Latest releases
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2,513 releases
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Women being routinely failed by gynaecology waiting lists, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Health Minister to urgently explain how gynaecology waiting lists will be cleared, citing around 60,000 women reported by the RCOG and no timetable for a Women's Health Action Plan.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Women being routinely failed by gynaecology waiting lists, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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University scholarships a testament to Gaza students’ courage and determination – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane praises Gaza students evacuated to take up university scholarships, including students now studying at Ulster University, and wishes them success following a Westminster reception honouring them.
Education International affairs Issue: Westminster reception honouring Gaza students awarded university scholarships Original release: University scholarships a testament to Gaza students’ courage and determination – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes active travel funding for greenway projects
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes over £1m in active travel funding from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins for greenway projects in Belfast, Derry and Strabane, and Newry, Mourne and Down councils. He says the projects will provide cleaner connections and support health and the economy.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Active travel greenway funding for three councils from Infrastructure Minister Original release: Boylan welcomes active travel funding for greenway projects (opens in a new tab)
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As Stonewall nears financial ruin why is Stormont still sending it out money?
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls on the Finance Minister, First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain why departmental ties with Stonewall continue and whether they will end them, citing its reported £906,000 deficit and written answers on civil service membership and training payments.
Public finance and taxation Disability and equality Issue: Stonewall reported £906,000 deficit and Stormont funding ties Original release: As Stonewall nears financial ruin why is Stormont still sending it out money? (opens in a new tab)
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Unelected Commission Pushing Self-ID Agenda in Defiance of Supreme Court Ruling
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell criticises the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for advocating gender self-identification after the UK Supreme Court ruling on sex. He calls for the Executive Office to hold the Commission to account and says the Health Minister will be held…
Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission gender self-identification advocacy Original release: Unelected Commission Pushing Self-ID Agenda in Defiance of Supreme Court Ruling (opens in a new tab)
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Childcare Strategy Welcome But Parents Must See Real Value
UUP education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomes the draft childcare strategy as a step forward but says it fails to address fee rises matching increased support, and asks what safeguards will stop disproportionate provider fee hikes under the childcare subsidy scheme.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Launch of Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation Original release: Childcare Strategy Welcome But Parents Must See Real Value (opens in a new tab)
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Teachers’ pay must not be used as a political bargaining chip
DUP MLA Gary Middleton welcomes Executive approval of the Education Minister's Ministerial Direction on the 2025/26 teachers' pay offer, and accuses Sinn Féin of using pay as leverage in budget talks. He calls for a fair pay outcome and says he looks forward to pay negotiators reconvening in…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of Ministerial Direction on 2025/26 teachers' pay offer Original release: Teachers’ pay must not be used as a political bargaining chip (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes approval of Ministerial Direction on Teachers’ Pay
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes First Minister and deputy First Minister approval of his Ministerial Direction for the 2025–26 teachers' pay award, reached through the Urgent Decision procedure. He says the wider Education Department financial pressure, including a projected deficit of…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of Ministerial Direction on 2025/26 teachers' pay offer Original release: Givan welcomes approval of Ministerial Direction on Teachers’ Pay (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Childcare reforms could cut costs for families by over 50%
Education Minister Paul Givan launches a draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, with a public consultation, saying it could subsidise working families' childcare costs by more than 50%. It proposes universal full-time pre-school education and an Early Years Curriculum Framework.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Launch of Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation Original release: Givan: Childcare reforms could cut costs for families by over 50% (opens in a new tab)
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Support welcome but collaboration needed with eel fishermen – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes DAERA's announcement of a support payment for Lough Neagh brown eel fishers, but urges the department to work closely with fishing families on a lasting plan to rebuild the lough's commercial fishing sector.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA financial support for Lough Neagh eel fishermen Original release: Support welcome but collaboration needed with eel fishermen – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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DUP delivering for working families - Middleton
DUP MLA Gary Middleton welcomes the launch of a new consultation on the draft early years and childcare strategy, saying it offers parents and providers a real chance to shape reforms that are affordable, high‑quality and supportive of working families. He praises Education Minister Paul Givan for
Education Issue: Launch of Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation Original release: DUP delivering for working families - Middleton (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin questions how Childcare Strategy will be funded
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin questions how the Education Minister's draft childcare strategy will be financed, noting no agreed multi-year budget exists for the roughly £500 million needed over four years. She also criticises its release so close to Christmas after a promised autumn timetable.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Launch of Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation Original release: McLaughlin questions how Childcare Strategy will be funded (opens in a new tab)
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Early Learning and Childcare Strategy must tangibly deliver for families, says Guy
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA welcomes the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy but says it lacks clear targets. She raises concern over the absence of a mechanism to stop public subsidies being absorbed into fees and over plans to consult on removing admissions priority…
Education Issue: Launch of Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation Original release: Early Learning and Childcare Strategy must tangibly deliver for families, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison urges action to ensure SEN Placement crisis is averted
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA warns the EA faces another SEN placement crisis for 2026/27 after the Minister confirmed additional specialist provision secured so far will not meet projected demand. He urges the Minister to intervene urgently.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Minister confirms insufficient specialist SEN placements for 2026/27 academic year Original release: Mathison urges action to ensure SEN Placement crisis is averted (opens in a new tab)
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Meeting with Translink was ‘positive engagement’ on school transport issues – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says a meeting with Translink officials was a positive engagement on school transport, after students from Coláiste Feirste were refused a bus in Crumlin. She says Translink apologised and committed to better communication with drivers, pupils, the school and parents…
Infrastructure and transport Education Issue: Coláiste Feirste students refused bus in Crumlin Original release: Meeting with Translink was ‘positive engagement’ on school transport issues – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Givan announces £3.7million investment in RAISE Locality Led Projects…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces over £3.7million for 61 Locality Led Projects under the RAISE Programme, which aims to raise educational achievement and reduce disadvantage through place-based community work. Funding will support projects on attendance, standards and pathways for learners…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: RAISE Programme £3.7million Locality Led Projects funding announcement Original release: Givan announces £3.7million investment in RAISE Locality Led Projects… (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong Slams DAERA Over Quagga Mussel Threat to Lough Erne
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong says she is shocked by the first confirmed case of invasive Quagga Mussel in Lower Lough Erne and criticises DAERA for failing to implement robust biosecurity measures. She calls for urgent action to protect waterways, citing gaps in guidance on power-washing and regulation…
Environment and climate Issue: First confirmed Quagga Mussel case in Lower Lough Erne Original release: Armstrong Slams DAERA Over Quagga Mussel Threat to Lough Erne (opens in a new tab)
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Middleton welcomes High Court judgment on RAISE Programme
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton welcomes a High Court ruling dismissing challenges to the Education Department's funding allocation method for the RAISE Programme, saying the court confirmed the approach was lawful and rational. He says projects can now proceed without delay.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: High Court judgment on RAISE Programme funding challenges Original release: Middleton welcomes High Court judgment on RAISE Programme (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is disappointed that the developer of five proposed houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, has appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission after the council's committee unanimously moved to reject the plan. He calls on the council to defend its position firmly…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood five-house development appeal to PAC Original release: Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development (opens in a new tab)
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The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says the 227% rise in Irish language enrolments at Queen’s University Belfast shows the language is thriving across society and pledges Sinn Féin will keep supporting its promotion and preservation.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Queen’s University Belfast Irish language enrolment surge Original release: The Irish language is thriving right across society – Reilly (opens in a new tab)