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Business Community Dáil Éireann Government Politics

Minister Martin Announces the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme 2022 (MEBAS 2022)

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, announced the opening date for the 2022 strand of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme).  This simpler, easier to access new scheme will further support performers and individuals in the music business that have been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions. The […]

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Dáil Éireann Government Politics

Progress Report of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 Published

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Social Inclusion, Joe O’Brien TD, have today published the first Progress Report of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025.  The five year Roadmap is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and sets out a clear path for reducing […]

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Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Withdrawal of Double Jobbing a Victory For Dialogue and Engagement – UUP

Following confirmation by the Prime Minister that plans to bring back double jobbing in Northern Ireland have been withdrawn, Ulster Unionist peer, Lord Empey, said: “This is a victory for positive dialogue and engagement with Government and other parties. You don`t have to threaten to crash the institutions for unionism to have influence with Government. […]

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Community Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

John O’Dowd on Loss of EU Funding

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said the loss of EU Funding due to the Tory/DUP Brexit is putting jobs and livelihoods at risk. The Upper Bann spokesperson said: “The Department for the Economy has lost £65 million per year in EU funding as direct result of the Brexit delivered by the British Government and the […]

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Election 2022 Government Health Politics Stormont

Swann Announces Plan for Additional NHS Pay Rise

Following the November announcement of a pay increase of 3% for our wonderful NHS staff. Health Minister Robin Swann has invested in a further 1.5% pay increase. This announcement will enable an overall pay rise of 4.5% for bands 1 to 3 staff and 4% for bands 4 to 7. Speaking via a memo sent […]

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Crime Lurgan Politics Upper Bann

Further Evidence of Collusion-Mackle

Sinn Féin Council Group leader Liam Mackle has said that a report by the Police Ombudsman into the killings of 19 people is further damning evidence of a policy of British state collusion with loyalist paramilitaries during the conflict. Cllr Mackle was speaking after the Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson published the findings of her investigation […]

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Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Time For Lockhart to End Brexit Spin – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that the most recent report by Manufacturing NI highlights the biggest concern for manufacturers is access to workers and not the Protocol, as our local MP Carla Lockhart would have us believe. The report highlights the priority in the current negotiations must be on finding practical solutions to ensure the […]

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Business Community Government Health Politics Stormont Uncategorized

Executive to Relax Covid-19 Restrictions: Here’s the Roadmap and Timeline

The Executive has today agreed an approach for relaxing the measures put in place to manage the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Ministers were updated today by the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor, who have confirmed that we are likely to be past the peak in case numbers, although it remains possible that case numbers […]

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Government Lurgan Politics Stormont

We Need to See Intensified EU-UK Negotiations Providing Outcomes – UUP

Following the joint statement from Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and EU Commission Vice–President Maroš Šefčovič, Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said: “Whilst it is welcome that Liz Truss and Maroš Šefčovič have had their first face-to-face meeting in a cordial atmosphere, from the 24th January onwards we need to see more intensity and a laser-like […]

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Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Kelly Demands Executive Ministers Focus on the Job Not political games!

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has said she is frustrated and angry at the continued threats to stability and delivery from the DUP and Sinn Fein. With just four months of this mandate left, the SDLP is calling for the delivery of the agreed New Decade New Approach commitments. The Upper Bann MLA said: […]

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Community Election 2022 Government Politics Stormont

Pressure Building in Housing Market as House Prices & Waiting Lists Increase – Aontu

Aontú Deputy Leader and Fermanagh/South Tyrone Rep Cllr Denise Mullen has raised serious concern over the rapidly increasing pressure average house prices increase by over £25,000 pounds since January 2020 and housing waiting lists increase. Cllr Mullen: “Since January 2020, the average house price in the North has increased by over £25,000. That’s more than […]

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Community Government Politics Stormont

UUP Welcomes Additional Energy Support Package

East Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA, Andy Allen MBE, has welcomed the announcement of additional funding to provide intervention to households affected by soaring energy costs. Mr Allen said: “I welcome the announcement that the Executive have approved £55 million in funding to provide an energy support payment to households affected by soaring energy costs. “At […]