Latest releases
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1,457 releases
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Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA warns exhausted carers will face more pressure when Mencap's Employment Support Service for people with learning disabilities closes on 31 March 2023. She blames a lack of budget following the end of European Social Fund money and calls for…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls for urgent clarity on budgets after Mencap NI issued 30-day redundancy notices to staff running its employment support services, citing a lack of funding information from Departments and the UK Government.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan
Alliance education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says the Independent Review of Education is a major opportunity to reform the system, after meeting the Review Panel. She raises concerns about Special Educational Needs provision and the statementing process, and calls for a single integrated system…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education interim report and Review Panel meeting Original release: Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Housing Executive must ensure tenants receive value for money – Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen objects to a 7% rise in NIHE rents, saying it hits low-income households and questioning whether past planning failures are behind it. He urges the housing body to prioritise insulation and timely maintenance, and points tenants to its Financial Inclusion Team.
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Housing Executive 7% rent increase decision February 2023 Original release: Northern Ireland Housing Executive must ensure tenants receive value for money – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on political parties to work together rather than put party first on World Social Justice Day, and welcomes the Independent Panel's Review of Welfare Mitigations recommendations on a Carers payment and family support.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: To progress social justice we need political parties to work together, says Armstrong on #WorldSocialJusticeDay (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Doyle Welcomes Cost of Living Directory
Aontú Cllr for Ballyarnett welcomes the production of a cost of living support directory, covering advice providers, warm bank locations and support services across the district. He notes it is available online and in person at council community centres, leisure facilities and offices.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Derry and Strabane cost of living support directory published Original release: Cllr Doyle Welcomes Cost of Living Directory (opens in a new tab)
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Chancellor urged to increase Tax-Free Childcare allowance
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has written again to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging an increase to the Tax-Free Childcare allowance in the Spring Budget, citing high Northern Ireland childcare costs and claiming the scheme underspends.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chancellor's Spring Budget and Tax-Free Childcare allowance Original release: Chancellor urged to increase Tax-Free Childcare allowance (opens in a new tab)
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UUP call for recognition of role of the UDR Greenfinches in 50th anniversary year
UUP Alderman Glenn Barr calls on councils to recognise the Greenfinches of the Ulster Defence Regiment ahead of the 50th anniversary of their formation in July. He says he tabled a motion at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council and that UUP motions will follow across Northern Ireland.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Original release: UUP call for recognition of role of the UDR Greenfinches in 50th anniversary year (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey expresses solidarity with Belfast Multi-Cultural Association
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says it is disgraceful the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association has had to sell its Donegall Pass home after continued racist attacks. She calls for more action from the PSNI to pursue those responsible and pledges to help the BMCA find a new home.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Belfast Multi-Cultural Association sale of Donegall Pass home after racist attacks Original release: Hargey expresses solidarity with Belfast Multi-Cultural Association (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach Supports Aontú Campaign to Have Cash Ticket Purchases Returned to GAA Matches
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, the Meath West TD, calls on the GAA to reverse its move away from cash ticket sales at matches, saying it excludes older fans. He welcomes the Taoiseach's support in the Dáil and urges at least one cash turnstile per match.
Disability and equality Issue: GAA cash ticket purchase ban at matches Original release: Taoiseach Supports Aontú Campaign to Have Cash Ticket Purchases Returned to GAA Matches (opens in a new tab)
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WHICH? Report further highlights the need for robust intervention and support – Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen welcomes a WHICH? report showing rising cost-cutting among Northern Ireland households, citing higher rates of reduced essentials spending and energy and food price worry. He calls for short, medium and long-term intervention, blaming the lack of a functioning Stormont executive.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: WHICH? consumer report on cost-of-living pressures in Northern Ireland Original release: WHICH? Report further highlights the need for robust intervention and support – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Extension of bereavement benefits is welcomed says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong welcomes new legislation extending bereavement benefit to parents of dependent children whose cohabiting partner has died, including backdated payments and a 12-month application window. She urges anyone needing help with applications to contact…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Bereavement benefit extension to cohabiting parents legislation Original release: Extension of bereavement benefits is welcomed says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin expresses concern at potential delay of Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin voices concern that the Executive Office has warned work on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy may stall without a functioning Executive, blaming the DUP boycott for putting it at risk.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Executive Office warning on delayed Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy Original release: McLaughlin expresses concern at potential delay of Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill.
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes Royal Assent for the Buffer Zones Bill, which he says will be enforceable from 7 May 2023 and end intimidation of people accessing abortion services. He credits former MLA Clare Bailey and campaigners.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Safe Access Zones Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law Original release: Green Party Leader welcomes Royal Assent for Clare Bailey’s Buffer Zones Bill. (opens in a new tab)
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Young people deserve evidence based and inclusive Relationship and Sexuality Education says Egan
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says a meeting with Northern Ireland Office officials on Relationship and Sexuality Education was positive and urges the Secretary of State to implement CEDAW-based RSE as a priority. She cites a Belfast Youth Forum study finding 73% of young people…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland Office meeting on Relationship and Sexuality Education Original release: Young people deserve evidence based and inclusive Relationship and Sexuality Education says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard slams intimidatory sign at local school
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard condemns a 'racist and intimidatory' sign placed outside a school in Clough that attacked Irish-language learners and named the school. He urges anyone with information to contact the police.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Clough school intimidatory sign targeting Irish-language learners Original release: Hazzard slams intimidatory sign at local school (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods welcomes a successful final attempt to establish financial assistance in Ards and North Down
Green Party Councillor Rachel Woods welcomes Ards and North Down Council's backing of her amendment to set aside £50,000 from current reserves for a fund for foodbanks and partner organisations. She says a report on the cost of living crisis, including a rise in Bangor Foodbank demand, prompted…
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: Ards and North Down Council £50,000 hardship fund for foodbanks Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods welcomes a successful final attempt to establish financial assistance in Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Kelly celebrates introduction of paid bereavement leave for early pregnancy loss and miscarriage for Belfast City Council staff
Alliance Belfast Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Michelle Kelly welcomes Belfast City Council's forthcoming paid leave for staff dealing with early pregnancy loss and miscarriage, taking effect on 1 February after equality screening. It gives 10 days at full pay for miscarriage and 3 days for a…
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Belfast City Council paid leave policy for pregnancy loss and miscarriage Original release: Kelly celebrates introduction of paid bereavement leave for early pregnancy loss and miscarriage for Belfast City Council staff (opens in a new tab)
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Prime Minister challenged on ensuring religious freedom
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP challenges the Prime Minister in the Commons to review UK laws so that religious freedom is protected, after Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was arrested for silent prayer near a Birmingham abortion facility.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Isabel Vaughan-Spruce arrest and charge under Birmingham buffer zone Original release: Prime Minister challenged on ensuring religious freedom (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey pays tribute to work of Professor Eileen Evason
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey pays tribute to Professor Eileen Evason, describing her as a champion of protecting the most vulnerable and recalling their work together on welfare support when Hargey was communities minister.
Social security and welfare Original release: Hargey pays tribute to work of Professor Eileen Evason (opens in a new tab)