
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has confirmed she has allocated a further £4m to councils. The announcement brings the amount of Rates Support Grant to councils for 2020/21 to a total of £22.3m. Out of that total, Newry, Mourne and Down Council will receive £373,838. Minister Hargey said, “This further £4m payment […]
Apr 12 2021 | Posted in
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The AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine will continue to have a vital role in saving lives, reducing hospitalisations and helping Northern Ireland move out of lockdown. “In line with the latest MHRA and JCVI advice, the AZ vaccine will be rolled out on a phased basis to people aged 30 and over in Northern Ireland, […]
Apr 9 2021 | Posted in
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Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Murphy has appealed for calm after a sign encouraging support for a United Ireland was vandalised in what many locals viewed as ‘a sinister action’. The Councillor said, “A sign situated at High Street corner on the Camlough Road has been vandalised in what many see as a sinister […]

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced a financial support package worth up to £1.27 million to sheep farmers who have been impacted by poor wool prices over the past year following the crash in the global market for wool as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Minister said, “Over the past […]
Apr 9 2021 | Posted in
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Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced plans to widen the current abuse of trust legislation to strengthen the law protecting vulnerable children. Minister Long indicated her intention to make the changes through an amendment to the Justice (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill later this year. Naomi Long said, “I am fully committed to […]
Apr 2 2021 | Posted in
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A money-back scheme on drinks bottles to help increase recycling is being considered by Environment Minister Edwin Poots. And in a move to boost the reuse of packaging material, he is also looking at a fee-based scheme to encourage producers to design and use packaging that is easier to re-use and/or recycle. “With […]
Apr 1 2021 | Posted in
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Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed a public consultation will be held on policy proposals for a Statutory Duty of Candour. The consultation will open on 12 April and run for a period of 16 weeks. The Minister detailed the plans in a written statement to the Assembly. He also updated […]
Mar 31 2021 | Posted in
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Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed the launch of ‘The Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor: Current Profile, Potential for Recovery & Opportunities for Cooperation’ report. Minister Murphy was speaking at a virtual conference where the report was published. He said, “I want to commend the eight councils from the North and South for […]
Mar 31 2021 | Posted in
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Health Minister Robin Swann has announced £1million in funding for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Making the announcement, Minister Swann said, “Since this service was launched over three and a half years ago, it has become a critical component of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service’s emergency response. “Many people who have had […]
Mar 31 2021 | Posted in
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Environment Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed a new partnership that will fund training places for packaging technologists in a drive to find more sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Making the announcement that Vickerstock Recruitment will sponsor four students at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) to study for a Diploma […]
Mar 30 2021 | Posted in
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