Latest releases
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3,944 releases
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Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says cancer patients on waiting lists cannot wait, responding to Department of Health figures on cancer treatment waiting times. She calls for urgent action and the restoration of the Executive, and criticises the delay in the cancer strategy.
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer treatment waiting times figures June 2023 Original release: Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Mairéad Farrell TD says more scrutiny needed of new Construction Licencing Authority Bill
Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell says she has serious concerns about the Construction Licencing Authority Bill, citing over 180 government amendments and the waiving of pre-legislative scrutiny, and calls for thorough examination by both ministers.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Construction Licencing Authority Bill pre-legislative scrutiny waiver and amendments Original release: Mairéad Farrell TD says more scrutiny needed of new Construction Licencing Authority Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes resolution in QUB marking and assessment boycott
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, welcomes the deal reached between universities and unions that will see student papers marked and degrees classified before the end of summer, saying the certainty will aid those whose prospects were at risk.
Education Issue: QUB marking and assessment boycott resolution Original release: Dodds welcomes resolution in QUB marking and assessment boycott (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says a latest Climate Change Committee report shows the UK has lost climate leadership and Northern Ireland is behind on climate targets, calling for a Green New Deal and blaming the absence of an Executive for stalled action.
Environment and climate Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood calls for the UK Government to publish an evidence-based net zero skills action plan, following a Climate Change Committee progress report that she says shows no progress in the past year.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin slams budget for higher education
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin objects to the Department for the Economy's proposed £14m cut to higher education in its draft 2023/24 budget. She says she will respond to the budget consultation and calls for a sustainable funding model to lift the Maximum Student Numbers cap.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for the Economy draft 2023/24 budget higher education cut Original release: McLaughlin slams budget for higher education (opens in a new tab)
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DUP’s blockade Executive will result in children going hungry this summer – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says the DUP's boycott of the Executive and Assembly will leave thousands of children without hot meals over the summer holidays, as holiday hunger payments are withheld. He calls for an Executive to be formed now to protect these payments.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Withholding of summer holiday hunger payments due to no Executive Original release: DUP’s blockade Executive will result in children going hungry this summer – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges homeowners and private landlords to play their part in reaching net zero by 2050, citing the Future Homes in Northern Ireland report from Electrical Safety First on electrical safety risks in older housing stock.
Environment and climate Housing Issue: Future Homes in Northern Ireland report launch by Electrical Safety First Original release: Armstrong encourages homeowners and private landlords to prepare to move to net zero (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Report spells out impact of education cuts
SDLP education spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says a new academic report spells out the impact of education cuts on vulnerable children, and calls for the cuts to be urgently reversed and for the DUP to read the report and return to Stormont.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Academic report on education cuts impact on children Original release: McCrossan: Report spells out impact of education cuts (opens in a new tab)
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The Alliance Party and transgenderism
TUV's North Down branch president Patrick J. Roche accuses the Alliance Party of full commitment to transgenderism, citing Naomi Long's handling of a 'what is a woman?' question and a drag story reading, and MLA Connie Eagan's planned bill on relationship and sex education. He also attacks deputy…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Alliance Party stance on transgender issues and Gender Recognition Reform Bill Original release: The Alliance Party and transgenderism (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme
Green Party NI councillor Rachel Woods, for Holywood and Clandeboye, criticises the decision to cut the Affordable Warmth Scheme without replacements and the removal of councils' eligibility assessment role from September. She calls for a fuel poverty strategy and tighter building regulations.
Housing Local government Issue: Affordable Warmth Scheme changes and removal of council eligibility role Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods slams changes to Affordable Warmth Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Education Authority to find school places for over 800 children with special educational needs still awaiting confirmation of a place for next year. He says families need immediate clarity and urges investment in resourcing schools and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a fundamental review of children's services, citing an independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for assessments and support from social care, and pointing to rising demand, staffing pressures and budget strain.
Health Issue: Independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for social care assessments Original release: Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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More must be done to cut childcare costs – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says more must be done to cut childcare costs after a Department of Education review of childcare services, citing parents paying over £550 a month. She calls for a funded strategy and for the Executive to be restored.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Department of Education review of childcare services report Original release: More must be done to cut childcare costs – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes confirmation that Arvalee Special School in Omagh will keep full-time hours for nursery pupils after an Education Authority cut to two and a half hours was reversed. She says discussions between the EA and the school must continue and blames Tory cuts and the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Massive hikes in cleaning costs yet another blow to schools – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan says up to 350 schools face cleaning cost rises of up to 50% next academic year, blaming British government cuts and calling for investment and a restored Executive.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: School cleaning costs rise of up to 50% for 350 schools Original release: Massive hikes in cleaning costs yet another blow to schools – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Long term plan needed to secure Daisy Hill – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says new proposals to stabilise Daisy Hill Hospital services are a step forward but need much more work to restore staff and community confidence. She says the Southern Trust must move quickly on a long-term plan, and she will press its leadership at a meeting the next…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital services stabilisation proposals Original release: Long term plan needed to secure Daisy Hill – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)