
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has now released the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centres, to help in the fight against COVID-19. Speaking ahead of testing beginning today at DVA’s Boucher Road in Belfast, Minister Mallon said, “It is important that we all work together in the fightback against COVID-19. “Keeping people safe […]
Apr 7 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Northern Ireland’s further and higher education institutions are making an invaluable contribution to the fight against COVID-19. Economy Minister Diane Dodds and Health Minister Robin Swann have praised our colleges and universities for their significant contribution including providing and creating personal protective equipment (PPE), joining the research for a vaccine and students volunteering and joining […]
Apr 7 2020 | Posted in
Community |
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As part of ongoing Covid-19 Surge Planning, the Health and Social Care Board has negotiated arrangements for partnership working with the independent sector hospitals. Trusts are now accessing the independent sector hospitals to treat urgent patients (Non-COVID) across a number of elective specialities (planned treatment), while Trust hospital sites prepare to concentrate on treating patients […]
Apr 7 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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The Special Olympics Annual Collection Day has been cancelled due to the pandemic crisis. The collection day takes place each April and is the flagship event in the charity’s diary, raising a third of the organisation’s annual funding in one day. Normally each April, towns and villages across Co. Down are flooded with […]
Apr 7 2020 | Posted in
Community |
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Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA, today announced the first meeting of a new Ad Hoc Committee set up to respond to COVID-19. The Committee’s first meeting will be in the Assembly Chamber on Tuesday, 7 April at 2.30pm when the First and deputy First Ministers will deliver a statement, followed by […]
Apr 7 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Translink has jumped on-board the #ChaseTheRainbow campaign to share images of hope and solidarity with people across Northern Ireland. From today, the public transport company will use its vehicles and billboards to display large rainbow images, a colourful display of positivity that will also include important government messaging advising people to stay home and save […]
Apr 6 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has taken urgent steps to put the Housing Executive rent increase on hold. The Housing Executive’s rent increase of 2.7% that was due to come into effect today, 6 April, will now not come into effect until 1 October 2020. Speaking to Newry Times, Minister Deirdre Hargey said, […]
Apr 6 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Another 7 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland have died in the last 24 hours. The total of deaths in the country has now risen to 70. In the last 24 hours, the Public Health Agency said 254 tests have been carried out. Out of those 254 people tested, 69 […]

Finance Minister Conor Murphy, Economy Minister Diane Dodds and Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon today spoke with Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps and urged him to put in place support for our airports and ports. Minister Murphy said, “Today I reinforced to the Transport Secretary the urgent need to support airports. “It […]
Apr 6 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Education Minister Peter Weir is calling for more volunteers to give urgent assistance in the provision of supervision for vulnerable children and the children of key workers, in response to the threat of the COVID-19 virus. Speaking to Newry Times, the Minister said, “On Friday 27 March I issued a call for volunteers from the […]
Apr 6 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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