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Minister for Communities visits Ballymena as funding secured for vital school counselling support
Principals Sandra Sheeran (Ballykeel Primary), Karen McMaster (Camphill Primary), and Neil McCullough (Harryville Primary), governors, counsellor and parent representatives, with Minister Gordon Lyons, DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, and Indeoendent Ballymena Councillor Lawrie Philpott. The Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons , visited North Antrim on Wednesday following intervention from DUP MLA Paul Frew that helped secure continued funding for a counselling and therap
5 days ago


Housing Minister warns tenancy fraud ‘not victimless’ as new crackdown plans unveiled
Communities Minster Gordon Lyons (right) pictured with (left to right) Kevin Curran (Northern Ireland Housing Executive), Paula Craig-Peratt (Falkirk City Council), Stephanie Toghill (Tenancy Fraud Forum UK), Katrina Robinson (Tenancy Fraud Forum UK) and Tracey Ellis (Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations). Housing Minister Gordon Lyons has pledged a tougher stance on social housing tenancy fraud, warning that those who abuse the system are “taking a lifeline f
Nov 22


£150,000 festive lighting boost announced for Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus
Church Street, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim’s town centres are set to shine even brighter this Christmas thanks to a £150,000 investment in festive lighting announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. The Department for Communities is providing £135,000, with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council contributing an additional £15,000 towards the new Festive Lighting Scheme. The funding will support the installation of new and enhanced seasonal lighting across Ballymena, Larne
Nov 13


ICC Belfast secured to host UEFA EURO 2028 Qualifying Draw
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at the official launch of UEFA EURO 2028 in London. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that ICC Belfast will host the UEFA EURO 2028 Qualifying Draw, marking a major win for Northern Ireland as excitement builds ahead of the tournament. The announcement was made following the official tournament launch in London on Wednesday evening, where it was revealed that the qualifying draw will take place at ICC Belfast on 6 Decem
Nov 12


Ulster Grand Prix set for 2027 return to Dundrod – “World’s fastest road race” to make triumphant comeback
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, with club representatives at Stormont. The iconic Ulster Grand Prix is set to roar back onto the international motorsport stage in summer 2027, marking its long-awaited return to the famous Dundrod circuit for the first time since 2019. The announcement from the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) Ltd (MCUI UC) confirms that extensive discussions with government departments, MLAs, counc
Nov 4


Shop Front Revitalisation Grant returns to boost Mid and East Antrim town centres
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the return of its popular Shop Front Revitalisation Grant Scheme for a third consecutive year, offering a major boost to local businesses in town centres across Ballymena, Larne, Carrickfergus and Greenisland. The initiative, backed by £604,000 in funding from the Department for Communities, aims to transform the appearance of shop fronts and revitalise high streets throughout the Borough. Building on the success of previous s
Oct 30


Minister urges older people to check Pension Credit eligibility to unlock vital cost of living support
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Age NI Head of Advice and Advocacy Services Brenda Kearns (left) and Director of Pensions, Disability, and Carers at Department for Communities NI Leonora McLaughlin. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has encouraged people over the State Pension age to check whether they qualify for Pension Credit, warning that many older residents could be missing out on vital financial help during the ongoing cost of living pressures. Pension
Oct 27


Six Mid & East Antrim bands awarded funding share of £1.1m Musical Instruments Programme
Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William Flute Band who were one of the locals bands to recieve funding Six local bands from across Mid & East Antrim are among 134 individuals and groups to receive funding from the Department for Communities’ £1.1 million Musical Instruments Programme for 2025/26. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed that the latest round of grants will help bands, performing groups and professional musicians across Northern Ireland to purchase or replace musica
Oct 21


Communities Minister joins Olympic Champion Hannah Scott at Bann Rowing Club for boat launch
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Olympic Medallist, Hannah Scott, MBE unveiling a boat named in her honour. Communities...
Oct 12


Lyons announces £12.4m JobStart programme to help benefit claimants into work
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is pictured with Gary Hazlett and Carla Marriott, K9tergarten and Caorlan McAllister from Halfway House...
Oct 6


£1M Olympic Legacy Fund unveiled to support local clubs across NI
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Olympic Champion Daniel Wiffen and Richard Archibald, Interim CEO of Sport NI at the...
Sep 16


Ballymena United secure place in next stage of £36m NI Football Fund
Ballymena Showgrounds Ballymena United have been confirmed among the first group of clubs to progress to the next stage of the Northern...
Sep 15


Turn your idea into a business with Enterprise Pathways – applications open now!
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, is pictured with David McFaul, Dream Out Loud Entertainment NI, and Sean...
Sep 15


“Lir View” announced as name for new Cushendall social housing development
L-R Pupils Emilee Harris, Niamh McLaughlin, Ellie McLaughlin and Nicola Molloy join Tom Potter, Chair, Rural Housing, Communities...
Sep 12


European Heritage Open Days 2025: Explore castles, cottages and culture across Northern Ireland
The 28th annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) take place this weekend, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, with more than 260...
Sep 11


Frew welcomes continued funding for counselling support in Ballymena schools
Harryville, Ballykeel, and Camphill Primary Schools in Ballymena. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed confirmation from Communities...
Sep 4


Minister Lyons opens £29m shared housing development in Ballymena
Anita Conway, Director of Development at Radius Housing Association with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Dermot McBride from MJ...
Sep 3


Northern Ireland bands receive £100,000 boost for international travel opportunities
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with performers at the Belfast International Tattoo 2024. In a significant move to support the...
Aug 28


Lyons announces £2.5m boost for homelessness prevention services in Northern Ireland
Minister Lyons meets the NI Men's team competing in the Homeless World Cup in Oslo next week. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has...
Aug 20


Street art boost: Over 40 new murals planned across Mid and East Antrim with £85,000 investment
Street art on buildings in Ballymena town centre Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed an £85,000 investment in a new Street...
Aug 16
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