
The Department for Communities has appointed Ms Marie Cavanagh to carry out the second independent statutory Review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment. The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 states that the Department must lay before the Assembly an independent review of the operation of PIP assessments within two years of go-live and […]
Feb 14 2020 | Posted in
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SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has expressed his astonishment at the scale of the backlog in school maintenance across Northern Ireland. Of the £400 Million maintenance programmed, £90 Million of that is deemed as critical. Article continues below The figures were revealed to McNulty during a presentation to the Education Committee, by the Education Authority’s Chief […]
Feb 14 2020 | Posted in
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Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has confirmed she will bring forward legislation to encourage the use of electric bikes. Speaking during a visit to CS Lewis Square in East Belfast to meet with Sustrans, a charity responsible for promoting active travel, Minister Mallon said, “Being more active is important for the body and the mind. Article […]
Feb 13 2020 | Posted in
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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has announced her plans for the extension of the welfare mitigations to the bedroom tax beyond 31 March 2020. The mitigation scheme currently provides financial support to people who would otherwise have lost out due to welfare cuts. Article continues below An estimated 38,000 households are in receipt of supplementary […]
Feb 12 2020 | Posted in
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New Sinn Fein Councillor Declan Murphy has said that he is looking forward to working with his party colleagues and all who wished to help build a cleaner, greener, stronger and safer community throughout the Council area. He was speaking after being formally co-opted on to Newry, Mourne and Down Council to replace Liz Kimmins, […]
Feb 11 2020 | Posted in
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Finance Minister Conor Murphy, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Daniel Baker have welcomed the first same-sex marriage, which will take place tomorrow. Speaking at Belfast City Hall, Finance Minister Conor Murphy said, “Today is another huge milestone for equality when same-sex couples can for the first time get married. Article […]
Feb 10 2020 | Posted in
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Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said she has raised key infrastructural projects in the Newry and Armagh area with the Minister for Infrastructure. The issues include the A1 improvement scheme and the Southern Relief Road bridge. Article continues below Speaking to Newry Times, Liz Kimmins said, “Today I requested an update from the Infrastructure […]
Feb 10 2020 | Posted in
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The Department of Education is seeking views on proposals to update the nutritional standards of food provided in grant-aided schools. In 2007, the Nutritional Standards for School Lunches and Other Food and Drinks in Schools were developed in keeping with government guidance on healthy eating at that time. Article continues below Education Minister, Peter Weir […]
Feb 10 2020 | Posted in
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SDLP Health spokesperson Sinead Bradley MLA raised the New Decade, New Approach to providing three cycles of IVF recently with Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly. The South Down MLA, “Today at the Health Committee, the Permanent Secretary made it quite clear that the Regional Fertility Centre does not have the capacity at present to deliver on […]
Feb 10 2020 | Posted in
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Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the progress made so far on the development of a new cancer strategy. Opening the Cancer Strategy 2020 Conference in Belfast, the Minister acknowledged the progress that has been made and the combined contribution of health and social care staff, patients and local cancer charities to date. Article continues […]
Feb 7 2020 | Posted in
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