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Community Government Newry Politics Westminster

Gas Price Hikes Will Be Another Blow For Families – Brady

Sinn Fein MP Mickey Brady has said news that households and businesses will suffer further hikes in gas prices in coming weeks will be another huge blow for workers and families.   The Newry and Armagh MP was speaking after the Utility Regulator warned that households and businesses will face gas price hikes of at least 30% […]

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Community Dáil Éireann Government Louth

More Home Support Carers Needed – Ó Murchú

Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú has called on the government to act urgently to ensure carers are available for people who need home support, after new figures revealed shocking numbers of people have been left without much-needed carers. Figures released to Sinn Féin spokesperson on Disability and Carers Pauline Tully TD by […]

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Election 2022 Government Politics South Down Stormont

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

SDLP Newry, Mourne and Down Councillor Karen McKevitt said it is unbelievable there was £100m unallocated in the Assembly’s January monitoring round as families struggle with the cost of living crisis. Cllr. McKevitt said Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy has failed people who are in need, with the money now at risk of being […]

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Business Election 2022 Government Politics Stormont

Stormont’s Financial Mismanagement on Show

Stormont’s financial mismanagement on show Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:- “The statement from the Sinn Fein Finance Minister on the January monitoring round reveals a number of significant facts:- there is over another £200m extra to Stormont from U.K. Treasury in Barnett consequentials;Stormont departments have been unable to spend all the funds they had, with […]

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Business Government Stormont

Murphy Welcomes Opening of Hospitality Support Scheme

Conor Murphy, Sinn Féin Finance Minister has welcomed the opening of his £40M hospitality scheme Speaking after the announcement Conor said: “My hospitality support package is now open. “This scheme will provide grants of between £10,000 and £20,000, helping over 3,000 hospitality businesses recover from the impact of Omicron. “LPS will contact eligible hospitality businesses […]

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Government Politics Stormont Westminster

EU-UK Negotiations Need to Offer Stability and Certainty as Soon as Possible – UUP

Following reports that European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič wants EU-UK negotiations on the Protocol to conclude by the end of February, Steve Aiken MLA, UUP Finance spokesperson said: “The usually well-informed Tony Connelly of RTE has indicated today that Maroš Šefčovič is seeking to pressurise the UK to conclude negotiations by the end of […]

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Business Community Dáil Éireann Government Politics

Minister Martin Announces the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme 2022 (MEBAS 2022)

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, announced the opening date for the 2022 strand of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme).  This simpler, easier to access new scheme will further support performers and individuals in the music business that have been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions. The […]

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Dáil Éireann Government Politics

Progress Report of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 Published

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Social Inclusion, Joe O’Brien TD, have today published the first Progress Report of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025.  The five year Roadmap is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and sets out a clear path for reducing […]

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Community Dáil Éireann Government Louth Seanad Éireann

Fianna Fail Welcome St.Brigid’s Public Holiday 

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the announcement that St Brigid’s day will be marked with a new public holiday from 2023 after years of active campaigning on the issue. The closest Monday to the 1st of February will be a public holiday.  Senator O’Loughlin said, “As a Kildare person I am delighted […]

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Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Withdrawal of Double Jobbing a Victory For Dialogue and Engagement – UUP

Following confirmation by the Prime Minister that plans to bring back double jobbing in Northern Ireland have been withdrawn, Ulster Unionist peer, Lord Empey, said: “This is a victory for positive dialogue and engagement with Government and other parties. You don`t have to threaten to crash the institutions for unionism to have influence with Government. […]

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Community Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

John O’Dowd on Loss of EU Funding

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said the loss of EU Funding due to the Tory/DUP Brexit is putting jobs and livelihoods at risk. The Upper Bann spokesperson said: “The Department for the Economy has lost £65 million per year in EU funding as direct result of the Brexit delivered by the British Government and the […]

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Business Government South Armagh South Down Stormont Upper Bann

Omicron Hospitality Payment Scheme Underway

Land & Property Services has begun contacting hospitality businesses to confirm their details to enable the Omicron Hospitality Payment to be made. Over 3,200 businesses will be eligible for a one-off grant payment of either £10,000, £15,000 or £20,000 based on their rateable value. Eligible businesses will include; restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, bistros, snack bars, […]