Communities Minister Welcomes Opening Of Carnagat Community House

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the official opening of a new extension to Carnagat Community House in Newry. The Department for Communities provided over £356,000 through its Neighbourhood Renewal Programme to support the project.

Leased to Carnagat Community Association by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the expanded building offers vital additional space, enabling the community to host more daily and weekly activities. This enhancement is expected to meet increased local demand and encourage greater volunteering.

Minister Seeks Clarity On Go Succeed Future

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has pressed the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) for urgent clarity on the future of Go Succeed, the business start-up support service. Funding for Go Succeed, currently from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is set to cease in March 2026, with its replacement, the Local Growth Fund, lacking operational details.

Minister Archibald described Go Succeed as a "real success story" for entrepreneurs and small businesses, stating her Department is ready to take over the service. However, she noted that the recent Spending Review provided no clear path forward, necessitating clarification from the NIO on the service’s vital role in the economy.

Belfast City Council To Secure Historic Assembly Rooms

Belfast City Council has agreed to complete the sale of the historic Assembly Rooms, a move welcomed by Green Party Councillor Aine Groogan. The decision effectively brings the iconic Cathedral Quarter building back into public ownership.

This development follows sustained pressure from the Green Party over the past two years, who had previously raised concerns about inaction regarding the building's future. Councillor Groogan hailed the agreement as a "huge moment" for Belfast, emphasising the securing of a culturally significant site for the city's future.