Latest releases
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2,940 releases
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Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a plan to tackle children's waiting lists after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report, noting over 22,000 children are waiting for various treatments. She urges the health minister to set out steps to reduce the backlog.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: Action needed to tackle children’s waiting lists – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Ending two-child Universal Credit cap most effective way to tackle poverty
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says scrapping the two-child Universal Credit limit is the most effective way to lift children out of poverty, and calls for the Communities Minister to set out a plan to end the cap by the end of 2024, funded by proposed revenue sources.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: SDLP Opposition day motion on ending the two-child Universal Credit cap Original release: O’Toole: Ending two-child Universal Credit cap most effective way to tackle poverty (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Children being failed by health system
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says children are being failed by long waits for healthcare, citing the RCPCH report on paediatric waiting times in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Health Minister to take forward its solutions and bring legislative changes to the Executive.
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on children's waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Children being failed by health system (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition brings forward proposals to fight poverty, including ending two-child limit
SDLP Opposition, led by Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA, is using its second Opposition Day to press the Executive to scrap the two-child limit on Universal Credit, which it says is costed and practical, alongside fuel poverty measures and a ban on no-fault evictions.
Social security and welfare Original release: SDLP Opposition brings forward proposals to fight poverty, including ending two-child limit (opens in a new tab)
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Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says a certificate acknowledging pregnancy loss before 24 weeks would recognise bereaved families, and announces a motion at the Assembly on Monday backing a Baby Loss Certificate scheme. She welcomes the finance minister's commitment to review the scheme with the health…
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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“Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says 628 patients were kept in hospital unnecessarily on 15 March despite being fit to leave, calls for a dedicated team to be put in charge of resolving the bed blockage immediately, and says the figure is likely higher.
Health Issue: Health Minister figures on patients medically fit for discharge remaining in hospital Original release: “Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, says emergency crisis management in special educational needs placements has become the norm, after officials said almost 7,000 children need new placements and only 80 of 291 schools agreed to specialist provisions.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee briefing on SEN placements and specialist provisions in mainstream schools Original release: Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Authority's leadership to listen to parents and prioritise children with special educational needs, ensuring those placed in September are placed on time. He calls for the education department to work with the health minister to overhaul SEN services…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart calls on Minister to prioritise introduction of baby loss…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart urges the Health Minister to prioritise introducing baby loss certificates in Northern Ireland, pointing to the scheme already in England, and says she has launched an online petition backing the proposal.
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Kimmins welcomes transfer of vasectomy services to GP practices
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes the health minister's announcement that vasectomy procedures are to move into GP surgeries, saying treatment closer to home will give patients earlier and easier access. She calls for continued joint work to transform health services.
Health Issue: Health minister announcement moving vasectomy services to GP practices Original release: Kimmins welcomes transfer of vasectomy services to GP practices (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly welcomes restoration of GP vasectomy services
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the return of vasectomy procedures to GP practices after funding was withdrawn in 2023. He calls on the minister to reinstate funding for the full range of GP Elective Care Services.
Health Issue: Health minister announcement moving vasectomy services to GP practices Original release: Donnelly welcomes restoration of GP vasectomy services (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood launches cross-party skills group
Alliance Economy spokesperson Sorcha Eastwood announces a cross-party All Party Group on Skills, supported by the Open University, to examine northern Ireland's worst skills shortages. Its first inquiry will focus on skills in social care for an ageing population.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Eastwood launches cross-party skills group (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes commitment to review early baby loss certificates
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Finance Minister's pledge to examine the scheme issuing baby loss certificates for losses before 24 weeks of pregnancy. She says parents and families need support during such distressing times and will keep working with the finance and health ministers.
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Dillon welcomes commitment to review early baby loss certificates (opens in a new tab)
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Stephen Dunne MLA sends best wishes to the Princess of Wales
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne uses a Matter of the Day in the Assembly to send best wishes to the Princess of Wales after her cancer diagnosis, and calls for her privacy to be respected during recovery.
Other Health Original release: Stephen Dunne MLA sends best wishes to the Princess of Wales (opens in a new tab)
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Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, Upper Bann, says a Health Minister response shows almost 15,000 people are awaiting autism assessment, including over 11,000 children with waits up to four and a half years. She calls the waits unacceptable and urges the appointment of a Lead for Adult Autism and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister response on autism assessment waiting lists Original release: Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti daubed on a home in Finaghy, South Belfast, calling it a despicable attempt to intimidate and stir up hate. She urges political representatives to stand together against it and asks anyone with information to come forward as PSNI investigates…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl condemns the 'sinister' graffiti on a home in Finaghy, calling it a threat to a local person who spoke out. She reports the graffiti to the PSNI, urges anyone with information to contact them, and calls on all parties to condemn racism together.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds calls on the Department of Health to commission adult ADHD services in Northern Ireland and to develop a comprehensive ADHD strategy, after launching a public petition to be presented to the Assembly’s Speaker.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition to commission adult ADHD services in NI Original release: Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition (opens in a new tab)
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All-Ireland fantasy meets cold, hard financial reality
TUV Carrick Castle Councillor David Clarke says an Institute of International and European Affairs report on the costs of a united Ireland shows Northern Ireland is better off in the UK, citing projected annual costs and lower living standards. He argues against Irish reunification, pointing to…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Institute of International and European Affairs report on costs of Irish unification Original release: All-Ireland fantasy meets cold, hard financial reality (opens in a new tab)
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Department of Education publishes Healthy Happy Minds evaluation
The DUP reports that the Department of Education has released an external review of the Healthy Happy Minds pilot, which delivered counselling and therapeutic support in primary schools from November 2021 to March 2023. Education Minister Paul Givan says he will weigh its findings alongside wider…
Education Health Issue: Healthy Happy Minds pilot evaluation publication Original release: Department of Education publishes Healthy Happy Minds evaluation (opens in a new tab)