Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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A day of hope, and for lessons to be learned – Dodds
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: A day of hope, and for lessons to be learned – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes ‘groundbreaking investment’ in new children’s hospital
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, chair of the Assembly's Health Committee, welcomes the Executive's approval of a new children's hospital at the Royal Victoria site, calling it a major step for child healthcare with construction set to start shortly.
Health Issue: Executive approval of new children's hospital at Royal Victoria Hospital Original release: McGuigan welcomes ‘groundbreaking investment’ in new children’s hospital (opens in a new tab)
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‘New children’s hospital will be transformative for north’s healthcare’ – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes the Executive's approval of a new children's hospital at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, estimated at £671 million, with construction expected to begin within days. He says it will be a game-changer for families and transformative for healthcare in the north.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Executive approval of new children's hospital at Royal Victoria Hospital Original release: ‘New children’s hospital will be transformative for north’s healthcare’ – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Current vacancies in NI health service concerning, says Donnelly, stating Safe and Effective Staffing legislation must be delivered
Alliance health spokesperson and Health Committee deputy Chair Danny Donnelly MLA voices concern over unfilled posts in nursing and midwifery across the health service, citing Department of Health figures showing 22 percent of vacancies in those roles, and urges swift delivery of Safe and…
Health Issue: Department of Health recruitment and workforce statistics February 2025 Original release: Current vacancies in NI health service concerning, says Donnelly, stating Safe and Effective Staffing legislation must be delivered (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan meets BMA on issues facing GP practices
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls for action on pressures facing GP practices after meeting the British Medical Association, urging the Health Minister to prioritise GP core funding and resolve indemnity negotiations quickly.
Health Original release: McGuigan meets BMA on issues facing GP practices (opens in a new tab)
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Ferguson launches consultation on banning unfair letting fees
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson urges the public to respond to a consultation on her Private Members' Bill to ban unfair letting fees charged by landlords or letting agents, which also would require the Department for Communities to issue guidance on prohibited payments. The consultation is open…
Housing Issue: Ferguson letting fees Private Members' Bill consultation launch Original release: Ferguson launches consultation on banning unfair letting fees (opens in a new tab)
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McAteer names Eastside Greenways one of High Sheriff charities
Alliance Councillor Fiona McAteer, now High Sheriff of Belfast, says she will support Eastside Greenways during her term, praising its work on the Connswater Community Greenway in east Belfast.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McAteer names Eastside Greenways one of High Sheriff charities (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes Minister’s commitment to explore access to muscular dystrophy drugs
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's pledge to engage the Belfast Trust on getting Givinostat, a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to young patients such as 12-year-old Alfie Pentony from Newry.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Givinostat access for Duchenne patients raised in Assembly topical question Original release: McGrath welcomes Minister’s commitment to explore access to muscular dystrophy drugs (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds: Health budget must prioritise patients
DUP MLA Diane Dodds criticises the Belfast Trust's spending of over £130 per teacher on an RSE course, arguing the money should go to waiting lists, cancer diagnosis and emergency care. She says she pressed Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on the matter in committee.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast Trust spending on teacher RSE training course Original release: Dodds: Health budget must prioritise patients (opens in a new tab)
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‘Welcome news wastewater funding will unlock new west Belfast developments’ – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes £19.5 million in additional funding for NI Water, with £7 million to progress 1,200 homes and five commercial units in the upper Falls, and urges continued expansion of housing and wastewater capacity.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Infrastructure Minister's Assembly statement on water and wastewater infrastructure Original release: ‘Welcome news wastewater funding will unlock new west Belfast developments’ – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance position on health funding becoming increasingly confused – Chambers
UUP MLA Alan Chambers accuses the Alliance Party of disregarding pressures on patients and health workers, saying Alliance MLA Nuala McCallister gave incorrect figures at a Health Committee session on the January Monitoring Round allocation to health.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: January Monitoring Round health funding allocation Health Committee exchange Original release: Alliance position on health funding becoming increasingly confused – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of access to respite care absolutely unacceptable, says Mathison.
Alliance Strangford MLA Nick Mathison says it is unacceptable that only 13 of 85 eligible people in the South Eastern Trust receive residential respite, and presses the Health Minister for clarity on how a £13 million short-break investment is being spent and how many young people await a social…
Health Disability and equality Issue: South Eastern Trust residential short breaks access figures Original release: Lack of access to respite care absolutely unacceptable, says Mathison. (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes progress on Belfast mother and baby unit
Sinn Féin’s mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn says she welcomes the Health Minister’s indication that a mother‑and‑baby mental health unit at Belfast’s City Hospital will be built this financial year, a project the party has long called for.
Health Issue: Announcement of Belfast mother and baby mental health unit Original release: Flynn welcomes progress on Belfast mother and baby unit (opens in a new tab)
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Homelessness organisations doing essential work - Minister
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, speaking at Belfast's Stella Maris centre run by Depaul, says homelessness has no simple fix and that accommodation must come with support services. He outlines recent steps including the Housing Supply Strategy and an extra £6.7m for the Housing Executive.
Housing Issue: Minister Gordon Lyons visit to Stella Maris homelessness centre Belfast Original release: Homelessness organisations doing essential work - Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to progressing new Altnagelvin emergency department
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes the Health Minister's intention to press ahead with a replacement emergency unit at Altnagelvin, announced after a Health Committee meeting. He says the existing unit, the oldest in the north, needs rebuilding to cut waiting times.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Altnagelvin emergency department rebuild announced by Health Minister Original release: Delargy welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to progressing new Altnagelvin emergency department (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Questions Ballooning Costs of RVH Children's Hospital
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds says she is shocked by escalating projected costs for the RVH children's hospital, noting estimates rose from £250 million in 2013 to over £600m, with Committee papers suggesting over £1bn. She calls for clearer oversight and financial control.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: RVH children's hospital cost estimate rise raised at Health Committee Original release: Dodds Questions Ballooning Costs of RVH Children's Hospital (opens in a new tab)
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Foyle Pride highlight incompatibility of public bodies participating…
Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton says a Foyle Pride statement backs up the DUP's long-standing view that police, the BBC and other public bodies are incompatible with taking part in the Pride Parade, which he calls a protest. He also calls for health services to focus on helping young people harmed by…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Foyle Pride statement on public sector involvement in Pride Parade Original release: Foyle Pride highlight incompatibility of public bodies participating… (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan to bring forward legislation to protect environment
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says he is bringing a Private Member’s Bill to Stormont that would set binding air, water, soil and biodiversity targets for government bodies, impose a duty to conserve and create Nature Recovery Networks, and urge DAERA to set long‑term and interim environmental goals.
Environment and climate Issue: SDLP Private Member’s Bill on environmental targets Original release: Durkan to bring forward legislation to protect environment (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes Minister’s ‘innovative thinking’ to deliver better wastewater infrastructure
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's commitment to better water and wastewater infrastructure, and says ageing wastewater systems must be a top priority. He blames austerity and British Government underfunding and points to an extra £19.5 million for NI Water…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Infrastructure Minister's Assembly statement on water and wastewater infrastructure Original release: Boylan welcomes Minister’s ‘innovative thinking’ to deliver better wastewater infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Minister needs to take steps to protect private renters, says Armstrong, as Alliance makes proposals calling for new deal
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA says the Communities Minister must take steps to protect private renters struggling to afford food and facing homelessness, including limiting rent increases to once a year. Alliance is putting forward proposals calling for a new deal for renters.