Education Minister Peter Weir has welcomed the Executive’s decision to extend Free School Meal payments to cover the Halloween break. The Executive decided that support was vital for families struggling financially due to Covid19. Welcoming the Executive’s decision the Minister said, “I welcome the decision taken by the Executive to extend […]
Latest figures published today by NISRA show that twenty-seven deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in the last week, from 10 to 16 October. The total Covid-19 related deaths figure stands at 942. Of this total, 519 (55.1%) took place in a hospital, 357 (37.9%) in care homes, eight (0.8%) in hospices and 58 (6.2%) […]
Health Minister Robin Swann says he is deeply disturbed that cancer procedures are being postponed and is seeking assurances they will be rescheduled urgently. The Minister says he will be looking to the Trusts to reschedule cancelled appointments “as soon as they feasibly can” and to ensure that patients are kept fully informed. […]
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to keep safe at Hallowe’en by coming up with new ways to have fun which stick to guidance around staying safe from contracting and spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus) within our families and communities. In recent weeks there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in Northern […]
Imprisoned mums at Hydebank Wood are using Zoom technology to share special time with their kids. A pilot project at Northern Ireland’s only female prison facility was launched in August to provide additional contact for mums with children at home or those placed in foster care. During the Covid pandemic, the […]
A landmark survey has delivered reliable prevalence estimates of the rates of mental health problems in children and young people in Northern Ireland. 12.6% of children and young people in Northern Ireland experience common mood disorders such as anxiety and depression – around 25% higher than in other UK nations, reflecting a similar […]
Northern Ireland’s movie-loving schoolchildren are being encouraged to take up the Film Buff Challenge, a new online educational activity that can be completed in school or at home. Education charity, Into Film’s latest free educational resource, encourages young people to watch ten short, thought-provoking films and review or respond to them to earn […]
Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has delivered an economic boost for rural residents in the Newry, Mourne and Down and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council areas when he launched the £65k Prosper + Project. The project, which has been developed in conjunction with the Southern Regional College (SRC), operates on the […]
SDLP Councillor Pete Byrne has condemned the latest fly-tipping incident on the Cloughinnea Road, Dromintee. Councillor Byrne said, “I have reported the latest fly-tipping incident on the Cloughinnea Road, Dromintee and have been promised that the Council will be out to clean up the area as soon as possible. “Why people […]
Young people in Northern Ireland are being urged to take part in a new survey to express their views as strict new restrictions were introduced by the Stormont Executive to combat Covid-19. The Northern Ireland Youth Forum launched its third pandemic consultation ‘Our Voices – Speaking Truth to Power’ to consult with young […]
