Latest releases
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1,373 releases
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Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA warns that the loss of European Social Fund money, combined with the lack of a functioning Executive, could put lives at risk. He calls on the Secretary of State to step in immediately and urges the DUP to return to Stormont and form an Executive.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Loss of European Social Fund funding for community and voluntary services Original release: Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP
Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery says a party motion to have Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council join other employers in Belfast Pride and explore a local Pride event was voted down by the DUP and UUP. He accuses the UUP of blocking it and pledges to keep pushing for inclusive council events.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Armagh Banbridge Craigavon council Pride motion defeated by DUP and UUP Original release: Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women
SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden says more must be done to combat violence against women as he prepares to table a motion at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council calling for better victim services, awareness campaigns, a modern anti‑harassment policy and training for councillors and
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council motion on violence against women Original release: SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says community transport services, including dial-a-lift, are left in limbo over funding and calls on the Department for Infrastructure to give a clear update and carry out an equality impact assessment before deciding their future.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport (opens in a new tab)
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Irish language signage not wanted
TUV council candidate Glenn Moore says new Irish language signs in Mill Park, Tobermore, are unwanted and will harm community relations. He accuses Mid Ulster Council of provoking unionists and wasting ratepayers' money.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Irish language signage erected at Mill Park, Tobermore Original release: Irish language signage not wanted (opens in a new tab)
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Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods
Green Party NI Cllr Rachel Woods expresses sadness at the murder of Alesia Nazarova, noting she is thought to be the 17th woman killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. She calls for a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, blaming the DUP's Assembly boycott for delay.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Alesia Nazarova in Northern Ireland Original release: Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, Chair of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, calls on the UK and Irish governments to fund a £40million rescue package to replace expiring European Social Fund money. She says it would keep 1700 community sector jobs and support 17000 people with disabilities…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: End of European Social Fund money affecting community sector jobs Original release: Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: New research confirms academic selection not delivering for all young people
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says new Stranmillis College research shows academic selection is not working for young people, arguing that scrapping the transfer test alone would not fix problems and calling for a wider cultural change and investment in education reform.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Stranmillis College research on transfer test cancellation and grammar school intake Original release: McCrossan: New research confirms academic selection not delivering for all young people (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds stresses need for proper Education funding
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the Independent Review of Education panel was told Education budgets are underfunded, citing real-terms cuts of around £150 million and calling for Education to be treated as 'mission critical'. She also highlights rising Special Educational Needs…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Independent Review of Education panel meeting on school funding Original release: Dodds stresses need for proper Education funding (opens in a new tab)
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Butler warns cuts to key transport service will disproportionately impact people with disabilities
UUP MLA Robbie Butler warns that budget uncertainty at Stormont risks ending the Department for Infrastructure's Disability Action Transport Scheme and Shopmobility, which have no funding guarantee beyond next month. He blames the lack of an Executive and multi-year budgets.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Department for Infrastructure disability transport schemes funding at risk Original release: Butler warns cuts to key transport service will disproportionately impact people with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Extension of Veterans Mobility Fund welcome - Allen
East Belfast UUP MLA Andy Allen MBE welcomes the Government's decision to extend the Veterans Mobility Fund, crediting Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer MP after repeated representations. He also welcomes a £20 million Veterans Capital Housing Fund and says he has sought a meeting on support…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Veterans Mobility Fund extension announcement Original release: Extension of Veterans Mobility Fund welcome - Allen (opens in a new tab)
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We must invest in housing strategy to build enough social housing, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA calls for investment in the housing strategy to deliver enough social homes, and for a strategy to maintain existing stock and meet climate targets. She also warns that rent rises of up to 50 per cent in Belfast push renters out and urges a new Communities Minister…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Private Tenancies Act rent cap omission and Belfast rent rises Original release: We must invest in housing strategy to build enough social housing, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says vital autism legislation and the Autism Strategy may be delayed without an agreed budget, citing Health Permanent Secretary Peter May's warning about financial uncertainty and the unfilled Independent Autism Reviewer post. He calls for the strategy to proceed without…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Permanent Secretary warning on Autism Strategy delivery without budget Original release: Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Welcomes Seachtain na Gaeilge
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly celebrates Seachtain na Gaeilge, urging that the Irish language be accessible to all year round and calling for greater support in schools and councils, especially where it is currently limited.
Disability and equality Issue: Seachtain na Gaeilge 2023 Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Welcomes Seachtain na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Allen urges Housing Executive to resolve the ongoing pay dispute
UUP MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE urges Housing Executive chief executive Grainia Long and her senior team to end the strike by its direct labour maintenance workers over a pay dispute. He says the action has left thousands of repairs undone and calls for officials to seek…
Housing Economy and employment Issue: NIHE direct labour workforce pay dispute industrial action Original release: Allen urges Housing Executive to resolve the ongoing pay dispute (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: SEN children must get support they need
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says children with special educational needs must get the support they need, after parents described their struggle to secure help. He cites reports that the Education Authority has conceded most SEN appeals and calls for a complete overhaul of the assessment…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Reports of Education Authority conceding most SEN appeals Original release: McCrossan: SEN children must get support they need (opens in a new tab)
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International Women’s Day
People Before Profit marks International Women's Day by arguing that housing, cost of living and health service pressures disproportionately affect women, and that women still earn 14% less than men on average. It calls for a broader fight for women's rights, including full bodily autonomy North…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Original release: International Women’s Day (opens in a new tab)
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We deserve every seat we have at every table, says McAllister, marking International Women’s Day 2023
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister marks International Women's Day 2023 by paying tribute to female party colleagues, citing legislation under Naomi Long as Justice Minister and Michelle Kelly's Belfast City Council changes. She calls for continued work on equity, including accessible and…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: We deserve every seat we have at every table, says McAllister, marking International Women’s Day 2023 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Loss of community transport will leave vulnerable isolated
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter warns that uncertainty over Department for Infrastructure funding for the dial-a-lift community transport service could leave elderly and disabled people isolated. She says she has raised concerns with the department's Permanent Secretary and urges Stormont…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: DfI one-month community transport funding extension Original release: Hunter: Loss of community transport will leave vulnerable isolated (opens in a new tab)
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A restored Assembly must deliver for women – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin tells a Glasgow event marking March 8th that a restored Assembly and Executive must act to advance equality and deliver better for women, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBT+ women and women with disabilities.
Disability and equality Original release: A restored Assembly must deliver for women – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)