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Election 2022 Government Infrastructure Newry Stormont

Car Tax Penalty Due to MOT Backlog Totally Unfair to Drivers – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has stated that drivers getting Car Tax penalties because of the Vehicle testing backlog is unfair and needs addressed. The Newry and Armagh MLA said: “People need a valid MOT in order to tax their vehicle. And while the DVA asks for drivers to contact them if they need an urgent […]

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Community Education Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly Highlights Challenges Facing Local Schools 

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has highlighted a number of issues facing schools across the area. Mrs Kelly invited Education Minister Michelle McIlveen to the constituency last week to show her first hand the good work going on in the schools and highlight the need for further funding. Mrs Kelly took Minister McIlveen to […]

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Armagh Education Government Newry Politics South Armagh Stormont

Access to Period Products – Just Do It! – Campbell

The Stormont Executive seems determined to add to the pressures and the indignity already experienced by thousands of women and girls every month. Instead of getting on with placing free period products in schools, colleges, universities and other public places government departments are fighting amongst themselves over who should be responsible for it.More than a […]

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Downpatrick Government Health Kilkeel South Down Stormont

McGrath Urges Those Bereaved Through Contaminated Blood Scandal to Apply for Financial Support

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has urged those bereaved as a result of the contaminated blood scandal to come forward and apply for financial support. Those eligible must apply before March 31 2022 or they will lose out on payments being backdated to April 2019. The payments to the bereaved range from £14,000 to £34,000 […]

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Education Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Welcomes Funding Boost for Special Educational Needs

Sinn Féin MLA John ODowd has welcomed the announcement by finance minister Conor Murphy which will see an additional £18 million of funding to support children with special educational needs.  This money forms part of a £40 million funding package for education. The Upper Bann spokesperson and former Education Minister said: “I welcome this funding announcement of […]

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Community Downpatrick Election 2022 Health Kilkeel South Down Stormont

McGrath Calls for Greater Sharing of Information Around Suicides  

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has called for a greater sharing of information about the number of people presenting at hospital emergency departments in a mental health crisis.   Mr McGrath had asked Health Minister Robin Swann for the number of people presenting at emergency departments when feeling suicidal or having attempted suicide.    He was […]

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Business Election 2022 Government Newry Stormont

McNulty Welcomes Murphy U-Turn on Hotel Support

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has welcomed a U-Turn by Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy on support for the hotel industry. Mr. McNulty had publicly rebuked Minister Murphy’s decision to exclude hotels from the Executive’s hospitality support package announced on 23rd December. Speaking after the U-Turn, the SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA commented, “I’m relieved that […]

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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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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. […]