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A blog from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service

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

A photograph of the plenary chamber of the Northern Ireland Assembly
This blog article contains references to domestic abuse and domestic homicide, which some readers may find distressing. Please read with care. If you are affected, support is available through
Parliament Buildings in the Stormont Estate, Belfast.
This blog article contains references to domestic abuse and domestic homicide which some readers may find distressing. Please read with care. If you are affected, support is available through
A photograph of the front page of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill
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

Community Relations

Community Relations articles will be published here when available.

Culture and Sport

A picture of a person playing a violin
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,
A diagram which is a graphic recording of an arts stakeholder event held by the Assembly's Communities Committee; the diagram contains themes such as arts and public policy, accessibility and engagement, inclusivity and diversity, and the health and wellbeing of artists.
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
Three cartoon sketches of cultural policy 'pies', each showing different sets of considerations. The first depicts slices as: wellbeing, prosperity, good relations and participation, the second as: museums, arts, libraries, languages, architecture, screen and events, and the third as: grants, resources, research, equipment, building maintenance and grants.
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

A stylised image depicting women's health
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
A stylised image showing a woman and a man on a seesaw with some money in between them.
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

Image: StockVault, Mohamed Hassan
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) provides an indication of the economic health of a country, but examining happiness can give a clearer picture of the experiences of people living with
A stylised image depicting women's health
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
An image showing some chalk writing of the term 'ADHD'
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that can significantly impact daily functioning. The exact causes of ADHD

Housing

A photograph showing two people sleeping in sleeping bags on a tarmac surface.
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

Immigration

Immigration articles will be published here when available.

Third Sector

Third Sector articles will be published here when available.

Welfare

Welfare articles will be published here when available.