
Education Minister, Peter Weir has announced an extension to the Covid-19 Childcare Temporary Closure fund for the period January to March 2021. The Covid-19 Childcare Temporary Closure Support Fund will provide continued support for childcare providers who have been forced to close temporarily due to a Covid-related incident within their provision. […]
Feb 23 2021 | Posted in
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A £1million capital grant scheme to help existing micro food and drink manufacturing businesses to upscale production to secure new markets for their products will open in March, Rural Affairs Minster Gordon Lyons MLA has announced. The aim of the scheme is to enable eligible businesses that are processing primary agricultural or horticultural […]
Feb 22 2021 | Posted in
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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced a reduction in fees for the renewal of entertainment licences to alleviate the hardship being experienced by the industry as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. The move could save hundreds of venues, which have been forced to close their doors to the public, between £50 and £2,000. […]
Feb 19 2021 | Posted in
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Northern Ireland Finance Minister Conor Murphy has put in place new legislation which will enable councils to tailor district rates to the needs of their local areas. This legislative change will for the first time give councils the option to strike different levels of household and business rates. The Finance Minister made the […]
Feb 19 2021 | Posted in
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SDLP Sports Spokesperson and former All Ireland Winner, Justin McNulty MLA has called on the Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey and Finance Minister to immediately outline their plan for funding to secure the re-development of Casement Park. The Newry and Armagh MLA commented after the GAA Financial Director said that the GAA contribution to […]
Feb 18 2021 | Posted in
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The Department of Education has announced that Mark Browne is to be the new Permanent Secretary. Mark Browne has 36 years’ experience in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Since 2013 he has served as Deputy Secretary in The Executive Office. Prior to this, he was Deputy Secretary in the Department of […]
Feb 17 2021 | Posted in
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Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced funding of more than £500,000 for 13 projects through the Apprenticeship Challenge Fund. The projects are located across Northern Ireland and will support new and innovative approaches to the development, recruitment and delivery of apprenticeships. Projects include collaborations between local government, the voluntary and private […]

Following a meeting on 15 January 2020, the Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has announced proposed increases to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers. The Board proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers for all grades by 1% from 1 April 2021. Therefore the proposed new rates […]
Feb 15 2021 | Posted in
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Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched a public consultation on increasing the general civil jurisdiction of the county courts in Northern Ireland. The consultation seeks views on the financial boundaries which govern which court tier hears civil claims, such as for personal injury and breach of contract. Naomi Long said, “County […]
Feb 12 2021 | Posted in
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The deadline for submission of manure export records to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has been extended until 1 March 2021. In addition, the deadline for applying for a Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) derogation, and the submission of 2020 fertilisation accounts for derogated farms, has been extended to the 31 March 2021, […]
Feb 12 2021 | Posted in
Politics |
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