The Education Minister must take action to arrest the failure of the special education statementing and area planning processes, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said. Mr Lyttle was speaking after questioning Education Minister Peter Weir on the issue in the Assembly. “As of today, 595 children are waiting longer than the statutory limit […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said transparency is key in public life after a report found the public sector must change ‘cultural barriers’ stopping concerns from the public and workers being listened to and acted on. The report from the Audit Office, entitled Raising Concerns, looked at issues in the public sector here and how […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA and Infrastructure and Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA have called on Stormont Ministers to consider major new legislation in response to changes in working patterns that have been accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst key workers have continued to keep commuting, the number of people working from home in […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the publication of cancer waiting times from before the pre-pandemic period renders a cancer strategy even more urgent. The latest statistics showed in March almost 54 per cent of patients started treatment following an urgent GP referral within the target of 62 days, down from almost 62 […]
Alliance Infrastructure and Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has called for a major shake-up of the planning system in Northern Ireland, after it emerged that applications dating as far back as 2005 have been waiting almost 700 weeks for a ministerial decision. As a member of Stormont’s Infrastructure Committee, Mr Muir’s question to the Minister […]
Banbridge Councillor Brian Pope has campaigned for more street cafés and a Continental Style Café culture to help revitalise our towns and city. The Alliance Councillor for Banbridge, who is chair of the Economic Committee, said: “I believe that more street cafés and a Continental Style Café culture could create more physical space for social […]
It is unacceptable a dispute between the DUP and Sinn Féin is resulting in a lack of funding for free school meals payments, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said. Executive Ministers did not sign off on the funding at their meeting yesterday (Monday). It is understood the DUP refused to do so following […]
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has pressed the new Communities Minister on the need to provide on-going support to the advice sector as lockdown restrictions ease. Mr Muir was speaking during Assembly question time on Tuesday afternoon. He said: “The Communities Minister was quick to act and implement support at the start of this crisis, but […]
Alliance Councillor Eric Hanvey has said he is disgusted by attempts of the British Freedom Party to align itself with Christian fellowship. The group where distributing leaflets in South Belfast on Tuesday afternoon. He said: “This group has only ever been interested in spreading hate and causing division within our society. It is extremely disheartening […]
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has questioned why it took so long for the Health Minister to get up to speed with the extent of frustrations within the watchdog responsible for oversight of care homes, which led to the resignations of all board members earlier this week. She said: “While I am glad the Minister didn’t […]