Latest releases
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3,268 releases
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Free School Meals Is Common-Sense That Stormont Refuses to Implement Cllr Shaun Harkin
PBP Cllr Shaun Harkin pledges support for UNISON's campaign for universal free school meals, urging Stormont to implement the policy and arguing that child poverty in Derry shows the need for it.
Social security and welfare Education Original release: Free School Meals Is Common-Sense That Stormont Refuses to Implement Cllr Shaun Harkin (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer patients need timely care and clear action on waiting times – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan calls for clear targets, delivery dates and regular reporting to urgently cut cancer assessment and treatment waiting times, urging the Minister to match his acknowledgement with concrete action.
Health Original release: Cancer patients need timely care and clear action on waiting times – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: A year lost, and still nothing for the big investments farmers need
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says farmers went a year without capital investment support after DAERA delays, and calls for clarity on when larger farm investment support will open. She says the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme opened only in…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA farm capital investment support letters of offer figures Original release: Armstrong: A year lost, and still nothing for the big investments farmers need (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan hits out at Education Minister for hiding from scrutiny
Sinn Féin's Pat Sheehan MLA accuses Education Minister Paul Givan of avoiding scrutiny after he told departmental staff to stop attending the Education Committee unless questioning is restricted. Sheehan links this to the committee's probes into cronyism, bullying and governance failures.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Sheehan hits out at Education Minister for hiding from scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan welcomes the confirmed expansion of bowel cancer screening to younger people from November, saying earlier detection can save lives. He says full coverage for those aged 50 and over will not arrive until 2031 and will keep pressing for it…
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Givan must reverse decision to restrict Education Committee scrutiny
SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on Education Minister Paul Givan to reverse his decision withdrawing departmental officials from the Education Committee, arguing it is a disproportionate overreach that hampers scrutiny of curriculum and education reform.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Hunter: Givan must reverse decision to restrict Education Committee scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme
UUP Health Minister Robbie Butler announces a phased widening of bowel cancer screening invitations, starting with those aged 59 from 2 November 2026, 58-year-olds from April 2027, and full eligibility for ages 50 to 74 by 2031.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the extension of bowel cancer screening invitations to people aged 59 from November 2026 and 58-year-olds from April 2027. She calls for the phased age reduction to be completed quickly and for wider family access to genetic testing.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister playing games with children's education, says Mathison, following withdrawal of officials from Committee
Alliance Chair of the Education Committee Nick Mathison says the Education Minister's decision to withdraw departmental officials from committee is unprecedented and unacceptable, accusing him of avoiding scrutiny of SEN provision, school buildings and industrial relations.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Education Minister playing games with children's education, says Mathison, following withdrawal of officials from Committee (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the DUP and Sinn Féin benefit from community division over the Drumcree-linked Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road, claiming it distracts from hospital closures, housing and cost of living. He calls the decision to allow the march the most destabilising since…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Orange Order application to march down Garvaghy Road Original release: The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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March for Clean Water: Stormont
People Before Profit calls on people from across the North to join a march at Stormont on 26 September demanding urgent action on toxic algae in Lough Neagh and drinking water quality. It blames intensive agriculture, data centres and underfunding of NI Water for the pollution.
Environment and climate Original release: March for Clean Water: Stormont (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes DAERA financial mitigation for Lough Neagh fishermen
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes DAERA's three-year financial support scheme for Lough Neagh fishermen during the ongoing moratorium, but says it falls short of full compensation for lost income. He calls for sustained work with the fishing cooperative, the wider fishing community and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA three-year financial support scheme for Lough Neagh fishermen Original release: Kearney welcomes DAERA financial mitigation for Lough Neagh fishermen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll condemns the planned cut of almost 8,000 further‑education places, saying the Executive’s budget stalemate will hit working‑class, women returning to work and newcomers, and calls for emergency funding to restore the places.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Planned cuts of 8,000 further‑education places Original release: Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme
UUP reports Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced £500,000 to extend the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme for another year, funding voluntary groups to offer free support to people on HSCNI waiting lists. Applications open 25 September 2026 and close 6 November 2026.
Health Issue: Support While Waiting Grant Scheme extension announcement Original release: Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes calls on the Southern Trust, the health department and the Health Minister to find workable fixes for the Daisy Hill maternity crisis, saying local expectant mothers are anxious and warning of patient safety risks over capacity and travel times.
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services crisis and possible relocation to Craigavon Original release: Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the Health Minister must deliver on promised transparency after he failed to answer questions at the Health Committee on the youngest puberty blocker recipient and the Maternity Hospital handover review. She claims bowel screening and thrombectomy announcements were hard…
Health Issue: Health Committee questioning of Health Minister on transparency and communication Original release: Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for…
DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces a new Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme for Primary 6 and 7 pupils, with up to £600,000 for schools in 2026/27 and expressions of interest open until 1 October.
Education Issue: Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme launch Original release: Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says the UK Government's latest funding package is not fair or sufficient despite its movement, calls for an agreed multi-year Budget, and urges the Secretary of State to stay open to further targeted support rather than threatening to set spending…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: UK Government final offer on Northern Ireland funding package Original release: Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Clear answers must be provided on proposed Richill AFC funding allocation – Sheehan
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA calls for clear answers from Education Minister Paul Givan on a proposed £30,000 allocation for a football pitch at Richhill AFC, questioning changed departmental advice after the minister's visit and asking the Education Committee to investigate.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Proposed £30,000 funding allocation for Richhill AFC football pitch Original release: Clear answers must be provided on proposed Richill AFC funding allocation – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Teachers Right to Take stand. Minister Must Deliver Not Delay
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll backs teachers and school leaders in industrial action, urging Education Minister Paul Givan to deliver a funded plan cutting workload instead of seeking more time on the workload review's 27 proposals.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Teacher workload industrial action and Independent Teacher Workload Review implementation Original release: Carroll: Teachers Right to Take stand. Minister Must Deliver Not Delay (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)