Category: Uncategorized

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has launched the first new longer walk-through train into passenger service today as part of a £66million project to further transform Northern Ireland’s railway infrastructure. Three new train carriages, delivered in March, have been integrated with the fully refurbished existing donor Class 4000 trains to create a more accessible and high-quality […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has launched a new £40m Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that will significantly improve the delivery of clinical diagnostic services for key areas of healthcare.  Health and Social Care (HSC) pathology services perform around 40m diagnostic tests in Northern Ireland each year, the results of which inform over 80% of all […]

Justice Minister Naomi Long has paid tribute to prison staff across Northern Ireland during a visit to Maghaberry Prison as part of Hidden Heroes Day 2021. Hidden Heroes Day was established by the Butler Trust to pay tribute to the people working in prisons, youth justice and probation across the UK.  During her visit to […]

The roll-out of Covid-19 vaccine boosters to NI’s care homes is underway, Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed. Health Trust vaccinator teams are bringing the boosters to care home residents and staff in a planned programme. First doses will also be available for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated. The wider NI booster dose […]

The first changes from new legislation to reform liquor licensing laws here will come into effect on 1 October 2021, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced. The first phase will mostly involve the extension of opening and drinking-up times, which will be a welcome boost for the hospitality sector in the lead up to the […]

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging Working Tax Credit (WTC) customers to check if they need to update their working hours if these have reduced as a result of coronavirus. During the pandemic, WTC customers have not needed to tell HMRC about temporary short-term reductions in their working hours as a result of coronavirus […]

First Minister Paul Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, together with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, have called on the Westminster Government to reverse their decision to withdraw the £20-per-week uplift to Universal Credit. In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the leaders of the three administrations highlighted the damaging impact […]

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced that a new £750k tranche of the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) will open for applications on Friday 1 October 2021. The key aim of RMCGS 2021 is to provide small capital grants of between £200 and £1,500 to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the allocation of £8.7million in support grants to a range of charitable and community organisations providing mental health services. A total of 30 projects have received funding through the allocation of the first tranche of grants from the Mental Health Support Fund, part of a £24m package of funding […]

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has launched the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022. The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022 will recognise excellence in apprenticeships and culminate in an awards ceremony on Wednesday 9 February 2022 – one of the highlight events during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2022, which will run from 7 to 11 February 2022. […]

October is Positive Ageing Month – a month to really highlight and take notice of the important and valuable contributions that older people make to our society, and to raise awareness of the opportunities and the challenges of ageing in today’s world. To celebrate older residents, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the […]

P5 primary school pupils across the borough are set to benefit from a new road safety booklet ‘Street Smart Road Safe’ that provides lots of advice and guidance for when they are walking, cycling or travelling as passengers. The comprehensive guide, which covers every aspect of how to keep safe on the road, has been […]