Communities Minister urged to listen to anti-poverty organisations during strategy consultation

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has stated that organisations actively involved in tackling poverty must be heard and their views carefully considered during the consultation process for the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Mr Gildernew, who chairs the Communities Committee, was speaking today (Thursday, 15th May) after the strategy was presented to the Executive by the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons.

"An effective Anti-Poverty Strategy is essential to supporting those who are struggling financially, including those in work and on low incomes," said Mr Gildernew. "An effective strategy is an investment in our future and the future of our children." 

He emphasised the crucial role played by grassroots organisations: "Organisations working every day to tackle poverty have consistently called for a meaningful strategy. Their voice and input is essential in shaping this strategy."

Mr Gildernew called on the current Minister to engage closely with the sector, referencing the approach of a predecessor. "Deirdre Hargey as Communities Minister worked closely with the sector and Minister Lyons should now do the same."

Four Belfast Residents Convicted Of Dog Control And Animal Welfare Offences

Four Belfast residents were convicted at Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday, Tuesday 13th May 2025, in separate cases brought by Belfast City Council relating to dog control and animal welfare offences.

Among those convicted was Aoife McDowell of Bell Steel Manor, who was sentenced for abandoning and causing unnecessary suffering to a Bully type dog in November 2023. Belfast City Council’s Animal Welfare Officers entered the property under warrant following reports the dog had been left unattended for several days. The animal was found to have been left alone for at least 72 hours before being seized. Ms McDowell received an 8-month custodial sentence for causing unnecessary suffering and a 4-month sentence for abandonment, to run concurrently and suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay £400 in costs and disqualified from owning animals for 15 years. 

In separate incidents, three men were convicted following cases where their dogs were found in public off lead and attacked other dogs. Adam Bell, of Dunseverick Avenue, was prosecuted after an XL Bully type dog he was in charge of attacked another dog on Dunseverick Avenue on 20th August 2024. Mr Bell was convicted and fined £250 for the attack, with an additional £150 fine for allowing the dog to be in public off lead and without a muzzle. He was also ordered to pay legal and court costs totalling £124.

Martin Bell, also of Dunseverick Avenue, faced similar charges relating to an attack by an XL Bully type dog he owned on a Yorkshire Terrier type dog at the same location on 10th August 2024. He received the same penalties as Adam Bell, with a total fine of £400 and £124 in legal and court costs.

Colin Rockett of Boyd Street was convicted after his XL Bully type dog attacked a Yorkshire Terrier type dog at Malvern Way on 3rd September 2024. Mr Rockett was found guilty and fined £150 for the dog attack, £150 for allowing the dog in public without a lead and muzzle, and £150 for not having a valid dog licence. He was also ordered to pay £250 in compensation and legal and court costs totalling £136.

SDLP Welcomes Extension Of Childcare Subsidy To School-Age Children

SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA has welcomed the extension of the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) to include school-age children, following an announcement from the Education Minister today (Thursday, 15th May).

Ms McLaughlin stated that she had previously lobbied the Minister to widen the scheme's eligibility.

The Foyle MLA said: "This announcement from the Education Minister is welcome and will lower childcare bills for thousands of families with school-age children. This has been a pressing issue for parents for some time and I directly lobbied the Minister on their behalf and am glad he has listened and made the necessary changes so they can now avail of this scheme." 

However, Ms McLaughlin stressed that while the extension is positive, the NICSS is "only a beginning." She argued that much of the financial saving for parents is being offset by increased childcare bills from providers. 

"We are still waiting on a businesses support scheme from the Department for the Economy to help providers and until that happens costs will continue to rise and this support will diminish," she added, calling for action from the Economy Department.