
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has confirmed £2.5 million for the development of greenways as part of her budget allocations for this financial year. The Department will continue supporting local councils to deliver greenways in Strathfoyle, Strabane North, Forth Meadow and Lagan Gateway. The Minister made the announcement as she was on-site to see […]

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced the opening of a £1m Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme. The pilot scheme will provide capacity building training and a grant to the rural community and voluntary organisations to deliver capital refurbishment works to rural halls. It aims to keep community facilities viable and […]
Jun 4 2021 | Posted in
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A local independent fostering agency in Newry is shining a light on the resilience and dedication of their foster parents during the annual Foster Care Fortnight in an attempt to encourage more people to become foster parents. The nationwide campaign which runs every year from 10 – 23 May aims to raise awareness […]
Jun 4 2021 | Posted in
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Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has outlined high-level budget commitments for the new financial year. The Department has a capital budget of £722.5m and a resource budget of £429.9m, which includes a £9.2m allocation specifically for Covid. Outlining how she plans to spend the capital allocations this year, Nichola Mallon said, “The […]
Jun 3 2021 | Posted in
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DAERA Direct offices will open to customers again from Monday 7 June 2021, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced. Services to customers will be available on a strict appointment-only basis for the immediate future. Minister Poots said, “In line with the NI Executive’s Pathway out of Restrictions, I have agreed […]
Jun 3 2021 | Posted in
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Over one-third of Northern Ireland’s bee species are under threat of extinction, Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has said. The Minister spoke as he launched two new initiatives in Northern Ireland aimed at protecting pollinators such as honeybees and hoverflies. The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme and All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025 will […]
Jun 3 2021 | Posted in
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Economy Minister Diane Dodds today launched a final call for projects to apply for funding under the Northern Ireland European Social Fund (NI ESF) programme. The ESF is designed to combat poverty and enhance social inclusion. It supports participants to progress into further education, training and ultimately employment through funding organisations […]
Jun 3 2021 | Posted in
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Justice Minister Naomi Long has praised the vigilance of Border Force staff as 15.12 million cigarettes and 4.44 tonnes of tobacco were seized in two separate operations. If the smuggling attempts had not been detected, it would have cost the Treasury approximately £7.24 million in unpaid duty and VAT. In the first operation […]
Jun 2 2021 | Posted in
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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the Executive’s approval to her request for amendments to existing Universal Credit (UC) regulations which pave the way for upfront childcare costs. The move is part of the Minister’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic which includes a range of labour market interventions designed to help remove […]
Jun 2 2021 | Posted in
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The Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee is calling on people and organisations across all relevant sectors to give their views on the new Climate Change Bill that is currently before the Assembly. The Climate Change Bill, proposed as a Private Member’s Bill by Clare Bailey MLA, recently passed to the […]
Jun 2 2021 | Posted in
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