Latest news with #NISRA
Irish Post
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Post
Northern Ireland's population to peak in 2033
NORTHERN Ireland's population is expected to reach its highest point in 2033, hitting nearly 1.95 million, before it starts to gradually decline, according to a recent report by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). The study emphasises a low birth rate as the main contributing factor. The projections show that by 2031, the number of deaths will surpass births, marking a demographic shift that is only going to continue. Any future population growth is likely to rely entirely on migration, which is becoming a particularly thorny issue across the whole of Europe. However, the report assumes migration will continue at its current pace, resulting in an overall population increase of only 1.1% between 2022 and 2047, which is significantly lower than growth rates seen elsewhere in mainland Britain. Another worrying detail in the report is the rapid ageing of Northern Ireland's population. By the middle of 2027, pensioners are projected to outnumber children for the first time. The working-age population, which includes those between 16 and 64 years old, is projected to begin shrinking by 2028. By 2047, more than a quarter of the population will be aged 65 or older, compared with about one in six today. Northern Ireland is predicted to have the largest drop in its child population and the largest increase in pensioners compared to Britain. These projections are based on current trends and assumptions. Changes in government policies, specifically on migration, could alter future demographic changes. Ireland's population has long been shaped by the migration of its people. Historical upheavals such as the Great Famine in the mid-1800s, led to mass starvation and the emigration of millions. Ulster was particularly affected. Between 1845-1851 the population fell by 340,000, a nearly 16% drop, with the worst losses in the counties of Cavan, Fermanagh and Monaghan. Since then, Ireland has seen changes in population both within and outside its borders but still hasn't returned to its pre-Famine peak of 8.5 million in 1845. See More: Great Irish Famine, Irish Population, NISRA, Northern Ireland
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Dublin to Derry flights ‘could resume by 2026' in boost to north-west region
Flights between City of Derry Airport (CoDA) and Dublin were cancelled in 2011. The airport is currently the least busy of three major airports in the north of Ireland. Recent air travel numbers from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) revealed the airport's summer quarter 2023 saw it welcome 48,000 travellers. The number is less than half the airport's strongest recorded quarter, when it saw close to 130,000 travellers in July-September 2011. Since that high point, the airport has faced the loss of routes like Ryanair's former Derry to Dublin flight, and the disruption of the global pandemic. Donegal TD Mr McConalogue told BBC News NI that talks to reinstate the Derry to Dublin route are ongoing. "The Irish government are committed to stepping this forward, have put a timeline in place as to how we can make this happen, and I have been liaising with the minister for transport and City of Derry management," he told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show. McConalogue said it been a commitment in the Government's programme for government and that it would move forward. He added that next month the transport Minister Darragh O'Brien will meet the airport management. McConalogue said the loss has "been a real disadvantage to Derry, Donegal, and the north-west region". In April, it was announced that direct flights between Derry and Heathrow will continue to be subsidised for two more years. It followed an announced by Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald of £4.626 million of funding from her department and Westminster's Department for Transport. It will ensure the continuation of flights between CoDA and Heathrow until March 31, 2027.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Recovering gambler urges others to not 'suffer in silence'
A recovering gambling addict is urging others to not "suffer in silence" as new official figures reveal that problem gambling levels in Northern Ireland remain at a similar level as before. Stephen Kerr said his addiction started when he was 15 years old, by 18 he was a "full-blown gambling addict". Two years later he was in a rehabilitation facility. "It started off small and just kept growing and growing, I've lost thousands," Mr Kerr told BBC News NI. Problem gambling is gambling which compromises, disrupts or damages the individual or their family, as well as their daily life and career. Northern Ireland has the highest rate of problem gamblers in the United Kingdom, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). In 2024, 3% of respondents in Northern Ireland were considered to be a problem gambler, the Northern Ireland Research Agency (NISRA) has revealed. This figure is similar to that in previous years: in 2016, problem gambler levels in Northern Ireland were at 2% and 3% in 2010. Across England, Scotland and Wales, 2.5% of respondents in 2023 were found to be problem gamblers, according to the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). The PGSI assesses how prevalent problem gambling is within a population. It asks respondents to assess their own gambling habits over the previous 12 months. The questions are then scored and any total PGSI score above eight puts the individual in the "problem gambler" group. Mr Kerr, who was a champion runner for Ireland in the European Cross Country, has been recovering from his gambling addiction for more than 15 years. Despite rehab intervention, Mr Kerr, like many addicts, found himself battling multiple addictions including alcohol and drugs. In 2021 he sought further help from Cuan Mhuire which he credits with saving his life. Mr Kerr described gambling addiction as a "weird one" compared to alcohol and drug addictions because it can be so easily hidden. The 32 year old said that having good people around him has been key to his recovery. Going forward Mr Kerr said he would like to see greater support for those affected and encouraged women to talk more about gambling addiction to help address the stigma associated with the illness. "An addiction's an addiction, you're sick, you need help and once you reach out then you have to grab it with both hands." Mr Kerr has used social media to reach out and support people going through addiction. "Don't suffer in silence, reach out, but reach out to the right people, be it to gamblers anonymous groups or somebody going through recovery online. "Don't wait to hit rock bottom for every rock bottom is a trap door," he said. In 2024, 57% of surveyed adults said they gambled in the last 12 months, which is a decrease from the 2016 and 2010 survey, the Nisra study suggests. The most popular method of gambling in 2024 was in-person with National Lottery draw tickets being the most common gambling type. Despite new laws in 2022 allowing betting shops and bingo halls in Northern Ireland to open later on a Sunday, 89% of surveyed adults said they have never bet on a Sunday. The current laws contained in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order date back to 1985 There is no single independent regulatory body for gambling in Northern Ireland Courts and councils license gambling activities, the Department for Communities is responsible for track betting licences and enforcement lies with the police The 1985 order predates the development of the internet and therefore contains no provisions relating to online gambling NI consumers are offered some protection through laws in Great Britain There are also no provisions requiring the gambling industry in NI to make any contribution to funding support services for problem gambling NI laws were last updated in 2022 to allow for extended opening hours for bookmakers and bingo halls 'We went to the bookies after school until doors shut' 'Strong support' for NI gambling regulator Gambling laws 'could have saved our son's life'
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
NI gambling: Recovering addict urges others to seek support
A recovering gambling addict is urging others to not "suffer in silence" as new official figures reveal that problem gambling levels in Northern Ireland remain at a similar level as Kerr said his addiction started when he was 15 years old, by 18 he was a "full-blown gambling addict". Two years later he was in a rehabilitation facility."It started off small and just kept growing and growing, I've lost thousands," Mr Kerr told BBC News NI. What is problem gambling? Problem gambling is gambling which compromises, disrupts or damages the individual or their family, as well as their daily life and Ireland has the highest rate of problem gamblers in the United Kingdom, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).In 2024, 3% of respondents in Northern Ireland were considered to be a problem gambler, the Northern Ireland Research Agency (NISRA) has figure is similar to that in previous years: in 2016, problem gambler levels in Northern Ireland were at 2% and 3% in England, Scotland and Wales, 2.5% of respondents in 2023 were found to be problem gamblers, according to the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). What is the PGSI? The PGSI assesses how prevalent problem gambling is within a asks respondents to assess their own gambling habits over the previous 12 questions are then scored and any total PGSI score above eight puts the individual in the "problem gambler" group. Mr Kerr, who was a champion runner for Ireland in the European Cross Country, has been recovering from his gambling addiction for more than 15 years. Despite rehab intervention, Mr Kerr, like many addicts, found himself battling multiple addictions including alcohol and drugs. In 2021 he sought further help from Cuan Mhuire which he credits with saving his life. 'Don't wait to hit rock bottom' Mr Kerr described gambling addiction as a "weird one" compared to alcohol and drug addictions because it can be so easily 32 year old said that having good people around him has been key to his forward Mr Kerr said he would like to see greater support for those affected and encouraged women to talk more about gambling addiction to help address the stigma associated with the illness."An addiction's an addiction, you're sick, you need help and once you reach out then you have to grab it with both hands."Mr Kerr has used social media to reach out and support people going through addiction."Don't suffer in silence, reach out, but reach out to the right people, be it to gamblers anonymous groups or somebody going through recovery online."Don't wait to hit rock bottom for every rock bottom is a trap door," he said. What else did the statistics reveal? In 2024, 57% of surveyed adults said they gambled in the last 12 months, which is a decrease from the 2016 and 2010 survey, the Nisra study most popular method of gambling in 2024 was in-person with National Lottery draw tickets being the most common gambling new laws in 2022 allowing betting shops and bingo halls in Northern Ireland to open later on a Sunday, 89% of surveyed adults said they have never bet on a Sunday. What are NI's gambling laws? The current laws contained in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order date back to 1985There is no single independent regulatory body for gambling in Northern IrelandCourts and councils license gambling activities, the Department for Communities is responsible for track betting licences and enforcement lies with the policeThe 1985 order predates the development of the internet and therefore contains no provisions relating to online gamblingNI consumers are offered some protection through laws in Great BritainThere are also no provisions requiring the gambling industry in NI to make any contribution to funding support services for problem gamblingNI laws were last updated in 2022 to allow for extended opening hours for bookmakers and bingo halls
