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‘Hidden Heroes’ Continuing to Build Safer Communities For All

Justice Minister Naomi Long has paid tribute to prison staff across Northern Ireland during a visit to Maghaberry Prison as part of Hidden Heroes Day 2021. Hidden Heroes Day was established by the Butler Trust to pay tribute to the people working in prisons, youth justice and probation across the UK.  During her visit to […]

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Minister Welcomes Booster Jab Roll-Out to Care Homes

The roll-out of Covid-19 vaccine boosters to NI’s care homes is underway, Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed. Health Trust vaccinator teams are bringing the boosters to care home residents and staff in a planned programme. First doses will also be available for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated. The wider NI booster dose […]

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Liquor Licensing Laws Finally Change

The first changes from new legislation to reform liquor licensing laws here will come into effect on 1 October 2021, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced. The first phase will mostly involve the extension of opening and drinking-up times, which will be a welcome boost for the hospitality sector in the lead up to the […]

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Working Tax Credit Customers Must Report Changes to Working Hours – HMRC

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging Working Tax Credit (WTC) customers to check if they need to update their working hours if these have reduced as a result of coronavirus. During the pandemic, WTC customers have not needed to tell HMRC about temporary short-term reductions in their working hours as a result of coronavirus […]

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Leaders Unite to Urge Reversal of Universal Credit Cut

First Minister Paul Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, together with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, have called on the Westminster Government to reverse their decision to withdraw the £20-per-week uplift to Universal Credit. In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the leaders of the three administrations highlighted the damaging impact […]

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£750k Investment in Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme Announced

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced that a new £750k tranche of the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) will open for applications on Friday 1 October 2021. The key aim of RMCGS 2021 is to provide small capital grants of between £200 and £1,500 to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling […]

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Health Minister Announces Grants to Support Mental Health Services

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the allocation of £8.7million in support grants to a range of charitable and community organisations providing mental health services. A total of 30 projects have received funding through the allocation of the first tranche of grants from the Mental Health Support Fund, part of a £24m package of funding […]

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NI Apprenticeship Awards 2022 Launched

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has launched the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022. The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022 will recognise excellence in apprenticeships and culminate in an awards ceremony on Wednesday 9 February 2022 – one of the highlight events during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2022, which will run from 7 to 11 February 2022. […]

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Time to Celebrate Older Residents During Positive Ageing Month

October is Positive Ageing Month – a month to really highlight and take notice of the important and valuable contributions that older people make to our society, and to raise awareness of the opportunities and the challenges of ageing in today’s world. To celebrate older residents, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the […]

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‘Street Smart Road Safe’ Guide Keeping Kid’s Safe

P5 primary school pupils across the borough are set to benefit from a new road safety booklet ‘Street Smart Road Safe’ that provides lots of advice and guidance for when they are walking, cycling or travelling as passengers. The comprehensive guide, which covers every aspect of how to keep safe on the road, has been […]

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Green Energy Bill Will Help Green Energy Producers – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said the party’s Green Energy Bill will ensure that small green energy producers get paid their fair share. Speaking ahead of a debate on Sinn Féin’s Small-Scale Green Energy Bill in the Assembly, the Newry/Armagh MLA said if passed, this bill will be a victory for families and the […]

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Benefit Cut Means ‘Heat or Eat!’ – Workers Party

The Workers Party spokesperson for West Belfast, Conor Duffy, has accused Executive Ministers Deirdre Hargey and Conor Murphy of ‘a callous disregard for low paid workers and people in receipt of benefits’ as the £20 weekly uplift to Universal Credit payments comes to an end this week. “It is simply unacceptable that the Communities Minister and […]