Tag Archives: Covid 19

Murphy announces £300 million support package

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced a £300 million support package including over £200 million for businesses and £98 million of COVID-19 funding to support the most vulnerable. Making the announcement, Conor Murphy said: “Our businesses are facing huge challenges and are under immense pressure. “Today we’ve agreed a significant business support package worth £213 million. “This includes...
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Minister Mallon clamps down on drink driving

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced that a change to legislation which will prevent suspected drink drivers from trying to evade prosecution by delaying testing, comes into effect from today. Minister Nichola Mallon said: “One of my priorities is to improve and promote road safety. From today, a change in law will abolish a driver’s right to...
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Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced a £19m Support Fund for Taxi Drivers and Private Coach and Bus Operators.

The support fund recognises the exceptional circumstances that these businesses have faced from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and is to assist with unavoidable overheads and loss of income during this time. Speaking after the Executive meeting where the support fund was agreed, Minister Mallon said: “Covid-19 has presented many challenges and worries and has been...
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Dodds announces two new schemes to support business recovery

Economy Minister Diane Dodds today announced two new schemes to support Northern Ireland businesses plan for recovery. The schemes - one administered by Tourism Northern Ireland and the other by Invest Northern Ireland - have been developed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assess the impacts of Covid-19 and develop a strategic recovery plan for...
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Bus and Coach Industry “on its knees” and requires immediate financial support from the Executive

#saveourcoachindustry The Bus and Coach industry in Northern Ireland has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to support them financially as a priority. Over 30 coach providers from across Northern Ireland arrived at Stormont from Titanic Quarter earlier this morning to take their appeal to the heart of the...
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Joint Statement by the Department of Health and the Police Service of Northern Ireland

The regulations on social distancing were introduced quickly for very good reason. In an ideal world, they would have received detailed scrutiny at the Assembly before becoming law. Unscrupulous traders profiteering by exploiting Covid-19 warned Unscrupulous traders profiteering by exploiting Covid-19 warned However, we are not living in an ideal world at present. The overriding priority at...
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Economy Minister highlights alternative employment opportunities

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has offered her support to people looking for alternative work due to the impact of COVID-19 on jobs across Northern Ireland

The Minister said:
“I want to reassure businesses and workers that my department is working hard to support you through the uncertainty of the current economic situation.”
Mrs Dodds said that there...
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Mallon urges the public to support frontline workers

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon is urging the public to stay safe and follow the guidance, as essential workers continue to maintain valuable services for the whole community. Speaking today Minister Mallon said: “This is not an easy time for any of us and we all need to play our part by staying at home and following government...
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Payments in Small Business Support Grant Schemes to start early next week

The first payment in the Small Business Support Grant Scheme will be made on March 31, if not before, Economy Minister Diane Dodds said today. The Minister also announced that an online portal, set up to support the payments, went live today. The portal provides the facility for business to register their bank details in order...
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Minister updates the Assembly on the state of the economy during Covid-19 crisis

This is the most serious health and economic crisis any of us has ever lived through and Northern Ireland needs bravery, compassion, support and leadership to get through it. The Minister said it is her priority to mitigate against the impact on our economy. She emphasised that help is available and highlighted measures - introduced by...
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