Latest releases
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5,658 releases
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McGrath challenges Minister to commit to free parking for hospital staff
SDLP health spokesperson Colin McGrath, a South Down MLA, urges Health Minister Robin Swann to set a guaranteed timescale and interim exemption for hospital staff parking charges. He says the delay to the Hospital Parking Charges Bill, pushed through by accelerated passage, leaves staff facing…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: McGrath challenges Minister to commit to free parking for hospital staff (opens in a new tab)
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Health minister must work to abolish hospital parking charges as soon as possible – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says the health minister must urgently work to abolish hospital parking charges after legislation moved in the Assembly delayed their abolition for up to two years. She calls for the department to quickly put the necessary infrastructure in place.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: Health minister must work to abolish hospital parking charges as soon as possible – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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GPs need urgent support – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls on the health minister to bring forward a plan to tackle problems facing GPs, including transforming general practice and prioritising recruitment and retention of staff, after a Royal College of GPs report.
Health Issue: Royal College of GPs report on general practice pressures Original release: GPs need urgent support – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Brett – “long-term strategic investment decisions needed”
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett, chair of the Assembly's Economy Committee, speaks at Stormont for the NI Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey, calling for strategic investment decisions by the Assembly and Executive and citing Industrial Derating and Small Business Rates Relief…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: NI Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey publication Original release: Brett – “long-term strategic investment decisions needed” (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds – “it’s essential that GP issues are resolved”
DUP Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds responds to the RCGPNI report 'A Workforce Fit for the Future', calling the morning phone rush for GP appointments unacceptable and urging expanded multidisciplinary teams, more GP incentives and faster indemnity for primary care.
Health Issue: RCGPNI 'A Workforce Fit for the Future' report on GP retention Original release: Dodds – “it’s essential that GP issues are resolved” (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference (opens in a new tab)
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We’re developing a two-tier health system in NI, says McAllister, regarding children’s waiting lists report
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says children's health waiting lists are unacceptable and calls for appropriate funding and an expert-informed action plan with transparency over how money is spent. She cites an RCPCH report showing a record 22,272 children waiting and claims a…
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: We’re developing a two-tier health system in NI, says McAllister, regarding children’s waiting lists report (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must take action to avoid deepening GP workforce crisis, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Health Minister to act on the Royal College of GPs' new strategy on GP workforce retention, citing low-cost options such as visa support for recruiting staff, a state-backed indemnity scheme and a review of uptake of the Attract…
Health Issue: Royal College of GPs report on general practice pressures Original release: Health Minister must take action to avoid deepening GP workforce crisis, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Simon Harris doesn’t speak for ‘his generation’ on Irish unity – Michelle Gildernew MP
Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew MP, a European election candidate for Midlands/North West, says Taoiseach Simon Harris does not represent young people's views on Irish unity. She calls on the Irish government to establish a Citizens' Assembly to plan for unity.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Simon Harris doesn’t speak for ‘his generation’ on Irish unity – Michelle Gildernew MP (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a plan to tackle children's waiting lists after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report, noting over 22,000 children are waiting for various treatments. She urges the health minister to set out steps to reduce the backlog.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Legislation to protect homeowners with defective properties a ‘crucial step’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes the communities minister's intention to introduce legislation protecting homeowners who claim compensation for defective properties. He says it will close a legal loophole and cites residents of Victoria Square apartments facing large costs.
Housing Issue: Communities minister legislation on compensation for defective homes Original release: Legislation to protect homeowners with defective properties a ‘crucial step’ – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Children being failed by health system
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says children are being failed by long waits for healthcare, citing the RCPCH report on paediatric waiting times in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Health Minister to take forward its solutions and bring legislative changes to the Executive.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Children being failed by health system (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Defective building legislation must help Victoria Square owners
SDLP MLA and Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole welcomes the Executive's commitment to extend the litigation limitation period for owners of defective property, but calls for the new law to be designed so Victoria Square owners can restart their legal action against developers.
Justice and policing Housing Issue: Communities minister legislation on compensation for defective homes Original release: O’Toole: Defective building legislation must help Victoria Square owners (opens in a new tab)
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Sad to see DUP double down on tainted Donaldson Deal
TUV leader Jim Allister says the DUP has doubled down on the "tainted" Donaldson Deal under its new leadership, criticising Gavin Robinson's stance on the Irish Sea border, EU customs rules and Stormont's power-sharing with Sinn Fein.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: DUP defence of the Donaldson Deal under new leadership Original release: Sad to see DUP double down on tainted Donaldson Deal (opens in a new tab)
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Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says a certificate acknowledging pregnancy loss before 24 weeks would recognise bereaved families, and announces a motion at the Assembly on Monday backing a Baby Loss Certificate scheme. She welcomes the finance minister's commitment to review the scheme with the health…
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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“Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says 628 patients were kept in hospital unnecessarily on 15 March despite being fit to leave, calls for a dedicated team to be put in charge of resolving the bed blockage immediately, and says the figure is likely higher.
Health Issue: Health Minister figures on patients medically fit for discharge remaining in hospital Original release: “Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous"
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes Shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn to Lagan Valley and urges focus on prosperity, citing fibre broadband rollout, the lowest UK unemployment rate and a rejection of a border poll.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous" (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, says emergency crisis management in special educational needs placements has become the norm, after officials said almost 7,000 children need new placements and only 80 of 291 schools agreed to specialist provisions.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee briefing on SEN placements and specialist provisions in mainstream schools Original release: Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Political failure responsible for state of roads
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan blames the absence of a functioning Executive and Assembly for poor road conditions and over £25m in Department for Infrastructure liability payouts over five years. He calls on the Executive and Infrastructure Minister to address road…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for Infrastructure public liability claims payouts revealed Original release: Durkan: Political failure responsible for state of roads (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Authority's leadership to listen to parents and prioritise children with special educational needs, ensuring those placed in September are placed on time. He calls for the education department to work with the health minister to overhaul SEN services…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN (opens in a new tab)