Latest releases
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2,611 releases
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Pat Cullen confirms panel for ‘Delivering Rural Health and Care in a New Ireland’ event in Enniskillen
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen announces the speakers for a November 26 Enniskillen event on rural healthcare across the island, with Mary Lou McDonald as guest speaker and Cullen chairing a panel including Paula Leonard, Fr Brian D'Arcy and Denzil McDaniel.
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Durkan: 3,000 drop in free school meal approvals deepens pressure on families
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says a drop of over 3,000 free school meal and uniform grant approvals in two years, linked to Universal Credit eligibility thresholds, deepens hardship for families. He calls on Ministers to communicate clearly so parents can reapply.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Free school meal and uniform grant approvals fall by 3,000 Original release: Durkan: 3,000 drop in free school meal approvals deepens pressure on families (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: NHS still sleepwalking into a winter crisis despite pay deal
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the health service is still heading for a winter crisis despite the staff pay award, blaming Executive dysfunction and a Winter Preparedness Plan published amid delay and criticism. He calls for year-round resilience building and long-term…
Health Issue: Health and social care staff pay award and Winter Preparedness Plan Original release: McGrath: NHS still sleepwalking into a winter crisis despite pay deal (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: AERA Minister must outline plans for independent EPA
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA says the Minister must set out how he will advance an independent Environmental Protection Agency, after the DUP rejected the SDLP’s Opposition Day motion supporting the proposal.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly motion on Independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McCrossan: AERA Minister must outline plans for independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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Independent environmental regulator crucial to tackling pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan says an independent environmental regulator is key to tackling environmental damage, ahead of an Assembly motion calling for an Independent Environmental Protection Agency. She says it would reduce pollution and work alongside Executive departments.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly motion on Independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: Independent environmental regulator crucial to tackling pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Doug Beattie MC MLA Raises Concerns On Behalf Of The Cawdery Family Regarding Accuracy Of The Justice Minister’s Responses
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA raises concerns, on behalf of the Cawdery family, over the Justice Minister's Assembly answers on Thomas McEntee's day release from prison. He says the answers were inaccurate and misleading, and will write to the Minister seeking clarification.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Thomas McEntee day release and Justice Minister's Assembly answers Original release: Doug Beattie MC MLA Raises Concerns On Behalf Of The Cawdery Family Regarding Accuracy Of The Justice Minister’s Responses (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must deliver pay deal quickly – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the Health Minister to move swiftly to finalise a pay agreement for health workers, welcoming the Executive's framework that would bring northern staff pay in line with counterparts in Britain.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: Health Minister must deliver pay deal quickly – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes pay parity approval for health staff
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Executive's approval of pay parity across the health service as overdue recognition of healthcare workers. She says the Health Minister should have prioritised departmental budget resources for staff pay and calls for a long-term workforce plan.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: Dodds welcomes pay parity approval for health staff (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane welcomes ‘positive’ £100m Belfast Harbour investment
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes a Belfast Harbour investment of over £100 million that will see two offshore wind farms developed, which he says could create up to 300 jobs by 2028. He describes it as positive for Belfast's emissions and economic goals.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Belfast Harbour £100m offshore wind farm investment Original release: Finucane welcomes ‘positive’ £100m Belfast Harbour investment (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes long overdue pay parity for health staff
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes confirmation of pay parity for health staff, but asks why the Executive and Health Minister took so long to reach it. He says staff should not have had to keep pressing the department, and he wants the Minister to honour his pledge to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: McGrath welcomes long overdue pay parity for health staff (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers Welcomes Agreement To Deliver Full Pay Award For Health Workers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's agreement with the Executive to deliver this year's pay award for health workers, backdated in full to 1 April 2025. He says the decision is essential for morale, retention and the health service's sustainability.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Chambers Welcomes Agreement To Deliver Full Pay Award For Health Workers (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows Warns School Meal Price Rise Will Hit Struggling Families
UUP MLA Jon Burrows, Education Spokesperson, says the Education Authority's roughly 20 per cent school meal price rise will hit struggling families hard, adding £92.50 per child over a 185-day year. He will write to the Education Minister seeking an explanation and urging reversal.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Education Authority school dinner price increase announcement Original release: Burrows Warns School Meal Price Rise Will Hit Struggling Families (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford welcomes £100m Belfast Harbour offshore wind farm investment
Alliance Energy Spokesperson David Honeyford MLA welcomes the Prime Minister's announced £100m for Belfast Harbour's D1 Terminal, backing two Irish Sea offshore wind farms, which he says could supply up to three gigawatts of clean power and create local jobs.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Belfast Harbour £100m offshore wind farm investment Original release: Honeyford welcomes £100m Belfast Harbour offshore wind farm investment (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation of pay awards welcome despite delay, says McAllister
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes the Health Minister's confirmation that healthcare workers will receive this year's pay award, backdated to 1 April 2025, and praises his commitment to budgeting for pay awards early. She says the months of delay have again undermined staff confidence.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Confirmation of pay awards welcome despite delay, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Brownlee welcomes progress on Sensory Room proposals for children’s…
East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes the Health Minister's update on a sensory room for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, following a DUP adjournment debate. She says the Minister asked officials to work with the Belfast Trust on the proposed facility.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Sensory room proposal at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Original release: Brownlee welcomes progress on Sensory Room proposals for children’s… (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister is failing women - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the Health Minister is failing women affected by the Southern Trust cervical screening scandal after his statement on three further reports. She calls for accountability for those responsible, including in the PHA and the Department, and full…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening reports statement by Health Minister Original release: Health Minister is failing women - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon responds to cervical screening reports
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the Health Minister to detail the outcomes of the three reports on cervical smear failings in the Southern Trust, demanding accountability, clear communication, a meeting with the Trust and PHA, and proper resourcing of the new Belfast Trust testing service.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening reports statement by Health Minister Original release: Dillon responds to cervical screening reports (opens in a new tab)
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Concerns about a further environmental protection agency need…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen calls on the Agriculture and Environment Minister to explain how his proposed environmental watchdog would be funded and work alongside NIEA and the OEP, warning against duplication and mission creep.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Expert panel report recommending independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland Original release: Concerns about a further environmental protection agency need… (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Another cervical screening review only delays justice
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says another cervical screening review will delay justice and calls for a full public inquiry into failings in the Southern Health Trust's cytology service, asking what is holding back Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening reports statement by Health Minister Original release: McGrath: Another cervical screening review only delays justice (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: North falling further behind on free school meals
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA says the North is falling further behind on free school meals after the Education Authority announced nearly 20% rises in school dinner costs. She calls for universal free school meals and restored holiday hunger payments instead.
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Education Authority school dinner price increase announcement Original release: Hunter: North falling further behind on free school meals (opens in a new tab)