Latest releases
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2,932 releases
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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 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…
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Baker slams decision to cut education support for vulnerable children
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker criticises the Education Authority's cuts to Education Otherwise Than at School support for vulnerable children, and says he will raise it in the Assembly next week. He blames DUP Education Ministers for financial mismanagement, and says the Lagan Valley Education Project…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Baker slams decision to cut education support for vulnerable children (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 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 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 Original release: Dodds welcomes pay parity approval for health staff (opens in a new tab)
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Timothy Gaston granted leave to intervene in legal challenge against DFI minister’s imposition of Irish signage at Grand Central Station
TUV welcomes a court decision granting MLA Timothy Gaston leave to intervene in the legal challenge to the infrastructure minister's imposition of Irish-language signage at Grand Central Station. The party says it looks forward to joining the case through his counsel, Emma McIlveen BL.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: Timothy Gaston granted leave to intervene in legal challenge against DFI minister’s imposition of Irish signage at Grand Central Station (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath presses Chief Constable on violence against women cases
SDLP Policing Board member and South Down MLA Colin McGrath presses Chief Constable Jon Boutcher on PSNI handling of violence against women and girls, criticising the decision that only one of four officers under Police Ombudsman investigation faces a full misconduct hearing. He calls for…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: McGrath presses Chief Constable on violence against women cases (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 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 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 Original release: Burrows Warns School Meal Price Rise Will Hit Struggling Families (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 Original release: Confirmation of pay awards welcome despite delay, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh
Sinn Féin MLA Maolíosa McHugh calls the Communities Minister's reason for dropping tri-lingual letterheads 'bogus', saying a written answer showed no savings could be quantified. He accuses the minister of failing to publish an Irish Language Strategy.
Disability and equality Original release: Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh (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 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 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 Original release: Dillon responds to cervical screening reports (opens in a new tab)
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Young people are pivotal to building a new inclusive United Ireland – Rose Conway-Walsh TD & Dáire Hughes MP
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh and MP Dáire Hughes praise young people from Cooperation Ireland projects who addressed the Good Friday Agreement Committee, and Conway-Walsh calls on the Irish government to legislate for votes at 16 following British proposals. Hughes says findings on disabled…
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Young people are pivotal to building a new inclusive United Ireland – Rose Conway-Walsh TD & Dáire Hughes MP (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.
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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 Original release: Hunter: North falling further behind on free school meals (opens in a new tab)
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Allen welcomes long overdue action on pavement parking, but stressed enforcement and awareness are key
Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen MBE welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' plans to bring in secondary legislation on pavement parking, but warns the measures will fall short without enforcement and awareness. He calls on the Minister to explain how the Department will tackle vehicles that…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Allen welcomes long overdue action on pavement parking, but stressed enforcement and awareness are key (opens in a new tab)