Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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Health transformation must be underpinned by evidence and community consultation – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan says health transformation must be evidence‑based and developed with partnership, welcomes the Department of Health’s hospital reconfiguration consultation and the pledge that no acute hospital will close, calls for more detail
Health Issue: Department of Health hospital reconfiguration consultation Original release: Health transformation must be underpinned by evidence and community consultation – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland refutes and condemns TUV claims regarding immigration and housing in North Antrim.
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland rejects TUV MLA Timothy Gaston's claim that uncontrolled immigration is driving up housing rents, citing 2021 census figures on NI-born occupancy of rented and social housing. She says the drivers are a lack of social housing, construction costs, water infrastructure…
Housing Immigration Issue: TUV claims on immigration and housing rents during Assembly renters' protection debate Original release: Mulholland refutes and condemns TUV claims regarding immigration and housing in North Antrim. (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP to focus Opposition Day on delivering for North West
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin and Mark H Durkan say the party will use its Opposition Day on Tuesday to bring three motions on North West job creation and cross-border co-operation, infrastructure links, and a dedicated addiction treatment and recovery centre.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: SDLP Opposition Day motions on North West priorities Original release: SDLP to focus Opposition Day on delivering for North West (opens in a new tab)
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National Insurance increase will see some GP practices close: Forsythe
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe says the UK Government's Employer National Insurance rise will further restrict GP access in Northern Ireland, claiming evidence to the Public Accounts Committee showed some practices will close and contracts will be handed back. She calls for action to protect patients.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Employer National Insurance rise impact on GP practices Original release: National Insurance increase will see some GP practices close: Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Regenerative tourism can contribute to our economy and ecological well-being – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Jemma Dolan praises a 'Tourism through a Regenerative Lens' conference held in Enniskillen by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. She says regenerative tourism can support both the economy and ecological well-being, and pledges to support initiatives…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Tourism through a Regenerative Lens conference, Enniskillen Original release: Regenerative tourism can contribute to our economy and ecological well-being – Dolan (opens in a new tab)
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Nesbitt comments on Programme for Government
UUP Leader and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes the Programme for Government agreement as progress, but says it is poorly aligned with Executive priorities and next year's draft budget. He says health funding has fallen to an estimated 1.5% premium and calls for a funding settlement closer to…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: Nesbitt comments on Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's Programme for Government will be judged on whether it delivers targets and priorities that improve people's lives. He criticises ministers for press conferences on a PfG that was signed off but not published for scrutiny.
Other Health Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps (opens in a new tab)
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The right people and policies needed to make NI work – Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson calls on the Secretary of State to ensure the NICS is fit for purpose, suggesting closer integration with the UK Home Civil Service. He also urges the Government to reconsider net-zero targets stalling projects such as the A5 road.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: The right people and policies needed to make NI work – Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent Action Needed to Protect Access in Fermanagh & South Tyrone -…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls on the Health Minister to act on NHS dental access in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, citing 49% adult registration and limited practice coverage in rural areas, during an Assembly adjournment debate.
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‘One Island-One Environment’ discussion to be hosted in Dublin
MEP Lynn Boylan says she will host ‘One Island, One Environment’ on 4 April at the Ballymun Rediscovery Centre, inviting climate activists to discuss how a united Ireland could strengthen environmental action, north‑south cooperation and future climate policy.
Constitutional affairs Environment and climate Issue: One Island, One Environment event in Dublin Original release: ‘One Island-One Environment’ discussion to be hosted in Dublin (opens in a new tab)
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We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan calls for urgent action on the shortage of NHS dentists in Fermanagh, urging parties and ministers to work together. She says low NHS fee uplifts are driving dentists away and asks the Health Minister to explore reinstating financial support schemes.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Assembly debate on dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone Original release: We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy
DUP peer Lord Browne says the draft gambling levy regulations are too low to meaningfully address gambling harm, citing 2.5% of adults affected and costs possibly near £5 billion, and urges the Minister to raise rates, including to at least 5% for the most harmful remote licences.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Draft gambling harm levy regulations for Great Britain Original release: DUP Peers welcome Gambling Levy (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must deliver support for private renters
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan welcomes Assembly support for a motion on protecting private renters, after his party's amendment calling for a standards and enforcement review, extended threatened-with-homelessness legislation and a bridging grant was passed. He calls on Executive parties to…
Housing Issue: Assembly motion on protecting private renters Original release: Durkan: Executive must deliver support for private renters (opens in a new tab)
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Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason urges the Health and Education departments to act urgently on support for children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools, after a joint committee meeting. She says there is no clear picture of allied health professionals in the sector and calls for…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Joint Health and Education Committees meeting on SEN support in Irish-medium schools Original release: Children with special educational needs in Irish-medium schools must not be left behind – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Department of Health’s Core Grant scheme "exploitative" - Cllr Kendall
Green Party NI Councillor Lauren Kendall says the health department's core grant programme is exploitative, with only 25 of 259 applicants receiving £1.8m for 2025/26 – half the previous allocation – and urges an immediate restoration of funding for community wellbeing services.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Department core grant funding cuts 2025/26 Original release: Department of Health’s Core Grant scheme "exploitative" - Cllr Kendall (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly expresses concern over disparity in cancer death rates between areas
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA expresses concern over a Cancer Research UK report showing cancer death rates about 45% higher in Northern Ireland's most deprived areas. He urges the Department of Health to introduce lung cancer screening for high-risk people aged 55 to 74 and…
Health Issue: Cancer Research UK report on cancer mortality and deprivation in Northern Ireland Original release: Donnelly expresses concern over disparity in cancer death rates between areas (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Children’s Hospital project needs close monitoring as one of world’s most expensive – Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly calls for intensive monitoring of the Belfast Children's Hospital build to keep it on time and within budget, citing costs rising from an initial £250m to £671m and comparisons with the Dublin National Children's Hospital.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast Children's Hospital cost increase and build delay Original release: Belfast Children’s Hospital project needs close monitoring as one of world’s most expensive – Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges health and justice officials to coordinate so young people and adults with complex needs are not held in the justice system. She cites a teenage girl remanded in custody despite being bail-eligible, citing gaps in respite and residential provision.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Remand of teenage girl with complex needs due to lack of support services Original release: Immediate action needed to address gaps in community SEN services – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Departments of Education and Health to work with the South Eastern Trust to quickly reinstate the on-site nurse at Knockevin Special School, after the Trust withdrew that support. She says the school was not consulted.
Health Education Issue: Knockevin Special School on-site nurse withdrawal by South Eastern Trust Original release: ‘On-site nurse must be restored to Knockevin Special School’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive’s concern should be with delivering long-delayed Children’s Hospital
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Executive should focus on delivering the Belfast Children's Hospital, which he says was first proposed in 2013 and is now years behind schedule with costs more than doubled. He claims it will not open until 2030 at the earliest and…
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Executive approval of new children's hospital at Royal Victoria Hospital Original release: McGrath: Executive’s concern should be with delivering long-delayed Children’s Hospital (opens in a new tab)