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Community Government Health Newry Stormont

Health Minister Visits Women’s Aid Armagh Down on International Women’s Day

Health Minister Robin Swann, along with UUP party colleagues, Councillor David Taylor and Councillor Jill Macauley, visited Women’s Aid Armagh Down (WAAD) headquarters on Downshire Road in Newry. The Minister was briefed on the new ELEOS Project which aims to deliver a holistic support centre at the city centre site to help prevent revictimization and […]

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Government Louth Politics Stormont

World Changed as We Know It – Ó Murchú

The response to the war in Ukraine was ‘front and centre’ of the latest COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union) meeting held in Paris last week and attended by Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú. A member of the Oireachtas EU Affairs Committee, the Sinn Féin TD said […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

The Executive Has Failed Us All! – Workers Party

We are living through one of the worst crises in years. The cost of living is out of control, everyday essentials are beyond many people’s means and, for the second time in a matter of years, we have no functioning government. Add to that, the pressures on the health service, a low pay, unplanned economy, […]

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Community Crime Government Legacy Stormont

Public Apology to Victims and Survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse

Ministers Michelle McIlveen, Conor Murphy, Nichola Mallon, Robin Swann and Naomi Long have today offered a public apology to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse. Speaking in the Assembly Chamber at Parliament Buildings, the Ministers said: Minister Michelle McIlveen I am here today, together with my Ministerial colleagues, to apologise to you, victims and survivors […]

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Community Government Health Stormont

Mental Health Support Fund Making a Real Difference in Communities

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced details of the latest round of awards under the Mental Health Support Fund. Almost 80 charities and organisations working across Northern Ireland to help and support people with their mental health and wellbeing will receive grants as part of a new tranche of funding. The Minister recently confirmed that […]

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Agriculture Climate Community Government Stormont

£2.9million Funding For Environmental Projects

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced £2.9million funding for the delivery of 22 environmental projects across Northern Ireland during an oral statement to the NI Assembly. The Environment Fund for 2022 / 2023 will enable the not-for-profit organisations and councils to deliver key environmental projects that will focus on habitat restoration; species monitoring; enhancement […]

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Crime Government Stormont

New Stalking legislation Welcomed

The Protection from Stalking Bill passed its Final Stage in Northern Ireland Assembly. Welcoming its passing, Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “The delivery of this new legislation offers greater protection in our communities and its passing will be of great significance to anyone affected by stalking. “I want to pay tribute to victims of this horrendous […]

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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 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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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 […]