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Election 2022 Government Infrastructure Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly: Threat of Further Fuel Price Increase Causing Real Panic

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has said people across the North will be simply unable to afford a 30% gas price increase.    Mrs Kelly said the continued rise in energy prices amidst the cost of living crisis was causing real panic in communities.  She was speaking after the Utility Regulator warned of the […]

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Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly: Sinn Féin Ministers Asleep at the Wheel as Families Struggle to Make Ends Meet

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said it is unbelievable there was £100m unallocated in the Assembly’s January monitoring round as families struggle with the cost of living crisis. Mrs Kelly said Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy has failed people who are in need, with the money now at risk of being returned to […]

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Community Lurgan Upper Bann

£250k Council Spend on Jubilee Criticised- Cllr Mackle

Speaking after Unionist Councillors on ABC Council voted to spend £250k of ratepayers money on Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee. Cllr Mackle said: ‘At a time when  workers and families across the Borough are facing rising food and fuel prices and many have lost jobs the decision by unionist councillors to spend over £1/4M of ratepayers money […]

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Community Election 2022 Government Health Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Supports Parental Bereavement Bill

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has hailed progress on putting into law the right to paid leave following the death of a child, stillbirth or miscarriage. Mr O’Dowd, who spoke and voted in favour of the Bill in the Assembly, said: “This legislation will ensure workers whose child dies or who suffer stillbirth have the right […]

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Community Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly: Hargey Must Issue Fuel Support Payment Before Next Planned Gas Hike!

The SDLP has written to Sinn Féin Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, urging her to take the plight of people here seriously in the face of yet another price hike.   Gas suppliers have contacted customers this week warning of a 33.57% tariff increase in addition to already record high energy costs. SDLP Upper Bann MLA […]

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Community Education Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly Highlights Challenges Facing Local Schools 

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has highlighted a number of issues facing schools across the area. Mrs Kelly invited Education Minister Michelle McIlveen to the constituency last week to show her first hand the good work going on in the schools and highlight the need for further funding. Mrs Kelly took Minister McIlveen to […]

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Armagh Banbridge Community Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann

Send a card, deliver a smile!

A pilot project in conjunction with the ABC Loneliness Network has created a ‘Kindness Post Box’ in the Southern Trust area. The original idea for the ‘Kindness Post Box’ came from Fermanagh woman Nuala O’Toole at the start of the pandemic. A community focussed venture, across generations, the idea is for children to write a […]

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Education Lurgan Upper Bann

Each Rural School Has Its Own Unique Story-O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said there cannot be a blanket approach to rural schools from the Education Authority and the Department of Education when it comes to Area Planning. The former Education Minister said: “Rural schools are the heartbeat of local communities in Upper Bann and further afield, and the Education Authority shouldn’t […]

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Infrastructure Lurgan Upper Bann

Kelly Welcomes Greenway Development Support

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has welcomed a programme to provide greenway development support from SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon. Minister Mallon has awarded a grant of £50,000 to Sustrans to carry out an assessment of the current state of greenway development across the north and develop a phased programme of greenway delivery in […]

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Education Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Welcomes Funding Boost for Special Educational Needs

Sinn Féin MLA John ODowd has welcomed the announcement by finance minister Conor Murphy which will see an additional £18 million of funding to support children with special educational needs.  This money forms part of a £40 million funding package for education. The Upper Bann spokesperson and former Education Minister said: “I welcome this funding announcement of […]

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Business Community Lurgan Upper Bann

Mackle Welcomes Extra Funding Announcement

Sinn Féin Council Group Leader Liam Mackle has welcomed extra funding announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey for local Councils for rates support. The ABC representative said: “I welcome the announcement by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey that local Councils will receive extra money for the Rates Support Grant which will now total over £21 million. […]

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Armagh Banbridge Community Education Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann

45 Funded Places on Offer at HGV Training and Employment Academy

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council announces the first Labour Market Partnership project with the launch of a brand new Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) HGV Training and Employment Academy, which will deliver fully-funded training for 45 applicants to qualify as HGV drivers and guarantee an interview with a local employer with HGV vacancies. […]