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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Newry Newry and Armagh

St Vincent de Paul Launch Annual Appeal

Although it can be a most wonderful time of the year for many, some families struggle at this time of year with all the pressures that can be associated with Christmas. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has launched its Annual Appeal in this the 180th anniversary year of SVP in Ireland, SVP Regional […]

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Business Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Newry Newry and Armagh South Down

Newry, Mourne and Down Most Expensive Area For Home Insurance

The average home insurance premium in Northern Ireland is now at £487 a year, making Northern Ireland the most expensive region in the UK – 65% more expensive than the dearest spot in GB, with London coming in second, at £295. The overall UK average price for home insurance has risen in the third quarter of 2024 […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Health Newry Newry and Armagh

Stakeholders Plea For Daisy Hill at Trust Board Meeting

By François Vincent ‘Daisy Hill Future Group’ representatives, Karl Hughes and Dr Donal Duffin were given speaking rights at last Thursday’s (November 21) Southern HSC Trust board meeting. Part of their address was around what they see as the need for Craigavon Area Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital to work more closely together. Secretary of […]

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

McNulty: Winter Fuel Support Too Little, Too Late For Many

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has hit out at the Executive’s repeated failures to address rising fuel poverty. Mr McNulty criticised a delayed winter fuel support scheme for pensioner households excluded from the Winter Fuel Payment, which won’t be paid until March 2025. Speaking following a statement from the Minister for Communities to the Assembly, Mr […]

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

British Government Changes to Farm Inheritance Tax Must Be Reversed – Hughes

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has called for the British government’s plan to cut inheritance tax relief for farmers to be reversed. The Newry and Armagh MP was speaking after meeting with farmers’ representatives in Westminster this morning and after thousands of farmers came together last night to oppose the proposed changes. Dáire Hughes MP […]

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

Site Work to Enable Free Hospital Car Parking In 2026

Work is commencing at hospital sites across Northern Ireland in preparation for the removal of car parking charges in May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts have been preparing to introduce the necessary infrastructure for a new traffic management system since the Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022. […]

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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 […]