Latest releases
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1,530 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 Original release: Proposed budget cuts for Special Educational Needs support ‘deeply concerning’- Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Councillor for Botanic Áine Groogan will be the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
The Green Party announces that Cllr Áine Groogan, Botanic councillor, will be Belfast's deputy Lord Mayor for 2023-2024. She says she will use the role to highlight community and voluntary organisations facing Stormont cuts, and calls for faster action on climate and biodiversity.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Green Party Councillor for Botanic Áine Groogan will be the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast (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 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 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 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 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 Original release: Eastwood: Accessible public transport must be expanded (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney seeking meeting with Department for Infrastructure following Hightown incinerator court ruling
South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney says he is disappointed that the Hightown incinerator, after a High Court ruling, is expected to return to the Department for Infrastructure for a fresh decision. He says he will seek a meeting with senior officials to clarify the department's position.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Original release: Kearney seeking meeting with Department for Infrastructure following Hightown incinerator court ruling (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 Original release: McLaughlin: Independent review of gynaecology services long overdue (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 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 Original release: Transformation of Special Education services essential (opens in a new tab)
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We need clarity on the implementation of the ammonia strategy, says Blair, following news of investigation into DAERA
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection's investigation into DAERA's handling of environmental law around ammonia guidance, and says he will write to the department seeking a timeline for its draft ammonia strategy.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: We need clarity on the implementation of the ammonia strategy, says Blair, following news of investigation into DAERA (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 Original release: Achieving decarbonisation of homes possible but only with cross-Departmental commitment, says Armstrong (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 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 Original release: Those carrying out protests against asylum seekers represent nobody, Alliance Councillors say (opens in a new tab)
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Manifesto for greener, cleaner, fairer communities launched
The Green Party NI launches its local government manifesto, setting out commitments on community green energy, street cleanliness and waste infrastructure, and a living wage for council employees and contractors. Leader Cllr Mal O'Hara urges voters to back the party on 18 May.
Local government Environment and climate Original release: Manifesto for greener, cleaner, fairer communities launched (opens in a new tab)
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Blair says Alliance Councillors will continue to be environmental champions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Alliance candidates have endorsed the RSPB Local Government manifesto covering planning, biodiversity and climate, and will pursue its aims if elected as Councillors. He calls for a restored Assembly and Executive immediately.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Blair says Alliance Councillors will continue to be environmental champions (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 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 Original release: Catney: Period products must be available to all (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Pathway Fund must be protected from cuts
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls for the Pathway Fund to be protected from cuts, warning that interim funding for early years providers ends in June and that over 10,000 children could lose support.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: McCrossan: Pathway Fund must be protected from cuts (opens in a new tab)