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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, […]

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Election 2022 Government Health Politics Stormont

Swann Announces Plan for Additional NHS Pay Rise

Following the November announcement of a pay increase of 3% for our wonderful NHS staff. Health Minister Robin Swann has invested in a further 1.5% pay increase. This announcement will enable an overall pay rise of 4.5% for bands 1 to 3 staff and 4% for bands 4 to 7. Speaking via a memo sent […]

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Business Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann Westminster

MP Welcomes Lidl Investment in Craigavon

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the announcement of a £3.5m investment by Lidl in the Craigavon area is welcome, particularly with the creation of 10 new supermarket jobs and 200 jobs during the construction phase. Carla Lockhart said: “Since entering the Northern Ireland market, Lidl has become a very popular store for many […]

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Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Time For Lockhart to End Brexit Spin – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that the most recent report by Manufacturing NI highlights the biggest concern for manufacturers is access to workers and not the Protocol, as our local MP Carla Lockhart would have us believe. The report highlights the priority in the current negotiations must be on finding practical solutions to ensure the […]

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Business Community Government Health Politics Stormont Uncategorized

Executive to Relax Covid-19 Restrictions: Here’s the Roadmap and Timeline

The Executive has today agreed an approach for relaxing the measures put in place to manage the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Ministers were updated today by the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor, who have confirmed that we are likely to be past the peak in case numbers, although it remains possible that case numbers […]