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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Newry Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Crisis Must Be Top of Executive Agenda

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the Executive must make addressing the health crisis its top priority. He was speaking after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt committed to raising the situation at this week’s Executive meeting at an emergency meeting of the Assembly’s Health Committee on Tuesday.  Mr McGrath said it was the […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Trusts Need Supported

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has emphasised the need to support health tusts. He had called for an urgent ministerial intervention and for a departmental assessment to determine the reasons behind the current vacancies in two of the five trust CEO positions. Commenting Colin McGrath MLA said, “Our trusts are facing unprecedented pressure, […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Education Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs In Irish Medium Schools Must Be Supported- Mason

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has urged the Department of Education to improve support for Special Educational Needs provision in Irish Medium schools. Speaking after the education committee, the South Down MLA said; “Children with Special Educational Needs who are learning through the medium of Irish face unique challenges and must be supported. “Irish Medium […]

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Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Entertainment Government Lifestyle Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Down

Christmas Lights Switch On Events Across Newry, Mourne and Down Announced

Newry Mourne and Down District Council is getting ready to light up the district this festive season!  Dates are set and Christmas lights will be turned on across its towns and city at Switch On events happening between Thursday 21 November and Saturday 7 December. These evenings will provide everyone with plenty of opportunities to enjoy […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick South Down Sport

Down GAA: €15.4m PEACEPLUS Investment Awarded for Ballykinlar Centre for Participation, Wellbeing and Shared Learning Hub

€15.4m PEACEPLUS Investment Awarded for Iconic Project at Ballykinlar – Centre for Participation, Wellbeing and Shared Learning Hub  Down Gaelic Athletic Association (Down GAA) are delighted with today’s announcement of €15,383,951.00 funding from the PEACEPLUS Programme for the development of the Ballykinlar Centre of Participation, Wellbeing and Shared Learning Hub.  The project will be developed […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Education Government Lifestyle Politics South Down Stormont

‘Time For Action to Cut Vaping In Schools’ – Mason

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has welcomed the passing of a motion in the Assembly calling on the education and health ministers to bring forward a plan to tackle vaping in schools. Cathy Mason said: “I have been working with parents and schools listening to their voices and the growing concerns around vaping in schools. […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Politics South Down Stormont Westminster

Stormont Should Utilise Surplus Flood Funds to Enhance Community Resilience – Hazzard

Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MP has asked the Stormont Executive to utilise surplus flood funding to help enhance the resiliency of local community groups to be able to respond to extreme weather events such as flooding and snow storms.  The South Down MP was speaking following a meeting this week with the Newcastle Community Flooding […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health South Down Stormont

McMurray Praises Local Organisations That Serve People Who Experience Homelessness In South Down

Andrew McMurray MLA spoke in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, praising local organisations that serve people who experience homelessness in South Down. The Alliance MLA said: “I was given the opportunity to speak in the Assembly about an issue of importance to my constituency this week and I decided to raise the problem of […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Legacy South Down Warrenpoint Westminster

Sinn Féin MP’s In London to Support Investigative Journalists at Tribunal

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane is today in London alongside Chris Hazzard MP to attend a tribunal which will examine allegations of police spying on journalists. The North Belfast MP said: “We are in London today to support the groundbreaking work of Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, and other journalists. “These investigative journalists have been […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath Questions Executive’s Commitment to Mental Health Services

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has questioned the Executive’s commitment to delivering improved mental health services. He was speaking after the Executive parties backed an amendment to the SDLP’s Opposition Day motion urging them to make suicide prevention a priority for all government departments. They removed a call to commit to this through their […]

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Climate Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Newcastle South Down Stormont

McMurray Raises Barriers to Green Growth In Assembly

Andrew McMurray MLA (Alliance) spoke before the NI Assembly in support of removing barriers to green growth last week. The motion, tabled by Mr McMurray together with other members of the Alliance Party, called on the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for the Economy to work together to deliver fundamental reform of the planning […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Politics South Down Stormont

Mason Welcomes Childcare Commitment In Draft Programme For Government

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has welcomed the Executive’s reaffirmed commitment to delivering affordable childcare. Speaking after the launch of the draft Programme for Government, the party’s childcare spokesperson said: “I welcome the launch of the draft Programme for Government which has reaffirmed the Executive’s ongoing commitment to delivering high quality, affordable childcare. “This follows […]