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Community Government Health Stormont

Changes to Care Home Visiting Arrangements

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed an easing of care home visiting restrictions and the expansion of the Care Partner scheme to include hospitals and hospices. Following advice from the Public Health Agency, Minister Swann has agreed that restrictions on visiting in care homes will move from ‘Gradual Easing’ to ‘Further Easing’. This change means […]

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Business Government Politics South Armagh Stormont

Update from Finance Minister on the Draft Budget

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has updated the Assembly on the Draft Budget and additional funding. Updating MLAs, Minister Murphy set out legal advice he has received on how budgetary matters could be progressed in the absence of an Executive. Minister Murphy said: “I have now received detailed legal advice and unfortunately it is not possible to […]

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Crime Government Stormont

New Legislation on Sexual Offences and Trafficking Moves a Step Closer

Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA took steps to further strengthen existing law and introduce new offences to tackle sexual offending in Northern Ireland. Moving the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill to Consideration Stage in the NI Assembly, Minister Long said: “Since my appointment as Justice Minister, I have made it my priority to legislate […]

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Government Infrastructure Stormont

Minister Publishes Report on Support For Biennial MOT Testing

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has published a summary of the findings from a Call for Evidence seeking views on the potential introduction of biennial (every two years) MOT testing for cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles.  Currently private cars and motorcycles are first MOT tested at four years old and light goods vehicles under 3,500kg are […]

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ABC Council Community Council Election 2022 Lurgan Upper Bann

Housing Executive Rent Freeze Good News – Mackle

Sinn Féin council group leader Liam Mackle has said the announcement of a rent freeze for people living in Housing Executive homes is good news for ordinary people and working families. Speaking after Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey made the announcement, the ABC representative said: “I welcome the rent freeze for people living in Housing Executive […]

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Climate Community Election 2022 Government Newry Politics Stormont

Kimmins Urges Need for Robust Planning System

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins is calling for action to improve our planning system in order to help build homes, improve environmental protections and facilitate economic development. The Newry and Armagh MLA stated: “A recent Audit office report stated that the planning system is failing to deliver for the economy, communities and the environment. “Of […]

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Armagh Government Newry Politics South Armagh Westminster

Tories Should Scrap Planned Hike in National Insurance – Brady

Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has called on the Tories to scrap the hikes in national insurance and said they have ‘failed’ to support people facing the cost-of-living crisis. Speaking after it was confirmed that inflation is the highest in 30 years, the Newry and Armagh MP said: “News that inflation is at its highest […]

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Community Election 2022 Government Infrastructure Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Public Backs SDLP Plan for MOT Testing Every 2 years 

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has welcomed a report from SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon that shows public support for move to biennial MOT testing.  A call for evidence on moving to MOT testing every two years received 1,224 responses with a high volume of interest and support for the plan.  Minister Mallon has […]

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Election 2022 Government Health Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

DUP Denying Access to Healthcare Not the Protocol -O’Dowd

Upper Bann Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has accused the DUP of denying people access to medicines and operations. Mr O’Dowd was putting a question to the Finance Minister in the Assembly in regards his statement that he could no longer proceed with a three budget in the wake of the resignation of  DUP First Minister […]

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Community Council Crime Government Newry NMD Council South Armagh South Down

Newry Mourne & Down PCSP Chair Says Proposed Budget Cut is Unacceptable!

The Chair of the Newry Mourne & Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), the Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Lewis, has said that a proposed cut to the current PCSP budget is unacceptable given that for the past two years the partnership has seen no rise in line with inflation. His concerns relate to correspondence […]

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Armagh Community Election 2022 Government Newry South Armagh Sport Stormont

Taylor Calls on Communities Minister to Reverse Her Decision Regarding Football Stadium Funding

Councillor David Taylor, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Newry & Armagh candidate in the forthcoming Assembly Election, has called on the Communities Minister to reverse her decision not to distribute the long overdue £36M Sub-Regional Stadia Programme funding for local football. Councillor David Taylor said: “The announcement by the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey was a shocking way to treat local […]

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Education Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd Has Welcomed Progress on Legislation for a Flexible School Starting Age

The Upper Bann representative and former Education Minister said: ‘’I welcome the progress this week on legislation going through the Assembly which will give families of year young children a choice to delay their school starting year. “This will benefit many children and families. ‘’Not every child that is young for their year will need to […]