Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed funding approval for a new perinatal mental health delivery model for Northern Ireland, and applauded those charities who have campaigned many years for such investment. Health Minister Robin Swann announced funding for the model, which will provide new multidisciplinary community perinatal mental health teams in each of the five […]
Alliance Infrastructure and Finance spokesperson has welcomed news the Infrastructure Minister will bring proposals for a second financial assistance scheme for taxi drivers to an Executive meeting tomorrow. Mr Muir, along with other members of the Infrastructure Committee, had raised concerns with the Minister that the initial support scheme for taxi drivers excluded those who […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong MLA, is encouraging charities to submit an application to the Dormant Accounts Fund NI which is now open. Community Fund, who are managing the grant, have confirmed organisations can apply for grants of up to £100,000 as part of the first phase to support activity that improves long-term capacity, sustainability […]
Alliance Finance and Infrastructure spokesperson, Andrew Muir MLA, has said he’s disappointing that more than three-quarters of applications submitted by community groups for the Department for Infrastructure’s Road Safety Grant Scheme had been rejected. Mr Muir was speaking after he received confirmation from the Department that of the 61 applications submitted, 47 were rejected. A […]
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has said a contingency admissions criteria for post-primary transfer is urgently needed, after months of frustration and distress for pupils, parents and teachers. Speaking after AQE announced the full cancellation of its tests, Chris, Chair of Stormont’s Education Committee, said: “I acknowledge the AQE apology for the distress caused by persistent […]
Alliance MP Stephen Farry has called for the European Commission and the UK Government to jointly address some of the issues currently affecting trade flows into Northern Ireland, through additional flexibilities and derogations. The North Down MP said some problems being experienced had arose from a lack of planning and information given on short notice, […]
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 […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has reiterated calls for local universities to introduce ‘no detriment’ policies to protect student grades against the ongoing pandemic. The policy ensures as long as a student passes a module, their grade point average will not be affected, meaning they will not fall below their current overall mark. A number of […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed clarification domiciliary care workers who work for independent providers will be included alongside dentists, pharmacists and optometrists in the next round of the vaccination programme. However, South Belfast MLA Ms Bradshaw also renewed her call for consideration of all allied health professionals to be included at this […]
South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has welcomed the Human Rights Commission’s challenge to the Northern Ireland Office and the Department of Health for its failure to commission safe and accessible abortion services after they were legalised. The MLA stated: “The ongoing failure to implement the abortion framework is utterly unacceptable. Abortion is a conscience issue […]