Latest releases
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2,985 releases
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Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the education minister's announcement of £500 million to prioritise building special educational needs facilities. He says children with additional needs deserve first-class facilities and calls for every child with special educational needs to have a school…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Sheehan welcomes half of one billion plan for special schools (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational…
East Antrim DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes Education Minister Paul Givan's announcement of a Special Educational Needs Capital Investment Programme, saying the four‑strand plan on maintenance, equipment, specialist provisions and new schools will create a fairer, more inclusive environment for SEN
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Education Minister’s support for children with Special Educational… (opens in a new tab)
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Investment programme in school facilities will support children with…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a SEN Capital Programme for special schools, including up to eight new special schools over 10 years, new builds, extensions, specialist classes and £5million a year in maintenance plus £4million in equipment grants.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister announces SEN Capital Investment Programme Original release: Investment programme in school facilities will support children with… (opens in a new tab)
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Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the education minister's announcement that planning for a replacement Knockevin school in Downpatrick will start immediately. She says the project will transform provision for pupils with special educational needs across South Down.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Knockevin Special School planning go-ahead announced by education minister Original release: Mason welcomes planning green light for Knockevin Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast can become more inclusive, says incoming Alliance Lord Mayor
Alliance's South Belfast Councillor Micky Murray, incoming Lord Mayor, says he wants Belfast to become a more inclusive, livable and caring city during his term from 3 June. He pledges to meet people across the city, prioritise supporting vulnerable people and represent the LGBTQ+ community.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Belfast can become more inclusive, says incoming Alliance Lord Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Reject Far-Right Divisive Abuse Of New Derry Mayor
Derry People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin condemns racist and divisive abuse aimed at Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr after her selection as incoming mayor of Derry City and Strabane, and says the party stands in solidarity with black and minoritised communities.
Disability and equality Immigration Issue: Lilian Seenoi-Barr Derry Mayor appointment Original release: Harkin: Reject Far-Right Divisive Abuse Of New Derry Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Andrew McMurray selected as new Alliance MLA for South Down
Alliance announces that Andrew McMurray, an outdoor instructor and youth worker who has been a councillor since 2016, has been selected by local members to become the new South Down MLA, replacing outgoing MLA Patrick Brown. He says he will prioritise the local economy, regeneration, SEN provision…
Other Original release: Andrew McMurray selected as new Alliance MLA for South Down (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP makes history selecting Barr as next Mayor of Derry and Strabane
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says he is proud the party has chosen Councillor Lilian Barr as its nominee for Mayor of Derry and Strabane, which would make her the first black Mayor in the North. Eastwood praises her community work with migrants and her role in the council.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lilian Seenoi-Barr Derry Mayor appointment Original release: SDLP makes history selecting Barr as next Mayor of Derry and Strabane (opens in a new tab)
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Change starts here at the local and European elections – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald says Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have been in power too long and that the upcoming local and European elections are the first step to remove the ‘failed government’, announcing Sinn Féin’s record slate of 335 local candidates – the most ever and in every electoral‑by
Housing Health Issue: Sinn Féin Local and European elections campaign launch in Dublin Original release: Change starts here at the local and European elections – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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‘Sinn Féin ready to lead Government of change north and south’ – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, Leas Uachtarán, tells activists in Dublin the party is ready to lead a positive change agenda in government north and south, pitching this at its Local and European election campaign launch. She cites a northern budget set against a decade of Tory cuts, and lists…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Sinn Féin Local and European elections campaign launch in Dublin Original release: ‘Sinn Féin ready to lead Government of change north and south’ – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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‘Women must be supported and assured throughout smear test review’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins urges the Department of Health and relevant trusts to keep affected women informed and supported during the review of thousands of smear tests, and to clear the backlog quickly.
Health Issue: Review of thousands of cervical smear tests backlog Original release: ‘Women must be supported and assured throughout smear test review’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to ensure safe staffing levels for social work teams working with children – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the health minister to present a plan tackling children's social work staff shortages as social workers begin industrial action. She says the plan should boost recruitment, keep experienced staff and protect support for vulnerable families.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Children's social workers industrial action begins over staffing shortages Original release: Urgent action needed to ensure safe staffing levels for social work teams working with children – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Michelle Guy announced as Alliance candidate in Strangford
Alliance announces Michelle Guy as its candidate for Strangford at the forthcoming General Election, with Michelle saying she will focus on coastal erosion, climate change, paramilitarism and rural access to services. Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says she would make a fantastic MP.
Other Issue: Michelle Guy announced as Alliance candidate for Strangford Original release: Michelle Guy announced as Alliance candidate in Strangford (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie challenges Executive partners U-turn on Health commitment
UUP MLA Mr Beattie challenges Executive partners over a £184 million health cut, saying the party rejects the budget as presented over losses of almost 150 acute hospital beds, 1.1 million hours of domiciliary care and 500 care home beds. He calls for an urgent meeting of party leaders to resolve…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland Executive budget allocations 2024 Original release: Beattie challenges Executive partners U-turn on Health commitment (opens in a new tab)
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SEN children must be placed suitably and on time – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to ensure pupils with special educational needs are placed in suitable schools on time this September, after the Department warned schools of a shortfall in SEN places.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education warning on SEN places for September Original release: SEN children must be placed suitably and on time – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Support for NI foster carers lagging behind: Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on Health Minister Robin Swann to urgently increase foster carer allowances, ahead of an Assembly debate on a DUP motion on recruiting more foster carers. She says allowances lag behind other UK regions and the Republic, and do not cover the full cost of caring for a child.
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly debate on DUP motion on foster carer recruitment Original release: Support for NI foster carers lagging behind: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Sammy Wilson MP backs Vera Lynn memorial campaign.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson backs a campaign for a memorial to Dame Vera Lynn, joining almost 100 MPs in writing to the Prime Minister to ask the Government for funding to complete it, noting only 3 in 100 statues commemorate women.
Other Original release: Sammy Wilson MP backs Vera Lynn memorial campaign. (opens in a new tab)
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Brown resigns as MLA with immediate effect
Alliance announces that South Down MLA Patrick Brown has resigned with immediate effect for personal reasons, thanking him for his service. Brown says he is stepping aside after ten years as an elected representative and pledges continued support for Alliance.
Other Issue: Patrick Brown resignation as South Down MLA Original release: Brown resigns as MLA with immediate effect (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Disappointment for health staff and patients as Assembly backs free parking delay
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says health staff and patients will be very disappointed after the Assembly approved a two‑year delay to free hospital parking, and urges the Health Minister to introduce the scheme as soon as possible.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: McGrath: Disappointment for health staff and patients as Assembly backs free parking delay (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition proposes amendment to expedite free hospital car parking
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has tabled an amendment to cut the Executive's proposed two-year delay to free hospital car parking to one year. He says the system could be in place by autumn and urges the Health Minister to commit to free staff parking without delay.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: SDLP Opposition proposes amendment to expedite free hospital car parking (opens in a new tab)