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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

Pensioners to Protest at Stormont Over Removal of Winter Fuel Payment

Draft programme for government provides nothing to Northern Ireland pensioners What: National Pensioners Convention protest When: 11am-1pm Monday October 7th 2024 Where: Bottom of steps at Stormont buildings (some protesters gathering at entrance gates from 10.30am) The National Pensioners Convention in Northern Ireland will host a protest at Stormont over the government’s failure to address the needs of older […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Announces A5 Construction to Begin

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced his intention to proceed with construction of the first stretch of the A5 in early 2025. This will see the first 55kms/34 miles of the project proceed from the proposed Junction 8 (south of Strabane) to the proposed Junction 15 near Ballygawley including the westward extension of the existing […]

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

McNulty Praises Inspiring Leadership of New Ireland Youth Forum

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has spoken of the “inspiring leadership” demonstrated by the young people leading the New Ireland Youth Forum, at the launch of their vision statement for the future of the island. The Shared Island Youth Forum comprises 80 young civic leaders from diverse backgrounds born since the 1998 Good […]

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

Hospital Reconfiguration Must Be Aimed at Delivering Service Improvements – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said that any reset of hospital services must be focused on improving the services available and delivering better outcomes for patients. The Newry and Armagh MLA was speaking after the health minister launched a consultation into adjusting services in hospitals.  The MLA who is her party’s health spokesperson said: […]

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

McNulty Presses For Action on Insurance Premium Affordability

Newry & Armagh SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has welcomed changes to the North’s personal injury discount rate, and has insisted that this must be reflected in insurance premiums being paid by consumers. Mr. McNulty has strongly advocated at the Assembly’s Justice Committee for the Justice Minister to use her influence with the Government Actuary Department […]

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

People’s Assembly on Irish Unity to Be Hosted In Armagh

Dáire Hughes, Newry and Armagh MP, has announced that Sinn Féin will be holding a People’s Assembly on Irish Unity in Armagh City on 29 October. Dáire Hughes said: “Constitutional change is now fixed on the political horizon. Conversations about the constitutional future of the island of Ireland are happening across the country and beyond”.  That […]

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

McNulty: £2.2M Road Safety Underspend ‘Unforgivable’

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has branded a £2.2m underspend over three years within the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership (NIRSP) as “a shocking dereliction of duty.” The funding set aside for the promotion of road safety initiatives was returned at a time when the number of serious injuries and deaths on NI […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

McGrath Questions Executive’s Commitment to Mental Health Services

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has questioned the Executive’s commitment to delivering improved mental health services. He was speaking after the Executive parties backed an amendment to the SDLP’s Opposition Day motion urging them to make suicide prevention a priority for all government departments. They removed a call to commit to this through their […]

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Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Newry Playground Named After IRA Hunger Striker Left Out of Development Plans By NMD Council

By Donal McMahon A Newry playground named after an IRA hunger striker has been left out of development plans by the local council. A recent active and healthy communities committee was provided with a new four year capital programme for council owned play parks identified for upgrades. The plan does not mention the Raymond McCreesh […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Education Government Lurgan Politics Upper Bann Westminster

MP Carla Lockhart Welcomes Pay and Grading Review Agreement for School Support Staff

Carla Lockhart MP has welcomed the good news that school support staff across Northern Ireland will benefit from an agreed pay and grading review. This resolution, delivered by DUP Minister Paul Givan MLA in partnership with representative unions, marks a significant step forward for the dedicated staff who play such a vital role in supporting […]

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Community Education Government Health Politics Stormont

Assembly Launches Inquiry Into Teaching of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)

The Assembly Committee for Education has today launched an inquiry into the teaching and implementation of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and is calling on parents and teachers to respond to a short survey in a bid to ascertain the effectiveness, inclusivity and alignment of current RSE teaching in schools here. Speaking after today’s inquiry […]

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Business Government Politics Stormont Westminster

ONS: Inflation Holding Steady

By The Office of National Statistics Prices Day Consumer price inflation, UK: August 2024 Producer price inflation, UK: August 2024 Commenting on today’s inflation figures for August, ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said: “Inflation held steady in August as various price fluctuations offset each other.   “The main movements came from air fares, in particular to […]