Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced the next stage of the ‘Forests for Our Future’ programme by launching a new £4million grant scheme that aims to encourage and help landowners plant their own native woodlands.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has today set out some of her key priorities for the New Year including progressing the development of Casement Park

Health Minister Robin Swann today underlined his determination to see visits for care home residents facilitated across Northern Ireland over Christmas and into the New Year.

Under Department of Health visiting guidance issued in September, all care homes should facilitate a range of methods that provide for safely managed and meaningful contact between residents and their loved ones. That guidance has not been adopted uniformly throughout Northern Ireland’s care home sector. Many families have reported that they have only had limited and impersonal contact with a relative since March.

Education Minister Peter Weir has today announced his intention to establish an Independent Review of Education.

The labour market statistics were published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.