Latest releases
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3,335 releases
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Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says the Department for Communities budget allocations will reduce support for vulnerable people, including the homeless, people with disabilities, addiction service users and domestic abuse victims. She cites cuts to new homes and rising homelessness spending, and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities budget allocations for the forthcoming financial year Original release: Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA condemns reports that the Educational Authority is considering closing some special school nursery units to fund primary one places, calling it short-sighted and a failure of area planning. She urges the EA and Department of Education to commit to…
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA consideration of closing special school nursery units Original release: Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh ecosystem facing significant new challenges – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, raises concern about new ecological challenges in Lough Neagh after blue-green algae was confirmed in the Toome Canal and spread to fishing waters. He says he and Cllr Henry Cushinan will seek a meeting with DAERA.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Blue-green algae confirmed in Toome Canal and Lough Neagh Original release: Lough Neagh ecosystem facing significant new challenges – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey welcomes multi-million pound investment in West Belfast
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey says the multi‑million pound investment in West Belfast demonstrates confidence in local talent, delivering 169 new positions at the former Caterpillar site and offering apprenticeships, training and re‑skilling as part of a greener packaging venture.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Biopax investment creates jobs at former Caterpillar site Original release: Maskey welcomes multi-million pound investment in West Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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British government must support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage payments – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy calls on the British government to provide targeted support to homeowners whose mortgage rates have risen, as the Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates again. He also urges lenders to be flexible with borrowers facing higher repayments.
Economy and employment Housing Issue: Bank of England interest rate rise and mortgage repayment increases Original release: British government must support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage payments – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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HRB report on addiction must be a wake-up call for government – Thomas Gould TD
Sinn Féin's Thomas Gould TD urges the government to address funding gaps in addiction and community services after an HRB report recorded over 12,000 people seeking support in 2022. He says Taskforces still face a €3 million shortfall against their 2010 budgets and calls the report a wake-up call.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Research Board report on addiction services in 2022 Original release: HRB report on addiction must be a wake-up call for government – Thomas Gould TD (opens in a new tab)
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Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes people with learning disabilities, families and support groups to Parliament Buildings to mark Learning Disability Week 2023. She says the event aims to challenge stigma and myths, and that people with learning disabilities should…
Disability and equality Original release: Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week (opens in a new tab)
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Homophobia never acceptable and needs to be challenged at every opportunity, says Tennyson, addressing tweets by DUP representative
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson calls on the DUP to address homophobic tweets directed at him from East Antrim MLA David Hilditch's account, noting they remain online. He urges party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to condemn them publicly and take disciplinary action.
Disability and equality Issue: Homophobic tweets from DUP MLA David Hilditch's account Original release: Homophobia never acceptable and needs to be challenged at every opportunity, says Tennyson, addressing tweets by DUP representative (opens in a new tab)
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Education Authority has duty to ensure every child has suitable school placement – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says he has written to the Education Authority asking for urgent school placements for children with special educational needs still waiting for an offer ahead of September entry to nursery or P1. He calls the situation outrageous, pointing to the statutory duty to place…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Education Authority has duty to ensure every child has suitable school placement – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to nursery hours for children with Special Needs ‘heartless’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan says the Education Authority’s decision to halve nursery provision for children with special educational needs at Arvalee Special School in Omagh is heartless, and she has written to demand an urgent meeting to have the cuts reversed.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Cuts to nursery hours for children with Special Needs ‘heartless’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Egan expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of Chloe Mitchell following Ballymena vigil
Alliance spokesperson Connie Egan MLA expresses condolences to the family of Chloe Mitchell after attending a vigil in Ballymena, saying gender-based violence must be tackled and eliminated across society.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena Original release: Egan expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of Chloe Mitchell following Ballymena vigil (opens in a new tab)
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Omagh Pride a crucial platform for LGBTQ people in rural communities west of the Bann, says Donnelly, ahead of event
Alliance Omagh Councillor Stephen Donnelly praises the organisers of Omagh Pride and says the event matters for LGBTQ+ people in rural areas west of the Bann, ahead of Saturday's event. He argues more progress is needed across Northern Ireland and says isolation is felt in West Tyrone.
Disability and equality Issue: Omagh Pride event 2023 Original release: Omagh Pride a crucial platform for LGBTQ people in rural communities west of the Bann, says Donnelly, ahead of event (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to help tackle growing crisis within children’s mental health services – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for the Executive to be restored to address rising waiting lists for children's mental health assessments, citing an increase of 1,255 children waiting and 1,086 waiting over nine weeks.
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Executive needs formed to address worsening crisis in health service – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls for an Executive to be formed to tackle the worsening health service crisis, citing the worst waiting times across these islands and poor communication from Trusts with patients. She says political leadership and investment are needed.
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McGrath: Patients on waiting lists deserve better than silence
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath calls for patients on waiting lists to receive regular updates, after a Public Service Ombudsman report found systematic maladministration in how waiting lists are handled. He says the Ombudsman's recommendations should be carried out together with long-term…
Health Issue: Public Services Ombudsman report on health waiting list maladministration Original release: McGrath: Patients on waiting lists deserve better than silence (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes set up of five new cancer support centres
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the planned opening of five new regional cancer support centres by Cancer Focus NI and a rise to almost 400 patients receiving specialist radiotherapy by year end. She says the Cancer Strategy cannot progress without a functioning Executive, blaming the DUP for…
Health Issue: Cancer Focus NI five new regional support centres and radiotherapy expansion Original release: Dillon welcomes set up of five new cancer support centres (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes new Cancer Focus support centres
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes Cancer Focus's plan to open five regional cancer support centres over five years, aligned with the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy. She says a Health Minister is needed to take the strategy forward swiftly.
Health Issue: Cancer Focus NI five new regional support centres and radiotherapy expansion Original release: Bradshaw welcomes new Cancer Focus support centres (opens in a new tab)
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NI carers are being left behind, says Alliance representatives, as Carer’s Leave Act sets out extra support for GB
Alliance's Stewart Dickson MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA say working carers in Northern Ireland risk missing out on extra leave under the Carer's Leave Act 2023 because it applies only to Great Britain for now. Dickson says the Department for the Economy will not implement it until an Executive is…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carer's Leave Act 2023 extension to Northern Ireland Original release: NI carers are being left behind, says Alliance representatives, as Carer’s Leave Act sets out extra support for GB (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna urges PM to introduce Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fund and implement a Northern Ireland Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, citing the murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena and the lack of an Executive to deliver it.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena Original release: Hanna urges PM to introduce Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to prioritise Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomes a cross-party briefing on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and hopes it goes out to public consultation soon. She calls for a functioning Executive with Ministers and a budget to drive the strategy forward.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Cross-party briefing on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy Original release: Executive needed to prioritise Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy – Archibald (opens in a new tab)