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Community Constituency Council Government International Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Newry Council to Twin With Gazan City

By Donal McMahon A Northern Ireland council is to initiate twinning with a Palestinian city in a show of solidarity. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict with Israel following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. Correspondence from Derry City and Strabane District Council has urged all councils to support a resettlement programme for […]

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

Murphy Announces Additional £1m of Financial Support For Students

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced an additional £1million to support students facing financial hardship as a result of increased costs of living.  The funds will be distributed to Queen’s University, Ulster University, The Open University, St Mary’s University College and Stranmillis University College for eligible students at those institutions to apply for.  Highlighting the […]

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Business Community Government Politics Stormont

Executive Sets Rate at 4%

The Executive has agreed to adjust the regional rate for 2024/25 in line with inflation. Subject to Assembly approval, the proposal on the regional rate element of the bill would add 46p per week to the bill for a domestic property with an average capital value of £123,000 and £10.73 per week for a typical […]

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

Urgent Action Needed to Tackle Care Package Backlog – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said that urgent action is needed to tackle the backlog of patients waiting for a domiciliary care package.  The Sinn Féin health spokesperson was reacting to news that over 700 patients in the Southern Trust area were waiting for care packages. Liz said: “The news that over 700 patients […]

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Community Constituency Government Health Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Infrastructure Minister Meets Mental Health Champion

Infrastructure Minister has met the Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O’Neill and discussed how he can support mental health initiatives. Speaking after the meeting John O’Dowd said: “This was a productive meeting where I renewed my commitment to supporting Professor O’Neill in her work.  Infrastructure has an important role to play in terms of improving mental health, […]

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Government Legacy Politics Stormont Westminster

British Government Should Repeal Cruel Legacy Act – Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has said the British government should repeal its cruel Legacy Act. The party’s justice spokesperson was speaking after Belfast High Court ruled that the Act is in breach of the European Convention of Human Rights. Deirdre Hargey said: “We were of the view that the Legacy Act was in breach of […]

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Community Constituency Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Stormont

More Help Needed to Support Carers – Kimmins 

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said more help is needed to support carers and in particular female carers, some of whom are being forced to quit their jobs to look after sick or disabled loved ones. Reacting to a new report from Carers NI and the Women’s Regional Consortium, the Sinn Féin health spokesperson […]

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Community Education Government Politics Stormont

Transformation of Special Educational Needs Essential – Givan

Education Minister Paul Givan has reaffirmed his commitment to transform the existing Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland. The Minister has emphasised the need for a system that consistently delivers for children and young people with Special Educational Needs through the provision of high quality and cost-effective services. The Minister said: “I was humbled to […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

Pay Offer Recognises Role of Civil Servants – Archibald

Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA has announced a pay offer which would see the majority of civil servants receive a 5% consolidated increase plus a one-off £1,500 non-consolidated payment. The Department of Finance has made the pay offer following negotiations with recognised industrial and non-industrial civil service trade unions. Dr Archibald MLA said: “Following meetings with recognised […]

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Community Government Health Politics Stormont Uncategorized

NHS Pay Deal Agreed, Unions to Ballot

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed a decision by health service trade unions to ballot members on a proposed pay settlement for 2023/24. The proposed settlement would see the restoration of pay parity with England for health and social care staff covered by the Agenda for Change framework. This involves a large proportion of the […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Infrastructure Minister Welcomes Suspension of Transport Strike

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has welcomed the suspension of the transport strike which had been planned for later this week.   Following a meeting between Translink and the Unions today, the Unions have agreed to suspend the planned strike action and ballot their members on a new offer.  John O’Dowd said: “Resolving public sector pay quickly has […]

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Community Constituency Government Infrastructure Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Invests Additional £8.1m to Repair Road Network

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has made an additional £8.1million capital investment in the structural road maintenance programme this year. In a written statement to the Assembly the Minister said: “Members will no doubt agree that it is vital that all available capital budget within my Department is fully utilised to deliver much needed investment in our […]