Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has instructed officials to work with Sport NI and NI Sports Forum to put in place immediate practical steps to support the sports sector. Outlining early measures to help the sector, the Minister said, “Sport NI will act this week to give security to funded Sports Governing Bodies, with relaxed […]
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has outlined measures she is putting in place to ensure people continue to have secure accommodation in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Steps include support and assurance for social and private renters as well as crucial support to those experiencing homelessness. Speaking to Newry Times, Minister Deirdre Hargey said, […]
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has instructed officials to put in place immediate and practical steps to help support Artists, Performers and Creative Producers across the arts and cultural sector. The Minister is planning to find ways to support individual artists, performers, creative producers and organisations create work in new ways including digital delivery during […]
Economy Minister Diane Dodds and Health Minster Robin Swann have urged companies across Northern Ireland to prioritise the safety of their staff. They also reminded workers of their obligation to protect themselves and their co-workers during this crisis. The Ministers were keen to highlight the guidance from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and from the […]
Specialist units across government are working at pace to combat false and misleading narratives about coronavirus, ensuring the public has the right information to protect themselves and save lives. The Rapid Response Unit, operating from within the Cabinet Office and No10, is tackling a range of harmful narratives online – from purported ‘experts’ issuing dangerous […]
Justice Minister Naomi Long has today issued a Written Ministerial Statement regarding the temporary early release of some sentenced prisoners. Naomi Long’s statement in full: The developing public health emergency caused by the worldwide coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is causing us to consider measures that only a few weeks ago would have been unthinkable. One such […]
A drive to boost Northern Ireland’s health and social care workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic is receiving a really positive response, Minister Robin Swann has announced. The online HSC Workforce Appeal went live over the weekend and in the first 24 hours, 4,031 people registered an interest in playing their part. That includes […]
Environment Minister Edwin Poots has urged people to help protect and respect all key workers including those collecting and emptying our bins during the Covid-19 crisis. The Minister has also issued new guidelines on what to do with your personal waste including used tissues and protective gloves if you are self-isolating with the virus. […]
Justice Minister, Naomi Long MLA has announced changes to the AccessNI scheme that will ensure only relevant and appropriate criminal record information will be disclosed on certificates. Speaking to Newry Times, Naomi Long said, “As the result of a ruling made by the Supreme Court in January 2019, I have removed a restriction in the […]
The Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon has announced her intention to legislate for higher penalty points and fines for drivers who use a handheld mobile phone when driving. The move from the Minister comes after a report produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch of the Department revealed that more than half of all […]
