Latest releases
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1,373 releases
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Proposed budget cuts for Special Educational Needs support ‘deeply concerning’- Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says proposed budget cuts that would halve funding for Special Educational Needs support in schools across the north are 'deeply concerning', blaming Tory cuts and calling for the Executive to be restored urgently.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Proposed budget cuts to Special Educational Needs school support Original release: Proposed budget cuts for Special Educational Needs support ‘deeply concerning’- Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls for support for a New Deal for Unpaid Carers
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA urges backing for Carers NI's New Deal for Unpaid Carers report, launched today, and wants parties and departments to build its recommendations into their work plans. She says the report sets out how Health and Social Care systems must change…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI New Deal for Unpaid Carers report launch Original release: Armstrong calls for support for a New Deal for Unpaid Carers (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts will have detrimental effect on pupils with special educational needs, says Egan
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says Department of Education cuts halving funding for SEN co-ordinators, from £22 million to £11 million, will harm pupils with special educational needs. She calls on the Department to clarify the basis for the cuts and how it will meet its…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education proposed halving of SEN funding Original release: Cuts will have detrimental effect on pupils with special educational needs, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Archibald condemns the painting of racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald condemns those who painted racist graffiti in Coleraine and Portrush, calling it an attempt to provoke fear and hatred. She thanks the council for quickly removing the graffiti and says the party is committed to equal rights and an inclusive society.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti in Coleraine and Portrush Original release: Archibald condemns the painting of racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly encourages women to have their say on unity at ‘Belfast Women’s Assembly’
Sinn Féin's Aisling Reilly MLA encourages women from greater Belfast to register for a Belfast Women's Assembly on Irish unity, to be held at the Europa Hotel on 27 June, with childcare available on request. The release says women's voices have often gone unheard and invites written contributions…
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: Belfast Women's Assembly on Irish unity, Europa Hotel, 27 June Original release: Reilly encourages women to have their say on unity at ‘Belfast Women’s Assembly’ (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Accessible public transport must be expanded
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls for accessible public transport to be expanded, not restricted, and urges people to respond to the Department for Infrastructure's consultation on the Concessionary Fares Scheme. He warns changes to age eligibility or criteria could cut off older and disabled…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Department for Infrastructure consultation on Concessionary Fares Scheme Original release: Eastwood: Accessible public transport must be expanded (opens in a new tab)
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Long-term plan and investment required to tackle out-of-control housing waiting lists - Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen says Northern Ireland cannot afford fewer new social homes, citing NIRSA figures showing 45,105 applicants on the housing waiting list at 31 March 2023 and a Department for Communities plan to fund only 1,400 new homes. He calls for a long-term plan and strategic direction while…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: NIRSA housing bulletin waiting list rise and 1,400 new homes funding Original release: Long-term plan and investment required to tackle out-of-control housing waiting lists - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Independent review of gynaecology services long overdue
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the announcement of a rapid, independent review of gynaecology services, saying it is long overdue. She calls for a fully resourced Women's Health Strategy and warns the review's report must not be left unactioned.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent review of gynaecology services announced by Department of Health Original release: McLaughlin: Independent review of gynaecology services long overdue (opens in a new tab)
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NI homeless shelters missing out on additional funding due to lack of Executive is a disgrace, says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says it is disgraceful that new English night shelter funding cannot reach Northern Ireland while there is no Executive, and calls on the DUP to end its boycott so the Executive can be restored.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: UK Government additional £3 million funding for England night shelters Original release: NI homeless shelters missing out on additional funding due to lack of Executive is a disgrace, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Advisory Committee should rethink approach to British identity:…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell urges the Council of Europe's Advisory Committee on National Minorities to retract its finding that British culture and identity is political and to rethink its approach to Ulster British identity. He objects to recommendation 159 on linking Ulster Scots and Ulster British…
Disability and equality Issue: Advisory Committee report on Framework Convention recommendation 159 Ulster British identity Original release: Advisory Committee should rethink approach to British identity:… (opens in a new tab)
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Transformation of Special Education services essential
DUP Education Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Ipsos review of Special Educational Needs, citing SEN spending of around £500m a year and calls for transformational change, a sustainable funding model and a more skilled classroom assistant workforce.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Ipsos review of Special Educational Needs services in Northern Ireland Original release: Transformation of Special Education services essential (opens in a new tab)
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Achieving decarbonisation of homes possible but only with cross-Departmental commitment, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says decarbonising homes is possible but needs a concerted cross-Departmental commitment, after hosting the launch of the Forum for a Better Housing Market's New Foundations report on low carbon homes. She backs its suggestions on retrofitting social housing, grants…
Environment and climate Housing Issue: New Foundations: The Route to Low Carbon Homes report launch Original release: Achieving decarbonisation of homes possible but only with cross-Departmental commitment, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to Women’s Aid would be catastrophic, says Egan
Alliance's Connie Egan says cutting Department of Health funding for the Women's Aid Federation, due to end in September 2023, would be catastrophic. She calls for the decision to be reversed, arguing it conflicts with proposed Executive strategies on violence against women and girls.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health ending Women's Aid Federation funding from September 2023 Original release: Cuts to Women’s Aid would be catastrophic, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or racist displays – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald condemns racism and racist displays after a Sunday protest in Portrush that included National Front flags. She says those involved do not represent the people of Portrush or the north coast, and calls for a safe, inclusive society for all, including asylum seekers.
Disability and equality Issue: Portrush National Front anti-asylum protest and counter-demonstration, May 2023 Original release: No place for racism or racist displays – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Those carrying out protests against asylum seekers represent nobody, Alliance Councillors say
Alliance Councillors Richard Stewart and Peter McCully condemn a protest against asylum seekers at the Portrush war memorial, saying those involved represent only an extremely small minority. They call on all political representatives to unite in calling for an end to such protests.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: Portrush National Front anti-asylum protest and counter-demonstration, May 2023 Original release: Those carrying out protests against asylum seekers represent nobody, Alliance Councillors say (opens in a new tab)
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Communities budget will have a profoundly devastating impact on many - Allen
East Belfast MLA Andy Allen MBE says the Department for Communities' 2023/24 budget allocation, which falls short of required funding, will have a devastating impact and push households into poverty. He calls on the Secretary of State and UK Government to intervene, criticising their plans to fund…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Department for Communities 2023/24 budget allocation shortfall Original release: Communities budget will have a profoundly devastating impact on many - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Manifesto Launch Today the 9th of May at 4pm
Aontú, through Deputy Tóibín, announces the launch of its Local Election 2023 manifesto in Belfast and says Northern Ireland faces a crisis over hospital waiting lists, poverty, housing and the cost of living. It also says Aontú will not raise council rates during the cost-of-living crisis.
Local government Health Issue: Aontú Local Election 2023 manifesto launch in Belfast Original release: Aontú Manifesto Launch Today the 9th of May at 4pm (opens in a new tab)
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O’neill: People Before Profit Won’t Be Silent In Face Of Drastic Tory Cuts
PBP councillor Maeve O'Neill, for The Moor in Derry, says Tory budget cuts will hit local households hard and accuses Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance of voting with the DUP against PBP motions on rent freezes and a hardship grant. She vows continued opposition to Tory, Stormont and council cuts.
Public finance and taxation Local government Original release: O’neill: People Before Profit Won’t Be Silent In Face Of Drastic Tory Cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Shortfall in special school numbers consequence of immoral Tory cuts – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says a predicted shortfall in special school places for children with special educational needs in September is deeply concerning, blaming Tory budget cuts and calling for the Executive to be restored.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Predicted shortfall in special school places for September 2023 Original release: Shortfall in special school numbers consequence of immoral Tory cuts – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Catney: Period products must be available to all
SDLP Lisburn North candidate Pat Catney says free sanitary provisions should reach everyone who needs them, after the Department of Education cut school funding for such products by over 40%. He urges the bill he introduced to be brought into force.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Department of Education cuts school period product funding by over 40% Original release: Catney: Period products must be available to all (opens in a new tab)