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Election 2022 Government Politics Stormont

DUP Decision to Collapse the Executive Has Created a Budgetary Crisis – UUP

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, UUP Finance spokesperson and Chair of the Finance Committee has stated that the DUP`s decision to collapse the Executive puts the vital transformation of health services in real danger. Steve Aiken said: “The collapse of the Executive has brought about a budgetary crisis. For once, with over an additional £300M to […]

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Election 2022 Government Health Politics Stormont

Latest Political Instability More Damaging for Health Service – UUP

Following the announcement by the Finance Minister that a 3-year budget will now not be available to the Health Service as a result of the DUP`s decision to collapse the Northern Ireland Executive, Ulster Unionist Health spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, said: “The health service was depending enormously on the agreement of a multi-year budget. That […]

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Election 2022 Government Health South Down Stormont

McGrath Pays Tribute to Children’s Cancer Unit

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has paid tribute to the outstanding staff in Northern Ireland’s Children’s Cancer Unit on International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. Every year between 60 and 70 children are diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland and they will all spend time at the Children’s Cancer Unit at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. […]

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Agriculture Climate Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Slap a Windfall Tax on Energy Companies Making Huge Profits-O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said ‘more must be done’ to support workers and families with soaring energy bills. Speaking after the party met with Firmus Energy, the Upper Bann MLA said: “Spiralling global energy prices and rising living costs are placing a huge burden on already struggling workers and families.  “We have met […]

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Business Government Stormont

Almost £2million Support Paid to Hotels – Murphy

One hundred hotels have benefitted from almost £2 million of support from the Department of Finance’s Omicron Hospitality Payment. This morning, Finance Minister Conor Murphy met with representatives from the NI Hotels Federation and hoteliers at Armagh City Hotel. Minister Murphy said: “The Omicron Hospitality Payment was extended to hotels just over two weeks ago. To […]

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Community Government Stormont

Hargey Simplifies Access to Funding for Community Groups

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has introduced changes which will simplify the process for Neighbourhood Renewal grant administration. The Minister announced the move, which will benefit circa 300 community based organisations across 65 geographical areas, during a visit to Shankill Women’s Centre. Minister Hargey said: “I have listened to the sector and on the back of those […]

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Community Government Stormont

Minister Opens Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has today announced the 2022 Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme is now open for applications. In addition to the 100 bursaries available, 70 successful applicants from 2020 who have been unable to attend a Gaeltacht course due to Covid-19 restrictions will also attend in 2022, bringing the total investment this year to […]

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Agriculture Community Government Stormont

Rescuing Lives From the Skies

Almost £500,000 has been given to two search and rescue groups that played a vital role in controlling last year’s devastating fire on the Mourne Mountains. Mourne Mountain Rescue received £212,000 and Skywatch NI received £284,000 from the new £2million Covid Scheme announced by Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots. The scheme will help nine of […]

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Community Government Stormont

£42.6million Contract Award for Fire & Rescue Service Learning and Development Centre

The £42.6million final phase of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Learning and Development Centre near Cookstown is due to begin in May 2022.  Health Minister Robin Swann made the announcement during a visit to the Northern Ireland Executive flagship project outside Cookstown today. There he met NIFRS Board Representative Ken Henning MBE, […]

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Community Crime Government Stormont

Organised Crime Task Force Praised

Justice Minister Naomi Long has praised the partners represented on the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) for delivering a series of successful operations, including significant seizures of drugs, cigarettes and counterfeit goods. Speaking during a visit to the PSNI Cyber Crime Centre in Belfast to mark publication of the 2020/21 OCTF Annual Report, Naomi Long […]

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Community Government Health Stormont

Health Minister Welcomes ‘Dáithí’s Law’

From 2023, adults in Northern Ireland will be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill, which passed the final stage of consideration in the Assembly today, will be known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in recognition of five-year-old Dáithí Mac […]

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Business Election 2022 Government Stormont

Success of £11m Covid Business Grant Programme Praised

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today praised the Covid-19 Productive Investment Capital Grant (PICG), which supported 103 businesses to invest in new technology and processes to improve efficiency and resilience. The scheme was developed by Invest Northern Ireland to help businesses to adapt to, and recover from, the challenges of Covid-19. It received £11million of funding […]