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Community Constituency Downpatrick Education Government Lifestyle Politics South Down Stormont

‘Time For Action to Cut Vaping In Schools’ – Mason

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has welcomed the passing of a motion in the Assembly calling on the education and health ministers to bring forward a plan to tackle vaping in schools. Cathy Mason said: “I have been working with parents and schools listening to their voices and the growing concerns around vaping in schools. […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Politics South Down Stormont Westminster

Stormont Should Utilise Surplus Flood Funds to Enhance Community Resilience – Hazzard

Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MP has asked the Stormont Executive to utilise surplus flood funding to help enhance the resiliency of local community groups to be able to respond to extreme weather events such as flooding and snow storms.  The South Down MP was speaking following a meeting this week with the Newcastle Community Flooding […]

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Community Constituency Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Stormont

Public Health Proposals Not Fit For Purpose – Kimmins

Sinn Féin spokesperson for health Liz Kimmins has said that the Department of Health’s public health proposals and consultation are not fit for purpose. Referring to Sinn Féin’s response to the public consultation, Kimmins said: “There is a need to ensure that public health legislation is up to date and fit for purpose. “However, any proposals from the Health Department for a new Public Health Bill must be […]

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Community Dáil Éireann Education Government Stormont

Ministers Announce Programme to Raise Achievement and Tackle Educational Disadvantage

Education Ministers from Northern Ireland and Ireland have officially announced the RAISE programme.  Education Minister Paul Givan was joined by Norma Foley TD, Education Minister in Ireland, on a visit to a number of schools in one of the identified localities today. The RAISE initiative will deliver a range of education support measures to help […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health South Down Stormont

McMurray Praises Local Organisations That Serve People Who Experience Homelessness In South Down

Andrew McMurray MLA spoke in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, praising local organisations that serve people who experience homelessness in South Down. The Alliance MLA said: “I was given the opportunity to speak in the Assembly about an issue of importance to my constituency this week and I decided to raise the problem of […]

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

“Deep Concerns Regarding Daisy Hill Maternity Services” Kimmins

Newry & Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins has expressed her deep concern regarding the capacity of maternity services across the Southern Trust area and in particular Daisy Hill Hospital. The Sinn Féin elected representative said, “I have been contacted by maternity staff from Daisy Hill expressing their serious concerns following a meeting with Southern Trust Senior […]

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Community Education Government Health Stormont

‘#Yes2SocialWork’ Campaign Launches to Encourage Studying to Be a Social Worker In Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) has launched its campaign, ‘#Yes2SocialWork’, highlighting the many career prospects and pathways to become a social worker in Northern Ireland. The Social Care Council delivers the campaign annually on behalf of the Department of Health (DoH) to promote the benefits of studying social work in […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh Stormont

Grant: Workers Party Concerns Over Watsons Road Development

Nicola Grant Workers Party Spokesperson has indicated that residents have approached her about the proposed new housing development on Watsons Road in Newry. She said it is raising significant concerns within the community particularly with regards to the impact it will have on local infrastructure and services. While Lotus Homes claim the project will have […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

TUV Call For Spotlight to Continue On Sinn Fein In Light of Scandals

The TUV have called for the spotlight to continue on Sinn Fein in light of more scandals this week. Statement by TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell: “The last few weeks have seen Sinn Fein flounder around as their story changed repeatedly in relation to the Michael McMonagle scandal. It is clear that both powerful […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

Sinn Fein Must Provide Total Clarity to Assembly – UUP

In light of further disclosures by Sinn Fein today, Ulster Unionist Party Deputy Leader, Robbie Butler MLA has issued the following statement. “This latest set of revelations only enhance the importance of getting answers to the many unanswered questions facing Sinn Fein. “At this point It is inconceivable not to expect the First Minister to address […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Health Politics Stormont Westminster

UNISON Disappointed No NHS Pay Offer Made

By UNISON NI Statement: UNISON NIs Health Committee is deeply disappointed at the fact that no pay offer has yet been made to Health staff.  This leaves us once again almost a year behind other parts of the UK and NHS and in a situation where pay parity is not being maintained as was promised.  […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

SDLP: Executive Must Secure Funding to Build 50,000 Homes

SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan has said the Executive must secure funding from Westminster to build 50,000 homes by 2032. He was speaking ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Tuesday. It calls on the Executive to ring-fence Barnett Consequential funding from house building in England and Wales to finance the plan. The […]