Northern Ireland Executive

02/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/20/2026 04:45

Minister announces dedicated advice service for Armed Forces community

Minister announces dedicated advice service for Armed Forces community

Date published: 20 February 2026

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced dedicated advice services for the Armed Forces community.

Pictured at the Veteran Information Roadshow event in Ballymena are (l-r) Charlie Marno, Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone and Tricia Robinson, Royal Armed

The new telephone and text service will address the particular difficulties for serving personnel, veterans and their families in accessing services.

Speaking at a Veterans Roadshow event in Ballymena, Minister Lyons said: "My Department has one of the broadest remits in government. Our services touch the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland, from housing and benefits, to sport, local places, arts and culture.

"With such a wide span of responsibilities, I am committed to a simple principle: providing the right service, at the right time, to the right people. No one should face disadvantage when trying to access the support to which they are entitled.

"I am therefore determined that veterans, those currently serving and their families, have our support to help access their entitlements."

The dedicated online and telephone advice service, tailored to the needs of the Armed Forces community, will be launched over the coming weeks.

In addition, the Department for Communities, working in conjunction with the Veterans Commission, will launch a series of advice roadshows across Northern Ireland.

A senior official within the Department has also been appointed as the strategic lead for continued service delivery including ongoing engagement with the Veterans Commissioner and representative groups.

The new service adds to the Department's extensive advice provision for people across Northern Ireland to assist them in accessing benefits and other supports. This includes the Make the Call free telephone and outreach advice service and dedicated online resources.

Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone said: "Following the passing of the motion in early November by the Assembly to adapt the Armed Forces Covenant, I want to acknowledge the proactive approach that has been taken by Minister Lyons and his officials in moving swiftly to launch a dedicated support service for the Armed Forces community.

"This is a significant and positive step as we work towards ensuring that there is no disadvantage towards members of our Armed Forces and veterans in the areas, including housing and welfare, that are within the remit of this Department. I look forward to further engagement with the Minister and his officials on these important matters".

Notes to editors:

  1. Photo caption: Pictured at the Veteran Information Roadshow event in Ballymena are (l-r) Charlie Marno, Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone and Tricia Robinson, Royal Armed Medical Core
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Northern Ireland Executive published this content on February 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 20, 2026 at 10:45 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]