Latest releases
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1,377 releases
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Minister Lyons commits to policies to deliver meaningful impacts and…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says he aims to deliver policies with a real and meaningful impact at his first Communities Committee appearance, despite a very challenging budget. He outlines priorities including social housing, anti-poverty measures, sports, culture and the voluntary sector.
Housing Public finance and taxation Original release: Minister Lyons commits to policies to deliver meaningful impacts and… (opens in a new tab)
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Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls on parties to state their position on gender-affirming healthcare and asks the Health Minister to clarify the Department of Health's approach following the Cass Report. She accuses Alliance and Sinn Féin of silence since its publication.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Cass Report publication on gender-affirming healthcare Original release: Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare” (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to ensure victims and survivors not left behind
Alliance MLA Connie Egan, Executive Office Committee Deputy Chair, says urgent action is needed so victims are not left behind, calling for a trauma-focused Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme process, a backdated payments deadline extension, and a bereavement payment scheme.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Original release: Urgent action needed to ensure victims and survivors not left behind (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland to host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ Conference (opens in a new tab)
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Legislation to protect homeowners with defective properties a ‘crucial step’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes the communities minister's intention to introduce legislation protecting homeowners who claim compensation for defective properties. He says it will close a legal loophole and cites residents of Victoria Square apartments facing large costs.
Housing Issue: Communities minister legislation on compensation for defective homes Original release: Legislation to protect homeowners with defective properties a ‘crucial step’ – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Defective building legislation must help Victoria Square owners
SDLP MLA and Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole welcomes the Executive's commitment to extend the litigation limitation period for owners of defective property, but calls for the new law to be designed so Victoria Square owners can restart their legal action against developers.
Justice and policing Housing Issue: Communities minister legislation on compensation for defective homes Original release: O’Toole: Defective building legislation must help Victoria Square owners (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, says emergency crisis management in special educational needs placements has become the norm, after officials said almost 7,000 children need new placements and only 80 of 291 schools agreed to specialist provisions.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee briefing on SEN placements and specialist provisions in mainstream schools Original release: Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Authority's leadership to listen to parents and prioritise children with special educational needs, ensuring those placed in September are placed on time. He calls for the education department to work with the health minister to overhaul SEN services…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Ministers’ visit marks start of work on £1.1m shared space project in…
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly visited the site of a £1.1m redevelopment on the Newtownards Road in East Belfast, marking the start of work on the Hosford Community Homes Inclusion Hub. The project will provide six apartments for people at risk of…
Housing Issue: Hosford Community Homes Inclusion Hub East Belfast redevelopment start of work Original release: Ministers’ visit marks start of work on £1.1m shared space project in… (opens in a new tab)
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Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, Upper Bann, says a Health Minister response shows almost 15,000 people are awaiting autism assessment, including over 11,000 children with waits up to four and a half years. She calls the waits unacceptable and urges the appointment of a Lead for Adult Autism and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister response on autism assessment waiting lists Original release: Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti daubed on a home in Finaghy, South Belfast, calling it a despicable attempt to intimidate and stir up hate. She urges political representatives to stand together against it and asks anyone with information to come forward as PSNI investigates…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl condemns the 'sinister' graffiti on a home in Finaghy, calling it a threat to a local person who spoke out. She reports the graffiti to the PSNI, urges anyone with information to contact them, and calls on all parties to condemn racism together.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds calls on the Department of Health to commission adult ADHD services in Northern Ireland and to develop a comprehensive ADHD strategy, after launching a public petition to be presented to the Assembly’s Speaker.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition to commission adult ADHD services in NI Original release: Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD says the 1916 rebels inspire today’s fight for a united, free Ireland, urges protection and regeneration of Moore Street, and praises First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s historic role.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Easter Rising commemoration at Arbour Hill Original release: Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration (opens in a new tab)
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Rates refund for Victoria Square apartments welcomed
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes the decision that owners of Victoria Square apartments will no longer be liable for rates, with refunds for rates paid since 2019. She calls for refunds to be processed quickly and for the wider problems facing owners to be resolved.
Public finance and taxation Local government Issue: Victoria Square apartments rates liability decision and refunds Original release: Rates refund for Victoria Square apartments welcomed (opens in a new tab)
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Over £7 million spent on asylum seekers and immigrant support in Northern Ireland in 2022/2023 and 2023/24
TUV leader Jim Allister says Northern Ireland departments received over £7 million for asylum seekers, £4,324,250 in 2022/2023 and £2,863,750 in 2023/24, citing a Stormont answer. He links the figure to Reform UK's policy on stopping small boat crossings.
Immigration Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont departments' asylum seeker funding figures for 2022/23 and 2023/24 Original release: Over £7 million spent on asylum seekers and immigrant support in Northern Ireland in 2022/2023 and 2023/24 (opens in a new tab)
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Delivering more social homes must be a priority – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson urges the Communities Minister to urgently produce a housing supply strategy with a delivery timeline, after briefings showed the social housing stock is shrinking at an unsustainable rate.
Housing Issue: Social housing stock decline briefing to Stormont committee Original release: Delivering more social homes must be a priority – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance gender pay gap reporting motion passes at Belfast City Council
Alliance councillors welcome the passing of their motion at Belfast City Council calling for gender pay gap reporting, noting no legal obligation exists in Northern Ireland. Councillor Tara Brooks, who proposed it, says the council should lead by adopting transparent methods for recording and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council gender pay gap reporting motion passes Original release: Alliance gender pay gap reporting motion passes at Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
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Children with SEN must be a priority – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to make children with special educational needs a priority, after figures showed over 1,000 such children will need a school place in September. He urges the minister to work with the Health Minister and other parties to overhaul the SEN…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 1,000 children with SEN needing school places in September Original release: Children with SEN must be a priority – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: UK Government must address plight of WASPI women
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna calls on the Work and Pensions Secretary to make an urgent statement to Parliament on correcting the WASPI women's pension age situation after the Ombudsman found they were owed compensation.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman WASPI compensation finding Original release: Hanna: UK Government must address plight of WASPI women (opens in a new tab)