Latest releases
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70 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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Education Minister announces three post-primary school projects to…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces that three post-primary school works projects, paused due to budget constraints, will move forward to planning and design. The schools are Belfast High School, Ballyclare High School and St Brigid's College, Londonderry, with capital investment…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Three post-primary school capital projects advance to planning and design Original release: Education Minister announces three post-primary school projects to… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 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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New driver licensing changes will help make our roads safer – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes new driver licensing and testing reforms from 1 October 2026, which she says are the biggest change in over 70 years and aim to better prepare learners and newly qualified drivers for independent driving.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Driver licensing and testing reforms from 1 October 2026 Original release: New driver licensing changes will help make our roads safer – Ennis (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 30 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes active travel scheme for Stiles Way, Antrim
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the start of site works on a £550,000 active travel scheme on Stiles Way, Antrim, providing a shared footway and cycleway from Junction One to the Springfarm Footbridge. He says the works, lasting 18 weeks from 10 August, will bring new toucan crossings and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Stiles Way, Antrim active travel scheme site works Original release: Kearney welcomes active travel scheme for Stiles Way, Antrim (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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New Road Maintenance Strategy a game changer for motorists – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the new Road Maintenance Strategy announced by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, saying it will resurface whole patches with potholes, use a digital AI survey to predict deterioration, and boost funding and recruitment.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister publication of new road maintenance strategy Original release: New Road Maintenance Strategy a game changer for motorists – Kearney (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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Government to Protect Regional Flights Following Lord Empey Campaign
UUP peer Lord Empey welcomes confirmation that the UK Government will take powers to safeguard regional airport slots at major hubs such as Heathrow, after his 14-year campaign. He stresses Northern Ireland's particular vulnerability to any reduction in access.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: UK Government powers to protect regional airport slots at hub airports Original release: Government to Protect Regional Flights Following Lord Empey Campaign (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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Sinn Féin will continue to address regional imbalance and stand up for our rural communities – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says the party will keep pressing the British Government for funding to address regional imbalance and support rural communities. She highlights an extra £40m for roads resurfacing, fully funded community transport and frozen public transport fares, and calls for support…
Infrastructure and transport Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Sinn Féin will continue to address regional imbalance and stand up for our rural communities – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes sign off on first phase of investment package for Derry
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood welcomes British Government sign-off on the first phase of a £20m Pride in Place investment package for Derry, which he says he secured in talks with the previous government. He says projects including Austin's regeneration and a play park at Curryneirin will benefit.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Derry £20m Pride in Place investment package first phase sign-off Original release: Eastwood welcomes sign off on first phase of investment package for Derry (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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Lyons announces start of construction on the Shankill Gateway Public…
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces construction has started on the Shankill Gateway Public Realm scheme, funded by the Department for Communities with £3.18million and expected to take about twelve months. The works cover the Lower Shankill Road, with paving, tree planting and wider…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Shankill Gateway Public Realm scheme construction start Original release: Lyons announces start of construction on the Shankill Gateway Public… (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces £9million for grassroots football facilities
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a £9million pilot stage of the Grassroots Facilities Programme under the Northern Ireland Football Fund, with awards of £500,000 to £1.5million and applications now open. The DUP-linked release says six projects will be supported.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Grassroots Facilities Programme pilot £9million funding call Original release: Lyons announces £9million for grassroots football facilities (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons welcomes appointment of contractor for £2million Environmental…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomes the appointment of contractor Northstone to build a £2million Environmental Improvement Scheme in Rathfriland, Gilford and Markethill, with works starting in Rathfriland in mid-March.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: £2million Environmental Improvement Scheme contractor appointment in Rathfriland, Gilford and Markethill Original release: Lyons welcomes appointment of contractor for £2million Environmental… (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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New waterfront plans will help to continue with the positive transformation of Derry – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson says proposed waterfront plans for Derry will be a game-changer and urges the public to comment on the £45 million Derry City Central Riverfront project, which would add cycle and walking routes and community spaces along The Quay.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Derry City Central Riverfront £45 million waterfront consultation Original release: New waterfront plans will help to continue with the positive transformation of Derry – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes commencement of major road improvement scheme for Ahoghill Road
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, welcomes the start of a £380,000 carriageway and footway upgrade on Ahoghill Road in Randalstown, due for completion by 3 April, and outlines the two-stage lane and daytime closures with a signed diversion.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ahoghill Road Randalstown carriageway and footway improvement scheme Original release: Kearney welcomes commencement of major road improvement scheme for Ahoghill Road (opens in a new tab)