
Environment Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, has launched a public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021-2040, during a visit to Cuilcagh Mountain Special Area of Conservation in County Fermanagh. During the visit, the Minister met with local landowners and Ulster Wildlife, who are working together and with other partners through the […]
Jun 18 2021 | Posted in
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Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has visited two rural businesses which have received just under £50,000 in support from DAERA’s Rural Micro Business Growth Scheme and the Rural Business Investment Scheme. On a solar farm near Cookstown, the Minister met Samuel Knox and David Woodend, Directors of Kann O&M Ltd, which is […]
Jun 18 2021 | Posted in
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Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has allocated £19 million for flood protection projects across the North in her 2021/22 budget. This includes £11 million to progress numerous flood alleviation projects to improve flood protection to properties located within significant flood risk areas including Belfast, Newcastle, Lisburn and Newry. An additional £8 million […]
Jun 17 2021 | Posted in
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Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed the expansion of the Affordable Warmth Scheme. The scheme is aiming to help cut the cost of energy bills for even more families in a new plan announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey. The Newry/Armagh MLA says, “It’s welcome news that Minister Deirdre Hargey […]
Jun 14 2021 | Posted in
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Jayne Brady is to be the new Head of the Civil Service, the First Minister and deputy First Minister have announced. Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill confirmed the appointment after the successful completion of the NI Civil Service (NICS) recruitment process for the new Head of the Civil Service (HOCS). Jayne […]
Jun 11 2021 | Posted in
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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced changes to the Affordable Warmth Scheme eligibility criteria in order to help more households who are in fuel poverty. The changes include increasing the income threshold from £20,000 to £23,000. It also includes the dis-applying of certain benefits from the calculation of income; namely Disability […]
Jun 11 2021 | Posted in
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Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has written to the Minister for Infrastructure asking her to look at ways to help the taxi industry get itself back on firm footing coming out of COVID-19. The Newry and Armagh MLA says, “People looking to get into the taxi industry have expressed massive frustrations with the […]
Jun 11 2021 | Posted in
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The Assembly’s Education Committee has launched a new initiative to find out more about young people’s experiences during lockdown. The ‘Life and Learning in Lockdown’ project will incorporate a special Zoom event where young people aged 16+ will be given an opportunity to speak to the Committee directly about the challenges of lockdown, […]
Jun 7 2021 | Posted in
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Minister Poots has announced a delay to the introduction of pet travel checks at NI points of entry until at least 1 October 2021. As a result of the Northern Ireland (NI) Protocol, pet travellers moving from Great Britain (GB) to NI are now required to adhere to the pet travel rules for […]
Jun 4 2021 | Posted in
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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 […]