Minister Condemns "Abhorrent" Wildfires and Praises Emergency Services

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has strongly condemned the recent spate of wildfires across Northern Ireland, describing them as "abhorrent."

He also expressed his gratitude to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), and other agencies for their ongoing efforts in challenging conditions.

In a bid to ease the pressure on the NIFRS and encourage collective responsibility, Minister Muir is appealing to all landowners to refrain from any prescribed burning during the remaining open season window, which closes on 14th April.

Minister Muir stated: "Firstly I want to thank the tireless work of the first responders in trying to get these fires under control. It is an extremely difficult and unpredictable issue to manage and I am very grateful to the firefighters who are in attendance. The scale of the destruction has been greatly reduced by the preparedness of all agencies involved.

"I am extremely disappointed to learn that fires continue to be deliberately lit in the Mournes. We need to call it what it is - it’s rural arson and it puts lives at risk. It also has a devastating impact on wildlife, flora and fauna, risks livestock, impacts on residents and businesses and causes untold damage. Anyone with information that can bring those responsible for lighting these malicious fires to justice, should bring it immediately to the PSNI or Crime Stoppers.

"I am also urging landowners to refrain from any prescribed burning in the remaining open season window in order to give our firefighters the best chance to respond to ongoing incidents. We all must play our part in reducing the burden on our emergency services."

The DAERA has been providing support by deploying NIEA teams on the ground with specialist All-Terrain Vehicles equipped with portable pumps over the weekend to assist in managing and containing the fires. The NIEA has been part of a multi-agency response to wildfires since 2013 through the East Mournes Wildfire Project. 

Minister Muir also urged the public to exercise common sense and protect the natural environment, saying: "There is still an ongoing risk of wildfires in place with the current weather conditions, so the need for everyone to take care and respect our countryside is of utmost importance.

"If anyone is going out into nature in the coming days, you must think of the potential consequences of your actions and don’t even think about lighting a fire or BBQ."

Larne Woman Convicted For £7,000 Benefit Fraud A 45-year-old woman from Larne has been convicted at Ballymena Magistrates Court today for fraudulently claiming over £7,000 in benefits.

Amanda Clements, of Moyle Parade, Larne, claimed a total of £7,398 in Universal Credit while failing to declare that she was employed. She was sentenced to 120 hours of community service, which must be completed within the next twelve months.

The benefit fraud was uncovered following an investigation carried out by the Department for Communities. The court also ordered that the full amount of the fraudulently obtained money must be repaid to the Department.

The Department for Communities has a system in place for reporting suspected benefit fraud anonymously. Further information on how to do this can be found on the nidirect website.

SDLP Calls For Executive Action On School Uniform Costs

SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty has urged the Executive to ensure that the School Uniforms Bill delivers a genuine reduction in costs for parents.

His comments follow a vote in the Assembly on Monday to expedite Education Minister Paul Givan's School Uniforms Bill.

Councillor Doherty, who runs a school uniform support scheme at his community solidarity hub Foodstock, expressed concerns that the current proposals might not significantly alleviate the financial pressures faced by families.

Councillor Doherty said: "It's crucial that parents get school uniform support as soon as possible, but we need to ensure that the legislation being brought through the Assembly meaningfully lowers costs for parents. As it stands there are serious concerns that this bill simply tinkers around the edges of the problem and I will be working with SDLP colleagues to ensure that robust amendments are brought forward.

"Parents have been waiting years for the Executive to act on this issue and they have to get it right. Every year our school uniform scheme at Foodstock is inundated with people from right across Belfast and further afield who are struggling to afford school uniforms for their children. For families with multiple children these costs can run to hundreds and hundreds of pounds and with the difficult times we are living in many simply can't afford it.

"Uniform support is not simply about lowering costs for parents, it's about providing dignity. No parent should have to lie awake at night wondering how they are going to afford a uniform for their child.

"This support won't be in place until the 2026/27 school year at the earliest which means many parents in my community are facing another difficult summer of worry. That should focus the minds of the Minister and the rest of the Executive who need to ensure that this bill delivers more than the illusion of action and makes school uniforms affordable for all."