There will be a line Closure between Carrickfergus and Larne Harbour this weekend (21st & 22nd Feb) and next weekend (28th Feb & 1st March) Rail replacement bus services will serve main road bus stops but will call at Whitehead and Larne Town Train Stations. Rail replacement bus services will meet Belfast-bound trains at Carrickfergus. The line between Carrickfergus and Belfast will be operational. Translink are advising customers to check their timetables in advance of trave

Minister's Answer I agree with the Member about the impact of waiting times on patients and their families and friends. I do not have an answer to the Member's specific question about Belfast City Hospital. Generally speaking, however, we are trying to deal with regional variation, particularly where it is not reasonable variation. I gave an example to Mr Kingston of what I consider not to be reasonable variation or a reasonable reason for delay. As well as making savings in

Thinking ahead to planting season? A local social enterprise based in prison grounds is offering sustainably grown trees at reduced prices while stocks last. Magilligan Tree Nursery has announced two special offers and has also explained how each order helps support its prisoner rehabilitation efforts as well as work to help native tree species and the community. The offers – 10 trees from £8.95 plus one free tree with every ten purchased – are now available. The £8.95 price

The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), Education Authority (EA) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are issuing the below joint letter to parents and carers via schools, colleges, youth clubs and other organisations working with children and young people. The letter highlights growing concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to create or manipulate harmful and sexualised images of young people. There is growing concern about the use of

Minister's Answer We have engaged with a number of organisations, not least the National Association of Head Teachers. We have facilitated engagement with principals. We continue to identify specific localities where there is a need, and we seek to engage with school principals there, but, ultimately, not enough schools are making themselves available. Whatever their concerns may be, they need to work with the EA to identify the challenges. I intend to strengthen the Educatio

Minister's Answer I do agree with that. That is why I outlined what a 10-year capital programme for special educational needs provision would look like, not least in establishing new schools but in enhancing provision in mainstream settings. Where children are able to avail themselves of their local school that will inevitably reduce the requirement for long-distance transport and the associated costs. The EA has looked at the current provision through its contracts with taxi

Minister's Answer The Member points to the independent review of education, which references the creation of a single authority, but leaves out the recommendations. Each member of the panel said that this would be a necessary step towards the creation of a single education authority. Those independent members recognise that the controlled sector is treated in a suboptimal fashion. They support the creation of the managing authority for controlled schools, and they say that it

Minister's Answer Yes, it will include a review of section 167 of the 2008 Act. I am sure that everyone in the House knows that section of the Act. The review will provide certainty for institutions that are not established under the law of Northern Ireland but operate here for charitable purposes.

Minister's Answer Biosecurity is the first line of defence to protect livestock and business. Good biosecurity reduces the risk of the introduction and spread of disease. It is about taking all the efforts to reduce the risk of contact between disease-causing organisms and agents and susceptible animals, both from outside and inside the farm. First, farmers can take measures such as minimising purchases and, where purchases are necessary, doing so from low-risk disease source

I attended the launch of the All-Party Group on Suicide Prevention Inquiry at Stormont yesterday With 290 suicide deaths registered in NI in 2024, this cross-departmental Inquiry is a vital step towards stronger, more joined-up prevention.Evidence to the Inquiry is now open: https://s.surveyplanet.com/yogdrupj