As Volunteers’ Week gets underway Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has expressed her gratitude to the thousands of volunteers who selflessly give their time to help others. The Minister said a light had been shone on volunteers’ contribution to society in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1–7 June, recognises […]
Testing and contact tracing will play a central role in unlocking the Coronavirus lockdown in Northern Ireland, Health Minister Robin Swann has emphasised. Embed from Getty Images Everyone who develops Covid-19 symptoms is urged to book a test without delay. The Minister has spelt out the scale of the NI contact tracing programme, which is […]
A new group has been established to learn from care home experiences of Covid-19, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. Embed from Getty Images The group includes representation from the independent care home sector, the Health and Social Care system and the Royal College of Nursing. It will be taking forward the Rapid Learning […]
SDLP Newry Mourne and Down Councillors have responded to Trust statements on the restoration of services at the Downe and Daisy Hill Hospitals. They have called for a firm timetable on the reopening of suspended services. SDLP Council Group Leader Pete Byrne told Newry Times, “Over the last week myself and SDLP assembly and council […]
A 40-year-old man has been charged with over ten offences, including driving with excess alcohol on breath and dangerous driving. He was also charged with failing to stop for police, no L plates displayed, unaccompanied L driver and using a motor vehicle without insurance. The charges are in relation to an incident in […]
Local Republican activist, Derrybeg woman Eileen Hillen, has slated those responsible for vandalising a community sign that shows support for health and front-line workers. The sign was put up by Community Restorative Justice (CRJ), with the full support of Derrybeg residents. Speaking after replacing the vandalised sign, Eileen told Newry Times, “Who would […]
A member of Stormont’s Justice Committee has proposed that a reconfiguration of courthouses in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis is used as an opportunity to remove benefit appeals from what she described as “such an inappropriate environment”. Local MLA Sinead Bradley said that people challenging decisions relating to social security awards are often vulnerable. […]
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has called on the Infrastructure Minister to ensure her department engages fully with hauliers and their representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Embed from Getty Images Speaking to Newry Times, the Newry and Armagh MLA stated, “The Road Haulage Association has expressed frustration that communication between the Department and the […]
The Executive has signalled its intention to make several changes to the Coronavirus Regulations in the weeks ahead but stressed that those would be conditional on the course of the epidemic. Embed from Getty Images Ministers have also agreed to amend the regulations to make clear hotels can take advance bookings in preparation for […]
Independent Living Fund Scotland (ILFS), the public body that (on behalf of the Department of Health NI) provides financial support to enable disabled people to live independently, has called on people living in Northern Ireland to share their views on the possibility of re-opening the fund in Northern Ireland through an online survey. The online […]
