Latest releases
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2,020 releases
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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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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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Lady Daphne Trimble appointed UUP Honorary President
UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA announces Lady Daphne Trimble as the Ulster Unionist Party’s Honorary President, praising her support during the Belfast Agreement and saying the party will seek her guidance. Lady Trimble says the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive is untenable and must be reinst
Other Constitutional affairs Issue: Lady Daphne Trimble appointed UUP Honorary President Original release: Lady Daphne Trimble appointed UUP Honorary President (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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Eastwood: BBC must listen to public on Radio Foyle
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges the BBC to heed public views on Radio Foyle's future after it scaled back planned cuts, though he is disappointed the breakfast show is being reduced to half an hour. He pledges to keep lobbying for the station's services and jobs.
Other Issue: BBC Radio Foyle scaled-back cuts and breakfast show reduction Original release: Eastwood: BBC must listen to public on Radio Foyle (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill announces reshuffle of Sinn Féin Assembly team
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill announces a reshuffle of the Sinn Fein Assembly team, saying the new structure will ready the party for a possible return to Assembly business and focus on delivering health, housing, jobs and other priorities.
Other Issue: Potential resumption of Assembly business Original release: O’Neill announces reshuffle of Sinn Féin Assembly team (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin invite public to have their say on Mournes Project
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard urges residents to attend a Thursday information session in Newcastle on the proposed Mournes Gateway project. He says it needs rigorous appraisal of environmental, ecological and economic concerns, including visitor pressure on the Donard area and costs for ratepayers.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Mournes Gateway project information session in Newcastle Original release: Sinn Féin invite public to have their say on Mournes Project (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Leader pays tribute to Sam Hanna
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP pays tribute to Sam Hanna, a former Ballymena councillor who has died, recalling his two decades of service to the Braid area and his years as Bannside DUP chair.
Other Original release: DUP Leader pays tribute to Sam Hanna (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)
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Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD announces the passing of Rita O’Hare
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD announces the death of Rita O'Hare, who died at her home in Dublin, and offers condolences to her husband Brendan and family. She describes Rita's roles in Sinn Féin, the Peace Process and US support work.
Other International affairs Original release: Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD announces the passing of Rita O’Hare (opens in a new tab)
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Net-zero advice reinforces need for urgently restored Executive, says Tennyson
Alliance Climate Change Spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA says the Climate Change Committee’s carbon‑budget advice underlines the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland Executive, arguing ministerial direction is essential to meet the 2050 net‑zero target.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: CCC first three Carbon Budgets advice for NI Original release: Net-zero advice reinforces need for urgently restored Executive, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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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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Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes the reported deal in principle between the UK and EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol, but says it was outside local influence. He urges the DUP to end its blockade of the Assembly so public services and climate action can move forward.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK Windsor Framework deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached (opens in a new tab)