Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
- Disability and equality: remove filter
- Education: remove filter
- Environment and climate: remove filter
3,379 releases
-
Action needed to boost cross-border enrolment in third-level education – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh, rapporteur of an Oireachtas Education committee report, calls on Minister Simon Harris to implement its recommendations to boost cross-border enrolment in third-level education, noting students from the North make up under 1 percent of the southern student body.
Education Issue: Oireachtas Education committee report on North South student enrolment in third-level education Original release: Action needed to boost cross-border enrolment in third-level education – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
-
McGlone welcomes progress of Irish language legislation
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the passage of Irish language legislation through the House of Lords at Westminster, which also includes Ulster Scots protections. He calls for the Bill to pass the Commons without delay and says Irish language rights should have been introduced in the North rather…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language legislation passing through the House of Lords Original release: McGlone welcomes progress of Irish language legislation (opens in a new tab)
-
“There must be urgent action to reduce the backlog for MOT tests” – Cllr. Emmet Doyle
Aontú Cllr for Ballyarnett Emmet Doyle calls for urgent action to reduce the MOT test backlog, saying motorists are being fined £80 for untaxed vehicles while unable to book tests or renew tax. He urges increased capacity at all MOT centres ahead of rising demand.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MOT test backlog and fines for untaxed vehicles Original release: “There must be urgent action to reduce the backlog for MOT tests” – Cllr. Emmet Doyle (opens in a new tab)
-
Is Infrastructure Minister acting on party colleagues demands to…
DUP MLA Keith Buchanan presses Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd to revisit ways of cutting the MOT test backlog and asks whether he has acted on Sinn Féin calls over tax penalties for motorists unable to get a test.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MOT test backlog and DVLA tax penalties Original release: Is Infrastructure Minister acting on party colleagues demands to… (opens in a new tab)
-
“There is a Crisis in Education with Learning Supports. Our Children Deserve Better” - Brolly
Aontú Education Spokesperson and East Derry representative Gemma Brolly calls for permanent learning support in schools, citing long assessment waits, reduced educational psychology time and rising numbers of pupils recorded with special educational needs.
Education Disability and equality Original release: “There is a Crisis in Education with Learning Supports. Our Children Deserve Better” - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
-
“Education priority for Secretary of State should be fully inclusive and in response to current crisis within the system in its entirety,” – Gemma Brolly
Aontú education spokesperson Gemma Brolly criticises Secretary of State Brandon Lewis's remarks on integrated education, claiming they show bias and disregard for the crisis in the education system. She calls for the priority to be repairing the system in its entirety, citing staff pay, waiting…
Education Issue: Secretary of State Brandon Lewis integrated education funding remarks and £1.9m transition investment Original release: “Education priority for Secretary of State should be fully inclusive and in response to current crisis within the system in its entirety,” – Gemma Brolly (opens in a new tab)
-
Delargy welcomes special transport services for Derry GAA fans
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes Translink's confirmation of a special train service from Derry for supporters heading to the All-Ireland senior football semi-final at Croke Park, including a return connection on Saturday night.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink special rail services for Derry supporters to Croke Park Original release: Delargy welcomes special transport services for Derry GAA fans (opens in a new tab)
-
"Pupils are being denied their basic human right to access the education they deserve."- Brolly
Aontú Education Spokesperson and East Derry representative Gemma Brolly calls for permanent learning support in schools, citing rising numbers of pupils recorded with special educational needs and reduced educational psychology time.
Education Disability and equality Original release: "Pupils are being denied their basic human right to access the education they deserve."- Brolly (opens in a new tab)
-
Armstrong welcomes funding boost for integrated education
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes a £1.9 million government funding package to support schools transforming into integrated status, and calls on the Education Minister to make decisions on pending development proposals, including one for a new Mid Down Integrated College.
Education Issue: £1.9 million funding package for schools transforming to integrated status Original release: Armstrong welcomes funding boost for integrated education (opens in a new tab)
-
TUV leader slams legal ruling against Christianity
TUV leader Jim Allister criticises a judgement by Colton J that he says attacks the Christian ethos of many controlled schools and could deny children education respectful of that ethos. He calls on the Department to appeal the ruling.
Education Issue: Colton J judgement on Christian ethos in controlled schools Original release: TUV leader slams legal ruling against Christianity (opens in a new tab)
-
Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Irish government's further €40m commitment to the Ulster Canal project, saying it will reopen the waterway between Clones and Upper Lough Erne, connect border communities, and boost tourism.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Irish government €40m funding commitment for Ulster Canal Original release: Murphy welcomes funding for Ulster Canal (opens in a new tab)
-
Archibald – Welcomes engineering bursary for women and girls
Sinn Féin's Caoimhe Archibald, Economy spokesperson, welcomes the Department for Economy's offer of eight £15,000 bursaries for eligible women to study engineering at universities in Britain and Ireland, urging applications and citing under-representation.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department for Economy engineering bursaries for women announcement Original release: Archibald – Welcomes engineering bursary for women and girls (opens in a new tab)
-
Statutory Guidance on School Uniforms Needed - Gemma Brolly
Aontú Education Spokesperson Gemma Brolly calls for statutory guidance on school uniform costs, saying the Education Minister's 20% rise in uniform grants does little for families outside the low-income eligibility criteria. She urges a simpler dress code specifying colours rather than brands or…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Recent uniform grant increase Original release: Statutory Guidance on School Uniforms Needed - Gemma Brolly (opens in a new tab)
-
McLaughlin urges Translink to introduce Derry train link for All-Ireland semi-final
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says she has contacted Translink asking it to extend its special Belfast-to-Dublin train service for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final so that it also runs from Derry. She argues a Derry service would make the match more accessible for local fans.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: McLaughlin urges Translink to introduce Derry train link for All-Ireland semi-final (opens in a new tab)
-
Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry
People Before Profit councillor Maeve O'Neill says Translink's "special" train for the Derry v Galway semi-final, which would run from Belfast rather than Derry, is a deliberate insult to Derry. She calls for the issue to be addressed immediately and for a Derry-Dublin rail service.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Time to make school uniforms affordable’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for an Executive to be in place to roll out Sinn Féin’s plan to make school uniforms affordable, urging further action beyond the recent uniform grant to ease cost pressures on workers and families.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Recent uniform grant increase Original release: ‘Time to make school uniforms affordable’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Clarity needed on future of Engage schools programme’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the education minister to confirm the future of the Engage II schools programme, saying uncertainty is hindering schools' planning and leaving teachers unsure of jobs in September. He calls for funding to be identified from her own budget.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Engage II schools programme future funding uncertainty Original release: ‘Clarity needed on future of Engage schools programme’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
-
"Urgent Action for Children With Special Needs Awaiting Support or Assessment"
Aontú Education Spokesperson Gemma Brolly welcomes the Education Minister's Special Needs Provision announcement but urges similar urgent action for children awaiting support or assessment. She says the move only reaches pupils with statements, and calls for more staff to improve pupil-to-staff…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister's Special Needs Provision announcement for mainstream schools Original release: "Urgent Action for Children With Special Needs Awaiting Support or Assessment" (opens in a new tab)
-
McKeown: Action needed now to tackle "mountains of waste"
SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown calls for firm action on fly-tipping in south Belfast, citing residents in Stranmillis, the Holylands and lower Lisburn Road. He has written to the council Chief Executive seeking a meeting on targeted investigation, enforcement and prosecution.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McKeown: Action needed now to tackle "mountains of waste" (opens in a new tab)
-
“Queen’s Jubilee School Books are a Waste of Money” - Gemma Brolly
Aontú's Gemma Brolly, MLA for East Derry, criticises the UK government's decision to send a free Queen's Jubilee commemorative book to every child in the North, claiming it wastes around £12 million that could fund health and education, and calls for an opt-in approach like Scotland and Wales.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: UK government Queen's Jubilee book distribution to schools in Northern Ireland Original release: “Queen’s Jubilee School Books are a Waste of Money” - Gemma Brolly (opens in a new tab)