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Community Government Health Stormont

Swann Seeks Views on Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol

Health Minister Robin Swann has launched a new public consultation on the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol into Northern Ireland. Minister Swann said: “I made a commitment that I would hold a public consultation on the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for Alcohol in Northern Ireland within a year of the launch of […]

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Climate Community Government Stormont Upper Bann

Commencement of Waringstown Improvement Scheme Welcomed by DUP

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and local Councillor Mark Baxter have welcomed the start to a DAERA funded environmental improvement scheme in Waringstown. The work has started this week and will be completed by the summer. Carla Lockhart said: “This is a very good day for Waringstown, with the much anticipated environmental improvement scheme now […]

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Community Government Infrastructure Portadown Westminster

Lockhart Welcomes Pavement Scheme at Birches

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has given a warm welcome to news from the Department for Infrastructure that a £60,000 pavement extension project will be delivered at the Birches, Portadown. Carla Lockhart said: “This is very good news for the community, with confirmation I have received from the Department for Infrastructure that the existing footway […]

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Community Government Stormont

Energy Support Payment Starting Next Week

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that payments from the £55million Energy Payment Support Scheme will start being paid from 10 March 2022.  This one-off payment of £200 will provide support for people struggling to meet rising energy costs due to the global fuel crisis. It will be made automatically to around 280,000 eligible people in receipt […]

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Crime Government NMD Council South Down

DUP Councillor Suspended Following Allegations of Child Sexual Grooming

A DUP Councillor in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been suspended by the party following allegations of child sexual grooming. A spokesperson for the PSNI stated recently: “A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, yesterday (Tuesday 22nd February) in the County Down area.  He has […]

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Community Council Crime Downpatrick Government NMD Council South Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Councillor Arrested on Suspicion of Child Sexual Grooming

A Newry, Mourne and Down District Councillor has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to meet a child following potential sexual grooming. A spokesperson for the PSNI stated on Tuesday evening (22nd February): “A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, yesterday (Tuesday 22nd February) in the County […]

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Community Crime Government Politics Stormont

New Domestic Abuse Offence Comes Into Force

Domestic abuse in all its forms, both physical and non-physical, is wrong and will not be tolerated, Justice Minister Naomi Long said. She was speaking as an advertising campaign was launched to raise awareness of the new offence within the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, which has now come into force. […]

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Community Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly: Struggling Families Need £200 Fuel Payment Now 

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has urged Minister Deirdre Hargey to get the £200 fuel support payment to struggling families.  Mrs Kelly said people in communities across the North need support now, with payments not expected to be made until March.   The SDLP has contacted Minister Hargey to clarify when the payments will […]

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Campaigns Community Daisy Hill Dáil Éireann Election 2022 Government Health Newry Stormont

Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Visits Daisy Hill

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane has said there are huge opportunities for Daisy Hill to grow and develop on an all-island basis. Speaking after visiting the hospital to meet with health workers and the Southern Trust, the party’s Dáil health spokesperson said: “I was pleased to visit Daisy Hill to meet health workers to listen […]

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Community Government Health Stormont

New Spring Covid 19 Boosters Available

A spring COVID-19 booster vaccination will be offered to those aged 75 and over, as well as anyone over the age of 12 who is immunosuppressed. The JCVI is advising that those who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 should be offered an additional booster this spring. Most people in this group will have received their […]

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Agriculture Community Government Stormont

Poots Praises Rural Communities for Using £7.5million Fund to Benefit Young and Old

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has visited several projects in counties Fermanagh and Tyrone to see first-hand how a £7.5million programme is benefitting rural businesses and communities. Thanks to his Department’s Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme, Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group (FOLAG) has been investing the money into village renewal projects, rural businesses and […]

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Community Education Government Stormont

£1.5M Funding to Local Employment and Education Projects

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that her Department will provide match funding for 2022/23 to European Social Fund (ESF) projects who currently deliver services on behalf of her Department. The ESF projects aim to help and support people most removed from the labour market to overcome major barriers to social inclusion and entering employment. The pandemic […]