation and a functioning Assembly and Health Committee.
Health Issue: GMC trainee satisfaction survey ranking of Northern Ireland hospitals Original release: Poor satisfaction ratings reinforce need for improved staff conditions at SWAH and elsewhere (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers challenges Eastwood comments on NHS
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA responds to SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood's remark that Northern Ireland's health service would embarrass a third world country, calling it insulting to health staff. He calls for financial clarity and multi-year funding to tackle waiting lists and pay parity.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Colum Eastwood's Westminster remarks on Northern Ireland health service Original release: Chambers challenges Eastwood comments on NHS (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of budget for school crossing patrol at Holy Rosary Primary School highlights need for restoration of Executive, says Alliance representatives
Alliance South Belfast MLAs Kate Nicholl and Paula Bradshaw say the lack of budget to recruit a school crossing patrol at Holy Rosary Primary School, after the Education Authority confirmed a recruitment pause continues, shows the Executive must be restored, and they call on the DUP to rejoin…
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Education Authority school crossing patrol recruitment pause continues Original release: Lack of budget for school crossing patrol at Holy Rosary Primary School highlights need for restoration of Executive, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan
Alliance MLA Connie Egan urges wider public response to the Executive Office's Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls, now out to consultation, after two research reports on violence against women and girls. She calls for improved Relationship and Sex Education as prevention.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: NI Executive Office violence against women and girls research reports launch Original release: Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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No perinatal inpatient care for mothers and babies on the island of Ireland – Mark Ward TD & Órlaithí Flynn MLA
Sinn Féin's Mark Ward TD and Órlaithí Flynn MLA say there is a lack of urgency on an inpatient perinatal mental health unit on the island of Ireland, after Departments of Health gave no definitive date. Ward cites a planned 10-bed unit at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin and calls on…
Health Issue: Departments of Health responses on inpatient perinatal unit timeframe Original release: No perinatal inpatient care for mothers and babies on the island of Ireland – Mark Ward TD & Órlaithí Flynn MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says she met NICCY's chief executive to discuss special educational needs (SEND) shortfalls, citing waiting lists, cuts to mental health funding and failure to implement earlier reports. NICCY reportedly agreed to pass the concerns on and arrange a meeting with the…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes launch of consultation on reduction and management of restrictive practices in educational settings
Alliance education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Education's launch of a consultation on draft guidance on reducing and managing restrictive practices in schools. She backs Harry's Law to end misuse of seclusion and require proper recording of restraint, and urges the…
Education Issue: Department of Education consultation on restrictive practices guidance in schools Original release: Egan welcomes launch of consultation on reduction and management of restrictive practices in educational settings (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA marks the new school year by praising classroom assistants who support children with special educational needs. He blames the lack of an Executive for vacant posts and funding gaps, and says a returned Assembly will push for a review of their pay and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures (opens in a new tab)
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Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion
Alliance Knockagh Councillor Aaron Skinner welcomes the passing of his motion at Mid and East Antrim Council to set up a disability lived experience group as a subcommittee. He says the group would give disabled people a formal route to advise councillors on accessibility, infrastructure and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council disability lived experience group motion Original release: Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Restored Executive must move quickly on regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a restored Executive must act quickly to keep Northern Ireland in step with England and Scotland on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. She cites a UK consultation launched for England and calls for a similar scheme and a possible…
Health Issue: UK consultation on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England Original release: Restored Executive must move quickly on regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)