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Armagh Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Pay Offer For NI Water Workers Represents ‘Positive Solution’ – Boylan

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed a pay offer made to NI Water workers that would see their wages rise by 5%, as well them being paid a one-off £1500 payment. The Newry and Armagh MLA said: “This represents a significant step forward, with a 5% pay rise and a £1500 payment offered to NI Water […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

McNulty Calls for Equality on Cross-Border Rail Travel

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has raised the stark disparity in rail fares between the North and the Republic at a Stormont debate this week. Mr. McNulty brought a motion calling for Executive Ministers to align rail fares across the island of Ireland. Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: “I brought this motion to the […]

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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Education Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

McNulty: School Uniforms Bill Must Deliver For Families

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said a new School Uniforms Bill must deliver real change for families. Mr. McNulty was speaking after Education Minister Paul Givan announced that he intends to bring forward legislation with Executive support. Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: “It is welcome that the eye-watering costs of […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Kimmins Welcomes Passing of Motion Calling For Improved Regulation For Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed the passing of her party’s motion in the Assembly on Monday calling for improved regulation for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. The party’s health spokesperson said: “Non-surgical cosmetic treatments, such as botox and dermal fillers, are becoming increasingly popular, and it is important we have the proper regulations in place […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Health Politics Stormont

Minister Announces Additional Funding For Homelessness

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced an additional £3.7million for homelessness and £3million to support NIHE service delivery but added that collective effort is needed to deal with the growing challenge in our society. At the start of Homelessness Awareness week, the Minister outlined his support for a motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly which called […]

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

Newry: Health Hub Delayed Until 2029

By Donal McMahon A “disappointing” new two year delay to developing the £88m Newry Community Treatment and Care Centre (CTCC) has been criticised as “bad business”. The updated 2029 timeframe has been revealed this week by the Southern Trust during a special meeting with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC). The ‘health hub’ project […]

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Community Education Government Politics Stormont

Minister Announces £1.2m Pre-School Support Fund For Children With Special Educational Needs

The Minister said: “Pre-school education settings are facing challenges in supporting increasing numbers of children with additional needs in their pre-school year. This additional funding will help settings to support those needs. “Settings will have flexibility on how they use the funding, which can be used to resource additional staff hours, buy in therapeutic interventions or […]

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Community Education Government Health Politics Stormont

Defibrillators to be Provided to All Schools In Northern Ireland

Education Minister Paul Givan has today announced a significant new initiative to fund and roll out Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to all schools in Northern Ireland. A recent survey has indicated that less than half of schools in Northern Ireland currently have a defibrillator on site. The Department of Education will provide over £700,000 of funding […]

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Community Crime Government Politics Stormont

Executive Committed to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

The Executive has issued a statement reiterating their commitment to ending violence against women and girls. Marking White Ribbon Day, also known as the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and the start of a period known as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Ministers issued the following […]

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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

McNulty: Winter Fuel Support Too Little, Too Late For Many

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has hit out at the Executive’s repeated failures to address rising fuel poverty. Mr McNulty criticised a delayed winter fuel support scheme for pensioner households excluded from the Winter Fuel Payment, which won’t be paid until March 2025. Speaking following a statement from the Minister for Communities to the Assembly, Mr […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Health Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

McNulty: Urgent Intervention Required at NI Water

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has called on the Minister and Executive to intervene urgently to address the problems at NI Water. Mr McNulty said the state of the wastewater system was delaying infrastructure projects across the North. Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: “The crisis at NI Water requires immediate intervention […]

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

Site Work to Enable Free Hospital Car Parking In 2026

Work is commencing at hospital sites across Northern Ireland in preparation for the removal of car parking charges in May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts have been preparing to introduce the necessary infrastructure for a new traffic management system since the Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022. […]