Health and Society
Here you will find blogs produced by our research officers in relation to health and society. Please note that the blogs you will find here are blogs that have been published since 1 May 2022. We also have an archive of blogs where you will find everything published May 2022.
Children and Families
The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (‘the Bill’) is currently being considered by the Assembly. This blog article provides a brief
Carers Rights Day, observed on 20 November, is intended to raise awareness about the rights of the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid carers and the support available to them. CarersUK
Community Relations
Culture and Sport
Northern Ireland: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the largest global festival of Irish traditional music, language, and culture, organised by the non-profit cultural organisation,
Following on from the discussion in our last blog post – Defining arts and culture in Northern Ireland – Members may wish to consider the financial structures underpinning Northern
With a new arts policy expected in Spring 2026, under the Department for Communities’ Heritage, Culture and Creativity Framework, this blog article – the first of two such posts
Equality
As part of a series of blog posts from the Assembly Research and Information Service to mark International Women’s Day 2025, we have put together this video to summarise
This blog article is part of a series from the Assembly Research and Information Service to mark International Women’s Day 2025. On average, men earn 7.3% more than women
Health and Social Care
Imagine you are responsible for allocating an additional £1 million to improve health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland. Should it fund smoking cessation services, falls prevention programmes for older
Waiting lists are a familiar feature of health system debate in Northern Ireland. They are usually discussed in terms of numbers waiting and length of delay. These measures matter,
Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care system is balancing the demands of today alongside the reforms needed for tomorrow. As waiting times in Northern Ireland remain significantly longer than
Housing
Homelessness is a significant problem in Northern Ireland, and is one of nine strategic priorities in the current Programme for Government. This article provides a brief profile of the