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Kayaks Stolen From Community Association

Sinn Féin Councillor Oonagh Magennis has said that the theft of four kayaks owned by  Camlough Community association was a very mean act. The local Councillor said, “Four of Camlough Community Association’s kayaks and paddles have been stolen from the container at the lake between Friday evening(18th) and Sunday morning(20th June).They have Camlough Lake written […]

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TESTING WILL HELP US GET THROUGH TESTING TIMES – SWANN

Health Minister Robin Swann has set out all the ways testing can help keep people safe from COVID-19. “Alongside vaccination and contact tracing, testing is one of the main pillars of protection against the virus,” the Minister said. “A number of different COVID-19 testing services are available in Northern Ireland and I would encourage people to […]

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MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY PLAYS A VITAL ROLE – GIVAN

First Minister Paul Givan has praised the work of mental health charity PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland. The First Minister visited the PIPS offices on the Antrim Road in Belfast to speak to staff, and see how the facilities have been improved with funding from the Executive’s Social Investment Fund programme, delivered by the Executive Office. […]

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County Down man fined £2,500 for offence under Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations

County Down man Geoffrey Chambers (63) of Moneydarragh Road in Annalong was today fined a total of £2,500 at Newry Magistrates’ Court for one offence under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. Mr Chambers had failed to comply with a Reinstatement Notice to return a field at Mill Road, Mullartown, Annalong back […]

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HEALTH MINISTER PUBLISHES CONSULTATION ANALYSIS REPORT ON NEW MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY

Health Minister Robin Swann has published a Consultation Analysis Report on the Draft Mental Health Strategy, which itself was published in December. Welcoming the input from all those who participated in the consultation, Minister Swann said: “I am very grateful to the large numbers of individuals and organisations who contributed to the process, both during the […]

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COMMUNITIES MINISTER HARGEY ADDRESSES COMMITTEE ON WELFARE MITIGATIONS

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey appeared before the Committee for Communities to provide an update on her efforts to extend the existing welfare mitigation schemes and to close loopholes that can affect entitlement. Minister Hargey stressed her personal commitment to progressing the legislation at the earliest possible opportunity and informed the Committee that she has written […]

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FLEXIBILITY NEEDED IN ROLLOUT OF VACCINATION PROGRAMME

Health Minister Robin Swann has called on employers to show flexibility with employees over Covid-19 vaccination appointments. The Minister said it is vitally important that first and second dose appointments are kept: “We have an ongoing issue at present with people seeking to reschedule their second dose dates. “While this will obviously be unavoidable in some […]

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MCILVEEN COMMENTS ON 2021 POST PRIMARY SCHOOL TRANSFER

Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has commented on the 2021 post primary transfer process. Addressing issues of concern for some pupils and parents the Minister said: “On Saturday 12 June almost 99% of our P7 children were notified that they were placed in a school of their preference and 85% were told they had gained a place […]

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CROSS-BORDER HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVE REINSTATED

Health Minister Robin Swann is to reinstate the cross-border healthcare directive to the Republic of Ireland. The directive is a temporary measure for a 12 month period to help reduce Northern Ireland waiting lists and will be subject to strict criteria. The Minister said: “A key principle of our health service is that access to services […]

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NHS STAFF ON COURSE FOR COVID BONUS PAYMENT

Following a lengthy battle with Covid 19 which is still continuing, the Northern Ireland executive agreed to a £500 NHS special recognition payment as a thank you to our amazing NHS staff. However thanks to extensive planning and negotiations from the Department of Health it has been revealed via their website that they are on […]

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MURPHY ANNOUNCES BUSINESS RATES REVALUATION

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has today announced a revaluation of all 74,750 non-domestic properties, delivering on his commitment for more frequent revaluations here. Known as ‘Reval2023’, this process will result in a new non-domestic Valuation List being used to calculate business rate bills from April 2023. Announcing the revaluation, Minister Murphy said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has […]

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Full Vehicle Testing to Resume

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced that the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is planning to resume full vehicle testing services from 26 July. In light of the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, which has enabled a number of close contact services to resume including driving tests, the DVA has carried out a review of its […]