Alliance Chief Whip Kellie Armstrong MLA has written to the Assembly’s Committee for Procedures to request the possibility for MLAs to participate in plenary debate remotely. The Assembly uses the Starleaf software system for Committee rooms but unlike Westminster, there is no capacity for remote participation in the Chamber itself. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said […]
Repayments for loans taken out from the Department for Communities’ Social Fund to help people through the pandemic should be delayed for a further period to stop people falling further into poverty, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. The Social Fund gives interest-free loans to those on low incomes to help with important […]
Many arts venues are caught in a ‘Catch-22’ situation and are unable to access funding without paying for health and safety equipment ahead of time, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. The Strangford MLA was speaking after receiving a reply from the Department for Communities regarding the Health and Safety Capital grant, which is administered […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said she is disappointed and frustrated the planned roll out of the Jobstart scheme has again been delayed. Due to launch on December 14, the initiative – aimed at helping local employers support young people aged 16-24 – is long overdue in Northern Ireland. The Alliance Party’s Communities Spokesperson, Kellie […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has encouraged charities to apply for new funding announced by the Communities Minister. Carál Ní Chuilín unveiled the second round of funding from the £11.7 million COVID-19 Charities Fund, which opens on January 6. Pre-application information including eligibility, guidance and the application form will be available from December 14 on the Community Finance Ireland website. “I […]
Building regulations in Northern Ireland need to be updated to ensure we meet future environmental standards, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. The Strangford MLA had asked Finance Minister Conor Murphy when building regulations would be reviewed, updated and published to ensure all new builds will meet zero carbon targets. In his reply, the Minister […]
A new winter fuel benefit for terminally ill people should be introduced, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. Ms Armstrong was speaking after the launch of a report entitled the Vicious Cycle of Fuel Poverty and Terminal Illness by Marie Curie. The report, launched on Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, examines the cycle of […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said Carers Rights Day is an opportunity to recognise the vital role carers have been playing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Alliance’s Communities spokesperson, Kellie said for over nine months, close to 360,000 carers in Northern Ireland have provided unpaid caring duties, saving the Government £19 million per day – a […]
Alliance Party MLAs have come together to say enough is enough on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, as concerns continue to grow on the impact on women throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Kick starting 16 days of activism, MLAs Naomi Long, Paula Bradshaw and Kellie Armstrong have said it is up to […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has pledged her support to a campaign trying to prevent pubs going out of existence during the pandemic. The party’s Communities spokesperson said CAMRA NI’s Save Our Pubs campaign, which is calling for a long-term financial support package from the Executive to support pubs, breweries and local producers, as well as […]