Latest releases
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1,464 releases
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Egan presents petition on diagnosis and management of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes with Ehlers Danlos Support UK
Alliance MLA Connie Egan presented a petition to the Assembly, backed by Ehlers Danlos Support UK, urging the Health Minister to set up a dedicated diagnostic and treatment pathway for Ehlers‑Danlos syndromes across Northern Ireland.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition for Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome care pathway in NI Original release: Egan presents petition on diagnosis and management of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes with Ehlers Danlos Support UK (opens in a new tab)
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Welfare mitigations welcome but cannot be ceiling of our ambition in tackling poverty, says Mulholland.
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA welcomes recently announced welfare mitigations but calls on the Communities Minister to act on further measures in the Independent Advisory Report on Welfare Mitigations, including removing the two-child limit and addressing the Universal…
Social security and welfare Issue: Welfare mitigations package announcement and Independent Advisory Report on Welfare Mitigations Original release: Welfare mitigations welcome but cannot be ceiling of our ambition in tackling poverty, says Mulholland. (opens in a new tab)
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7 in 7 Challenge congratulated through Commons motion
DUP MP Gregory Campbell congratulates rugby league player Kevin Sinfield on his 7 in 7 challenge of seven ultramarathons in seven days, raising money for Motor Neurone Disease, and says he has tabled a Commons motion marking it.
Other Disability and equality Original release: 7 in 7 Challenge congratulated through Commons motion (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes confirmation that Executive agrees to extend welfare mitigations
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Executive's agreement to extend welfare mitigations to 2028, citing support for DLA-to-PIP transition, the benefit cap and bedroom tax. He calls on the Labour government to build a fairer benefits system.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Executive agreement to extend welfare mitigations to 2028 Original release: Gildernew welcomes confirmation that Executive agrees to extend welfare mitigations (opens in a new tab)
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So-called 'conversion' practices have no place in society, says Tennyson, launching Private Members' Bill.
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson, the Upper Bann MLA, launches a consultation on a Private Members' proposal to criminalise so-called conversion practices in Northern Ireland, open until 20 March 2025, saying such practices cause lasting harm.
Disability and equality Issue: Consultation launch on banning conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: So-called 'conversion' practices have no place in society, says Tennyson, launching Private Members' Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan welcomes extension of welfare mitigations
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA welcomes the three-year extension of welfare mitigations announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, but says permanent solutions are needed, blaming Sinn Féin, Alliance and the DUP for transferring welfare powers to a Tory…
Social security and welfare Issue: Executive agreement to extend welfare mitigations to 2028 Original release: McCrossan welcomes extension of welfare mitigations (opens in a new tab)
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Ongoing inaction on racial equality increasingly indefensible, says Bradshaw.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: Ongoing inaction on racial equality increasingly indefensible, says Bradshaw. (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces festive funding boost for homeless service…
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a £150,000 goodwill grant, distributed via Homeless Connect, to fund Christmas meals, social events and small gifts for people experiencing homelessness during Homelessness Awareness Week.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Minister £150,000 festive goodwill grant for homelessness services Original release: Minister announces festive funding boost for homeless service… (opens in a new tab)
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Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly.
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly urges the public to respond to the consultation on his Private Member's Bill to incorporate the UNCRPD into domestic law, arguing it would help eliminate discrimination against disabled people. He says the Assembly and Executive have not acted since 2009 and calls for a…
Disability and equality Issue: Donnelly Private Member's Bill UNCRPD consultation launch Original release: Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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Brett - Answers needed from Ulster Boxing Council on Protestant Boxer…
North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett calls for an urgent review of Ulster Boxing Council policies and procedures after the body agreed a settlement with boxer Daryl Clarke, who was excluded from the 2022 Commonwealth Games team. He also says he has contacted funders and wants Commonwealth Games NI to…
Disability and equality Community relations and legacy Issue: Daryl Clarke settlement with Ulster Boxing Council over 2022 Commonwealth Games selection Original release: Brett - Answers needed from Ulster Boxing Council on Protestant Boxer… (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston exposes Assembly squander on Irish translation
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says over £437,000 has been spent on Irish language interpretation in the Assembly, calling it a waste, and criticises the simultaneous translation system made permanent after a six-month review. His release also cites Assembly Commission answers on the Interpretation and…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly Commission review of Irish language interpretation service Original release: Gaston exposes Assembly squander on Irish translation (opens in a new tab)
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Givan announces £1.2m Pre-School Support Fund for children with…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a £1.2million pilot Pre-School Education Inclusion Support Fund for young children with special educational needs. Settings with a child undergoing statutory assessment will receive £750 per month per class, with payments in tranches.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Pre-School Education Inclusion Support Fund pilot announcement Original release: Givan announces £1.2m Pre-School Support Fund for children with… (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit.
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes plans to extend free sight tests, dental treatment and hospital travel help to Universal Credit claimants in Northern Ireland, saying realignment with the UK should happen within six months, followed by a six-week consultation.
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Universal Credit eyecare and health cost entitlement realignment with UK Original release: Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit. (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls
SDLP Opposition MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the Executive must do more to support frontline services, after Women's Aid's annual report showed almost 11,000 referrals in 2023/24, up 600 on the previous year. She calls for greater investment across all departments.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Women's Aid annual report 2023/24 referrals increase Original release: McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart argues that the 'dignity' language used by assisted suicide campaigners, such as Dignity in Dying, is a misleading framing. She says legalising assisted suicide would lower the perceived worth of disabled, poor and homeless people, citing a Canadian poll on MAID eligibility.
Disability and equality Health Original release: ‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives
Education Disability and equality Original release: Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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MEP Funchion appointed as Rapporteur to key European Social Fund
Sinn Féin Ireland South MEP Kathleen Funchion says she will champion Ireland's case for EU funding in the next period, as rapporteur for the Regional Development Committee on the European Social Fund. She calls for Ireland's fair share and says ESF+ should help tackle poverty and homelessness.
International affairs Social security and welfare Issue: Kathleen Funchion appointed rapporteur for European Social Fund Original release: MEP Funchion appointed as Rapporteur to key European Social Fund (opens in a new tab)
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Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion.
Alliance Comber Councillor Rachel Ashe welcomes Ards and North Down Borough Council's agreement to install communication boards in Tier 1 play parks, after the feasibility report on her motion was approved. Ashe says the boards will help children with speech, language or autism-related…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Ards and North Down communication boards in Tier 1 play parks Original release: Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion. (opens in a new tab)
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Children and young people with special educational needs in Irish medium schools must be supported – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Department of Education to improve special educational needs support in Irish medium schools, saying they need access to educational psychologists who work in Irish and other health professionals. She welcomes the department's acknowledgement of the issues.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Children and young people with special educational needs in Irish medium schools must be supported – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Special educational needs action plan must be published urgently – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges the Department of Education to publish its transformation plan for special educational needs services, noting over 200 recommendations from reports so far without a delivery plan. He calls on the Education Minister to release the SEN Reform Agenda and its delivery…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Special educational needs action plan must be published urgently – Baker (opens in a new tab)