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Business Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

SDLP Questions Minister’s Failure to Support Small Businesses

SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin has questioned Minister Conor Murphy’s failure to bid for support for small and medium-sized enteprises (SMEs). He confirmed in the Assembly on Tuesday that he did not bid for any funding in the latest monitoring round. Business groups had asked the Minister to provide support in the context of rises […]

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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

‘£350m Investment Underlines Executive’s Commitment to Health’

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed £350 million worth of funding for health which has been allocated by Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald. This means the majority of available funds will go to the health department. The party’s health spokesperson said: “Today’s announcement that £350 million will be going to the health department is welcome […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Health Newry Newry and Armagh

Newry: Aontú Raises Serious Concerns About Maternity Services at Daisy Hill Hospital

Aontú rep Sharon Loughran has raised serious concerns about maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. The Newry based rep says: “In recent weeks there has been heightened concern about the situation regarding maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. Patients have been diverted to Craigavon Hospital. Some maternity staff at Daisy Hill report being told at […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Stormont

Over £62 million In Additional Benefits Sees £21 million Boost For Pensioners

Over £62 million in additional benefits has been generated in 2023/24 by a Department for Communities service which helps people access entitlements they have not been claiming. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomed the annual Make the Call Wraparound Service results and highlighted an additional benefit uptake of £21.3 million by pensioners. The results also showed […]

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Armagh Business Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont Westminster

SDLP Launches ‘Childcare Guarantee’

The SDLP has published a proposal to transform early education and childcare provision in Northern Ireland and halve costs for parents by 2030. The SDLP’s proposal aims to guarantee: · Affordability for parents, through the publication of an Early Learning and Childcare Strategy that contains an ambition to cap costs to reduce them by 50% […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Lifestyle Stormont

Minister Announces Funding to Expand Access to Debt Advice Across Northern Ireland

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has announced £1.3m for an Integrated Advice Partnership Fund to be administered by local councils. The Minister made the announcement in an Oral Statement in the Assembly. The fund will boost existing debt services by providing alternative pathways to debt advice for people across Northern Ireland. Councils will use the funding […]

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Business Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living

Power NI Tariff to Increase by 4%

Northern Ireland’s biggest energy supplier, Power NI is set to increase its domestic electricity tariff by 4% effective from 1 December 2024. A typical Power NI customer with a credit meter will see their bill rise by around £38 per year, while customers with a keypad (PAYG) meter will see a yearly increase of about £37. […]

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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

McNulty: Hardship Payments Needed As Pensioners Miss Out on Winter Fuel Support

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has called for urgent clarity on a one-off payment for pensioners who are set to miss out on the Winter Fuel Allowance. In response to several Assembly Written Questions tabled by the SDLP, Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons has indicated that his department is exploring options to issue […]

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Business Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Lifestyle Newry Newry and Armagh Westminster

High Insurance Premiums Impacting Workers and Families In Newry and Armagh – Hughes

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has slammed the ever-increasing cost of home and motor insurance for residents of the BT34 and BT35 areas. Dáire Hughes said: “My office has been inundated with people reporting massive increases to the cost of their car and home insurance policies.   “Home insurance costs in particular have drastically risen, with […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Stormont

McNulty Secures Assurances From Southern Trust on Daisy Hill Maternity

Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has secured an assurance from the Southern Trust Chief Executive that there will be no attempt to withdraw maternity services from Daisy Hill Hospital. The SDLP Assembly Member was speaking after a crisis meeting with Trust Senior Management, amidst concerns of an imminent withdrawal of maternity services from Newry […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Lurgan Politics Upper Bann Westminster

MP Expresses Concern at Budget Implications

With the Labour Government’s Budget just days away, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her concerns about the possible implications for farmers and agri-food businesses in Northern Ireland. “The facts remain unknown, but there is strong speculation in Westminster that the 2024 Budget will focus on significant tax hikes and spending cuts. Chancellor Rachel […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Health Newry Newry and Armagh

Disability Advocate Role Established In Trust

The Southern Trust has welcomed a new Disability Advocate. Dr Clodagh Corrigan, from Rathfriland, is a Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine and is based in the Emergency Department in Daisy Hill Hospital. The Southern Trust is the first Trust in Northern Ireland to develop this role and Clodagh, who is a wheelchair user, hopes to […]