DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has launched a five-year plan to safeguard Northern Ireland’s marine environment, setting out how the region will manage its network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) through to 2030. Unveiled on 25 February 2026 at Castle Espie Wetland Centre on the shores of Strangford Lough, the Marine […]
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has visited a new 24-bed aparthotel in Derry, highlighting how a £3.3 million loan from the Northern Ireland Investment Fund (NIIF) is helping transform a site vacant since the early 1980s into a tourism hub expected to support 30 new jobs. The project, developed by the
The Department for Communities has announced the completion of a £139,580 wayfinding project in Lisburn City Centre, with 18 new pedestrian signs now installed to guide visitors through key streets including Bow Street, Bridge Street and Castle Street. Jointly funded by the Department and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the
New movement restrictions targeting so-called “trojan” cattle will come into force across Northern Ireland from 1 March 2026, as the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) intensifies efforts to eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD). The measures will prohibit the movement of breeding-age females in herds where the disease
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced £2.5 million in additional emergency funding to repair Northern Ireland’s weather-battered roads, pushing total investment since December 2025 past the £40 million mark. The funding comes as the Department for Infrastructure struggles to address a surge in potholes and surface defects following severe winter
The Department of Education has launched a public Call for Evidence on revising Northern Ireland’s Religious Education (RE) Core Syllabus, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling that found the current Christian-focused curriculum unlawful. The online survey, which closes on 20 March 2026, invites parents, teachers, faith groups, and young people
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a £235,000 resurfacing scheme for the A34 Moorlough Road in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, as part of a wider programme tackling the region’s road maintenance backlog. The project covers the stretch between Castlebalfour Road and Crom Road near the historic Castle Balfour site, commencing Monday
The Department of Health has published the latest workforce statistics and active recruitment data, revealing modest growth in Health and Social Care (HSC) staff numbers alongside a continued rise in vacancies. Released on 24 February 2026, the figures provide a snapshot of staffing levels across the five regional Trusts as
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has issued a joint warning with the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) about the annual surge in pet abandonments that follows the Christmas period, urging owners experiencing “pet regret” to seek help rather than dump animals
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has reappointed 13 experienced members to the governing bodies of five further education colleges across Northern Ireland. The four-year terms took effect on 13 January 2026, maintaining continuity in the sector’s governance at a time of significant industrial and educational change. The reappointments cover Belfast
