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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Down Stormont Upper Bann

McGrath: Ambulance Delays Contributing to Health Service Collapse

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said that lengthy delays in ambulance response times is contributing to the collapse of the health service. He was speaking after a debate in the Assembly on Monday. Mr McGrath has long been highlighting the impact of ambulance delays, particularly in rural areas. South Down MLA Mr […]

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Government Health Politics Stormont

Executive Statement on Winter Pressures

This has been a particularly difficult winter across the Health and Social Care system, with exceptionally high flu rates and hospital admissions. We understand how difficult it has been for many patients and their families who have experienced long waits to access the care they need in a suitable environment. While these challenges are being […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Minister O’Dowd Thanks Winter Service Staff

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has thanked everyone involved in the delivery of winter service during the current period of cold weather. Temperatures have fallen below zero over the past week and the Department’s winter service teams have been out gritting the 7,000 km of road on the salting schedule.   Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: […]

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Business Community Government Infrastructure Stormont

New Self-Serve Translink Ticket Vending Machines Now Live at Ulsterbus Stations and Park and Ride

Translink has announced the roll out of new self-serve ticket vending machines (TVMs) at bus stations across the network, and to additional Park and Ride locations.  The new tech makes it faster, easier and more convenient for passengers to buy their bus ticket before they travel. This follows the successful introduction of TVMs at all […]

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Community Crime Government Health Politics Stormont

Ministers Launch Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Local Change Fund

The First Minister and deputy First Minister have announced the launch of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Local Change Fund. As part of a wider £3.2 million investment, this first step will see £2 million shared across all 11 councils to enable them to support EVAWG action in their local areas. The […]

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Community Crime Government Stormont

First Statistics on Domestic Abuse Prosecutions and Convictions Published

Justice Minister Naomi Long welcomes the first official publication of domestic abuse prosecutions and convictions statistics.  The statistics published today relate to the domestic abuse offence (and associated child aggravators) and any other offence aggravated by reason of involving domestic abuse, provided for in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021. The […]

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Armagh Business Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont Westminster

Minister Murphy Warns of Devastating Impact on Tourism as Home Office Travel Scheme Begins

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has again pressed the Home Office to reconsider their implementation of a new scheme that will have a devastating impact on tourism in the north of Ireland. The Minister was speaking as the next phase of the British Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme goes live.  From tomorrow (8 January), non-European […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Newry Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Crisis Must Be Top of Executive Agenda

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the Executive must make addressing the health crisis its top priority. He was speaking after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt committed to raising the situation at this week’s Executive meeting at an emergency meeting of the Assembly’s Health Committee on Tuesday.  Mr McGrath said it was the […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath: Health Trusts Need Supported

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has emphasised the need to support health tusts. He had called for an urgent ministerial intervention and for a departmental assessment to determine the reasons behind the current vacancies in two of the five trust CEO positions. Commenting Colin McGrath MLA said, “Our trusts are facing unprecedented pressure, […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Seanad Éireann South Armagh Stormont

Conor Murphy to Run For Seanad Éireann As All-Ireland Politics Come Centre Stage

Sinn Féin Assembly Member for Newry/Armagh, Conor Murphy, will contest the upcoming elections to Seanad Éireann, bringing a strong northern voice to Leinster House. His candidacy underscores Sinn Féin’s commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland, promoting the All-Ireland economy, and advancing the Irish unity debate in the Oireachtas. Speaking in Dublin, Sinn Féin […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Stormont

Department of Health Issues Statement on Winter Pressures

The health and social care system continues to experience severe pressure on services. The system is working extremely hard to care for patients. Priority will always be given to cases that are immediately life threatening. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to staff. The Department, on behalf of the health and social care […]

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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Kimmins Welcomes Pay Deal For Health Workers

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed an agreement on fair pay for health workers. The party’s health spokesperson said: “I welcome today’s agreement on fair pay for health workers between the health minister and trade unions. “These workers are the backbone of our health and social care system and it is absolutely right that […]