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Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the establishment of new grant schemes for cancer and mental health charities and a Carers Support Fund. The Cancer Charities Support Fund and Mental Health Support Fund will each receive £10m, while £4m has been allocated to the Carers Support Fund. The Minister has also allocated £15m to Health […]

With lockdown restrictions lifting and more leisure activities resuming, the Southern Trust is reminding people with urgent but not critical symptoms to ‘Phone First’ before attending Emergency Departments or Minor Injuries services. Patients, including children, considering  attending Emergency Departments or the Minor Injuries Services at Craigavon, Daisy Hill or South Tyrone Hospital with an urgent […]

The Executive has agreed a package of relaxations to the current Coronavirus Health Regulations. From April 23: Resumption of driving instruction and theory tests; Driving testing can resume; Re-opening of close contact services including training; Re-opening of outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres; Resumption of Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EATL) on an indoor […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that 2,403 new social homes were started in 2020/21 – almost 30% more than the target for the year (1,850 units). During the same period, 1,318 social housing homes were completed (against a target of 1,200). Looking ahead with the aim of continuing to build our quantity of social […]

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service continue to deal with a major fire in the Mourne Mountains. This is expected to be ongoing for the rest of Saturday. Police would ask that all members of the public avoid the Newcastle area, in particular Trassey Road, Bloody Bridge, Tollymore Forest Park and Donard Carpark to ensure […]

Managed isolation arrangements have been activated ahead of the return of international flights to local airports. Any passenger who has been in, or transited through a ‘red list’ country in the previous 10 days must book and pay for a managed isolation package before making any other travel arrangements. The package will include collection at […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the Executive’s announcement on Thursday, 15 April, that a number of significant easements to the current Covid restrictions will take place over the next few weeks.  In summary, the easements announced mean that from 23 April outdoor sports, organised by a club or individual affiliated to a recognised governing […]

Swimming pools and gyms at Newry Leisure Centre, Down Leisure Centre and Kilkeel Leisure Centre will reopen for individual training on Friday 30 April as part of a phased re-opening of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s indoor leisure facilities. This initial phased reopening is in line with the current COVID-19 guidelines.  Members can book […]

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is inviting Expressions of Interest from community groups for the IPB PRIDE OF PLACE AWARDS 2021. This is an opportunity for you to nominate your group and tell your story! It is a chance to acknowledge the tireless and selfless work being done in your area. Groups can […]

The Southern Trust has invested £140,000 in upgrading oxygen supply across Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospitals. Oxygen supply at Craigavon Area Hospital has increased by 150% while Daisy Hill’s is now improved by 250%. Helen O’Neill, Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates for the Southern Trust explains: “As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold last year, […]

Newry and Armagh Alliance representative Jackie Coade has been selected as the spokesperson and candidate for the Alliance Party in Newry and Armagh. The announcement comes with over one year to go until the Assembly election in 2022. The Alliance Party is currently in the process of announcing their candidates for the 2022 election meaning […]

Newry Business Improvement District (BID) along with Retail NI and Lisburn Chamber has jointly called upon the Infrastructure Minister to review on-street car parking charges in the two city centres. The business groups are calling for the same one hour free on-street car parking schemes which other local towns and cities successfully operate. In a joint […]