Questions remain to be answered after Runwood Homes made an almost £20 million profit despite receiving public money to support it during the worst of the pandemic, Alliance Councillor Julian McGrath has said. The company, which operated Glenabbey Care Home in Glengormley, received £2 million in government grants, while accruing a profit of £19.8 million […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir has spoken of his concern after AIB announced its plan to close eight branches. Mr Muir said his automatic worry was not only for the staff affected, but for the many more customers who would now be without easy access to a local bank branch as a result. He said: […]
Alliance Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said the latest spending figures from the Department show the scale of challenges that lie ahead for the Executive. Mr Muir was speaking after the June Monitoring round was announced, in which the Finance Minister set out the money available to departments arising primarily from underspends last year, […]
Alliance MLA and Party Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir has described the on-going debate around the Budget Bill as “groundhog day”, with the current process labelled as repetitive, convoluted and badly in need of reform. Mr Muir has said that whilst the Finance Minister had provided an extremely challenging budget, a good proportion of time spent […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has called for long-awaited reforms to be actioned, during a debate on Northern Ireland’s budget for this financial year. Speaking during the Assembly debate, which saw Finance Minister Conor Murphy present the financial plans for the next year, Mr Muir described the budget process as “baffling” and it would […]
Alliance North Down MLA Andrew Muir has criticised the Executive Office for failing to move forward on a number of significant issues. Highlighting the concerns of post-RHI reform and the removal of flammable cladding from high-rise buildings, Mr Muir, the Party’s Finance Spokesperson, said there was “no excuse” to continue blocking these decisions Mr Muir […]
Alliance MLAs have called for further clarity for a one-off bonus payment to carers in recognition of their work throughout the pandemic. Earlier this year, Health Minister Robin Swann announced health workers would receive a special payment as a mark of thanks for work carried out during the COVID-19 crisis. The Minister stated at the […]
Alliance Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has welcomed the establishment of a Fiscal Council for Northern Ireland with a Fiscal Commission also to commence specific programme of work. The Fiscal Council was announced recently by the Finance Minister will be a permanent, independent body charged with bringing transparency and scrutiny to the Executive Finances. Mr […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir has cautiously welcomed new business support grants but said concerns remain over who receives the money. Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced the £178 million for the almost 200,000 local firms eligible for it. The money is expected to be paid next month. “There is much to welcome in the schemes […]
Executive Departments need to ensure planned spending is carried out so no money is handed back to Westminster, Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. Mr Muir was speaking during an Assembly debate relating to a motion on the supply of cash and use of resources by Departments in the current financial year, and […]