Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie welcomed the reduction in homelessness revealed in the latest statistics published by the Housing Executive.

The number of people presenting as homeless in Northern Ireland during 2007/2008 was almost 2,000 fewer than in the previous year. This is the first time the homeless figures have reduced since 1999/2000.

Commenting on the latest statistics, the Minister said: "Any reduction in homelessness represents a reduction in hardship and social exclusion and I am delighted that after 10 years of ever-rising homelessness, the number has finally started to fall.

"It would appear that our achievement in terms of building significantly more homes and providing more co-ownership finance than in previous years, is having a positive impact.

"However, there are other factors influencing the level of homelessness over which we have less control. Therefore I would be cautious in saying we have turned the corner – but the figures – the first reduction in 10 years - are a welcome indicator that life has improved for a lot of people."

Fires are a risk to life

Deliberate wildland gorse fires place firefighters' lives in danger and are a blight on our countryside, said Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.

Condemning a spate of countryside fires over the past few weeks, the Minister said it was absolutely unacceptable for anyone to deliberately start fires.

He said: "All our emergency workers strive to protect and save the population from harm. It is likely that those people who are starting these fires will one day need help from those very staff they are placing in jeopardy," he continued.

"By engaging in deliberate fire-setting, there is a very real risk that a firefighter will be injured or equipment may be damaged, resulting in a fire engine not being available for a real emergency.

"Deliberate fires are criminal, and have no place in a civilised society. The perpetrators need to be caught and they need to be punished."

Cross border co-operation

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, attended the closing of the conference 'Across Borders – Across Communities' in Bundoran.

The conference is part of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Cross-Border Parent, Community and School Partnership Programme. The project aims to establish local networks with schools, parents and their communities in assisting with the development of home-to-school programmes.

Ms Ruane said: "All too often decisions about education are left to policy makers, however, I believe teachers, communities and, of course, parents have much to contribute to the debate," she explained.

" I am greatly impressed to see the level of collaboration involved in this project. I have met teachers, principals and parents from both North and South, all of whom want to make a positive change to the education of all our children.

"In recent years there have been increases in both the numbers and proportion of Special Needs pupils. This has been coupled with an increase in the complexity of Special Educational Needs.

"The timing of the launch of these new resources is therefore invaluable and I want to congratulate all involved."