Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the NI Executive’s agreement to introduce a series of Covid-19 restrictions from 00:01 on December 26, 2020. The restrictions will be in place for six weeks, subject to review at four weeks. The Health Minister will be making an oral statement to the Assembly on Monday setting outRead More →
The four UK Children’s Commissioners are calling on the UK Government and its devolved governments to address the systemic disadvantages facing children and young people across the nations. In a joint report to the UN, the Commissioners conclude that the Covid-19 pandemic has amplified the systemic disadvantages faced by thousandsRead More →
Samaritans tells callers – we’re here for you this Christmas Being separated from family and loved ones over the Christmas period is one of the biggest concerns facing callers to Samaritans, the charity has revealed. Volunteers on the 24-hour helpline say almost a third of callers are feeling concerned aboutRead More →
Education Minister Peter Weir has today announced his intention to establish an Independent Review of Education. The Terms of Reference for the Review, which is an Executive commitment in New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) have been published today. Speaking in the Assembly the Minister said: “The ‘New Decade, New Approach’Read More →
The Public Health Agency (PHA) operates a dedicated COVID-19 education team to provide support on cases of COVID-19 that occur in a school setting. The team operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm during term time. The education team willRead More →
The charity, Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust, was forced to cancel its annual flight to Lapland and instead has swapped air miles for garden visits, with two young Co. Down brothers the first to benefit. The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to RememberRead More →
Old-fashioned, handmade, home-baked, and homespun are all words that describe Chris Myers’ perfect Christmas. In this modern, hectic but beautiful world of ours sometimes it is nice to take stock of what is important, especially at this special time of year. Setting a calm but magical scene for the festiveRead More →
According to a major study of 330,000 pupils in 58 countries carried out in Northern Ireland by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), primary pupils in Northern Ireland are performing very well in maths and science. Results from the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) reveal thatRead More →
Northern Ireland’s home cook hero, Suzie Lee says: “Turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing and mountains of vegetables, who doesn’t love sitting down with family to enjoy an amazing Christmas dinner? To many though, the thought of having to cook this festive feast can be a very daunting and stressful task, especiallyRead More →
Christmas dinner is arguably the most important meal of the year and a quarter of Northern Ireland home cooks have admitted they are nervous about cooking this year’s festive feast, according to new research by safefood. The poll of over 300 adults across Northern Ireland has also revealed thatRead More →
Child cruelty and neglect offences recorded by the PSNI in Northern Ireland are continuing to rise, with crimes increasing by 22% in the last year alone, the NSPCC has revealed. To raise awareness of child neglect and abuse this Christmas, a number of buildings across Northern Ireland* will turn greenRead More →
New proposals to assist sustainability of the childcare sector have been announced today. Education Minister, Peter Weir outlined the plans following the allocation of £8.5 million funding in October for ongoing recovery and sustainability within the childcare sector. The Childcare Sustainability Support Fund developed for the period 1 September to 31Read More →