Latest releases
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55 releases
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Veterans support measures deliver respect and help - Cameron
DUP MLA for South Antrim Pam Cameron welcomes Communities Minister Gordon Lyons's steps to strengthen help for veterans and their families, citing the Veterans' Support Line, a senior strategic lead, and disregarding War Pensions under the Affordable Warmth Scheme.
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Department veterans support measures announcement Original release: Veterans support measures deliver respect and help - Cameron (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working…
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed that only benefits named in the outgoing regulations will count for priority in next year's pre-school admissions, ending the reading-in of replacement benefits. He announced this alongside a public consultation on the Socially Disadvantaged…
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Education Minister immediate changes to pre-school Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances criterion Original release: Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces opening date for Home Heating Oil Support Scheme
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces that applications for the £100 heating oil voucher scheme open on 9 September 2026 for about 340,000 eligible households, and urges people to check criteria beforehand. He says he will press for Warm Healthy Homes Strategy funding and will announce…
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Home heating oil £100 voucher support scheme announcement Original release: Lyons announces opening date for Home Heating Oil Support Scheme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches Veterans Support Line NI
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces the go-live of the Veterans Support Line NI, a free telephone and text service giving veterans, serving personnel and families benefit eligibility information and a confidential needs assessment via the Department for Communities.
Social security and welfare Issue: Veterans Support Line NI launch by Department for Communities Original release: Lyons launches Veterans Support Line NI (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite secures commitment to recognise contribution of women to Belfast
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite says Council has agreed to honour women's contribution to the city with the Freedom of Belfast, after raising the gender imbalance among past recipients. Proposals will be developed with the women's sector to name four women for the honour…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast Freedom of the City honour for women proposal Original release: De Faoite secures commitment to recognise contribution of women to Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces agreement for home heating oil support
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says the Executive has agreed a £36.4million package giving eligible households a £100 prepaid card for use at heating oil suppliers, targeting over 300,000 households hit by steep oil price rises.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Executive £36.4million home heating oil support package Original release: Lyons announces agreement for home heating oil support (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan says a visit to Holywood Nursery School shows the Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for children with special educational needs. He cites a new sensory room, extra classroom assistant hours and £4.5million invested in 2025/26 across…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Givan visit to Holywood Nursery School on Pre-School Inclusion Fund Original release: Givan: Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for… (opens in a new tab)
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Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray calls the Wildfires Action Plan to 2030, published by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, a timely intervention for the countryside after around 200 wildfires. He highlights rewetting peatlands and the Wildfire Recovery Project led by the Pau Costa Foundation in at-risk areas…
Environment and climate Issue: Wildfires Action Plan to 2030 publication by DAERA Original release: Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces dedicated advice service for Armed Forces community
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a new telephone and text advice service for serving personnel, veterans and their families, with a follow-on run of outreach events and a senior official named as strategic lead.
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Department Armed Forces community advice service launch Original release: Minister announces dedicated advice service for Armed Forces community (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a drive to tackle benefit fraud and error, citing recommendations from a specialist working group, including staff training and technology use. He warns some measures depend on funding bids and seeks Executive support for initial investment.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Department benefit fraud and error working group recommendations Original release: Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 to tackle fuel poverty, saying it has Executive backing and will be paired with a £150million Warm Healthy Homes Fund next year.
Social security and welfare Housing Issue: Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 launch Original release: Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches a public consultation on the draft ten-year Executive Disability Strategy for 2025 to 2035, with commitments including a Regional Disability Forum, a review of disability legislation and an annual Disability Data compendium. The consultation runs…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 public consultation launch Original release: Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister announces £150,000 seasonal funding for homeless…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a £150,000 goodwill grant, distributed via Homeless Connect, to fund festive meals, social events and presents for those supported by homelessness services over Christmas.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: £150,000 Christmas goodwill grant for homelessness services Original release: Communities Minister announces £150,000 seasonal funding for homeless… (opens in a new tab)
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Polasaí stairiúil Gaeilge aontaithe ag comhairleoirí Bhéal Feirste – Ó Néill
Sinn Féin councillor Tomás Ó Néill welcomes Belfast City Council's approval of a unified Irish language policy, including bilingual corporate branding and signage in council buildings, which he calls historic and aimed at strengthening Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council unified Irish language policy approval Original release: Polasaí stairiúil Gaeilge aontaithe ag comhairleoirí Bhéal Feirste – Ó Néill (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons: Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic…
Environment and climate Original release: Lyons: Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic… (opens in a new tab)
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Mallaghan welcomes Mid Ulster wastewater investment
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan welcomes a £3.6 million upgrade to Bellaghy's wastewater system, announced alongside Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, and says it will open up new connections. He blames years of underinvestment on British government cuts and says he will keep working with the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Bellaghy wastewater system £3.6 million investment announcement Original release: Mallaghan welcomes Mid Ulster wastewater investment (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis says the party is resigning from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over the foul odour from Refuse Derived Fuel storage and handling at Warrenpoint Port. She says concerns raised on the board were ignored and calls for a complete, permanent end to RDF…
Environment and climate Health Issue: Sinn Féin resignation from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over RDF odour Original release: ‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister Lyons confirms Winter Fuel Payment for Northern…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirms that all Northern Ireland pensioners will receive the Winter Fuel Payment after the UK government reversed eligibility restrictions, with legislation expected by end‑ July and warnings about scams.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Starmer announcement widening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility Original release: Communities Minister Lyons confirms Winter Fuel Payment for Northern… (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School
Education Minister Paul Givan cuts the first sod on a £4.9 million School Enhancement Programme at Kilronan Special School, Magherafelt, announcing a single‑storey extension with specialist classrooms and support facilities, and saying the investment will benefit pupils, staff and local families and
Education Disability and equality Issue: Kilronan Special School SEP project start Original release: Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations
Alliance Killultagh Councillor Claire Kemp welcomes the installation of communication boards in Lisburn and Castlereagh Council parks, saying the facilities make play spaces accessible for children with speech, language and communication needs and praising the timing during World Autism Acceptance
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Communication boards installed in Lisburn & Castlereagh parks Original release: Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations (opens in a new tab)