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A blog from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service

Latest Articles

A drawing showing various themes, including women's rights, justice and empowerment
On 26 November, the Assembly discussed 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign against gender-based violence which highlights how violence against women endangers our societies and undermines the core…
A picture of a Scrabble board showing words such as 'school', 'learn' and 'read'.
This blog article will consider two main issues. First, it will examine the financial pressures facing parents in supporting their children through the school system. Second, it will look…
A picture of a Scrabble board showing words such as 'school', 'learn' and 'read'.

Parental pressures in education

This blog article will consider two main issues. First, it will examine the financial pressures facing parents in supporting their children through the school system.

Agriculture and Environment

Overhead satellite image of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland.
In recent years, algal blooms have drawn large-scale notoriety and attention. We take a look at their global impact on areas of natural beauty.
Description of image provided in accompanying caption.
We take a look at the economic and environmental impact of zebra mussels, an invasive aquatic species, across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Economy and Finance

A photograph of the Houses of Parliament from the opposite side of the River Thames and including Westminster Bridge
Understanding the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill: key issues and implications On 4 September 2024, the UK Government introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology (PRM) Bill (the PRM Bill)
A first person view looking down the 'Stairway to Heaven' Boardwalk in Cuilcagh Mountain, Ireland. Cuilcagh is a mountain on the border between County Fermanagh and County Cavan. The boardwalk is a wooden pathway constructed through the rocky mountainous area.
Introduction Tourism in Northern Ireland accounted for £2.3 billion or 5% of the region’s Gross Value Added in 2019. The sector supported 70,200 jobs in Northern Ireland in 2022.

Education and Skills

A picture of a Scrabble board showing words such as 'school', 'learn' and 'read'.
This blog article will consider two main issues. First, it will examine the financial pressures facing parents in supporting their children through the school system. Second, it will look
A photograph showing primary school children learning in a forest environment
Northern Ireland faces a dual challenge of declining biodiversity and diminishing childhood engagement with nature. Forest Schools have emerged as a potential innovative solution, with over a fifth of

Governance

Health and Society

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
A decorative image showing the scales of justice under a spotlight
Every year, World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the state of mental health services globally. In Northern Ireland (NI), the intersection between mental health and

Infrastructure

Infrastructure articles produced after May 2022 will be published here when they are available. You can also view our archive of blogs published before May 2022.