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This publication contains the written answers to questions tabled by Members. The content of the responses is as received at the time from the relevant Minister or representative of the Assembly Commission and has not been subject to the official reporting process or changed in any way.

Friday 30 November 2007

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
CORRIGENDA

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Equality Provision

Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 192/08, what steps it will take to establish how other regions of the European Union have assessed (i) the need for; (ii) the wording of; (iii) the scope of; and (iv) the exceptions to, any harassment clause included in equality proposals stemming from EU Directives.

(AQW 612/08)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): Each Member State has its own obligation under EU law to implement European Directives and to determine how best to do so in a way which both complies with the requirements of the Directives but also addresses the specific needs of the Member State. Given therefore that implementation of Directives is a matter for the Member State, how other Member States comply with Directives, whilst of interest, is not directly pertinent. We do not therefore normally contact other Member States.

Policy consideration on the appropriate transposition of EU Directives into domestic law includes consideration of the degree of flexibility available to the Member State and the devolved administration. In doing so, we are also required to meet our statutory equality obligations and comply with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Given that equality is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of this administration to consider how the requirements of equality Directives impact on Northern Ireland and to bring forward legislation specific to Northern Ireland to implement those Directives.

However, European law does demand that Directives are implemented within a specified timeframe. The provisions of the Directive must be adequately transposed into domestic law. If this does not happen the Member State will be deemed to have failed to implement and would be liable to infraction proceedings which could result in daily fines; and the Government could also be vulnerable to individual legal challenge . Therefore, it may be the case in the transposition of certain directives into domestic law there is a limited discretion in relation to certain provisions .

Equality Provision

Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 192/08, what steps it will take to examine how other regions of the European Union have protected freedom of speech, in relation to equality proposals stemming from EU Directives.

(AQW 613/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Each Member State has its own obligation under EU law to implement European Directives and to determine how best to do so in a way which both complies with the requirements of the Directives but also addresses the specific needs of the Member State. Given therefore that implementation of Directives is a matter for the Member State, how other Member States comply with Directives, whilst of interest, is not directly pertinent. We do not therefore normally contact other Member States.

Policy consideration on the appropriate transposition of EU Directives into domestic law includes consideration of the degree of flexibility available to the Member State and the devolved administration. In doing so, we are also required to meet our statutory equality obligations and comply with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Given that equality is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of this administration to consider how the requirements of equality Directives impact on Northern Ireland and to bring forward legislation specific to Northern Ireland to implement those Directives.

However, European law does demand that Directives are implemented within a specified timeframe. The provisions of the Directive must be adequately transposed into domestic law. If this does not happen the Member State will be deemed to have failed to implement and would be liable to infraction proceedings which could result in daily fines; and the Government could also be vulnerable to individual legal challenge . Therefore, it may be the case in the transposition of certain directives into domestic law there is a limited discretion in relation to certain provisions .

Equality Provision

Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 192/08, to detail the method used to assess (i) the need for; (ii) the wording of; (iii) the scope of; and (iv) exceptions to, any harassment clause included in equality proposals.

(AQW 614/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Each Member State has its own obligation under EU law to implement European Directives and to determine how best to do so in a way which both complies with the requirements of the Directives but also addresses the specific needs of the Member State. Given therefore that implementation of Directives is a matter for the Member State, how other Member States comply with Directives, whilst of interest, is not directly pertinent. We do not therefore normally contact other Member States.

Policy consideration on the appropriate transposition of EU Directives into domestic law includes consideration of the degree of flexibility available to the Member State and the devolved administration. In doing so, we are also required to meet our statutory equality obligations and comply with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Given that equality is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of this administration to consider how the requirements of equality Directives impact on Northern Ireland and to bring forward legislation specific to Northern Ireland to implement those Directives.

However, European law does demand that Directives are implemented within a specified timeframe. The provisions of the Directive must be adequately transposed into domestic law. If this does not happen the Member State will be deemed to have failed to implement and would be liable to infraction proceedings which could result in daily fines; and the Government could also be vulnerable to individual legal challenge . Therefore, it may be the case in the transposition of certain directives into domestic law there is a limited discretion in relation to certain provisions .

Equality Provision

Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 192/08, what steps it will take to guarantee the right of freedom of speech when considering equality proposals.

(AQW 615/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Each Member State has its own obligation under EU law to implement European Directives and to determine how best to do so in a way which both complies with the requirements of the Directives but also addresses the specific needs of the Member State. Given therefore that implementation of Directives is a matter for the Member State, how other Member States comply with Directives, whilst of interest, is not directly pertinent. We do not therefore normally contact other Member States.

Policy consideration on the appropriate transposition of EU Directives into domestic law includes consideration of the degree of flexibility available to the Member State and the devolved administration. In doing so, we are also required to meet our statutory equality obligations and comply with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Given that equality is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of this administration to consider how the requirements of equality Directives impact on Northern Ireland and to bring forward legislation specific to Northern Ireland to implement those Directives.

However, European law does demand that Directives are implemented within a specified timeframe. The provisions of the Directive must be adequately transposed into domestic law. If this does not happen the Member State will be deemed to have failed to implement and would be liable to infraction proceedings which could result in daily fines; and the Government could also be vulnerable to individual legal challenge . Therefore, it may be the case in the transposition of certain directives into domestic law there is a limited discretion in relation to certain provisions .

Equality Provision

Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 192/08, what priority it will give to ensuring that all equality legislation and initiatives recognise the distinctiveness of Northern Ireland's society.

(AQW 616/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Each Member State has its own obligation under EU law to implement European Directives and to determine how best to do so in a way which both complies with the requirements of the Directives but also addresses the specific needs of the Member State. Given therefore that implementation of Directives is a matter for the Member State, how other Member States comply with Directives, whilst of interest, is not directly pertinent. We do not therefore normally contact other Member States.

Policy consideration on the appropriate transposition of EU Directives into domestic law includes consideration of the degree of flexibility available to the Member State and the devolved administration. In doing so, we are also required to meet our statutory equality obligations and comply with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Given that equality is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of this administration to consider how the requirements of equality Directives impact on Northern Ireland and to bring forward legislation specific to Northern Ireland to implement those Directives.

However, European law does demand that Directives are implemented within a specified timeframe. The provisions of the Directive must be adequately transposed into domestic law. If this does not happen the Member State will be deemed to have failed to implement and would be liable to infraction proceedings which could result in daily fines; and the Government could also be vulnerable to individual legal challenge . Therefore, it may be the case in the transposition of certain directives into domestic law there is a limited discretion in relation to certain provisions .

EU Directives on Equality

Mr S Moutray asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 137/08, to detail the means through which consultation documents issued by the department contribute to the implementation of EU Directives on equality.

(AQW 810/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Although EU Directives lay down specific requirements which must be reflected in domestic law, there may still be options for how these are to be implemented. The main purpose of public consultation is to give interested parties an opportunity to express an opinion on the options and proposals for implementation. An analysis of the responses to the consultation can then be taken into account when policy decisions are taken.

The consultation documents also serve to inform those affected about the requirements of EU Directives, so that they are better prepared for any changes in their rights and obligations.

However, European law does demand that Directives are implemented within a specified timeframe. The provisions of the Directive must be adequately transposed into domestic law. If this does not happen the Member State will be deemed to have failed to implement and would be liable to infraction proceedings which could result in daily fines. Therefore it can be the case that there is a limited discretion on particular provisions.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how the Deloitte Touche report, ‘The Cost of Division – A Shared Future Strategy’ is being taken into account within its approach to the current Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQW 820/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The research report was conducted and finalised during direct rule. We have made clear that it does not form an agreed basis for future policy development, as such it is not a material consideration, in our approach to the Comprehensive Spending Review (Priorities and Budget 2007). However, an assessment of the equality, good relations, poverty/social inclusion, and sustainable development impacts of all financial proposals has been undertaken as part of the spending review. OFMDFM are committed to breaking down all barriers and working towards a shared and better future for all.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mr D Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail its bids in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review; and to report on what degree of funding has been allocated against them in the draft Budget 2008/11.

(AQW 1447/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Draft Budget 2007, as announced by the Minister of Finance on 25 October 2007, allocated an additional £6.8 million (2008/09)/£13.5 million (2009/10)/£18.4 million (2010/11) to OFMDFM.

The table below details the bids that were submitted in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review (Budget 07) by officials from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and Ministers’ decisions regarding the allocation of the additional funding made available in the Draft Budget to these spending priorities.

The additional funding allocations proposed in the Draft Budget 07 represents an average growth of 5.9% in spending power for OFMDFM over the three-year budget period.

Comparison of Original OFMDFM Budget Bids (June 07) with Draft Budget Allocations (October 07)

 

2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

Area of Spend

Original Bid

Allocation

Original Bid

Allocation

Original Bid

Allocation

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Sustainable Development

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.3

International Relations

0.0

0.5

0.0

0.5

0.0

0.5

Victims and survivors

9.7

1.6

9.7

5.0

9.7

7.1

Older People

2.0

0.0

2.0

0.8

2.0

1.8

Children and Young People

1.0

0.0

1.0

0.7

1.0

1.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-poverty & Good Relations

4.0

1.1

4.0

3.1

5.0

3.6

Equality

0.5

0.3

0.4

0.1

0.3

0.3

Restoration (incl NSMC)

2.7

2.5

2.7

2.5

3.3

2.5

PAC/WAC

0.2

0.6

0.3

0.6

0.3

0.7

Strategic Futures

0.1

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.1

0.0

TOTAL

20.3

6.8

20.4

13.5

22.0

18.4

Budget

Mr R Beggs asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the percentage increase in its proposed departmental budget since the last period of devolution; (ii) those areas in which the proposed draft budget will receive increases above inflationary increases, between the 2001/02 budget and the 2008/09 budget; and (iii) the percentage increase in each of these areas.

(AQW 1457/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: (i) Since the last period of devolution the budget of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has increased by £54.3m (£48.7m in 2007-08 real prices). The Department has assumed responsibility for a number of functions since 2001-02 such as the:

An additional £6.6m has also been allocated to Victims and Survivors in 2008-09.

These areas alone account for £39.6m of the £48.7m budget increase since 2001-02.

In the last financial year of the previous period of devolution (2001-02) the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister had an annual budget allocation of £32.0 million (£37.6m in 2007-08 real prices). The proposed budget allocation for 2008-09 will be £86.3m. This represents a real increase since 2001-02 of £48.7m (129%).

The Treasury published GDP inflator has been used to inflate 2001-02 figures to 2007-08 prices to enable a like for like comparison of budget allocations.

(ii) The Draft Budget 07 proposes an additional allocation to OFMDFM of £6.8 million in 2008/09, £13.5 million in 2009/10, and £18.4 million in 2010/11. The table below details those areas within the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister that have received increases above inflationary increases between the 2001/02 budget and the 2008/09 budget and the percentage increase in each of these areas.

(iii): Areas of Expenditure within OFMDFM receiving increases above inflation between 2001/02 Budget and 2008/09 Budget

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001-02

2001-02

2008-09

Change

% Change

 

Budget

NPV

 

NPV terms

NPV terms

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

%

EQUALITY

17,473

20,539

34,503

13,964

68

STRATEGY & REGENERATION

1,535

1,804

26,727

24,923

1,381

RESOURCES, RPA & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

4,166

4,897

9,532

4,635

95

SUPPORT FOR THE EXECUTIVE

6,051

7,112

8,051

939

13

Transferred Functions / non cash budgets / in year pressures / EU funding

2,807

3,300

7,484

4,184

127

Total Budget Allocations

32,032

37,652

86,297

48,645

129

 

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

 

 

Note 1 Source Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2001-02 and OFMDFM internal allocation sheets

 

 

 

Note 2 Inflated using the GDP deflator of 1.175453 to reflect 2007-08 prices

 

 

 

 

 

Note 3 Source OFMDFM Committee Paper on Budget Allocations : Comparison of Draft Budget Allocations with previous 2 years

 

Maze/Long Kesh Site

Ms J McCann asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will confirm that there are two major projects proposed for the Maze/Long Kesh site, the multi sports stadium and the International Centre for Conflict Transformation.

(AQW 1722/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The multi-party consultation panel recommended unanimously that the development of the site should be based upon a multi-sport stadium and an International Centre for Conflict Transformation based on the listed prison buildings and scheduled World War II aircraft hangars together with supporting transport infrastructure. Proposals for the regeneration of the former prison and army base are currently being considered by us on that basis.

Community Relations Council

Mr T Lunn asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will make a statement on the budget allocated to the Community Relations Council.

(AQO 982/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Community Relations Unit (CRU) of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister provides funding to Community Relations Council (CRC) on the basis of three-year agreements which are reviewed annually during the agreement period. The grant in aid from CRU this year (2007/08) amounts to £3.289 million.

This grant does not include fees earned by CRC as the implementing body for both European Union Peace II Programmes and Victims Core Funding and Development Grant Scheme.

Eradicating Poverty

Mr D McKay asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will identify the funds within the draft Budget 2008-2011 that will be directed towards the objective of eradicating poverty.

(AQO 997/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Tackling poverty will require co-ordinated actions across a range of departmental programmes including employment, education, health and social development. It is expected therefore that Departments will, in line with previous practice, continue to skew efforts and resources towards those in greatest objective need.

This will ensure that tackling poverty will be prioritised and mainstreamed within the departmental public expenditure planning process.

European Union Economic Taskforce

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the progress of the European Union Economic Taskforce.

(AQO 966/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: President Barroso has presented us with a unique opportunity as this is the first time there has been a specific taskforce for a single region in the EU. We want to make the most of the European Union and facilitate the development of a sustainable and mutually productive long-term relationship. In particular, it helps us achieve the Executive’s aim of a vibrant, competitive economy for the good of all our people.

We have made good progress to date. Our 2007-13 Rural Development, Fisheries and Competitiveness and Employment Programmes are all now agreed with the Commission. Several Minsters have visited Brussels to continue the process of building relationships. We organised a successful EU ‘Open Days’ event in Brussels on PEACE funding with over 140 participants from different regions.

We will be stepping up our engagement with the Barroso Taskforce over the coming weeks and months. Our objective is to optimise the opportunities and support being offered to us. The Commission is preparing a report on our participation in the available EU initiatives most relevant to our needs and we expect it to be ready by the end of January. The Commission are keen to hear our ideas to help develop their thinking. The Taskforce will, at our invitation, be coming to Northern Ireland on 11 December. This visit and the information collected during it will influence the forthcoming report. The Commission’s report must not only detail opportunities, but map out how the Taskforce will assist us over the long-term.

Although this is a European Commission Taskforce, our departments have nominated counterparts for each Commission member. To help further structure our engagement and to demonstrate our commitment, Junior Ministers Ian Paisley Jnr and Gerry Kelly chaired a meeting of Departmental lead officials on Tuesday 13 th November and followed this up by leading a delegation of senior officials from across Departments to Brussels last week. They completed a series of some 30 meetings over a 2-day period including 2 key meetings between the Junior Ministers and Catherine Day, (European Commission Secretary General) and Dirk Ahner (Director General of Regional Policy.)

These meetings were very focused and productive. Having completed the necessary stocktaking, the process is focusing in on the most effective assistance which can be provided from the taskforce in the short term and beyond.

Junior Ministers also discussed arrangements for us to visit Brussels in early January to meet President Barroso, Danuta Hübner and other Commissioners.

Child Protection Issues

Ms J McCann asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the recent debates in the Assembly, to detail whether or not it intends to place child protection issues on the agendas of the next plenary meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council.

(AQO 943/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Child protection is a crucial matter for the Executive, and collaboration and co-operation across the administration and with other jurisdictions is essential.

Following the recent debate on sex offenders in the House, we have advised the Secretariats of the North/South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council of the Assembly’s wish for meetings of NSMC and BIC to consider this issue.

While the issue of child protection is not within the existing work programmes for either BIC or NSMC, we would wish to raise the matter at the next NSMC Plenary and BIC Summit meetings, subject to agreement from the other participating administrations.

Equality

Mr R McCartney asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will identify the funds within the draft Budget 2008-2011 that will be directed towards the objective of making a more equal society.

(AQO 998/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Promoting fairness, inclusion and equality, including gender equality, are themes that are included in our priorities in the draft Programme for Government. Equality considerations are, and will continue to be, mainstreamed into the planning, resourcing and delivery of all programmes with the aim of making people’s lives better. This is in line with our statutory duty. Equality considerations will also be applied at a strategic level to the PfG, the budget and ISNI.

Public Service Agreements for the period 2008 to 2011 have been included specifically to tackle poverty and reduce inequality and disadvantage.

OFMDFM Equality Directorate will have available to it £26.9m to deliver equality policy, legislation and sponsorship of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The Equality Commission has a wide remit to monitor and promote equality across both the public and private sector.

Funding for OFMDFM Equality Directorate will be used, amongst other things, towards achieving specific targets on gender equality.

Economic Policy Unit

Mr L Cree asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the measures it has put in place to assess the customer responsiveness of its Economic Policy Unit.

(AQO 938/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Economic Policy Unit (EPU) consults and works closely with key stakeholders in taking forward its responsibilities across a diverse range of areas. The Unit is responsible for a number of discrete areas, involving customers both within and outside OFMDFM.

Its Policy Innovation Unit provides a facility for customer feedback through the ‘Policy link’ website and Policy link bulletins. In addition, the Unit organises seminars for the purpose of discussing and disseminating good practice and to obtain feedback from policy practitioners. Audits of policy making capacity and customer surveys have also been undertaken.

Over the past year, as part of its work on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy, the Sustainable Development Unit has worked closely with the stakeholder group and has carried out work to determine how best that engagement might be taken forward in future.

Finally, in relation to the Programme for Government process which is currently underway, EPU will undertake a full evaluation of how the Unit worked with Ministers and engaged key stakeholders in the development of the Programme for Government for the period 2008 to 2011.

Draft Programme for Government

Mr A Maskey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what steps it is taking to ensure full community consultation on the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland and the draft Programme for Government.

(AQO 964/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Recognising the close relations between the Programme for Government, Investment Strategy and Budget, the Executive is undertaking a joint consultation exercise on those documents and all have been published on the same website for easy reference.

We are determined that this will be a genuine consultation process that engages as many people as possible and that influences our final decisions. To ensure an open and transparent process in this regard, a number of public consultation events have been organised.

In addition to these events, meetings will be held with the Equality Commission and the Equality Coalition, representing key stakeholders within each of the nine section 75 groups. OFMDFM and DFP officials will also participate in a series of public events organised by Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.

Gender Equality

Mr P Maskey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will identify funds in the draft Budget 2008-2011 that will be directly targeted towards achieving gender equality.

(AQO 996/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Promoting fairness, inclusion and equality, including gender equality, are themes that are included in our priorities in the draft Programme for Government. Equality considerations are, and will continue to be, mainstreamed into the planning, resourcing and delivery of all programmes with the aim of making people’s lives better. This is in line with our statutory duty. Equality considerations will also be applied at a strategic level to the PfG, the budget and ISNI.

Public Service Agreements for the period 2008 to 2011 have been included specifically to tackle poverty and reduce inequality and disadvantage.

OFMDFM Equality Directorate will have available to it £26.9m to deliver equality policy, legislation and sponsorship of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The Equality Commission has a wide remit to monitor and promote equality across both the public and private sector.

Funding for OFMDFM Equality Directorate will be used, amongst other things, towards achieving specific targets on gender equality.

Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2

Ms M Anderson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail whether or not it intends to include measures to address regional disparities, as a sub-pillar of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2.

(AQO 961/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Promoting regional balance is one key element in the cross-cutting strategic objectives that were set at the outset of developing the Investment Strategy over the last year. As such, it is currently reflected across the Strategy, rather than concentrated in an individual sub-pillar.

As you are aware, the Investment Strategy is currently out for public consultation and we await the completion of this process.

With infrastructure investment of over £18bn envisaged over the period 2008-2018, of which £5.6bn will be over the next three years, the Investment Strategy will seek to build a peaceful, fair and prosperous society. Our investment will be in infrastructure to accelerate economic growth and improve competitiveness; to promote equality of opportunity; to promote regional balance in future development, to tackle social disadvantage and to protect and enhance our environment.

Good examples of major projects that will help to promote regional balance include increasing broadband take-up rates outside Belfast, developing tourism in both rural and urban areas and proposed new and upgraded roads that will improve access for all, but particularly for communities in the North West. Investment in healthcare, with a developing network of health and care centres across the region, and new hospital facilities in the South West are other examples. Schools too will receive a boost, benefiting communities across the region.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Mr F Cobain asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the contact it has had with the United Kingdom Government, in light of the recent decision not to curtail the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and what views it has previously expressed to the United Kingdom Government in relation to this issue.

(AQO 977/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We have had no specific contact with the United Kingdom government following the announcement on 25 October 2007 that there would be no changes to the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004. OFMDFM officials continue to liaise regularly with officials from the Ministry of Justice, the lead Whitehall Department on Freedom of Information, on related policy matters.

New Ethnic Minority Communities

Mr T Lunn asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will provide a definition for 'New Ethnic Minority Communities', as referred to in the draft Programme for Government 2008-2011.

(AQO 963/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The draft Programme for Government 2008-2011 sets out the objective (under PSA 7, objective 2) to “Take forward co-ordinated strategic action to promote social inclusion for New Minority Ethnic Communities”. In this the Executive signals its proposal to address the significant challenges raised by the arrival in recent years of substantial numbers of migrants from, in particular, the eight countries that acceded to the European Union in May 2004. This will complement the work already being undertaken on racial equality and good relations mentioned in objective 5 under the same PSA.

An Analysis of Public Expenditure on Children in Northern Ireland

Mr R Beggs asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what action it is taking in relation to the findings of the report 'An Analysis of Public Expenditure on Children in Northern Ireland'.

(AQO 924/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The report was copied to Ministerial colleagues in advance of the Budget 2007 exercise to inform their decisions. We also strongly made the case for significant funding for children’s services in pre-budget discussions and are very pleased that an allocation of £26million has been made to DE, DHSSPS and DCAL to facilitate the continuation of projects previously funded by the Children and Young People’s Funding Package in addition to a range of mainstream programmes.

The report will also be an important consideration in informing the development of action plans to deliver on the 10-year strategy for children and young people and we are currently taking forward plans to establish a Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children. The Committee will co-ordinate existing and developing policies and budgets relevant to children and young people and ensure that they remain high on Ministers’ agendas.

It must also be remembered that funding for many other services, not specifically set aside for children and young people, can help to improve their lives and achieve the outcomes of the strategy – for example funding for health services.

A Shared Future

Mr P McGlone asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail whether or not it endorses the policy document 'A Shared Future'.

(AQO 908/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Assembly had a very good debate on A Shared Future on 4 June. We agreed that we would review progress so far on the implementation of the policy and bring forward proposals for the Executive consistent with the ministerial pledge of office, to promote the interests of the whole community towards the goal of a shared future and a prosperous, peaceful and settled society.

We intend to bring the proposals for discussion to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Assembly in the next few months.

Single Equality Bill

Ms A Lo asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will make a statement on a Single Equality Bill, in relation to the draft Programme for Government.

(AQO 960/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Since 8 May we have been examining current equality legislation, identifying in particular, inconsistencies and considering where and to what extent the existing laws should and could be amended, harmonised or extended. This is a complex task involving a consideration of around 30 years of anti-discrimination legislation. Any proposals for legislative change will be a matter for consultation with the relevant Departmental Committees and will be brought before the Assembly in due course.

Departmental Efficiency

Mr D Burnside asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to reduce costs and to improve the efficiency of the department.

(AQO 939/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We intend to deliver £11.1 million of efficiency savings in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister across the three years of Budget 07, 2008/09 to 2010/11. £9.1 million of these savings relates to resource expenditure efficiencies and £2 million to administrative efficiencies.

Agriculture and Rural Development

Tree Coverage

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail whether or not North Down will receive an increase in tree coverage, as stated in the draft Budget; and the locations in which trees will be planted within the constituency.

(AQW 1622/08)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): My Department’s Forest Service will continue to encourage an increase in tree cover primarily through the Woodland Grant Scheme which is funded under the NI Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The Scheme is available to landowners throughout the North, including those in North Down and provides an additional supplement of £1,000 per hectare to landowners wishing to create new wood close to urban areas and who provide public access for informal recreation.

New woodland creation will enhance and conserve the rural environment and new planting supported by the Woodland Grant Scheme will only take place on suitable sites and will have regard for the environmental value of the site in terms of existing habitats, landscape value, archaeological and historic features. To assist landowners to find forestry solutions consistent with sustainable land management, the Forest Service will publish indicative maps showing where new woodland is to be encouraged.

Tree Coverage

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the types of trees that will be planted to increase tree coverage across Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1645/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The expansion of tree cover across Northern Ireland will be achieved primarily through encouraging farmers and private land owners to establish new woodland by support made available under the Rural Development Programme through the mechanism of the Forest Service’s Woodland Grant Scheme.

My Department will encourage a wide range of types of forest. It will favour those that complement other objectives of government policy by improving the environment, by promoting rural development, and those which support renewable energy policy.

The woodlands created will consist of conventional conifer and broadleaf species, and will include creation of new native woodland made up of tree species which are locally native. Support will also be available for short rotation coppice willow for an energy end use. The tree species used must also be suited to the site and fulfil the objectives of the owner.

Freedom of Information Requests

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the cost to her department of dealing with Freedom of Information requests, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1737/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My Department has been responding to requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 since the Act came into operation on 1 January 2005.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in common with all other NI Departments, does not calculate or record information on the cost of individual requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and does not hold the information you have sought. This position corresponds to that of the Whitehall Departments.

Office of the Northern Ireland Executive

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what contact she has had with the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels over the past month.

(AQW 1751/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I personally used the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels (ONIEB) for a debriefing session after meeting with Commissioner Borg as part of the UK delegation. In addition, my Department has a permanent representative posted in ONIEB to assist the Department’s contribution to EU policy development and implementation on agri-food, veterinary, fisheries and rural development issues. During the period referred to the following contacts were made:

Agri-Food Industry

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of people employed in the agri-food industry in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1820/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The following numbers of people (also expressed in full time equivalents) were engaged in farming during the years 2002 – 2006.

Table 1. Farm Employment

Total Agricultural Labour Force:

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

- Number of persons

54,273

54,486

53,332

51,073

49,952

- Full time equivalents

31,925

31,641

30,595

30,002

29,622

Source: Statistical Review of NI Agriculture

The employment in the food and drinks processing and input supply sectors (expressed in full time equivalents) during the years 2001 – 2005 was as follows.

Table 2. Food Processing and Other Ancillary Employment

full-time equivalents

 

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005 (1)

Processing Sector

18,774

18,733

18,693

18,391

18,565

Supply Sector

4,400

4,390

4,150

4,060

4,040

Total ancillary employment

23,174

23,123

22,843

22,451

22,605

Source: Statistical Review of NI Agriculture

(1) Provisional figures

For a further breakdown of the above totals see the DARD publication ‘Statistical Review of NI Agriculture’ online at the following link:

http://www.dardni.gov.uk/statistical_review_of_ni_agriculture_2006.pdf

Brazilian Beef

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in light of the recent report by the European Union Food and Veterinary Office, what consideration will she give to banning the importation of Brazilian beef.

(AQW 1924/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I do not have the statutory authority to ban imports of Brazilian beef.

The EU Commission determines which animals and animal products can be imported into the EU from countries such as Brazil and requires that these decisions are applied uniformly throughout the EU. As part of the EU, we cannot unilaterally prohibit imports of Brazilian beef that comply with current EU import controls.

The EU will take decisive action where the exporting country poses an increased risk to the animal health status of the EU. Indeed, following the outbreak of FMD in three regions of Brazil in 2005, the Commission took the decision to ban imports from these regions. This ban is still in place. The EU requires also requires meat from the FMD-free regions of Brazil to be de-boned and matured, a process which destroys any FMD virus should it be present in the beef for any reason.

A Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) Mission to Brazil in March 2007 indicated that there were certain practical difficulties in the general implementation of the system of animal identification and the control of animal movements. This has prompted a further FVO Mission this month to examine the controls surrounding red meat. The Brazilian authorities have been advised that if they do not address the remaining deficiencies by the end of 2007, the EU will reconsider authorising imports of beef.

I will continue to work closely with Ministers in Britain and the South to ensure that the EU Commission applies pressure on the Brazilian government to address the FVO concerns that have been raised. In this context I have already written to Lord Rooker expressing my concern about imports of Brazilian beef and to encourage consideration of the recent report of the March 2007 FVO mission to Brazil by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH).

We must await the outcome of the follow-up FVO mission to Brazil to consider what response is appropriate. I wish to see early publication of the follow-up report.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

Irish Language Broadcasting Fund

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what plans he has in relation to the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund; and to confirm whether or not he will consult with the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, before taking a final position on this matter.

(AQW 1755/08)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): £12 million was made available to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund over a four year period commencing in 2005. This funding is due to end in March 2009 and I was unable to secure further funding in the draft budget agreed by the Executive.

In light of this I am considering what options are available to me to promote Irish language broadcasting within the wider promotion of the Irish language and my anticipated budget and will bring forward any proposals to this House and the CAL Committee in due course.

Draft Budget 2008-2011

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will make a statement on funding of the arts within the draft Budget 2008-2011.

(AQO 993/08)

Mr E Poots: The Draft Budget 2008-2011 sets out indicative allocations for arts & creativity funding for the 3 years covered by the Comprehensive Spending Review. The allocations include an increase of £6.75m over the 2007/08 baseline for arts & creativity revenue funding over the 3 years of the CSR period.

This comprises an uplift of £1m in year 1, an uplift of £1.5m in year 2 and an uplift of £4.25m in year 3. The significant increase in year 3 will enable the Department to make good progress in closing the per capita funding gap with the other UK regions and the Republic of Ireland.

The Draft Budget also sets out the Department’s capital allocations in the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland. The allocation for arts & cultural infrastructure from 2008/09 to 2010/11 is £32.5m which is a significant sum.

2012 Olympic Games

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, further to the recent visit to Stormont by Lord Coe, to indicate whether or not Northern Ireland will host any events in the 2012 Olympic Games, and to provide details of these events.

(AQW 1799/08)

Mr E Poots: As set out in London 2012's Candidate File, if Northern Ireland builds its planned national stadium, this venue will be considered as a location for rounds of the Olympic football competition. The torch relay and other events as part of the Cultural Olympiad are planned to take place in Northern Ireland.

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail when in 1991 the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum became aware that Ian Patrick Magill had been arrested and charged with taking indecent photographs of young girls, and what action was taken by the board of the Museum between then and the date of his conviction.

(AQW 1921/08)

Mr E Poots: I will answer these two questions together. Mr Magill’s first court appearance in connection with the charge of taking indecent photographs and the distribution of an indecent video was on 7 th August 1991. As far as can be ascertained from the records this is the first time the Museum had any knowledge of the alleged offence. Legal advice was sought and provided to the Board. Legal advice was that no action be taken until the outcome of the case was known.

The date of Mr Magill’s conviction relating to the above offences was 23 rd October 1991. The Board then sought legal advice in respect of Mr Magill’s continuing employment with the Museum. The legal advice, including that of Counsel, informed the Board that there were insufficient grounds to dismiss Mr Magill at that time.

The Chairman of the Board and the Director of the Museum met with Mr Magill and issued him with a warning that he would be dismissed if there was any repetition of similar conduct. Mr Magill was also forbidden from using any image capturing device on museum premises.

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what action was taken by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum after Ian Patrick Magill's conviction in 1991 for taking indecent photographs of young girls and what was the date of that conviction.

(AQW 1922/08)

Mr E Poots: I will answer these two questions together. Mr Magill’s first court appearance in connection with the charge of taking indecent photographs and the distribution of an indecent video was on 7 th August 1991. As far as can be ascertained from the records this is the first time the Museum had any knowledge of the alleged offence. Legal advice was sought and provided to the Board. Legal advice was that no action be taken until the outcome of the case was known.

The date of Mr Magill’s conviction relating to the above offences was 23 rd October 1991. The Board then sought legal advice in respect of Mr Magill’s continuing employment with the Museum. The legal advice, including that of Counsel, informed the Board that there were insufficient grounds to dismiss Mr Magill at that time.

The Chairman of the Board and the Director of the Museum met with Mr Magill and issued him with a warning that he would be dismissed if there was any repetition of similar conduct. Mr Magill was also forbidden from using any image capturing device on museum premises.

Education

Gaelscoil Enrolment Numbers

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Education to provide the exact enrolment figures of primary years 1, 2 and 3 at (i) Gaelscoil Na Daroige in Derry/Londonderry; (ii) Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach in Crumlin; and (iii) Gaelscoil Éanna in Glengormley.

(AQW 1220/08)

The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Information provided by the schools listed, in relation to the 2007/08 school year, is as follows.

School Name

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Gaelscoil Éanna

12

0

0

Gaelscoil Na Daroige

10

6

9

Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach

12

1

4
Response to Correspondence

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the longest period of time her department has taken to provide a full response to a letter received from (i) a Member of Parliament; (ii) a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly; (iii) a Councillor; and (iv) a member of the public, since March 2007.

(AQW 1330/08)

Ms C Ruane: The longest numbers of working days taken to respond to letters are as follows:

(i) MP - 84 days*; (ii) MLA - 84 days*; (iii) Councillor - 84 days*; (iv) member of the public - 62 days.

* This relates to correspondence from an MP who is also an MLA and a Councillor.

Integrated Schools

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Education what plans she has to review the viability criteria for integrated schools, in particular to take into account those children with 'other' identities or who are the product of mixed relationships, in relation to minority grouping for individual integrated schools.

(AQW 1338/08)

Ms C Ruane: The viability criteria for all schools, together with a range of other factors, are being considered in the development of a Sustainable Schools policy.

Children and Young People's Package

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Education to detail, broken down by constituency, the expenditure previously committed by her department under the Children and Young People's package.[R]

(AQW 1424/08)

Ms C Ruane: Money allocated to the Children and Young Peoples Funding Package was not intended to be distributed on a constituency basis and therefore cannot be detailed as such. Two broad complementary approaches to targeting of resources were agreed:

When introduced in March 2006, the Children and Young Peoples Funding Package committed more than £61 million over a two year period, £28.4 million in 2006-07 and £33.3 million in 2007-08.

Children and Young People's Package

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Education to detail, broken down by constituency, the projects under the Children and Young People's package that will (i) continue to receive funding under the draft budget proposals for 2008/09, and the amount of funding that each will receive; (ii) not continue to receive funding beyond 2008/09; and (iii) not receive funding beyond this financial year.[R]

(AQW 1425/08)

Ms C Ruane: I am currently considering the implications for Education budgets of the Draft Budget proposals for Education. Final decisions on the budgets for services, including Education, will not be taken until after the public consultation period, which ends on 4 th January.

Legal Expenditure

Mr D Burnside asked the Minister of Education to detail the expenditure of (i) her department; and (ii) each Education and Library Board, on legal advice and legal services due to legal action taken against them, in 2006/07.

(AQW 1431/08)

Ms C Ruane: The information requested has been provided by each Education and Library Board and the Department of Education and is set out in the table below.

2006-07 Expenditure on Legal Advice and Legal Services:

BELB

NEELB

SEELB

SELB

WELB

Department of Education

Total

£56,935.56

£50,274.80

£93,446.00

£64,787.77

£48,226.80

£24,514.50

£338,185.43

The information provided relates to defence costs. Payments to Plaintiffs/Applicants solicitors, in respect of their legal costs, have not been included.

Figures reported are net of VAT.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mr D Ford asked the Minister of Education to detail her department's bids in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review; and to report on what degree of funding has been allocated against them in the draft Budget 2008/11.

(AQW 1448/08)

Ms C Ruane: The list below sets out the bids in relation to current expenditure submitted by my department to the Department of Finance and Personnel as part of the Budget 2007 process. The additional funding proposed for Education in the Draft Budget was:

      £m
Current Expenditure 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
  143.8 292.3 421.0

I am currently considering the detailed implications for Education services of these proposed allocations.

Capital investment requirements were considered as part of the process of formulating the Draft Investment Strategy. The proposed allocations for Education amount to:

      £m
Current Expenditure 213.6 252.3 200.1

It is intended that this will enable already announced major projects to be taken forward at over 100 schools during the period.

BUDGET 2007 – DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BIDS SET AGAINST PRIORITIES

 

 

 

 

 

£000s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE

2008/09  

2009/10

2010/11

 

Res

Admin

Res

Admin

Res

Admin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sustaining Existing Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children and Young People Funding Package - Restoration of Existing Provision

23,174

 

23,800

 

24,443

 

Departmental Administration - Review of Public Administration/ Reforms

 

2,078

 

2,531

 

2,640

Education Administration Reform

3,000

 

38,400

 

13,405

 

Education Services: Maintenance of Expenditure Levels (MEL) (Excl Schools' Aggregated School Budgets)

23,956

 

47,436

 

72,222

 

EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in the North of Ireland

512

 

0

 

0

 

and the Border Region of Ireland - Measure 2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Developing Children and Young People

 

 

 

 

 

 

Healthy Schools

250

 

3,250

 

3,750

 

Integrated Development Fund (including Renewing Communities) - Continuation of Existing Provision

5,299

 

5,442

 

5,589

 

Improving the Professional Development of Teachers

5,000

 

7,200

 

7,200

 

Maintenance of Schools Estate

7,419

 

10,534

 

16,000

 

Pre-Employment Checks of Teaching/Non-Teaching Staff

942

 

1,161

 

1,161

 

Preparation for the introduction of new arrangements for the

1,000

 

500

 

500

 

transfer of pupils from primary to post-primary education

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Transport - Safety

4,580

 

4,640

 

4,695

 

School Budgets - Guaranteed Per Pupil Uplift

114,660

 

192,327

 

262,251

 

Strengthening Governance

750

 

1,750

 

3,000

 

Sustainable Living Schools

3,750

 

5,250

 

6,500

 

Supporting The Economy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum, Assessment & ICT

25,567

 

23,725

 

22,952

 

Early Years - Begin with Quality

27,070

 

27,810

 

28,570

 

Employability, Careers and Business Education

6,000

 

6,500

 

7,000

 

Enhance Science Technology Engineering &

3,629

 

6,124

 

6,124

 

Mathematics (STEM) Education & Increase

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supply of STEM Skills

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entitlement Framework Support

17,667

500

21,464

510

21,239

520

School Improvement Fund including Measures

12,950

500

13,600

510

14,000

520

to Promote Literacy and Numeracy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extension of Specialist Schools Programme

3,273

 

4,976

 

6,792

 

Implementation of a Languages Strategy for the North of Ireland

9,130

 

9,222

 

9,419

 

PPP and Infrastructure Procurement

8,000

 

25,555

 

39,960

 

Support for Foundation Stage Statutory Curriculum

20,200

 

17,200

 

17,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equality and Inclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children affected by Educational Disadvantage

3,897

 

4,214

 

4,223

 

Connecting Schools to their Communities

30,784

 

32,290

 

33,935

 

High Quality Youth Service

7,334

 

9,164

 

13,494

 

Irish-Medium Education

3,270

 

2,305

 

2,325

 

Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Inclusion - Early Years/Early Intervention Package

15,697

 

16,835

 

14,782

 

SEN and Inclusion - Development of School Based Integrated

7,320

500

12,241

510

14,126

520

Capacity building

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEN and Inclusion - Enhanced Support

1,297

 

1,469

 

1,503

 

TOTALS

397,377

3,578

576,384

4,061

678,360

4,200

 
Transfer Test

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail, in relation to the transfer test, the cost of (i) invigilation; (ii) her departmental staff involved in operating the test; (iii) Education and Library Board staff involved in operating the test; and (iv) issuing the results to schools and parents.

(AQW 1533/08)

Ms C Ruane: 2006/07 – SCHOOL YEAR

Cost of Invigilation: £ 84,814

Cost of Departmental Staff £ nil

Cost of Education and Library Board Staff £ not available

Cost of issuing results to schools and parents £ not available

The Department has overall responsibility for the transfer procedure policy but no staff are involved in operating the test.

The Education and Library Boards do not record separately costs in respect of Board Staff involved in the operation of the transfer tests or the cost of issuing results to schools and parents.

School Travel Plan

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Education what plans she has to introduce a legal requirement for schools to have a School Travel plan as required to be in place in England by 2010.

(AQW 1548/08)

Ms C Ruane: I understand the development of School Travel Plans is not a legal requirement in England. I have no plans at present to introduce a legal requirement for schools here to have a School Travel Plan.

A number of schools are involved in Safer Routes to Schools, and a joint initiative between the Departments of Regional Development and Education. The initiative aims to encourage young people to walk, cycle, and use public transport in their journeys to and from school.

Education Other Than At School Service

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of cases involving staff of the Southern Education and Library Board's Education Other Than At School Service have been lodged with the office of the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal since September 2003.

(AQW 1582/08)

Ms C Ruane: There were 5 cases involving staff of the Southern Education & Library Board lodged with the Office of the Industrial Tribunal since September 2003 by 4 employees within the Education Other Than at School Service. No cases were lodged with the Fair Employment Tribunal.

Education Other Than At School Service

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail the amount of money spent in staff time by the Southern Education and Library Board in the settlement of disputes between teachers from the Education Other Than At School Service and the Board since September 2003.

(AQW 1583/08)

Ms C Ruane: This information is not held.

Education Other Than At School Service

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail the amount of money that has been spent by the Southern Education and Library Board on legal fees in settlement of disputes between teachers from the Education Other Than At School Service and the Board since September 2003.

(AQW 1584/08)

Ms C Ruane: The amount of legal fees spent by the Southern Education & Library Board in settlement of disputes between teachers from Education Other Than at School Service and the Board since September 2003 was £9,752.50.

Teachers' Grievance Procedure

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to confirm whether or not the established Teachers' Grievance Procedure in accordance with Teachers' Agreed Terms and Conditions of Employment has been available to teachers employed in the Education Other Than At School Service of the Southern Education and Library Board since September 2003.

(AQW 1585/08)

Ms C Ruane: There are separate procedures for dealing with grievance matters for employees directly employed by the Education and Library Board and those employees directly under the control of Boards of Governors.

The procedure for schools requires grievances and conduct issues to be managed by the School Principal and Board of Governors and therefore is inappropriate to non-schools environments. The procedures for staff employed in Education and Library Board Headquarters and other non-school settings allows for such issues to be managed in a similar way but through the appropriate line management structure.

Post-Primary School Teachers

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of secondary school teachers who have a criminal record for serious offences, resulting in their imprisonment or the imposition of a suspended sentence, in (i) the controlled sector; (ii) the voluntary maintained sector; (iii) the integrated sector; and (iv) the Irish-medium sector.

(AQW 1661/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department does not employ teachers and therefore would not hold this information. The Education and Library Boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools who employ teachers have advised that they have a record of 5 post primary school teachers who have a record which has resulted in their imprisonment or a suspended sentence.

Primary School Teachers

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of primary school teachers who have a criminal record for serious offences, resulting in their imprisonment or the imposition of a suspended sentence, in (i) the controlled sector; (ii) the voluntary maintained sector; (iii) the integrated sector; and (iv) the Irish-medium sector.

(AQW 1662/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department does not employ teachers and therefore would not hold this information. The Education and Library Boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools who employ teachers have advised that they have a record of 1 primary school teacher who has a record which has resulted in their imprisonment or a suspended sentence.

Teachers Convicted of Criminal Offences

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail her department's policy on the employment of teachers who have been convicted of criminal offences.

(AQW 1663/08)

Ms C Ruane: Under the Teachers’ (Eligibility) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 1997, the Department may prohibit or restrict the employment or further employment of a person eligible to teach on the grounds of misconduct whether or not evidenced by the conviction of a criminal offence.

The decision on whether to employ a person rests with the employer in the light of full consideration of all the information available. However, employment in an educational setting may not be offered under any circumstances to any person listed on the DHSSPS or DE Lists as unsuitable to work with children or who has a disqualification order from the courts. Nor may a person on List 99 be offered employment as a teacher.

Creationism

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 633/08, to detail whether or not the occurrence of polystrate fossils spanning more than one layer of strata, and the implications of this on Darwinian evolutionary thought, is considered by (i) her department; and (ii) the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, as presenting (a) evidence-based; or (b) belief-based data to school children in science classes.

(AQW 1670/08)

Ms C Ruane: I would refer you back to my response to your previous Questions (AQWs 1472/08, 1477/08 and 1479/08), published in the Official Record on 23 November 2007, where I clearly set out the position.

My focus is not on joining debates that continue within the science and religious communities on such matters but on supporting the education of all our young people across all areas of the curriculum.

Creationism

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 633/08, to detail whether or not outlining the methods of Ernst Haeckel in support of the evolutionary assertion that 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny' is regarded by (i) her department; and (ii) the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment as presenting (a) evidence-based; or (b) belief-based data to pupils in science classes.

(AQW 1671/08)

Ms C Ruane: I would refer you back to my response to your previous Questions (AQWs 1472/08, 1477/08 and 1479/08), published in the Official Record on 23 November 2007, where I clearly set out the position.

My focus is not on joining debates that continue within the science and religious communities on such matters but on supporting the education of all our young people across all areas of the curriculum.

Internet Monitoring

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Education what action is being taken to protect children within the education sector in Northern Ireland from exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet.

(AQW 1676/08)

Ms C Ruane: Schools access the Internet through their connection to the Classroom 2000 (C2k) network which is rigorously filtered and fully monitored, with the list of allowed and disallowed websites updated several times daily.

Schools must also have in place policies on the safe and effective use of the Internet. My Department works closely with key agencies involved in child protection to identify the most effective and appropriate sources of guidance on the issues that schools should consider when drawing up and updating their acceptable use policies. That guidance is available on the DE website and is regularly updated. Additionally, a circular issued to all schools in June 2007 to make them aware of this and training has been provided through Education and

Library Boards on Internet safety. The approach taken by schools to keeping pupils safe online is monitored by the Education and Training Inspectorate.

Post-Primary Education in Glenavy/Crumlin

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Education if she will carry out a review of the provision of post-primary education in the Glenavy/Crumlin area, in view of the fact that the majority of children living in this area attend schools in Belfast.

(AQW 1702/08)

Ms C Ruane: Responsibility for initiating a review of post-primary provision would normally rest with the appropriate education authority in the first instance. As children already have places in existing schools any such review should also take account of the potential implications for those schools.

Draft Sport Strategy

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Education what is her assessment of the educational benefits of the draft sport strategy; and to make a statement outlining what priority she will give this matter, in order to ensure its delivery.

(AQW 1712/08)

Ms C Ruane: I welcome the draft Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation and the fact that it includes targets which will require action from my Department. I have asked my officials to consider all related targets so that we can provide a comprehensive and positive response to the DCAL consultation on the draft Strategy.

I do want to stress my belief that, if we can get young people engaged in physical activity, linked to other areas of the curriculum and build their enjoyment and confidence this can impact positively on all aspects of their lives. Sport and physical activity can also improve a young person’s concentration and motivation to learn, and therefore help to raise their performance in school.

That rationale was behind my Curriculum Sports Programme, launched on 12 November, which will see GAA and IFA coaches working in primary schools to help children improve their physical literacy and develop a love for sport.

Educational Psychologists

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of initial assessments of new cases that have been undertaken by educational psychologists in the last 12 months, broken down by each Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 1714/08)

Ms C Ruane: The number of initial assessments of new cases of children with special educational needs undertaken by educational psychologists, broken down by Education and Library Board, is as follows;

Belfast 695
North Eastern 983
South Eastern 773
Southern 1151
Western 1179

These figures are for the period 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2007, which is the last 12 months for which figures are available. They do not include pupils seen by an educational psychologist as part of transfer/enrolment procedures or for support for examination arrangements.

Building New Schools

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Education to detail the contracts in relation to building new schools in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area in (i) 2003; (ii) 2004; (iii) 2005; (iv) 2006; and (v) 2007; and the companies to which these contracts have been awarded.

(AQW 1717/08)

Ms C Ruane: The information requested is detailed in the table below.

SCHOOL

PROJECT

TENDER APPROVAL DATE

CONTRACTOR

Loanends P.S. Crumlin

Millquarter P.S. Toomebridge

Hillcroft Special School, Newtownabbey

Roddensvale Special School , Larne

Sperrin Integrated College, Magherafelt

Creggan P.S. Randalstown

Leaney P.S. Ballymoney

Camphill P.S. Ballymena

Mossley P.S. Newtownabbey

St Colmcille’s P.S. & St Brigid’s P.S. Ballymena

Fourtowns P.S. Ahoghill

Carnalridge P.S. Portrush

Moorfields P.S. Ballymena

New school

New school


New school


New school


New school


New school


New school

New school

New school


Two new schools


New school

New school

New school

June 2003

May 2003


February 2004


February 2004


September 2004


February 2005


March 2005

June 2005

July 2005


July 2006


September 2006

December 2006

April 2007

O’Neill & Brady Ltd

JFM Construction Ltd


Felix O’Hare & Co


McCombe Bros’ (Antrim) Ltd

FB McKee Ltd


JPM Contracts


O’Hare & McGovern

O’Neill & Brady Ltd

O’Hare & McGovern


Heron Bros’


McCombe Bros’ (Antrim) Ltd
Martin & Hamilton Ltd

FB McKee Ltd

 

Catering Contracts

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Education to detail the catering contracts awarded in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area in (i) 2003; (ii) 2004; (iii) 2005; (iv) 2006; and (v) 2007; and the companies to which these contracts have been awarded.

(AQW 1719/08)

Ms C Ruane: The North-Eastern Education and Library Board has advised that in 2003 to 2007 the catering contracts awarded by it and the companies involved were as follows:

CONTRACT

SUPPLIER

YEAR

AWARDED

Catering Hygiene System and Cleaning Materials for School Meals Kitchens

Galgorm Hygiene;
T McLaughlin;
Stephens Catering Equipment;
David R Swann.

2003

Catering Hygiene System and Cleaning Materials for School Meals Kitchens

Arco Industrial Supply;
Blue Cross;
Galgorm Hygiene;
Hygiene Plus Group;
Stephens Catering Equipment;
T McLaughlin.

2005

Catering Equipment School Meals (Small)

A J Stuart & Co;
Caterfreeze Products;
Cater-Quip Ltd;
Chefs & Cooks Supplies;
Frazerton Ltd;
Galgorm Hygiene;
Hygiene Plus Group;
McNeill Hotelware;
P Nugent & Sons;
School & Office Supplies;
T McLaughlin.

2004

 

Catering Equipment School Meals (Small)

A J Stuart & Co;
Caterfreeze Products;
Cater-Quip Ltd;
David R Swann;
Eurolec Inst Ltd;
Galgorm Hygiene;
(Bunzel) Mclaughlin;
McNeill Hotelware;
P Nugent & Sons;
School & Office Supplies;
Spa Business Services.

2007

Supply and Delivery of Confectionery and Potato Crisps

Courtney & Nelson;
Tayto (NI) Ltd;
O'Reillys.

2003

Supply and Delivery of Confectionery and Potato Crisps

Courtney & Nelson;
Global Snacks;
Tayto (NI) Ltd.

2004

Supply and Delivery of Confectionery and Potato Crisps

Courtney & Nelson;
Global Snacks;
Tayto (NI) Ltd;
O'Reillys.

2006

Supply & Delivery of Confectionery and Potato Crisps

Courtney & Nelson;
Tayto (NI) Ltd;
O'Reillys.

2007

Supply and Delivery of Fish

Keenan Seafood Ltd;
Lynas Frozen Foods.

2003

Supply and Delivery of Fish

Keenan Seafood Ltd;
Lynas Frozen Foods.

2004

Supply and Delivery of Fish

Byrne Fish;
Lynas Frozen Foods.

2005

Supply and Delivery of Fish

Byrne Fish;
Lynas Frozen Foods.

2006

Supply and Delivery of Fish

Byrne Fish;
Lynas Frozen Foods.

2007

Supply and Delivery of Fresh Yoghurt

Holmes Catering Services.

2003

Supply and Delivery of Fresh Yoghurt

Holmes Catering Services.

2004

Supply and Delivery of Fresh Yoghurt

Henderson Foodservice;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2005

Supply and Delivery of Fresh Yoghurt

Henderson Foodservice;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2006

Supply and Delivery of Fresh Yoghurt

Henderson Foodservice;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2007

Supply and Delivery of Ice‑Cream

Lynas Frozen Foods.

2003

Supply and Delivery of Ice‑Cream

Lynas Frozen Foods.

2004

Supply and Delivery of Ice‑Cream

Lynas Frozen Foods.

2005

Supply and Delivery of Ice‑Cream

Lynas Frozen Foods.

2006

Supply and Delivery of In-Cup Drinks and Dispensing Facility

NI-Vend Vending Services.

2003

Supply and Delivery of In-Cup Drinks and Dispensing Facility

NI-Vend Vending Services.

2004

Supply and Delivery of In-Cup Drinks and Dispensing Facility

NI-Vend Vending Services.

2006

Supply and Delivery of In-Cup Drinks and Dispensing Facility

NI-Vend Vending Services.

2007

Supply and Delivery of Pasteurised Milk

Dale Farm Ltd;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2003

Supply and Delivery of Pasteurised Milk

Dale Farm Ltd;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2004

Supply and Delivery of Pasteurised Milk

Dale Farm Ltd;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2005

Supply and Delivery of Pasteurised Milk

Dale Farm Ltd;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2006

Supply and Delivery of Pasteurised Milk

Dale Farm Ltd;
Ballyrashane Co-op Ltd.

2007

Supply and Delivery of Potatoes, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Arnotts (Fruit) Ltd;
Moneymore Potatoes.

2003

Supply and Delivery of Potatoes, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Arnotts (Fruit) Ltd;
Moneymore Potatoes.

2004

Supply and Delivery of Potatoes, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Arnotts (Fruit) Ltd;
Moneymore Potatoes.

2006

Supply and Delivery of Potatoes, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Arnotts (Fruit) Ltd;
Moneymore Potatoes.

2007

Supply of Soft Drinks

Coca Cola Bottlers;
Courtney and Nelson;
Holmes Catering Services;
O'Kane Food Service;
Rocwell Natural Mineral Water;
Savoury Foods.

2003

Supply of Soft Drinks

Capitol Foods Ltd;
Coca Cola Bottlers;
Courtney and Nelson;
Holmes Catering Services;
Lynas Frozen Foods;
O'Kane Food Service;
Rocwell Natural Mineral Water;
The Classic Mineral Water Co.

2004

Supply of Soft Drinks

Coca Cola Bottlers;
The Classic Mineral Water Co;
Henderson Foodservice;
Rocwell Natural Mineral Water;
Capitol Foods Ltd;
Courtney and Nelson;
O'Kane Food Service.

2007

Floor Maintenance System for School Meals Kitchens

Polysorb.

2004

 

School Amalgamation

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to give a timescale within which the review of the amalgamation of St Joseph's Primary School, Ahoghill and St Patrick's Primary School, Aughtercloney, will be completed.

(AQW 1732/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department is in contact with CCMS on the position of this amalgamation and wishes to clarify the position as soon as possible in the next few weeks in the interests of the schools and parents.

Nendrum College, Comber

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education if she will confirm that the opening of the Public Private Partnership/Private Finance Initiative Nendrum College in Comber, scheduled for January, has now been delayed until the end of February 2008.

(AQW 1734/08)

Ms C Ruane: The completion target date for Nendrum College is the end of February 2008, which is the date specified in the contract signed in September 2006. The date has not changed.

Nendrum College, Comber

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education what is her assessment of whether or not the delay in the opening of the new build Public Private Partnership/Private Finance Initiative Nendrum College, Comber has had, or will have, any impact on the education of, or coursework produced by, the pupils currently attending the school.

(AQW 1735/08)

Ms C Ruane: The completion target date for Nendrum College is the end of February 2008, which is the date specified in the contract signed in September 2006. The date has not changed.

Freedom of Information Requests

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the cost to her department of dealing with Freedom of Information requests, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1740/08)

Ms C Ruane: The right to request information under the FOI Act 2000 came into effect on 1 January 2005 and since then the Department of Education has processed 430 requests for information under the legislation. However, in common with all Departments in the North, the Department of Education does not calculate or record information on the cost of individual FOI requests but has built in compliance with the requirements of the Act into its normal business activities.

The information requested is not therefore held by the Department and this position corresponds to that of all NICS Departments and Whitehall Departments.

Science Curriculum

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 633/08, to detail whether or not recent discoveries that the majority of what was once regarded as 'junk' or 'vestigial' DNA, which is now known to undergo transcription and to have a function, is considered to be presenting (i) evidence-based; or (ii) belief-based data to pupils in science classes.

(AQW 1744/08)

Ms C Ruane: I would refer you back to my response to your previous Questions (AQWs 1472/08, 1477/08 and 1479/08), published in the Official Record on 23 November 2007, where I clearly set out the position.

My focus is not on joining debates that continue within the science and religious communities on such matters but on supporting the education of all our young people across all areas of the curriculum.

Bullying

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to address bullying in schools in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1750/08)

Ms C Ruane: Bullying, in whatever form and for whatever reason, has no place in schools. The Department has taken pro-active steps to tackle bullying through development and publication of guidance. Furthermore, the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 2003, which came into operation on 1 April 2003, places a duty on all grant-aided schools to have an anti-bullying policy which includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. The effectiveness of these measures is monitored through the regular cycle of school inspections of pastoral care arrangements.

The Education and Library Boards have established an Inter-Board Group, which is developing a common approach to tackle bullying in schools. Each Board has a designated officer who works with schools to tackle bullying through assisting in the development of whole school policies and supporting individual pupils who have been victims of bullying.

In 2005, the Department, in partnership with voluntary organisations, including Save the Children, established an Anti-bullying Forum (NIABF) to enable a collaborative and coordinated approach to tackling bullying in schools. The Forum enables members to share models of best practice, disseminate information, to develop and coordinate joint initiatives and to ensure that schools and organisations working with children and young people are able to develop appropriate strategies to prevent and deal with bullying behaviours. The Forum has also established formal links with similar bodies in the South, England, Wales and Scotland.

From early 2006, the Department has been funding a regional coordinator post attached to the NIABF. The coordinator is involved delivering the 3-yearAnti-Bullying Strategy which includes the development, implementation and promotion of models of good practice, developing parental partnerships, website development and an annual anti-bullying week. Anti-Bullying Week 2007 (19-23 November) aims to challenge racist, sectarian and cyber bullying behaviour in schools. Activities include a children’s art work project to create an anti-bullying mural in Belfast city centre; the dissemination of anti-bullying resource packs for schools; a poster competition for children and young people (with winning designs displayed on buses for a fortnight) and the production of three advice leaflets for parents and carers around the issue of cyber bullying, and bullying due to race, faith and culture. Copies are available on the Department’s website www.deni.gov.uk .

In June 2007, the Department published a research report on “The Nature and Extent of Bullying in Schools in the North of Ireland”. The findings show little change in the level of bullying behaviour reported by pupils compared to an earlier study completed in 2002. Following this report, the Department will be carrying out a survey of schools’ anti-bullying policies early in 2008, drawing on the expertise and experience of the NIABF and NICCY. The results will be published in due course and used to inform future action.

The Department funds Childline NI to provide a dedicated anti-bullying telephone helpline for pupils and young people.

The independent schools’ counselling service is now available in all grant aided post-primary schools allowing pupils to speak to a trained counsellor about their concerns or fears around bullying.

Reading Recovery Funding

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education to make a statement on funding for 'reading recovery' over the budgetary period 2008-11.

(AQW 1752/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department is in the process of finalising a review of the literacy and numeracy strategy. When completed the strategy will set how we propose to support approaches such as Reading Recovery and the teaching of reading through phonics. It is intended that this review and proposals for the way forward will issue for consultation before the end of the year. Until the outcome of this review is determined and the Department’s budget for the period 2008-11 is finalised I am unable to make any decision about the longer term funding for the Reading Recovery programme.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder Units

Mrs M Bradley asked the Minister of Education if she will confirm that the Autistic Spectrum Disorder units, awarded to the Western Education and Library Board area, and awaiting ratification from her department since February 2007, will be treated as a priority.[R]

(AQW 1753/08)

Ms C Ruane: Development Proposals to establish Key Stage 1 Autistic Spectrum Disorder classes in Holy Trinity Primary School, Enniskillen and St Brigid’s Primary School, Carnhill were published by the Western Education and Library Board in May 2007 and there followed by a period of consultation until July. The Department has been assessing the issues relevant to these proposals and I expect decisions should be made shortly.

The Western Education and Library Board has also published last month Development Proposals to establish Autistic Spectrum Disorder classes at Londonderry Model and Omagh County Primary Schools. Following completion of the statutory two-month consultation period, the proposals will be assessed as quickly as possible.

School Leavers

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of school leavers at the age of 16 that are currently economically inactive and are no longer involved in education.

(AQW 1767/08)

Ms C Ruane: There were 489 pupils leaving school in year 12 at the end of the 2005/06 academic year who are economically inactive and are no longer in education. The table below gives a more detailed breakdown.

Destination of Year 12 school leavers (1) 2000/01 to 2005/06

 

2000/01

2001/02

2002/03

2003/04

2004/05

2005/06

Institution of Further Education

5,206

5,211

N/A

4,919

5,063

5,158

Employment (2)

1,997

1,925

N/A

1,697

1,307

1,416

Training

5,072

4,630

N/A

4,370

4,073

4,094

Unemployment

726

803

N/A

670

738

489

Unknown

187

191

N/A

336

320

306

Total Year 12 Leavers

13,188

12,760

N/A

11,992

11,501

11,463

 

  1. The data excludes special and independent schools.
  2. Employment refers to full and part time employment.
Transfer System

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education what research she has conducted in relation to determining the most appropriate age for children to transfer from primary schools to post-primary schools.

(AQW 1768/08)

Ms C Ruane: This issue has been the subject of research over a number of years, not only in the course of producing the Burns and Costello reports, but also in work carried out by Queen’s University, Belfast, about the Dickson Plan and more recently work commissioned by the Southern Education and Library Board focussing on controlled schools within the Dickson Plan area.

Transfer Test

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of children in Northern Ireland who (i) sat the transfer test; and (ii) opted out of taking the transfer test, in this academic year and for the last three years.

(AQW 1773/08)

Ms C Ruane:

 

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

Pupils eligible to sit the Transfer test

23,572

23,208

22,698

23,689

Pupils entered for the Transfer test

15,373

15,255

14,944

15,693 (1)

Pupils opting out of the Transfer test

8,199

7,953

7,754

7,996

Source: Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.

1. Figure relates to those sitting Paper 1 only.

Irish-Medium Schools

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Education to outline the appointment process for teachers in Irish-medium schools.

(AQW 1822/08)

Ms C Ruane: Boards of Governors, as the employers of teachers in the Irish Medium sector, are responsible for the appointment of all teaching staff in the majority of Irish Medium schools. Posts are advertised, normally in Irish, in accordance with legal requirements and schools follow best practice established in other sectors. All applicants who are qualified to teach, and who meet the criteria for the post, are interviewed by a panel of the governors.  The applicant who best fits the needs of the school is selected and this choice is ratified by the Board of Governors. A record of the process is retained on file by the school as is required by law. 

One Irish medium school falls under the management of CCMS and one under the management of the BELB, each of which operates a common appointment procedure for all schools.

In all appointments, appropriate employment checks in respect of qualifications, eligibility, GTC registration and criminal background are carried out by the IME school/employing authority.

Review of Irish-Medium Education

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to give a timeframe within which the Review of Irish-Medium Education provision for Northern Ireland will be complete.

(AQW 1835/08)

Ms C Ruane: The completed report is due with me early in the New Year.

Classroom Assistants

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken during the on-going industrial action by classroom assistants to ensure that the children attending special schools, and who access paramedical therapy in the schools, continue to do so on a regular basis.

(AQW 1843/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Education and Library Boards have advised Health and Social Care Trusts that contingency arrangements have been put in place in the event of further industrial action in the classroom assistants’ dispute. Special schools and special units/classes attached to mainstream schools should mainly be operational.

Health and Social Care Trusts will continue to provide support in schools for children with health needs regardless of the industrial action taken by classroom assistants. This will continue as long as the schools are open.

The Health and Social Care Trusts have put contingency arrangements in place in the event that schools are not available. Allied health professional staff who normally provide services in schools will be re-deployed to provide their services, either in extra sessions in local clinics and health centres or in domiciliary visits to their clients. Where a personal service is delivered directly to an individual child, this will still be offered in the child’s home.

Primary and Preparatory School

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Education to provide a detailed breakdown for each primary and preparatory school of (i) the number and percentage of P7 pupils to sit the Transfer Test, and (ii) the percentage of pupils attending the school who are in receipt of free school meals, for the academic year 2007/2008.

(AQW 1845/08)

Ms C Ruane: No detailed data regarding the current Transfer Test are available until the process has been completed and the results issued to the Education and Library Boards. Currently we can only provide data on the total pupils entered for Paper 1 for the 2007/08 academic year, but not broken down by individual school.

Free school meal entitlement data for each primary and preparatory school for the 2007/2008 academic year are also unavailable. These data are currently being collected and will be subject to a validation process that will involve the Education and Library Boards. These data should be available in December 2007.

Consultancy Expenditure

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to (i) detail her department's expenditure on consultancy; (ii) list the names of the companies involved; and (iii) provide a breakdown of this expenditure for the last year.

(AQW 1851/08)

Ms C Ruane: The department spent £905,600.57 on external consultants in the 2006-07 financial year, the tables below provide details of the companies used and a breakdown of the expenditure.

 

Consultancy Firms

BDO

PA Consulting

Capita Resourcing

Mentoring Connections

Commercial Graphics

Leslie Stannage Design

Webber Shandwick

Key Consulting

PWC

EMQC

Billy Burnison

Sheila McCall

 

John Beatty

Arthur Rainey

Helm Corporation

Echelon

Bearing Point

Sand Resourcing

Jackie Simpson

Bain Review Team

Alan McVeigh

Queen’s University

University of Ulster

Educational Research Centre

KPMG

Fujitsu

Addleshaw Goddard

EC Harris

McClure Watters

Arthur Cox

Clerkins

Patricia McCusker

Transport Research Institute

 

DEPARTMENT: Education

Category

Amount

1. policy appraisal and review

£274,522.65

2. strategic management

£404,479.08

3. organisational development

£84,335.00

4. performance management

£12,250.00

5. accountancy

£2,146.00

6. audit

£28,206.35

7. economic appraisal

£15,623.41

8. internal audit

£0

9. feasibility study

£0

10. quality accreditation

£42,446.37

11. investment appraisal

£0

12. corporate governance

£20,190.36

13. projects

£7,271.35

14. surveys

£9,800.00

15. marketing

£4,330.00

16. market research

£0

Other

£0

TOTAL

£905,600.57

 

Educational Psychologists

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education, further to her answer to AQW 1314/08, to detail the reasons for the difference in waiting times for assessment by educational psychologists in the South Eastern Education and Library Board, compared to other boards.

(AQW 1860/08)

Ms C Ruane: I have been advised by the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) that the reason for the difference in waiting times for assessment by educational psychologists in that Board compared to other boards is the model of service delivery which the SEELB adopts.

Within the Educational Psychology Services of Education and Library Boards (ELBs) there are two models of service delivery.

Time-allocation is a model whereby, on the basis of an agreed formula, psychologists’ time is allocated to schools and schools have a clear statement of how much of a psychologist’s time they can expect to have available to them in the course of a school year. Schools are then responsible for determining the work which they ask the psychologist to undertake during these visits.

A “waiting list” model is often referred to as an open referral system since schools are free to refer as many pupils as they consider necessary although there will be agreed criteria established as to when it is appropriate to refer a pupil. SEELB has adapted the model to include a consultation with schools before a referral is made to ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken by the school to deal with the pupil’s difficulties. Once a referral is accepted the pupil’s name is added to a waiting list for assessment. Cases are generally seen in the order in which they are referred.

SEELB is currently negotiating with schools to preserve the best aspects of its present system and, at the same time, adopt aspects of the time-allocation model.

Transfer System

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to give her assessment of the approximate costs resulting from the transfer of pupils from primary to post-primary education at age 14, rather than at age 11.

(AQW 1864/08)

Ms C Ruane: I will be bringing forward proposals for future post-primary transfer arrangements as soon as possible and these will include consideration of issues such as cost. 14 is already a key decision point in the educational development of young people. Building on this can improve the way our system responds to the needs of all young people. This should be factored into our agenda for structural reform - already well-established due to the need for school sustainability, curriculum reform and ongoing demographic change.

Withdrawing a Child From School

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the regulations governing a parent removing a child from a school register and applying to have them (i) educated elsewhere; and (ii) home educated.

(AQW 1898/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Registration and Attendance of Pupils Regulations SRO 1974 No. 78 require a parent to notify the principal of his or her intention to withdraw a child from school. The principal then has to provide the parent with a prescribed certificate of attendance on a Form S.A.1. In a case where the child is to be educated at another school, the parent is required to give the Form to the principal of the school to which the child is to be admitted. In a case where a parent chooses to home educate their child, the parent is required to satisfy the relevant Education and Library Board that the child is receiving efficient full-time education suitable to his or her age, ability and aptitude and must continue to satisfy the Board of this at least once a year.

Educational Provision

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) how she proposes to tailor educational provision to the individual needs of the pupil; and (ii) how she intends to provide the necessary services without some form of selection.

(AQW 1902/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Revised Curriculum and the Entitlement Framework provide each school with the opportunity to tailor its curricular offer to meet the needs and aspirations of young people. There is now greater choice and flexibility for young people to pursue a range of pathways that will lead to progression to Further Education, Higher Education, training or employment. This approach is clearly predicated on the principle of matching education provision to the individual needs of individual young people rather than matching children to institutions as is currently the case.

This new educational environment will enable young people to experience three years of general post-primary education, followed by post-14 provision which reflects their needs, interests and aspirations and based on objective careers education, information, advice and guidance. It will also enable them to develop skills and obtain qualifications which will support the economic growth of the North.

Transfer System

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education, given the indication of her intention to move towards 14 as a more appropriate age for transfer between the primary and secondary education, whether or not she intends to abolish streaming and setting for pupils in years eight, nine and ten.

(AQW 1903/08)

Ms C Ruane: What I have indicated is that the period between age 11 and 14 is one when young people’s preferences for an academic and/or professional and technical education and career pathway are shaped. 14 is thus a key decision point in a young person’s education. The place of streaming and setting in matching provision to young people’s educational needs and aspirations will be considered carefully as part of the development of the detail of proposals for post-primary transfer arrangements.

Conlig Primary School

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Education to provide a timeframe for her decision on the integrated status proposal by Conlig Primary School.

(AQW 1955/08)

Ms C Ruane: On 23 October 2007, the South Eastern Education and Library Board published Development Proposal No. 198, proposing the acquisition of controlled integrated status for Conlig Primary School, with effect from 1 September 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter. The publication initiated a statutory two-month period during which comments or objections may be offered to the Department. The statutory consultation period ends on 27 December 2007 and I will make a decision as quickly as possible thereafter.

Provision of School Places

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Education, in light of plans to allocate school places in Northern Ireland to children from the Republic of Ireland, what steps she will take to ensure that there is adequate provision of places for children residing in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1974/08)

Ms C Ruane: Under Article 16(4) of the Education (NI) Order 1997 and Article 32(4) of the Education (NI) Order 1998 schools and pre-schools shall provide in their admissions criteria for all children resident in the North to be selected for admission before any children not so resident. These Articles may be in breach of EU legislation. It is my intention to review the legislation with a view to changing it. Such changes will, of course, take account of the need to ensure there is adequate provision of places for children in the North.

Transfer System

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education what consideration she has given to the design of selection tests, based not on the pass/fail concept, but on recognition of different aptitudes such as academic aptitude and technical aptitude, at the ages of 11 and 14.

(AQW 1976/08)

Ms C Ruane: I have noted the views of those who favour some form of testing as a replacement to the Transfer Test, and have taken advice on proposals where they have been developed. I remain of the view that testing of any description is not the best way to inform key decisions about a young person’s future educational and career pathway. I would prefer that such decisions be informed by three years of post-primary education, teacher and parental guidance, in addition to careers education, information, advice and guidance, resulting in the matching of children to suitable provision.

Classroom Assistants

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Education, in relation to days on which classroom assistants are taking strike action, to detail whether or not (i) Riverside Special School in Antrim is open; and (ii) the full range of educational services are available.

(AQW 1982/08)

Ms C Ruane: I am informed by the Chief Executive Officer of the North Eastern Education and Library Board that during the recent strike action Riverside Special School, Antrim has been open in accordance with the agreed five Board procedure allowing parents the option of accompanying their child to school. As such the Board considers Riverside, like all schools in its area, to be open to pupils. As regards the actual uptake of this arrangement and the facilities used, details are as follows:

Thursday 15 November 2007 3 children were accompanied to school for therapy;
Friday 16 November 2007 No children attended school;
Monday19 November 2007 No children attended school;
Tuesday 20 November 2007 3 children attended school for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy and 2 went horse riding.

On the above days no child made use of the educational facilities in Riverside Special School in Antrim.

St Aloysius High School, Cushendall

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of pupils currently on the roll of St Aloysius High School in Cushendall; and (ii) the school's intake in 2007.

(AQW 2028/08)

Ms C Ruane: There are 67 children enrolled at St Aloysius High School in 2007/08. Of these, one is in Year 8.

North/South Ministerial Council

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to provide a timescale within which she will make a statement to the Assembly on the latest meeting of the Education Sector of the North/South Ministerial Council.

(AQW 2058/08)

Ms C Ruane: I intend to make a statement to the Assembly in relation to the North / South Ministerial Council meeting, in Education Sector format, held in Dublin on 14 November 2007 on Tuesday 11 December 2007.

Answers to Assembly Questions

Mrs M Bradley asked the Minister of Education to provide a timescale within which a Member can expect to receive an answer following the submission of a question to her department for priority written answer.

(AQW 2095/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education endeavours to answer all priority written questions within the timescales set by individual members.

Employment and Learning

Skillsmart Retail Sector Skills Council Report

Mr R Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how his department is responding to the Skillsmart Retail Sector Skills Council Report, in view of its confirmation that career opportunities are currently available within this sector.

(AQW 1658/08)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The Labour Market Information research conducted as part of stages 1-3 of Skillsmart Retail’s Sector Skills Agreement has identified that 8% of retailers in Northern Ireland currently have at least one staff vacancy. The Department works closely with Sector Skills Councils as they develop their Sector Skills Agreements.

The Department’s Public Employment Service (PES) provides a service to employers to assist them to fill vacancies.  Vacancies may be publicised on the PES web-site 'Jobcentreonline' which is widely used and through this web-site, vacancies are publicised throughout Europe.  The Employment Service will work with employers in all sectors to provide additional assistance where the employer commits to considering Employment Service clients for vacancies. 

Finance and Economics Graduates

Lord Browne asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what action he will take to encourage university graduates in finance and economics to seek a career within Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1664/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Under the Bridge to Employment Programme, my Department works with local businesses, including those in the financial services industry, to devise unique training courses tailored to their specific needs. Participants who successfully complete their course are then guaranteed an interview with the relevant company. In addition, the Futures Programme gives Northern Ireland graduates accredited training in Investment Administration followed by an eleven month placement overseas. This allows them to enhance their employability in the industry and gain valuable experience of working in a major financial centre.

Invest Northern Ireland actively targets companies within the Financial Services (FS) industry for inward investment projects that offer highly

skilled, high-productivity jobs for graduates in finance related subjects. Financial Services is a sector that offers considerable growth potential. Northern Ireland has already established success in retail Financial Services and Financial Services technology and is developing propositions to respond to the needs of the sector.

Current investors Allstate, Liberty Mutual, HBOS and Abbey form a significant element of the existing Financial Services sector in Northern Ireland. In addition to attracting the world’s top financial institutions, Northern Ireland businesses are providing groundbreaking financial software to firms such as Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, HSBC, IF.com, Egg and Lloyd’s TSB. Recently, Citi, already a significant investor with technology and operations groups at its Centre of Excellence in Belfast, announced plans to establish a Legal & Compliance Division in Northern Ireland. Bank of Ireland have also recently announced plans to establish a specialist funds administration business in Belfast.

One of the most important reasons for this level of investment has been the ability of investors to tap into a brand new, skilled, educated and motivated talent pool.

The Skills Expert Group has established a Financial Services Future Skills Action Group to determine and respond to the specific future skills needs for the sector. It is expected that this sub group will report in 2008.

Sector Skills Councils are very aware of the need to work on the attractiveness of careers in their sectors including Finance Services Sector Skills Council and they are building in measures to address this in their Sector Skills Agreements .

My Department will continue to work with Invest NI, the Sector Skills Councils and employers to address these issues and through the Careers Service, to provide graduates with impartial information, advice and guidance based on up to date labour market information.

Labour Force Survey

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of people aged (i) 16; (ii) 17-21; (iii) 21-29; (iv) 30-40; (v) 41-50; and (vi) 50-55, who are in neither education, employment or training, broken down by constituency.

(AQW 1736/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The table below contains Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates of the number of people in Northern Ireland that are not in employment, participating in government training schemes, or in full-time education by relevant age group. Due to LFS methodology, it is not possible to include those in part-time education or non-government sponsored training; and sample size is too small to provide estimates at parliamentary constituency area level.

Number of people in NI not in Employment, Participating in Government Training Schemes, or in Full-time Education by age, April-June 2007  

Age of Person

Number not in Employment, Participating in Government Training Schemes or in Full-time Education

16

2,000 (1)

17-21

17,000

21-29

38,000

30-40

41,000

41-50

54,000

50-55

38,000

16-55 (2)

181,000

1. This estimate is based on a small sample size and is therefore subject to a higher than usual degree of sampling variability. It should therefore be treated with caution.

2. Age-groups quoted are not mutually exclusive therefore they will not add to total.

Freedom of Information Requests

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the cost to his department of dealing with Freedom of Information requests, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1778/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The right to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FoI) came into effect on 1 January 2005. Since then, no fees for providing information have been charged by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), and the Department does not hold information on the cost of dealing with FoI requests. This is for the following reasons:

This practice is common to all NI Departments and is in line with that in Whitehall Departments.

Advertising Expenditure

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the amount his department has spent on the 'gremlins' advertising campaign, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1802/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department gave a commitment in the Essential Skills for Living Strategy to launch a major promotional campaign in 2003 to significantly increase the number of adults engaging in learning to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. It was decided to adopt the ‘Gremlins’ brand which had been developed for the Department for Education and Skills’ (DfES) Skills for Life campaign in England.

Expenditure on the campaign since inception is as follows:

April 2003 – March 2004 £481k
April 2004 – March 2005 £444k
April 2005 – March 2006 £454k
April 2006 – March 2007 £195k
April 2007 – March 2008 £150k

These figures relate to television, radio, cinema, outdoor and press advertising.

In March 2007 the Department met, and exceeded, its PSA target to support 18,500 Essential Skills qualifications. To date, over 30,000 qualifications have been achieved and 60,000 enrolments recorded across the sector. Whilst a number of factors have contributed to this success, including the efforts of individual providers, ongoing research has confirmed that the Gremlins promotional campaign has achieved a high level of awareness and is a powerful influencer and motivator to potential learners.

Gremlins Hotline

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of telephone calls the 'gremlins' hotline has received each month, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1803/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The ‘Gremlins’ promotional campaign raises awareness of the help available for people with literacy and numeracy problems and advertises a telephone hotline number which allows potential learners to speak to an adviser about enrolling on an Essential Skills course in their local area. In September 2006 the helpline number was supplemented with the facility to text message an adviser.

The advertising campaign is only one of a number of mechanisms through which people can access information on enrolling in Essential Skills courses. The success of the overall campaign is reflected in the increase, year on year, in enrolments, with 60,000 recorded to date across the sector.

There were 3166 calls to the helpline, including text messaging, since the campaign began. The figures are set out on a monthly basis in the table below.

 

 

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

 

PHONE CALLS

January

 

151

295

18

71

 

February

 

13

70

7

8

 

March

 

4

27

6

10

 

April

 

3

18

11

2

 

May

417

36

29

6

4

 

June

147

13

13

10

3

 

July

6

12

5

1

6

 

August

95

99

52

54

6

 

September

117

283

111

139

56

 

October

13

31

17

33

17

 

November

2

12

7

13

4

 

December

2

29

2

4

 

 

TEXT MESSAGES

January

 

 

 

 

187

 

February

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

 

 

 

 

 

 

April

 

 

 

 

 

 

May

 

 

 

 

 

 

June

 

 

 

 

 

 

July

 

 

 

 

 

 

August

 

 

 

 

 

 

September

 

 

 

212

147

 

October

 

 

 

 

 

 

November

 

 

 

 

 

 

December

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTALS

799

686

646

514

521

3166

 

School Leavers

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of school leavers from Northern Ireland enrolled in (i) Queen's University; (ii) the University of Ulster; and (iii) the Open University, in each of the past five years.

(AQW 1872/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department does not hold information on the number of school leavers that have enrolled at individual Higher Education Institutions. However, first year student enrolments aged 20 and under whose highest qualification includes an A Level or A Level equivalent has been used as a proxy for school leaver.

On that basis, the number of these enrolments at the Queen’s University of Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Open University, in each of the last 5 available years is given in the table below:

 

Queen's University of Belfast

University of Ulster

The Open University

2001/02

3,095

3,090

25

2002/03

3,030

3,600

25

2003/04

2,915

3,820

25

2004/05

2,985

3,465

35

2005/06

3,285

4,010

20

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

School Leavers

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of school leavers from Northern Ireland with a disability who are enrolled in (i) Queen's University; (ii) the University of Ulster; and (iii) the Open University, in each of the past five years.

(AQW 1874/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department does not hold information on the number of school leavers that have enrolled at individual Higher Education Institutions. However, first year student enrolments aged 20 and under whose highest qualification includes an A Level or A Level equivalent has been used as a proxy for school leaver.

On that basis, the number of these enrolments who had a disability (based on the student’s self-assessment) at the Queen’s University of Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Open University, in each of the last 5 available years is given in the table below:

 

Queen's University of Belfast

University of Ulster

The Open University

2001/02

175

150

0

2002/03

100

180

0

2003/04

120

250

0

2004/05

90

180

0

2005/06

125

300

0

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

John Luke Mural

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to provide the date the John Luke mural was removed from the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education complex at Millfield and the current location and ownership of the mural.

(AQW 1923/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The John Luke mural was removed from the Belfast Metropolitan College’s Millfield site on 2 February 2003. It is owned by John Eastwood and Sons Ltd and is currently in storage at Walter Graham Haulage Ltd, Airport Road West, Belfast.

Closure of Reid Transport

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what plans his department has to assist workers who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of Reid Transport.

(AQW 2134/08)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department, in partnership with the Social Security Agency and other organisations, has been providing advice on employment opportunities, jobsearch, training and further education opportunities to employees of Reid Transport.

As at 28 th November, 70 employees had already attended their local JobCentre or Jobs and Benefits Office for assistance. In addition, the Department for Employment and Learning, in partnership with the Social Security Agency and Invest Northern Ireland, held a redundancy clinic in Cloughmills on 28 th November which more than 20 people attended.

As at 28 th November 2007, 36 applications from ex-employees of Reid Transport Ltd had been received by my Department for statutory redundancy and insolvency payments under the Employment Rights ( Northern Ireland) Order 1996. All claims received are being vetted to establish entitlement to statutory redundancy and insolvency payments under the Order. Payments of eligible claims will be made within the normal timescales but every effort is being made to have redundancy and arrears of pay payments made before Christmas.

Redundancy Payments

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail what regulations are in place to safeguard the right to statutory benefits for those workers supplied to companies through employment agencies; and what action he will take to close any loopholes, whereby companies can absolve themselves of any liability to provide redundancy payments to agency workers.

(AQO 889/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Agency workers are a relatively small but important part of our labour market and are protected by a range of employment laws. They are not employees of the hiring company but are contracted individually to perform work or services. Agency work provides flexibility for workers and employers without which Northern Ireland would be at a competitive disadvantage compared to other EU countries. I agree that the fact that agency workers are not entitled to redundancy payments, as with Seagate, is a problem. There are currently no plans to change the law in this area however discussions are ongoing at EU level on a Temporary Agency Workers Directive.

Community Training Organisations

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what is his assessment of the role that community training organisations can take in working alongside further education colleges; and what action he is taking to ensure that community training organisations are adequately funded.

(AQO 892/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department recognises the merit of community training organisations working alongside further education colleges, in supporting adult learners. The Department will shortly bring forward proposals to further encourage this collaboration. Voluntary and community organisations are also engaged directly in the delivery of the Department’s Training for Success programme.

The Department does not provide core funding for community training organisations. However where appropriate, it may enter into or, facilitate contractual arrangements with these organisations, directly or, through the Further Education sector.

Carter and Carter and the Donnelly Group

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what is his assessment of the nature of the training relationship between Carter and Carter and the Donnelly Group; to detail whether or not the matter is being investigated; and what action he will take in relation to this issue.

(AQO 930/08)

Sir Reg Empey: My officials undertook an investigation on whether there was a training relationship between Carter and Carter plc and the Donnelly Group and have concluded that a verbal interim agreement, which was brokered locally, was based on a ‘as and if required basis’, until suitable provision was made by Carter and Carter to meet the needs of learner numbers. A signed agreement was not entered into. Therefore, no further action is required.

Ards College, Newtownards

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what plans he has to upgrade and modernise the facilities in Ards College, Victoria Road, Newtownards.

(AQO 894/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Approval to the development of a new Construction Centre at the Ards campus of the South Eastern Regional College was given at October 2005. The project is currently at design development stage and it is planned that a contract for the construction phase will be signed in early 2008, with an anticipated completion date of 2009.

Springvale Site

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what consideration he will give to developing the Springvale site as an educational centre; and if he will bring forward proposals in relation to the achievement of this objective over the lifetime of the current Assembly.

(AQO 951/08)

Sir Reg Empey: A Ministerial announcement for a £13.5 million Workforce and Economic Development Centre at Springvale, sited adjacent to the existing Community Outreach Centre, was made at April 2006. The Centre will comprise Advanced Technology and Workforce Development, providing business support and training in areas such as manufacturing, electronics, software engineering and multi-media. The project is at design development stage with an estimated completion date of 2009.

Applicants to the Open University

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps he will take to ensure that Northern Ireland-domiciled applicants to the Open University who hold a primary degree will not be disadvantaged, compared to their counterparts in the rest of the United Kingdom.

(AQO 988/08)

Sir Reg Empey: At present students with a primary degree studying for an equivalent or lower qualification are generally not eligible for support under the Education (Student Support) Regulations. This applies to Northern Ireland students in the same way as their counterparts in England and Wales.

The current consultation on equivalent or lower qualifications by the Higher Education Council for England, is about funding for institutions including the Open University. Unlike other universities, the Open University is funded by the Higher Education Council for England (HEFCE) and it is unclear , as yet, the implications of the proposed consultation.

Open University and Skills Strategy

Ms C Hanna asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the proposals for the Open University to participate in skills strategy and development, highlighted in the draft Programme of Government, in light of the fact that the Open University is involved in skill strategy and development in the Republic of Ireland, through the relevant expert group.

(AQO 913/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Open University has been actively involved throughout the development and subsequent implementation of Success through Skills – the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland. The University was a key respondent in the original consultation process and it continues to be involved in the delivery of three key themes; raising the skills of the workforce; enhancing the quality of those entering the workforce; and addressing the employability skills of those not in employment.

The Open University is also involved at individual project delivery level within the Strategy through its participation on a working group which informed recommendations contained in the recently launched consultation document “ Review of Higher Education in Further Education policies, including Foundation Degrees”.

Success through Skills is due for review in 2008. As part of this process, the Department will be consulting with all of our major stakeholders, including the Open University, to seek their views on how the Strategy should be taken forward.

Careers Guidance Service

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what is his assessment of the need for a fully independent careers guidance service.

(AQO 887/08)

Sir Reg Empey: I am committed to the provision of a fully independent careers guidance service and this is provided by the Department’s Careers Service. The Careers Service is staffed by professionally qualified staff who provide impartial careers information, advice and guidance to young people and adults. Proposals for the enhancement of careers guidance service are contained in “Preparing for Success – A Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Strategy for Northern Ireland”, which issued for consultation on 22 October 2007.

Lifelong Learning

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what plans he has to ensure that the Further Education Means Business strategy has a sufficient focus on lifelong learning.

(AQO 971/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Under Further Education Means Business, the FE sector continues to be at the heart of lifelong learning in order to strengthen economic and workforce development, to enhance social cohesion and to advance individuals’ skills and learning.

To meet this aim, it is important that colleges strike the most appropriate balance between provision that meets the needs of employers and the Northern Ireland economy, and provision that meets the needs of individual learners and supports social inclusion. I believe that the best form of social inclusion is to provide the skills training for individuals to get well-paid, sustainable jobs.

My Department has recently launched a public consultation on proposals for the curriculum to be provided by colleges. The outcome of this consultation, which closes on 7 January 2008, will help to inform future curriculum policy for the FE sector in Northern Ireland. Within this policy, FE colleges will continue to provide a wide variety of courses to adults of all ages.

Workers Educational Association and the Ulster Peoples' College

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail whether or not his department will, as a matter of urgency, fund the Workers Educational Association and the Ulster Peoples' College beyond August 2008, in order to enable full consideration and review of funding of the community education sector, following the unsuccessful bid to the Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQO 914/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department is currently considering how best voluntary and community groups, such as the Workers’ Educational Association and the Ulster People’s College, might support adult learners, through partnerships with Further Education colleges within the resources currently available.

University Students with Disabilities

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of people with disabilities who attended Queen's University, Belfast, or the University of Ulster, in each of the last three years.

(AQO 957/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Information on disability is collected on the basis of a student's self assessment. The number of students with disabilities enrolled on higher education courses at Queen’s University, Belfast, or the University of Ulster in each of the last three available years is detailed below:

Year

QUB

UU

Total

2003/04

1,000

1,625

2,625

2004/05

1,040

1,755

2,795

2005/06

1,065

2,180

3,245

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Community Education

Mrs N Long asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he will make a statement on the future of community education, in light of the proposed end of funding to the Educational Guidance Service for Adults, the Workers' Educational Association and the Ulster People's College.

(AQO 980/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department currently provides core funding to the Educational Guidance Service for Adults to introduce adults to learning and provide them with educational guidance. In line with government procurement policy, the Department proposes to tender for this service from 1 April 2008 and the Educational Guidance Service for Adults will be in a position to tender for the service.

The Department contracts with the Workers Educational Association and the Ulster People’s College for the purchase of a limited range of provision. Both contracts are due to expire in August 2008.The Department will shortly bring forward proposals to enable community education providers to better collaborate with Further Education colleges in supporting adult learners.

The Further Education statutory sector will, of course, continue to deliver a wide range of community education through its extensive network of premises including some 850 Outreach Centres across Northern Ireland.

Training for Success

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the inspection schedule to be undertaken by the Education and Training Inspectorate, in relation to new and existing training organisations awarded contracts for Training for Success, following the procurement exercise completed this year.

(AQO 910/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Education and Training Inspectorate is undertaking visits between September 2007 and April 2008 to each training organisation to assess the effectiveness of the organisation’s self-evaluation, and the resultant action plan.

The Department agrees a schedule of inspection visits with the Education and Training Inspectorate on an annual basis; the schedule from 1 April 2007 to March 2008 was agreed before the awarding of contracts for Training for Success. Seventeen Training Organisations, delivering Training for Success, have, or are, scheduled to be inspected, or to receive a follow-up inspection between September and April of the 2007/08 business year.

I will arrange for a full list of these to be placed in the library.

The Department is currently working with the Inspectorate to establish a similar programme of inspections for the 2008 – 09 business year.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Economic Forecasts

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his department's forecasts for percentage changes in real terms of (i) Northern Ireland's gross domestic product; (ii) employment; and (iii) unemployment, over the lifespan of the Budget 2008-2011.

(AQW 1711/08)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): Northern Ireland ’s GVA is forecast to further increase over the PfG/budget period, growing by approximate annual average rate of 3.3%. Employment growth in Northern Ireland will grow at an estimated average rate of 0.9%. Northern Ireland’s unemployment rate has more than halved over the past decade and is currently the lowest of all the UK regions. It is projected that the unemployment rate will remain unchanged at 3% over the budget period.

Business Start Programme

Mr L Cree asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans he has to change the Business Start programme, following its success in recent years.

(AQW 1804/08)

Mr N Dodds: The Start a Business Programme has been very successful since its launch in September 2001 with over 44,000 individuals accessing some elements of the training it offers. 17,000 people have completed the full programme and started their own business, resulting in the creation of approximately 22,000 new jobs. We also know that 78% of the businesses started are still trading 3 years after they receive the initial support; this compares favourably to the UK average of 73%.

Despite the considerable success of the current programme, a recent independent evaluation has concluded that improvements can be made which will deliver even greater value for money and provide a more flexible support package for the client.

The main changes planned as result of this review are as follows:

It is envisaged that the new programme will be launched in autumn 2008 but some of the changes may be phased in over the coming months

Invest NI Grants

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the Invest Northern Ireland grants paid to Regency Spinning Limited in Newtownards in each of the last five years and if the potential that exists for the clawback of public funds.

(AQW 1882/08)

Mr N Dodds: A total of £9750 of grant assistance was paid directly to Regency Spinning Ltd by Invest NI in 2005. No other Invest NI grants were paid directly to the company during the past five years.

As part of an offer to Regency Carpets Manufacturing Ltd in 2005, a total of £30,000 was paid against the costs of employing a Managing Director in Regency Spinning.

Invest NI is currently assessing the level of clawback that is likely to arise following the appointment of an Administrator to the company.

Social Economy Projects

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline what level of priority will be given to the development of Social Economy projects, particularly to those new enterprises or businesses setting up in New Targeting Social Need areas, and what overall targets his department has set for Social Economy Projects.

(AQW 1925/08)

Mr N Dodds: Government remains committed to developing the social economy and social economy/community enterprises. Invest Northern Ireland recognises the important role the social economy has to play in the context of the economic development of Northern Ireland as a whole.

Invest NI delivers a suite of programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting the concept of Social Economy, supporting new Social Economy business start ups and increasing the business strength of the Social Economy sector.

To this end, Invest NI’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme offers a range of assistance to help new and existing social economy enterprises to develop and grow sustainable and viable businesses.

There has been a very high level of demand for the Programme which started in June 2006, the targets across the four strands are now complete and the programme had to be closed to new applicants in September 2007. Over 80 applications have been received under the Core strand of the Programme and 51 projects have been approved for assistance so far.

Feedback from participants on the Programme has been extremely positive to date with the one to one mentoring elements proving to be particularly beneficial.

Redundancy Packages

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to make a statement on the terms of redundancy packages offered by TYCO, and on other large scale private sector redundancy announcements, made in the last three years.

(AQW 1960/08)

Mr N Dodds: The terms of any redundancy package are a matter for a company to agree in consultation with its employees; the statutory minimum requirements are laid down in Employment Rights Legislation (Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996). It is my understanding that this process of consultation is currently ongoing between the Tyco Healthcare (UK) Manufacturing Ltd management and its workforce. I would suggest that any requests for information concerning the structure of the proposed redundancy package should be addressed directly to the company.

Invest NI

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the size of the land bank held by Invest NI in each parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 1999/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI currently holds 2,793 acres of land across Northern Ireland, of which 1,982 acres are let to its client companies. 811 acres are available for clients with growth plans.

The attached table shows the breakdown of the 811 available acres by parliamentary constituency area.

From its formation in 2002, until the end of the most recent financial year, Invest NI has sold 357 acres of land to its client companies. The last two years have seen a large increase in demand for Invest NI land.

Invest NI has estimated that by the end of the current financial year it will have sold a further 130 acres. Should this level of demand continue, and it shows no sign of abating, the land bank will be fully let within the next 5 to 7 years. Invest NI is currently seeking to replenish its diminishing land holding.

Table 1:Invest NI land by District Council Area at October 2007

Parliamentary Constituency

Land Holding

Land Available

 

Total Acres

Total Acres

Belfast East

0

0

Belfast North

16.45

2.9

Belfast South

6.92

0

Belfast West

189.95

32.7

East Antrim

143.76

24

East Londonderry

125.7

66.9

Fermanagh and South Tyrone

216.6

92.2

Foyle

419.19

107.1

Lagan Valley

239.44

11.6

Mid Ulster

110.47

16.6

Newry and Armagh

37.25

2.5

North Antrim

99.95

39.2

North Down

62.8

20.1

South Antrim

393.64

128.7

South Down

224.75

52.5

Strangford

44.75

4.1

Upper Bann

385.38

202.7

West Tyrone

75.97

6.9

 

 

 

Total at October 2007

2792.97

810.70

 

Closure of Reid Transport

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans his department has to assist workers who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of Reid Transport.

(AQW 2105/08)

Mr N Dodds: DEL took the lead in organising an advisory clinic for employees of the company on 28 th November 2007 at a facility provided by Cloughmills Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Represented at this clinic were:

Invest NI is actively engaged with businesses in the region to encourage the growth that will create additional job opportunities.

Environment

Prehen Woods

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) her department's assessment of the environmental and ecological importance of the Prehen Woods; and (ii) what steps will be taken to ensure that there is no further erosion of the woods and buffer zone, resulting from various forms of development.

(AQW 1601/08)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): (i) Prehen Wood is of significant local importance in terms of nature conservation, landscape and amenity value. These values are reflected in its designation as an Area of Local Nature Conservation and Amenity Importance in the Derry Area Plan. The site and surrounding area have also been designated as an Area of High Scenic Value and an Area of Constraint on Mineral Developments. My Department has also made a Tree Preservation Order to protect the woodland.

(ii) My Department is obliged to consider all applications for development on their own merits and to make a determination having due consideration of current plans and policies and all other material considerations.

The buffer zone identified in the Derry Area Plan 2011 related to Housing Zoning H33. There are no other housing zonings adjacent to the woodland.

National Park for the Mournes

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment on any proposed plans for a National Park for the Mournes.

(AQW 1606/08)

Mrs A Foster: Should we decide to progress any plans for a National Park, my officials will consider the full range of impact assessments, including environmental impact assessment, to see which need to be carried out.

CO2 Emissions

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, for 2006/07, (i) the total greenhouse gas emissions resulting from agricultural land use in Northern Ireland, broken down by each component gas group and as a CO2 equivalent; (ii) the total emissions as a percentage of Northern Ireland’s total CO2 emissions; and (iii) whether or not these figures are included in the Kyoto related regional target figures for greenhouse gas reductions.

(AQW 1608/08)

Mrs A Foster: The latest year for which greenhouse gas figures are available is 2005. All of the figures have been sourced from the Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-2005.

There is no specific sector labelled ‘agricultural land use’ in the greenhouse gas inventories. The inventories contain a category called Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and this category contains 11 sub-categories, 7 of which are related to agriculture. For 2005 the emissions in these categories are:

AGRICULTURE SUB-CATEGORIES

K.TONNES of CO 2

Cropland - Liming

4.7

Cropland Remaining Cropland

-25.1

Land Converted to Cropland

1138.2

Grassland – Biomass Burning

0.0

Grassland - Liming

31.6

Grassland Remaining Grassland

101.5

Land Converted to Grassland

-1371.6

TOTAL

-120.7

Emissions from other component gases for the same period were nil.

The agriculture related LULUCF categories listed above represent a carbon sink of 120.7 kilotonnes of CO 2 per annum, which is less than 1% of Northern Ireland’s total CO 2 net emissions in 2005.

The inventories also contain an additional category entitled ‘Agricultural Soils’. The emissions from this category in 2005 were 6.5 kilotonnes of nitrous oxide, which is equivalent to 2002.0 kilotonnes of CO 2, or 13.2% of the CO 2 net emissions for Northern Ireland (10% of total greenhouse gas emissions).

In summary, net emissions from LULUCF and Agriculture Soils categories in 2005 were 1881.3 kilotonnes of CO 2 equivalent. (The calculation being 2002.0 kilotonnes for agricultural soils less the 120.7 kilotonnes in the carbon sink of LULUCF). This equates to 12.4% of the net CO 2 emissions, and 9.1% of the total greenhouse gas emissions.

More general information on agricultural emissions is available from the greenhouse gas inventories accessed at: http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/reports/cat07/0709180907_DA_GHGI_report_2005.pdf

There is no regional Northern Ireland Kyoto target. Northern Ireland figures are included in the UK’s Kyoto greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.

Planning Approval for Appartments

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of apartments in (i) Newcastle; (ii) Downpatrick; (iii) Warrenpoint; (iv) Ballynahinch; (v) Rostrevor; (vi) Castlewellan; (vii) Killyleagh; and (viii) Saintfield, that have received planning approval in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1610/08)

Mrs A Foster: I regret the current system of electronic data retrieval – 20/20 – does not differentiate apartments from other residential developments and we therefore do not have information readily available on the number of apartments approved. To provide accurate figures for the years in question could only be done by manual search of the application files and this would not be available in the time and would incur disproportionate costs.

It may be helpful to note that the new electronic system - ePIC – which is due to be introduced during 2008 will be able to store and retrieve such data.

Planning Regulations

Ms C Hanna asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what action her department can take when building work commences prior to the issue of planning approval; and what steps she will take to ensure that there is more effective enforcement of planning regulations in relation to this issue.

(AQW 1637/08)

Mrs A Foster: If a landowner/developer carries out development without the appropriate planning approval, this may constitute a breach of planning control. If there is a breach, my Department will take the appropriate enforcement actions to remedy it and regularise the situation.

In terms of more effective enforcement of planning regulations, there are dedicated enforcement teams in each Divisional Office and Headquarters who investigate any alleged breach of planning control. I consider that the Planning Service’s enforcement system is effective however I accept that there is always room for improvement and this issue of planning enforcement will be included in the review of the planning system.

Divisional Planning Offices

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the procedures that are in place to ensure that queries to Divisional Planning Offices are responded to within specified times; and (ii) the complaints process, in cases where these time limits are not adhered to.

(AQW 1639/08)

Mrs A Foster: Procedures to ensure that the Planning Service responds to (i) queries are set out in the Agency’s Charter Standards Statement. They stipulate that anyone contacting the Service will be responded to within 15 working days. Current practice is to acknowledge the matter within 3 working days and to issue a substantive response within 15. Where that is not possible, a holding reply will be issued after 15 working days, followed by a full response as soon as possible thereafter.

In relation to (ii) complaints, Planning Service has issued a leaflet “Making a complaint – A Guide to our Complaints Procedure” and this is available on www.planningni.gov.uk . It details the 3-stage complaints procedures, with similar timescales as above, which are in place and the ultimate right of a complainant to receive a response from the Chief Executive.

Road Safety

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment what discussions she has had with the Minister of Education in relation to ensuring that road safety is a core element of the National Curriculum.

(AQW 1640/08)

Mrs A Foster: Detailed discussions have taken place between my Department, the Department of Education (DE) and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) as part of the development of the revised curriculum which is currently being phased in. The new curriculum provides for a considerable element of road safety education, as outlined below.

Primary Schools

The new curriculum for primary schools contains a number of short general statements of “minimum entitlement”, which are a statutory requirement. While there is no mandatory requirement to teach road safety, my Department’s efforts have ensured that the official guidance notes published by CCEA contain many direct references to road safety topics thereby enhancing opportunities for their delivery in the classroom. This is particularly evident within the areas of Personal Development and the World Around Us.

Post-Primary Schools

The new curriculum again provides increased opportunity for the delivery of road safety through Personal Development/Personal, Social and Health Education. For the first time, there is a mandatory element of road safety for Key Stage 3 within the area of Learning for Life and Work. Although a very small element of the curriculum and generic in content, this is still significant. At Key Stage 4, there is greater timetabling flexibility with very few compulsory subjects which should allow greater opportunity for road safety.

The new curriculum provides enhanced road safety opportunities on a scale not seen before and which do not exist in GB.

It is also worth mentioning other benefits of the regular liaison involving my Department, DE and CCEA. Over the years, this has secured opportunities for road safety within the curriculum including the development and introduction of a GCSE Syllabus in Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies (MVRUS) which was first examined in 1988. This GCSE is the only one of its kind in the UK and is also followed by students in England and Wales.

My Department was also involved in discussions leading to the recognition by DE of MVRUS as an Applied subject within the context of the Entitlement Framework. The Entitlement Framework proposes that schools provide access to no less than 24 subjects at Key Stage 4 with one third of these at applied or vocational level. There are already indications that this recognition will lead to a greater take-up of the subject by schools and students. My Department is endeavouring to capitalise on this further by organising seminars for teachers to raise awareness of the subject and its enhanced status.

It is also worth noting that the Department of Education has appointed a Schools Inspector with responsibility for road safety education. My Department’s officials meet with the Inspector on a regular basis to review developments and keep road safety to the fore.

My Department will continue to liaise with DE and CCEA on the provision of road safety education in schools.

Freedom of Information Requests

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the cost to her department of dealing with Freedom of Information requests, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1648/08)

Mrs A Foster: For clarity, those Parts of the Freedom of Information Act which relate to the making of requests for information

only came into operation on 1 January 2005. However, the Department does not hold information on the total cost of

dealing with requests under the Act. There is provision under the Freedom of Information and Data Protection

(Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 to allow a public authority to charge fees where the costs of responding

to a request exceed £600. Under these rules, my Department has been able to charge a fee only in a very small number

of cases. This is because the method of calculating fees allows only some of the costs involved in dealing with a

request to be taken into account.

Government proposals to amend the fees legislation were recently abandoned and they announced on 25 October that

they will bring forward a package of administrative measures aimed at improving the way the Act works. Obviously I

will have to wait to see the detail, but I would hope that these measures will help reduce costs.

Pollution in the Dibney River

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what organisation is responsible for dealing with pollution in the Dibney River, with specific reference to pollution caused by animal products from the tannery adjacent to the river.

(AQW 1692/08)

Mrs A Foster: It is the role of the Water Management Unit (WMU) of EHS to conserve, protect and where possible improve both the freshwater and marine aquatic environment in Northern Ireland. The WMU protects the aquatic environment through a variety of activities including taking action to combat or minimise the effects of pollution.

WMU is keen to work with local interested parties to address water pollution problems throughout Northern Ireland. WMU has formed Catchment Stakeholder Groups (CSG’s) in all water catchment areas in Northern Ireland. The aim of these groups is to work closely with partners to explore methods and techniques for engaging regional and local stakeholders in dealing with water quality issues. The CSG’s comprise representatives of all major local and regional stakeholder sectors/groups brought together to support and encourage active involvement of stakeholders in resolving water quality issues.

The Dibney River Trust is one such grouping that WMU has been in communication with over recent weeks. WMU Officers are currently undertaking a water quality data capture study in preparation for a meeting with the Dibney River Trust and Environmental Health Officers form Down District Council with the aim of providing resolutions to the issues that they have raised. This meeting will take place within the next two weeks. In support of this work EHS is taking specialist technical advice on dealing with historic discharges from tannery operations and the long term effects of such discharges in rivers and river beds.

Street Signage

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment, in light of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, if she will review Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 1995 to allow for two thirds of respondents to give approval for a change to street signage, as opposed to the current provision, where two thirds of the population of a street must give approval for such a change.

(AQW 1707/08)

Mrs A Foster: I have no plans to review the provisions of Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order ( Northern Ireland) 1995 which sets out the powers that district councils have in relation to street naming and signage.

Article 11 provides district councils with powers to erect nameplates at ornear each end, corner or entrance of any street in its district. The nameplate must be expressed in English but it may also express the name in any other language.

If a nameplate is erected which expresses the name of the street in English only, the council may, immediately adjacent to the first nameplate, erect a second nameplate expressing the name of the street in a language other than English.

Article 11 also provides that in deciding whether and, if so, how to exercise its powers in relation to providing either:

a council must have regard to any views on the matter expressed by the occupiers of premises in that street.

The legislation makes no provision as to the number or percentage of occupiers in any street who must give approval for a change in signage. The procedures for canvassing the views of occupiers and making decisions on whether, taking their views into account, to change the signage is appropriately a matter for district councils.

Carbon Reduction Targets

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the consequences for Northern Ireland of any failure to achieve its Kyoto-related carbon reduction targets.

(AQW 1749/08)

Mrs A Foster: Northern Ireland does not have a Kyoto target. Within the EU, Kyoto targets are set at Member State level. The UK has a Kyoto target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% (below 1990 levels) by 2008-2012 which Northern Ireland contributes to. In 2005, the latest year for which disaggregated data is available, Northern Ireland accounted for 3% of the UK total greenhouse gas emissions.1

The latest figures show that the UK is well on course to meet its Kyoto greenhouse gas emissions reduction target (15.8% below 1990 levels).2

1. Source: Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-2005

2. Source: Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; 1990-2005

Biodegradable Waste

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the performance of each district council against targets for biodegradable waste, in compliance with the Landfill Allowance Scheme, in 2005; 2006; and 2007.

(AQW 1759/08)

Mrs A Foster: All District Councils have achieved their landfill allowance obligations for the first 2 years (2005/06 and (2006/07) of the scheme.

The amount of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) sent to landfill in 2006/07 was 536,063 tonnes compared with 558,009 tonnes in 2005/06, a reduction of almost 22,000 tonnes.

In 2005/06, District Councils utilised 83.7% of their allocated landfill allowances. However, in 2006/07 the amount of allowances utilised fell to 81.8 %.

Five of the 26 District councils utilised less than 70% of their allocated allowances.

Details of performance by each District Council is shown in Table 1 below.

District Council:

BMW sent to landfill for scheme year 2005/06 (As reported)

Allocation 2005/06

% of 2005/06 Allocation utilised

BMW sent to landfill for scheme year 2006/07 (As reported)

Allocation 2006/07

% 2006/07 Allocation utilised

% Difference between 06/07 and 05/06 scheme years for BMW landfilled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antrim Borough Council

12,635

17,288

73.08%

12,402

18,936

65.49%

-1.84%

Ards Borough Council

25,851

31,842

81.19%

25,046

28,862

86.78%

-3.11%

Ballymena Borough Council

19,355

21,453

90.22%

18,439

22,835

80.75%

-4.73%

Belfast City Council

106,509

116,877

91.13%

96,063

102,992

93.27%

-9.81%

Carrickfergus Borough Council

14,935

17,114

87.27%

14,116

14,843

95.10%

5.48%

Castlereagh Borough Council

15,496

23,103

67.07%

14,450

25,385

56.92%

6.75%

Down District Council

17,262

25,736

67.07%

17,382

25,344

68.58%

0.70%

Larne Borough Council

11,345

13,526

83.88%

10,259

11,862

86.49%

-9.57%

Lisburn City Council

37,242

48,719

76.44%

34,186

42,207

81.00%

-8.21%

Newtownabbey Borough Council

27,599

31,180

88.52%

28,024

30,901

90.69%

1.54%

North Down Borough Council

28,503

33,588

84.86%

25,257

29,606

85.31%

-11.39%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arc21 – Total:

316,732

380,426

83.26%

295,622

353,773

83.56%

-6.66%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ballymoney Borough Council

8,119

12,968

62.61%

8,724

9,059

96.3%

7.45%

Coleraine Borough Council

22,604

28,812

78.45%

23,411

**23,417

99.97%

3.57%

Derry City Council

27,909

36,273

76.94%

33,509

41,103

81.52%

20.07%

Limavady Borough Council

8,016

12,255

65.41%

9,200

13,074

70.37%

14.77%

Magherafelt District Council

10,445

14,230

73.40%

10,977

15,863

69.20%

5.09%

Moyle District Council

6,043

6,889

87.72%

5,739

6,334

90.61%

-5.03%

Strabane District Council

12,345

17,412

70.90%

12,697

14,896

85.24%

2.85%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NWRWMG – Total:

95,481

128,839

74.11%

104,258

123,745

84.25%

9.19%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Armagh City & District Council

14,296

17,790

80.36%

13,715

21,394

64.11%

-4.06%

Banbridge District Council

10,213

12,896

79.20%

9,110

16,824

54.15%

-10.80%

Cookstown District Council

10,402

11,681

89.05%

10,324

12,920

79.91%

-4.09%

Craigavon Borough Council

27,624

30,961

89.22%

24,191

31,763

76.16%

-12.43%

Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council

16,694

18,375

90.85%

16,223

18,793

86.33%

-2.82%

Fermanagh District Council

*21,740

21,740

100.00%

21,117

22,557

93.62%

-2.87%

Newry & Mourne District Council

28,105

28,720

97.86%

27,608

34,731

79.49%

-1.77%

Omagh District Council

16,722

19,155

87.30%

13,894

19,047

72.94%

-16.91%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SWaMP – Total:

145,796

161,318

90.38%

135,835

178,028

76.30%

-6.83%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Ireland – Total:

558,009

670,583

83.21%

535,715

655,545

81.72%

-4.00%

* includes 699 allowances 1 transferred from Armagh City & District Council.
** includes 1,830 allowances transferred from Ballymoney Borough Council.
1 One allowance equals one tonne of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) which can be sent to landfill.

George Best Belfast City Airport

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment, in light of the Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport’s statement that the airport intends to extend the length of the main runway, to detail what communications she has had with Ryanair, the Belfast City Airport and local residents’ groups in relation to this issue.

(AQW 1765/08)

Mrs A Foster: Neither my Department nor I, as Minister, have had any formal communications with George Best Belfast City Airport, Ryanair, or any local residents group on the issue of a proposed runway extension. I understand, however, that an official from the Airport recently contacted the Divisional Planning Office in Belfast and was informed that a planning application would need to be submitted if an extension to the existing runway was being proposed.

All-Ireland Paper Pulp Mill

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the progress that has been made in relation to the development of an all-Ireland paper pulp mill.

(AQW 1780/08)

Mrs A Foster: The North South Ministerial Council commissioned the North South Market Development Steering Group to conduct a feasibility study into the establishment of a paper mill that would service both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland . The study is being carried out in 2 phases – the first dealing with the identification of sources and quantities of waste paper, the demand for paper products and the development and assessment of various paper mill options, before a full economic appraisal in phase 2.

The phase 1 report was published in August 2006 and stated that a financially viable tissue mill could be supported by the market in both countries.

Following this, a "market sounding" survey was commissioned to gauge the level of interest of stakeholders. Although the initial findings from this survey show favourable interest in exploring the establishment of a tissue mill, it is considered that some further work is required to test the level of interest amongst the key industrial players before moving to a full economic appraisal.

Rural Communities

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment what is her assessment of the effect of second homes and holiday lets on the social cohesion of small rural communities.

(AQW 1784/08)

Mrs A Foster: I appreciate that there is growing concern that second homes and holiday lets can impact upon the availability of housing to meet local needs, with consequent adverse effects upon local communities.

However as acknowledged in the Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland there are limitations on the ability of the land use planning system to regulate on these matters. This is because the system cannot exert control over who may purchase new or existing properties or over how they occupy them.

My Department has nevertheless recently attempted to indirectly exercise some greater control of second homes through the development plan process predominantly through inclusion of policy provisions on the location of new apartment developments.

Legal Action

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment whether or not she will be taking legal action against any MLAs in relation to comments made about the Giant's Causeway.

(AQW 1837/08)

Mrs A Foster: You will be aware that I am seeking legal advice on a statement that you made on 8 November 2007. I am unwilling to comment further on this at this stage.

Departmental Legal Advisers

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the number of times she has used her departmental legal advisers since taking up her appointment; and to list the purpose of the advice sought.

(AQW 1840/08)

Mrs A Foster: I can confirm that I seek advice from my departmental legal advisers as and when it is required for the purposes of the proper discharge of my duties as Minister of the Environment.

Noise Pollution

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the number of complaints relating to noise that were received by district councils; (ii) the number that were the subject of court proceedings; and (iii) the number of these that were successfully prosecuted in the courts, for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007.

(AQW 1847/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Department of the Environment reports the number of noise complaints received and legal action taken by district councils between 01 April and 31 March annually.

The table below has been derived from the last three such reports and illustrates statistics from all 26 council areas.

Year

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

No. of Noise Complaints

10,047

11,337

11,923

No. of Prosecutions

17

8

8

The outcome of each prosecution is not recorded by the Department

The Noise Complaint Statistics for Northern Ireland reports are available from the Assembly Library, or may be viewed in full at

http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/protect_the_environment/local_environmental_issues/noise/complaint_statistics_for_ni.htm

Departmental Solicitors

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the grounds on which she is seeking legal advice from her departmental solicitors in relation to statements made by Sinn Fein on the Giant's Causeway.

(AQW 1915/08)

Mrs A Foster: You will be aware that I am seeking legal advice on a statement that you made on 8 November 2007. I am unwilling to comment further on this at this stage.

Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks

Mr D Burnside asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what capacity studies have been undertaken in relation to Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks, to assess the potential for further housing development within the urban footprints across Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1917/08)

Mrs A Foster: Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks does not apply in Northern Ireland. My Department has however published Urban Capacity Studies, as required by ‘Planning Policy Statement 12 - Housing in Settlements’, with all draft area plans published since the publication of the Regional Development Strategy. These studies identify housing capacity within defined urban footprints. So far urban capacity studies have been published for the 15 District Council areas covered by the draft Ards/Down Area Plan, Magherafelt Area Plan, Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan, Northern Area Plan and the Banbridge/Newry/Mourne Area Plan. Work is currently in progress on a further 6 districts. Capacity studies for the remaining 5 District Council areas will be carried out as part of the relevant Area Plan preparation process.

Freedom of Information Requests

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of Freedom of Information requests received by her department in relation to an application for a visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway in (i) September 2007; (ii) October 2007; and (iii) November 2007; and to detail how many of these have been granted and completed.

(AQW 1940/08)

Mrs A Foster: Eight requests were received in September. Final responses have been issued to three requestors. Interim responses were issued to four requestors, extending the timescale for response as permitted under regulation 7(1) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Final replies in these cases, together with the response to the remaining requestor, will issue shortly.

No requests were received in October.

Three requests have been received in November and these are being considered.

Waste Management

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the proposals submitted by Arc21 in relation to their future plans for dealing with waste management.

(AQW 1957/08)

Mrs A Foster: In common with the two other Waste Management Groups, arc21 submitted a revised Waste Management Plan for the Department’s consideration in 2006. The revised plan, which is a substantial and detailed document, was formally approved by the Department in December 2006, and can be viewed on the arc21 website (www.arc21.org.uk).

All three Waste Management Groups have since then followed up on their Waste Management Plans by submitting draft Strategic Outline Cases (SOCs) to the Department, setting out and comparing the available technological options for meeting their Waste Management Plan objectives in respect of waste arisings. The draft SOCs are currently being evaluated on behalf of the Department.

Ards and Down Area Plan

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to give a timescale within which the Ards and Down Area Plan will be completed; and to advise whether or not it will be completed on schedule, in December 2007/January 2008.

(AQW 2008/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department is still awaiting the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) Report on the Public Inquiry held to consider objections to the Ards and Down Area Plan. While the PAC had originally indicated that its Report would be available by the end of 2007, it has just recently advised that the report would be available no later that 31 March 2008. Despite the delay, it is still my Department’s intention to publish the adopted Area Plan as soon as possible following receipt of the Report but without yet knowing the Report’s contents, it is difficult to be precise about a timescale.

Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to indicate which planning condition she was considering using to secure the removal of the existing Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre, as mentioned in a departmental memo from a Planning Service official to her in September 2007.

(AQW 2031/08)

Mrs A Foster: When I met with my officials on 5 September we discussed in general terms the possible use of conditions, attached to an approval for development, to secure the removal of the existing centre facilities. No decisions were taken pending further discussion and consideration.

Ulster Farm By Products

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to her answer to AQW 1617/08 to provide details of the improvements Ulster Farm By Products have instigated to reduce the odour impacts of their operations.

(AQW 2043/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Ulster Farm By-Products operation is regulated by the Environment and Heritage Service through a permit issued under the Pollution Prevention and Control (NI) Regulations 2003.

The following actions have been undertaken by Ulster Farm By Products Ltd since July 2005 to improve the odour impact of their operation:

Senior Managerial Posts

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of (i) women; and (ii) men, who hold senior managerial posts in each division within her department.

(AQW 2053/08)

Mrs A Foster: There are 17 members of the Senior Civil Service in the Department of the Environment. The breakdown is shown below:-

Agency/Division

Female

Male

The Planning Service

2

2

Environment & Heritage Service

0

4

Driver Vehicle Agency

0

1

Local Government Policy Division

0

2

Planning & Environmental Policy Group

1

1

Road Safety Division

0

1

Corporate Services

0

1

Permanent Secretary & Deputy Secretary

0

2

Total

3

14  

 

Finance and Personnel

Staff Annual Reports

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of staff in each Northern Ireland Government department, who failed to achieve an acceptable grade in their annual report, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1628/08)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): The table below details the number of staff in each Northern Ireland Government department, who failed to achieve an acceptable grade in their annual report, in each of the last three reporting years:

DEPARTMENT

2006/07

2005/06

2004/05

Education

2

1

1

Finance & Personnel

8

5

10

Agriculture & Rural Development

2

2

12

Regional Development

5

6

0

Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister

1

1

1

Social Development

2

4

2

Enterprise , Trade & Investment

3

4

1

Environment

3

8

6

Culture, Arts and Leisure

0

0

8

Employment & Learning

0

1

0

Reporting Year Total

26

32

41

 

Staff Disciplinary Procedures

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of staff in each Northern Ireland Government department, who are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures as a result of an unacceptable sick record.

(AQW 1629/08)

Mr P Robinson: For the purpose of answering this question the term ‘disciplinary procedures’ has been interpreted as those staff in receipt of a live written warning or under notice of dismissal. This information is subject to change on a day-to-day basis and represents only a snap shot.

The information requested is set out in the attached table.

Department

Number of staff with a live warning or under notice of dismissal at November 2007

DETI

46

DSD

35

DHSSPS

12

DRD

35

DE

21

DCAL

17

OFMDFM

13

DOE

9

DEL

153

DARD

202

DFP

58

OVERALL

601

 

Government Contracts

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the policies and practices in place to encourage small and medium sized enterprises to tender for Government contracts; and what is his assessment of the success of these policies and practices.

(AQW 1642/08)

Mr P Robinson: Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy tasked the Procurement Board with providing assistance to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to compete more effectively for government business.

The Central Procurement Directorate and Centres of Procurement Expertise, with the agreement of the Procurement Board:

These practices and the increased use of technology have improved the ability of SMEs to source and compete for public sector tendering opportunities and created the capacity to trade in wider markets.

Draft Budget

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail, broken down by Government department, (i) all bids that were made in the process of establishing the draft Budget; (ii) those that were successful; and (iii) those that were unsuccessful.

(AQW 1652/08)

Mr P Robinson: Northern Ireland Departments put forward over 270 current expenditure spending proposals as part of the draft Budget 2008-11 process. While summary details are set out in the table below, I have placed a list in the Assembly Library of all the draft Budget resource spending proposals put forward by Departments.

The proposals set out in the draft Budget documents are at a strategic level, and it is for individual Ministers to determine how the additional resources from the Budget will be distributed within their respective departments, in the context of their competing needs and priorities and taking into account the public consultation responses. In view of this, it is not possible to indicate which proposals have been successful and those which were unsuccessful.

Table 1: Draft Budget 2008-11 Departmental Spending Proposals £000s

 

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

No of Proposals

DARD

42,000

44,000

46,000

50

DCAL

52,000

68,000

75,000

14

DE

397,000

576,000

678,000

32

DEL

118,000

173,000

203,000

27

DETI

40,000

39,000

40,000

23

DFP

5,000

3,000

3,000

14

DOE

49,000

68,000

66,000

10

DHSSPS

377,000

696,000

1,096,000

40

DRD 1

315,000

347,000

369,000

24

DSD

26,000

35,000

47,000

21

OFMDFM

18,000

18,000

19,000

15

FSA

1,000

1,000

2,000

4

Total Value of Spending Proposals

1,441,000

2,068,000

2,645,000

274
Civil Service Staff Transfers

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the procedures that are in place to enable employees of the United Kingdom Civil Service to transfer to the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

(AQW 1829/08)

Mr P Robinson: Appointments to the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) are made on the basis of merit in fair and open competition and in accordance with the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code.

The Recruitment Code provides for a number of "Exceptions" to the merit principle including "Transfers into the Northern Ireland Civil Service of persons holding a post in another Civil Service of the Crown". The Code makes clear that Exceptions to the merit principle should be rare and there must be strong and compelling grounds as to why it is not reasonably practical to make the appointment in question in accordance with the merit principle.

Anyone wishing to be considered for a transfer on exceptional grounds should contact Recruitment Policy and Marketing Branch of DFP through the NICS recruitment gateway at www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk. They will be invited to complete an application form which will be considered by officials in the Branch, in consultation with Departments as necessary.

Health Budget

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the increase in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's budget in cash terms, since 2000.

(AQW 1875/08)

Mr P Robinson: Since 2001- 02 departmental budgets have been produced on a Resource Accounting and Budgeting basis and all budget information is now presented in this way. The budget for DHSSPS has increased by £0.9 billion from 2003-04 to 2007- 08.

Although the budgets are no longer allocated on a cash basis, departments require authority from Parliament to spend resources including cash. This shows that, in cash terms, DHSSPS spent some £1.4 billion more in 2007- 08 than in 2000- 01.

Civil Service Salaries

Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of employees of the Northern Ireland Civil Service that are paid in excess of £100,000 per annum, in terms of salaries, bonuses and expenses; and to detail the percentage pay increase that these individuals have received over the past two years.

(AQW 1954/08)

Mr P Robinson: At 1 April 2007 there were 25 individuals within the Northern Ireland Civil Service with salaries, including bonuses, in excess of £100,000.

The consolidated percentage increases for these 25 individuals arising from the 2006 and 2007 pay awards respectively were as follows:

Table 1.

2006 Pay Award

2007 Pay Award

No. of

Individuals

Percentage Increase

No. of

Individuals

Percentage Increase

1

2.5%

13

2.25%

12

3.0%

1

3.27%

1

3.25%

10

3.75%

1

4.0%

8

4.5%

Table 1. - Represents those officers in receipt of a pay increase in the 2006 (23) and 2007 (24) pay award. The remaining officers did not join the NICS in time to receive both the pay awards.

The question of expenses is not covered as it is a departmental issue requiring considerable research and coordination.

Economic Development

Mr S Neeson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will make a statement on his projections for economic development, arising from the draft Budget 2008-2011.

(AQO 992/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Executive’s strategic priorities and key plans for 2008-11 are set out in the draft Programme for Government, published alongside the draft Budget. In relation to economic development, the key goal is to halve the private sector productivity gap with the UK average (excluding the Greater South East) by 2015. I believe this is an ambitious but achievable goal against an appropriate benchmark. It also takes into account the limited policy levers available to the NI Executive.

Northern Ireland Direct

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the benefits arising from the Northern Ireland Direct project.

(AQO 901/08)

Mr P Robinson: NI Direct is one of the priorities set out in the Programme for Government and is intended to deliver simple, high quality and efficient access to government services through a single three digit number. The main benefits, which are still being assessed, will include a service that is accessible, responsive and socially inclusive and ultimately more efficient. It will also allow us to respond much more effectively to incidents such as the flooding earlier this year which will be a major benefit to the public generally. For many people call waiting times will be reduced and they will be able to experience a “one and done” service where queries will be dealt with at the first point of contact.

The public will also be able to use different means of contacting government, whether on line or by telephone, that will be available outside the traditional working day.

Transfer of Policing and Justice Powers

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will make a statement on the financial implications that the transfer of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive will have on the Northern Ireland block grant.

(AQO 896/08)

Mr P Robinson: The financial implications of the transfer of policing and justice powers to the Executive will form an important strand of the negotiations on the devolution of these functions.

A key issue must be that the funding mechanism for the transfer must have no negative implications for the funding available for other devolved services, either in the short or long term.

A satisfactory resolution of all matters concerned must be reached before the powers will be devolved.

Rating System

Lord Browne asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will make a statement on the means through which the rating system can be used to encourage a more environmentally friendly use of resources.

(AQO 928/08)

Mr P Robinson: The package of measures I announced earlier includes proposals for rate relief for ratepayers who undertake improvement works, such as double glazing and cavity wall insulation. My officials, with advice from DETI, are examining in detail proposals from the Worldwide Fund for Nature which emerged from the public consultation. This was for a rate discount scheme to reward those who spend money to conserve energy. Their proposals are modelled on schemes which have been operating successfully in some parts of England, part funded through schemes which use contributions from the power generating companies.

There are issues to be addressed about how such a initiative could best be funded in NI and also how it would align with other schemes already in existence for low income groups. If it stacks up, however, I aim to bring forward legislation next year.

I also want to encourage the development of housing that is environmentally friendly and am also proposing a rates holiday on the first purchase of new zero carbon houses. There are issues to be addressed in relation in establishing and administering an appropriate, clear and above all, a realistic standard, but I believe this can be achieved.

Both measures offer potential to align with my department’s objectives for sustainable development but also make a modest though effective contribution to what is now a pressing global issue.

Persons of Compulsory School Age

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the projected increase in the numbers and percentage of persons of compulsory school age in the population of Northern Ireland over the next five years.

(AQO 989/08)

Mr P Robinson: From a baseline of 290,000 in 2006, the latest population projections shows that the number of children aged 4 to 15 years inclusive is projected to fall to 280,000 in 2011. This is a fall of 3.5% over this five year period.

Economic Vision for Northern Ireland

Mr D Ford asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will make a statement on the economic vision for Northern Ireland within the draft Budget 2008-2011.

(AQO 991/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Executive’s overarching aim is to build a peaceful, fair and prosperous society in Northern Ireland supported by a vibrant and dynamic economy.

To achieve this, the leading priority of the draft Budget, and associated draft Programme for Government, is to grow a dynamic, competitive, highly skilled, enterprising and innovative economy.

Public Procurement

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what plans he has to utilise public procurement as part of the Budget 2008-2011, in order to meet the aims of the draft Programme for Government.

(AQO 950/08)

Mr P Robinson: Each Department is accountable for its own budget and how that budget is spent. However, my Department and the Procurement Board will work with the other Departments to assist them to obtain Best Value for Money and deliver their Programme for Government commitments through the application of procurement policy and best practice in procurement and will encourage them to take due cognisance of the Sustainable Development Strategy, where appropriate.

Equality Impact Assessments

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of equality impact assessments carried out by his department in the last 12 months.

(AQO 948/08)

Mr P Robinson: In the last 12 months my Department has carried out one Equality Impact Assessment and this has been on Workplace 2010.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety Funding

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the amount of funding allocated to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in each of the last five years; and the amount allocated to it in the draft Budget 2008-2011.

(AQO 893/08)

Mr P Robinson: The amount of funding allocated in the last five years is as follows: In 2003-04, £3.04 billion; in 2004-05 £3.23 billion; in 2005-06 £3.52 billion; in 2006-07 £3.77 billion and £3.99 billion in 2007-08.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public safety have been allocated over 50% of the increase in funding from 2007-08 to 2010-11 proposed in the Draft Budget

This corresponds to a total budget of £4.14 billion in 2008-09; £4.27 billion in 2009-10 and 4.47 billion in 2010-11.

This Draft Budget was agreed unanimously by the Executive.

Mandatory Microgeneration

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will make a statement on mandatory microgeneration.

(AQO 915/08)

Mr P Robinson: In July 2006 the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain announced that the Building Regulations would be amended to require microgeneration in all new buildings from April 2008.

At the time of this statement, officials were preparing to introduce an amendment to the Building Regulations that would improve standards by approximately 40%, with a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. This amendment came into operation in November 2006. The methodology introduced by the amendment allows designers to meet the new standards in a manner best suited to the specific circumstances of each building. Indeed, supporting documents provide solutions to encourage and facilitate the integration of microgeneration in buildings.

I have re-examined the former Secretary of State’s proposals and have concluded that the flexibility which the methodology in the current Regulations affords to designers and developers should not be compromised by the introduction of such a prescriptive requirement. I have therefore decided not to proceed with the policy set out by the former Secretary of State that all new buildings should incorporate microgeneration. I consider that this decision better serves the interests not only of the construction industry, but also the wider general public and, in particular, the needs of first-time buyers.

Industrial De-Rating

Mr A McFarland asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what is his assessment of the report on industrial de-rating, produced by the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland.

(AQO 945/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Report provides a very useful assessment on the impact of the policy to phase out industrial derating. Along with representations I have had with industry and my own Department’s views, it has helped to inform the announcement I made in the draft budget. The Report points to much lower risks to employment than had been suggested in some quarters and suggests that industrial rates should go no further than 50% over the next five years. Their conclusions are based on the expert modelling they have undertaken, on a range of scenarios. However, ERINI does qualify its conclusions by pointing to a distinct lack of empirical evidence available at this time.

As part of the draft budget I proposed erring on the side of caution by holding the current level of rates at 30% over the CSR period, ie until April 2011. My reasons for doing so are to do with competitive pressures and a growing realisation of the difficulties we face in offering alternative financial support measures for business, particularly our manufacturing base. I believe that this is entirely in keeping with the Executive’s priority to promote economic development . It’s a pragmatic approach, rather than an attachment to industrial derating per se. Its value lies in the protected status it has enjoyed thus far but if you could choose, no one would choose, to introduce this today as part of economic policy.

I have the support of the Committee of Finance and Personnel for this position and I am hopeful of securing the support of my ministerial colleagues when the matter is put to them for endorsement shortly.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Fire Alarms

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, broken down by district council area, the number of fire alarms that were installed in homes by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1623/08)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The information requested is not held in the form requested. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) does not install fire alarm systems. The information provided in the table indicates the number of battery operated smoke alarms fitted in homes by NIFRS staff from June 2006 to November 2007 by each Area Command. Prior to June 2006 NIFRS did not record the number of smoke alarms fitted each year.

Smoke Alarms fitted by each NIFRS area command

 

Year

Area

06/07

07/08

Area Total

Eastern

1531

1720

3251

Northern

738

865

1603

Southern

1767

2542

4309

Western

795

1127

1922

Period Total

4831

6254

11085

 

Fire Alarms

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue of installing (i) single fire alarms in homes; and (ii) all fire alarms in homes, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1625/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) does not install fire alarm systems. It does install domestic smoke alarms that each cost £6.74 to the NIFRS. Prior to June 2006 smoke alarms were donated to NIFRS free of charge from various organisations. These smoke alarms were fitted to households free of charge to the public as part of the Service’s community fire safety remit.

The following table outlines the purchase costs of smoke alarms incurred by NIFRS since June 2006.

Year

Smoke Alarms fitted

Total cost fitted smoke alarms

June 06-Mar 07

4,831

£32,560.94

Apr-Sept 07

6,254

£42,151.96
Productivity Within the Health Service

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he has taken to increase productivity within the health service in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1636/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Good progress has been made on improving productivity and I am committed to ensuring that productivity is further increased across the CSR period. Some of the actions that my Department has taken to make better use from existing resources are:

Accident and Emergency Departments

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of whether or not accident and emergency departments should provide separate waiting areas for young children, in order to ensure their safety.

(AQW 1650/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Trusts should ensure the safety and security of all patients, particularly children, attending hospital Accident and Emergency Departments. However, it is for individual Trusts to decide how this is best delivered in light of the particular circumstances at their hospitals.

I am advised that the majority of hospitals do provide separate waiting and treatment areas for children at their A&E Departments and that the management of children is determined according to clinical need.

Hospital Travel Costs Scheme

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people in West Tyrone in receipt of payments from the hospital travel costs scheme in 2005; 2006; and 2007.

(AQW 1654/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The systems operated in Trust facilities do not hold the information in the format requested.

The information asked for could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Locally-Based Commissioning of Health Services

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of the need for locally-based commissioning of health services.

(AQW 1689/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I am absolutely clear that we must have a patient-led service which understands the needs of patients and clients through strong local involvement. I also want to see resources used in a way which maximises the benefits to the people by continually driving up quality and standards without compromise. I am currently considering how the future commissioning arrangements can help deliver on this.

Health Sector Commissioning Function

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of the importance of separating the commissioning function from those organisations delivering services in the health sector.

(AQW 1690/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I am absolutely clear that we must have a patient-led service which understands the needs of patients and clients through strong local involvement. I also want to see resources used in a way which maximises the benefits to the people by continually driving up quality and standards without compromise. I am currently considering how the future commissioning arrangements can help deliver on this.

Music Therapy

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of the benefits of the provision of music therapy for children and young people with special educational needs and mental health problems.

(AQW 1691/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is the role for professional research to assess the benefits of music therapy for children and young people with special educational needs and mental health problems.

Currently, under the Arioso Project, the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust delivers music therapy services to 17 special schools for children with severe learning difficulties.

In April 2006 the Department of Education, through their Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) evaluated the work of the Arioso Project over the preceding 2 years. The main findings of ETI were that music therapy provided an important and valued addition to the curriculum of special schools, that it makes an important positive contribution, as an allied health provision, to special schools and that it enhances the lives of some distressed young people who have learning disabilities.

Diabetes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assistance his department has given to the Northern Ireland branch of Diabetes UK in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1694/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Diabetes UK (NI) has not sought financial assistance from my Department in the last 3 years. However, my Department has been working closely with the organisation through a regional steering group for diabetes to implement the recommendations of the joint CREST/Diabetes UK (NI) Report “A Blueprint for Diabetes Care in NI in the 21 st Century” (2003).

Breast Cancer

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average time taken for women referred to the Ulster Hospital with suspected breast cancer to receive (i) an examination; and (ii) an operation.

(AQW 1697/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I have been advised that the Ulster Hospital does not routinely record the information requested. However, the Trust is required to ensure that all patients with suspected breast cancer who are urgently referred for outpatient assessment must be seen within 14 days. The Trust has confirmed that during the past three months over 98% of such referrals have been seen within two weeks.

In addition, the Trust must ensure that by March 2008 75% of patients diagnosed with cancer, including breast cancer, must be treated within 62 days from initial referral by the GP. The Trust’s performance against this standard over the past three months has been 98.2%.

My Department will continue to work closely with Health and Social Care bodies and the Northern Ireland Cancer Network to ensure patients here have timely access to diagnosis and treatment.

Crest/Diabetes United Kingdom Taskforce Report

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made in relation to the framework document that was to be produced following the joint Crest/Diabetes United Kingdom Taskforce report.

(AQW 1721/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The joint CREST/Diabetes UK Taskforce was established in 2001. The Taskforce published a framework for the development of services for people with diabetes in 2003. The Taskforce envisaged that a 5-10 year programme would be needed to implement the framework. Currently each of the four HSS Boards have local groups in place to take forward the detailed planning and implementation of the recommendations made by the taskforce and the Department has in place a Regional Diabetes Steering Group to oversee progress.

Since the Taskforce Report was published an additional £2.5m has been invested in services for people with diabetes. Over 70 additional staff including 20 specialist diabetic nurses and 40 podiatrists and dieticians have been recruited to provide services for people with diabetes.

Drug and Alcohol Strategy

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the progress of the Drug and Alcohol Strategy.

(AQW 1723/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The implementation of the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (NSD) began in October 2006, and its overall aim is to reduce the level of Alcohol and Drug related harm in Northern Ireland.

Progress to date includes:

Pathology Services at Altnagelvin Hospital

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has to retain and expand the provision of pathology services at Altnagelvin Hospital.

(AQW 1757/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Appropriate clinical pathology services will be provided at Altnagelvin Area Hospital to support local clinical needs.

On 28 November 2006 the Department issued for public consultation the recommendations of a review of clinical pathology laboratory services in Northern Ireland. The pathology review report makes twenty-three recommendations which aim to ensure the sustainability of high quality hospital laboratory services across Northern Ireland.

The consultation ended on 28 February 2007. 289 responses were received and my Department has been considering these in detail. I expect to make an announcement in the near future regarding the final recommendations for the future of pathology services, including those provided at Altnagelvin.

Diabetes

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his department's targets in relation to the retinal screening of patients with diabetes; and to confirm whether or not his department is currently meeting these targets.

(AQW 1758/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department’s target, published in Priorities for Action 2007-08, is that Boards and Trusts should begin rolling out a diabetic retinopathy screening programme from April 2007, with full coverage being achieved across Northern Ireland by March 2008. The number of eligible people with diabetes to be invited for annual screening was estimated to be 50,000.

Roll out is progressing well and all GP practices are actively supporting and participating in the Northern Ireland programme. Based on throughput to date, it is estimated that 35,000 people will have been invited for screening by 31 March 2008. Full coverage may not be achieved in 2007/8 due to recruitment difficulties, staff retention, and subsequent training requirements.

During the programme rollout, it was agreed that those people with diabetes but at low risk of developing sight-threatening retinopathy in the next three to four years would not be invited for screening. This is an interim measure and applies to approximately 7,000 individuals who were screened in 2006/7 and who will be screened again in 2008/9.

Diabetes

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to increase awareness of diabetes; and what advice is provided to carers of people with diabetes.

(AQW 1760/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Department has a range of public health and health promotion strategies in place to underpin efforts to tackle diabetes. These strategies seek to raise public awareness of the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation in preventing diabetes and in slowing down the onset of complications, such as eye, renal and heart disease, which people with diabetes may develop. The Health and Social Services Boards have also undertaken a number of initiatives with community pharmacies to raise awareness and they are also developing exercise and healthy eating initiatives to reinforce the public health message on diabetes.

Most people with diabetes are able to live with and manage their own condition effectively. However, those who develop other serious conditions as a result of diabetes may require further assistance and support from a range of health and social care professionals and this would include the provision of advice and support for their carers. The parents or guardians of children with diabetes will also receive support and advice from specialist paediatric diabetic teams.

Respite Care

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to ensure that there is adequate provision for equitable respite care for people who are suffering from mental health problems and their families in the Newcastle area; and in the South Down constituency.

(AQW 1761/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Currently the South Eastern Trust does not provide respite in residential accommodation or in hospital for people who are suffering from mental health problems and their families in the Newcastle area and in the South Down constituency.

However, respite is provided for carers through the Carers Development Officer who was employed as a result of the Caring for Carers Strategy. This respite takes the form of Carers Awaydays and Pamper Days. Carers can also apply for a grant to help fund short breaks. Complementary therapies are also available for Carers and they have access to a Cause Carer Advocate who can also access Awaydays, support groups and education sessions.

Diabetes

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure that people with diabetes have free access to blood testing strips; and to outline his current policy in relation to this matter.

(AQW 1762/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Blood testing strips are currently available on the Drug Tariff for Health Service prescription in Northern Ireland.  Patients who suffer from diabetes, except where treatment is by diet alone, are currently exempt f rom prescription charges and therefore do not pay for blood testing strips.  There is currently a review of prescription charges for all in Northern Ireland.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what services are specifically tailored for children who have Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

(AQW 1774/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders may require access to a range of services. While there are no dedicated services for this group of children their management will be tailored to their individual needs and circumstances, the severity of their condition and their responsiveness to interventions.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what specific training is given to paediatricians with regard to diagnosing and treating Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

(AQW 1775/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Within the paediatric specialty there are three levels of competence that must be achieved before completion of training. From the outset of training in the specialty, doctors are trained to recognise the features of dysmorphic syndromes (birth defects). As part of the approved specialty curriculum, doctors in training are made aware of the environmental factors which may affect pre-natal development, including drugs and alcohol and the appropriate treatment regimes.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what specific training is given to midwives with regard to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

(AQW 1776/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There are several courses provided for midwives within which the subject of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is included.

Seymour House Nursing Home, Dunmurry

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will make a statement on the future of Seymour House Nursing Home in Dunmurry, County Antrim.

(AQW 1782/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: As a result of the findings of a detailed audit, my Department instructed HSS Boards to carry out a comprehensive review of all their statutory residential provision. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board consequently reviewed the status of Seymour House Nursing Home, Dumurry. After a consultation process involving residents, their relatives as well as local people and their representatives, Seymour House was deemed to be suitable for closure. A final decision on the future of Seymour House has yet to be taken by the Board.

Cervical Cancer Tests

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to offer cervical cancer tests to children, similar to those offered in Great Britain; and to give a timescale within which these measures will be implemented.

(AQW 1787/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I would like to be in a position to confirm that I will be introducing a human papilloma virus vaccination programme in 2008/09 aimed at reducing the number of deaths from cervical cancer. This decision, however, will be subject to the final figures that emerge from the budgetary process.

Cervical Cancer

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people diagnosed with cervical cancer who (i) have received treatment; (ii) have not received treatment; and (iii) have survived the disease; in each of the last four years.

(AQW 1788/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Table 1 below, details the number of females diagnosed with cervical cancer (ICD -10 C53) and whether they had received treatment or not.

Table 1: Incidence of cervical cancer in Northern Ireland by year of diagnosis and whether treatment was received or not

No treatment received

Treatment received

Total

2002

5

77

82

2003

6

71

77

2004

9

64

73

2005

15

72

87
Note

Treatment with respect to these figures refers to surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy and makes no distinction between palliative and curative intent. Receipt of treatment is measured from diagnosis up to mid-2006. The increasing numbers of patients having received no treatment in 2005 are likely a result of treatment occurring after that point.

Survival figures for any one year are not meaningful, however the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry calculates survival rates for various cancers. The five year survival rate for cervical cancer for patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2000 was 67.8%. Alternatively, of the 968 patients that were diagnosed with cervical cancer between 1993 and 2004, 613 (63.3%) were still alive at the end of 2005.

This information has been provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (established in 1994) and is the most up to date currently available.

Ambulance Cover

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will confirm that there is only one ambulance available in Newtownards on Monday and Tuesday nights, when the target is to have two ambulances available.

(AQW 1789/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has confirmed that one Accident and Emergency ambulance operates from Newtownards Ambulance Station on Monday and Tuesday nights. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board, which is responsible for commissioning ambulance services in the Ards Peninsula, considers that this level of cover is appropriate to deal with emergency calls in the area on those nights.

Ambulance Response Times

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will confirm that ambulance response times will be improved; and to detail, in respect of ambulance call outs in Newtownards and Strangford, (i) the location from which the ambulance is discharged; and (ii) the length of time taken for each ambulance to reach its destination, in each of the last 12 months.

(AQW 1790/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The target in my 2007/08 Priorities for Action for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is to respond to a monthly average of 65% of Category A, life threatening calls within eight minutes rising to 70% for the month of March 2008. In addition, my Department’s Public Service Agreement framework, which supports the Executive’s draft 2008-11 Programme for Government, includes a target for NIAS to respond to 75% of life-threatening calls within eight minutes by 2011.

NIAS's p erformance has improved in recent years by initiatives such as the introduction of paramedic Rapid Response Vehicles, new tactical response locations and the imminent introduction of Automatic Vehicle Location and Satellite Navigation technology. The Department will continue to work with NIAS and the Health and Social Services Boards to secure performance improvement.

NIAS has advised that the ambulance call-out data requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, the following tables set out the Trust’s performance against the current targets for the three categories of emergency calls in the Newtownards and Strangford areas during the period requested. Normally ambulances responding to these calls would have based at Newtownards and Bangor stations or the Donaghadee deployment point. However, it should be borne in mind that if ambulances at these locations were already attending calls the next nearest available ambulance would have been despatched from another area.

NEWTOWNARDS Nov 06 - Oct 07

 RESPONSES

 

A

A Total

B

B Total

C

C Total

Grand Total

Month

<= 8 Min

> 8 Min

 

<= 18 Mins

> 18 Mins

 

<= 18 Mins

> 18 Mins

 

 

November

73

20

93

78

5

83

19

 

19

195

December

57

22

79

89

8

97

41

1

42

218

January

75

25

100

103

2

105

23

 

23

228

February

70

18

88

69

4

73

19

1

20

181

March

48

22

70

85

1

86

18

1

19

175

April

64

23

87

93

2

95

33

3

36

218

May

54

19

73

87

3

90

20

 

20

183

June

58

14

72

87

2

89

15

 

15

176

July

48

13

61

80

1

81

26

1

27

169

August

56

9

65

69

2

71

22

1

23

159

September

66

16

82

77

2

79

27

 

27

188

October

49

18

67

76

1

77

34

 

34

178

Grand Total

718

219

937

993

33

1026

297

8

305

2268

STRANGFORD Nov 06 - Oct 07
RESPONSES

 

A

A Total

B

B Total

C

C Total

Grand Total

Month

<= 8 Min

> 8 Min

 

<= 18 Mins

> 18 Mins

 

<= 18 Mins

> 18 Mins

 

 

November

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

1

December

 

 

 

3

 

3

 

 

 

3

January

 

2

2

1

 

1

 

 

 

3

February

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

1

1

2

March

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

1

April

 

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

May

 

1

1

2

 

2

1

 

1

4

June

 

 

 

2

 

2

 

 

 

2

July

 

1

1

2

 

2

1

 

1

4

August

 

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

October

 

 

 

2

1

3

 

1

1

4

Grand Total

 

6

6

15

1

16

2

2

4

26

NOTE : Emergency 999 ambulance calls are categorised as follows:

Ambulance Cover

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to restore full ambulance cover in Newtownards on Monday and Tuesday nights.

(AQW 1791/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has confirmed that one Accident and Emergency ambulance operates from Newtownards Ambulance Station on Monday and Tuesday nights. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board, which is responsible for commissioning ambulance services in the Ards Peninsula, considers that this level of cover is appropriate to deal with emergency calls in the area on those nights.

Deaths From Misuse/Abuse of Drugs

Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, broken down by constituency, the number of deaths attributed to the misuse or abuse of drugs in each of the last five years.

(AQO 890/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The table gives the number of deaths registered by parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland each year between 2002 and 2006, where the underlying cause was “ drug poisoning” 1. The figures include deaths due to legal drugs (e.g. a paracetamol overdose), illegal drugs or a combination of both.

1 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes:

F11-F16, F18-F19 - Mental and behavioural disorders related to drug use.

X40-X44 - Accidental poisoning by drugs.

X60-X64 - Intentional self-poisoning by drugs.

X85 – Assault by drugs.

Y10-Yl4 - Undetermined and other poisoning by drugs.

Table: Number of deaths registered each year by Parliamentary Constituency in Northern Ireland where the underlying cause of death was “drug poisoning”

Constituency

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006 P

Belfast East

2

0

1

5

8

Belfast North

6

4

5

8

10

Belfast South

4

4

4

12

6

Belfast West

13

3

3

6

5

East Antrim

3

0

1

4

3

East Londonderry

0

5

2

2

5

Fermanagh And South Tyrone

3

2

7

0

3

Foyle

9

5

2

2

14

Lagan Valley

1

1

2

8

8

Mid Ulster

2

2

2

6

4

Newry And Armagh

1

3

2

7

4

North Antrim

4

10

4

3

4

North Down

4

2

0

4

2

South Antrim

5

2

2

8

3

South Down

2

3

4

2

4

Strangford

4

3

3

1

3

Upper Bann

3

2

4

4

1

West Tyrone

2

1

0

2

4

Total

68

52

48

84

91

P 2006 data is provisional until the publication of the Registrar General Annual Report in December 2007.

Arson Related Incidents

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on how many occasions has the Cadogan fire station on Lisburn Road, Belfast, dealt with arson related incidents in each of the last 24 months.

(AQW 1792/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Recorded Arson-Related Incidents for Cadogan Fire Station by month from 1 November 2005 up to 20 November 2007 are shown in the table below:

Month

2005

2006

2007

Jan

 

55

25

Feb

 

78

37

Mar

 

44

51

Apr

 

96

112

May

 

81

84

Jun

 

95

70

Jul

 

168

96

Aug

 

77

77

Sept

 

60

84

Oct

 

57

65

Nov

66

52

* 35

Dec

44

51

 

* Part of month

Arson Related Incidents

Ms A Lo asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement on the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service policy of reporting arson to the police.

(AQW 1793/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service policy on arson requires that where arson is suspected or evident as the cause of fire, the Officer-in-Charge of the incident will normally request the attendance of PSNI at the scene, if not in attendance already. PSNI will be advised at the time that arson is suspected or confirmed.

Nurse Cover

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the level of nurse cover per head of population in Northern Ireland, compared to England, Scotland and Wales.

(AQW 1805/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Tables 1 and 2 below give details of the numbers of qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff per 1000 population for September 2006 (the latest date for which information is available) for Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

 

Table 1. Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff per 1000 population, NI, England, Scotland and Wales - September 2006, Headcount

 

 

 

 

 

 

NI

England

Scotland

Wales

Qualified nursing staff

15,777

374,538

47,873

31,887

Population

1,741,600

50,762,900

5,116,900

2,965,900

Per 1000 pop.

9.1

7.4

9.4

10.8

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2. Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff per 1000 population, NI, England, Scotland and Wales - September 2006, Whole-Time Equivalent

 

 

 

 

 

 

NI

England

Scotland

Wales

Qualified nursing staff

13,457.74

307,447.00

41,239.60

20,980.30

Population

1,741,600

50,762,900

5,116,900

2,965,900

Per 1000 pop.

7.7

6.1

8.1

7.1

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: NI - Human Resources Management System

 

England - Department of Health

 

 

Scotland - Department of Health

 

 

Wales - Statistics for Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Population figures: Office for National Statistics mid-year estimates 2006

 

Clostridium Difficile

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of hospitals in Northern Ireland that have had outbreaks of clostridium difficile since 2004.

(AQW 1814/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Defining an outbreak is a complex issue, therefore it is not an appropriate measure for monitoring the incidence and prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection. A mandatory Clostridium difficile surveillance programme is in place to monitor trends in patients aged 65 years and over with Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) by hospital.

The table below gives the number of hospitals reporting outbreaks of Clostridium difficile, 2004-2006.

Year

Number of hospitals

2004

0

2005

0

2006

4

2007

4

Source: Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland (CDSC (NI)).

Notes:

Outbreaks can generally be defined as: two or more cases associated in time and/or place or where the observed number of cases exceeds that which would be expected in a specified period and place or other definitions may be used depending on the circumstances.

Clostridium Difficile

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of cases of clostridium difficile that (i) have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland since 2004; and (ii) were contracted in hospital by patients who were admitted for other causes.

(AQW 1815/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (i) Until 2005 the procedure for reporting Clostridium difficile patient episodes was voluntary. Therefore, data for 2004 is available, but can only be presented by diagnostic laboratory and can not be disaggregated to individual hospitals. In that year 1381 patient episodes, in all age groups, were reported. This is detailed in the table below.

 

Diagnostic Lab.

GP

Inpatients

Total

Altnagelvin

5

106

111

Antrim

12

103

115

Belfast City

17

612

629

Causeway

0

85

85

Craigavon

12

246

258

Ulster

2

181

183

TOTAL

48

1333

1381

Data for the number of Clostridium difficile episodes in patients aged 65 years and over have been recorded for each Trust, and where possible by hospital, in Northern Ireland in 2005 and 2006. This information is presented in the following table which refers to the Trust configuration at that time.

Trust

Hospital

2005*

2006

Altnagelvin Hospitals

Altnagelvin Area Hospital

72

85

Waterside Hospital (Ward 5)

2

0

Belfast City Hospitals

Belfast City

158

163

NICCO ( Belvoir Park)

7

4

Causeway

Causeway Hospital

52

50

Dalriada Hospital

0

0

Robinson Memorial Hospital

6

1

Craigavon Area Hospital Group

Craigavon Area Hospital

129

87

Lurgan Hospital

43

20

South Tyrone Hospital

12

9

Down Lisburn

Downe Hospital

16

17

Lagan Valley Hospital

37

22

Greenpark

Forster Green Hospital

0

0

Musgrave Park Hospital

12

22

Mater

Mater Infirmorum Hospital

32

88

Newry & Mourne

Daisy Hill Hospital

31

18

Royal Group of Hospitals

Royal Victoria Hospital

109

108

Sperrin Lakeland

Erne Hospital

4

17

Tyrone County Hospital

8

8

Ulster Community & Hospitals

Ards Hospital

0

0

Bangor Hospital

1

0

Ulster Hospital

181

213

United Hospitals

Antrim Area Hospital

59

83

Braid Valley Hospital

0

1

Mid Ulster Hospital

37

19

Moyle Hospital

0

0

Whiteabbey Hospital

24

29

Northern Ireland Total

1032

1064

 

(ii) The number of patient episodes of Clostridium difficile that were contracted in hospital by patients who were admitted for other causes is not available. The current system of reporting makes no differentiation between community and hospital acquired infections of Clostridium difficile. Thus, whilst some patients may develop Clostridium difficle after admission, this does not imply that the infection has been acquired in that hospital. Therefore, for any patient episode, it is important to note that the infection may have been acquired in the community or in another healthcare facility and the patient subsequently transferred to the reporting hospital.

Source: Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland (CDSC (NI)).

Notes:

* laboratory testing in Northern Ireland came into line over the course of 2005.

2006 is the first complete calendar year with all laboratories using the same methods

Paramedics

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of trained paramedics working in ambulance stations in West Tyrone.

(AQW 1830/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There are currently 16 trained paramedical staff working in ambulance stations in West Tyrone. West Tyrone consists of both Omagh and Castlederg Ambulance Stations.

Rapid Response Cars

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current number of rapid response cars operational in West Tyrone, and the average period of time that each car is operational per day.

(AQW 1831/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Currently, one Rapid Response Vehicle operates from Omagh Ambulance Station between 8.00am to 8.00pm seven days a week.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline why the staff in one Belfast Accident and Emergency Department are paid more than other staff working in the Accident and Emergency Department of another Belfast hospital.

(AQW 1832/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There is a single Job Evaluation Scheme to cover all non-medical jobs in the Health Service. This scheme ensures that staff are paid on the basis of the job that they are doing and the skills and knowledge they apply to that job. It is not possible to be more specific in this reply without details of the actual jobs/professions and the locations to which the member is referring.

Nursing Students

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that nursing degree students at Queens University, Belfast, are not eligible for student loans; and to detail what action he is taking to ensure that this facility is available to nursing students in order to ensure that students are not discouraged from taking up places.

(AQW 1876/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I can confirm that nursing students in Northern Ireland are not eligible for student loans, whether they study at degree or diploma level. The reason for this is that degree or diploma students who undertake pre-registration nursing courses either at Queen’s University Belfast, or the University of Ulster, receive a non means-tested bursary of £5770 per annum; in addition their course fees are met by DHSSPS and therefore they do not make a contribution to their fees, unlike other students.

Nursing Students

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that nursing degree students at Queens University, Belfast, are not eligible for childcare funding support that is available to other degree students; to outline what other childcare support is available to nursing students and how this compares with that provided to other degree students, and to outline the action he proposes to take to ensure nursing degree students are treated equally.

(AQW 1877/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Currently nursing students in Northern Ireland are not eligible for any childcare funding support; however my Department has recently carried out a review of student support for nursing students in Northern Ireland and one of the issues considered by the Review Group was the lack of childcare support for student nurses in Northern Ireland.

The recommendations from the report are currently out to public consultation, which is due to end 11 January 2008. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, it is anticipated that a new childcare allowance will be introduced for nursing students in the new year.

Respite Care

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what facilities are available in the Mid Ulster area for all types of respite care.

(AQW 1906/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Respite care can be provided in a range of different settings depending on the needs and preferences of the service user and/or their carer. In Mid Ulster the Northern Health and Social Care Trust provides respite care in Hollybank and Westlands, both statutory units, and in private residential and nursing homes as well as three day centres. Alongside these facilities, the Trust has 16 family based respite carers in the Mid Ulster area and a range of contracts with domiciliary care providers to provide respite care in a peoples own homes.

Hospital Trust Complaints Procedure

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to specify the time limits within which Hospital Trusts are required to respond to complaints received from patients or their families.

(AQW 1933/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: HSC Trusts are required to provide a full response within 20 working days of receipt of a complaint.

Children’s Fund

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not funding will continue to be allocated to the Children’s Fund after March 2008, to assist delivery of health and well-being, promoting tolerance and tackling inequalities through programmes run by agencies such as Home Start.

(AQW 1958/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Funding has been identified in the draft Budget to continue the work of the Children’s Fund beyond March 2008, although not as much as I would have liked. As a result, I cannot guarantee that all existing projects will be supported in the future, or to the level that they have been in the past. It will not be possible to make firm decisions about individual projects until consultation on the draft Budget has been completed, and it has been finalised.

I know how important it is that existing projects, such as the four locally-based Home Start schemes that are being supported , are given early confirmation about their future levels of funding, and I can assure you that this will be forthcoming as soon as possible.

Health and Care Centre at the Braid Valley Site, Ballymena

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide an update on the provision of a new Health and Care Centre at the Braid Valley site in Ballymena.

(AQW 1990/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The provision of a Level 2 Health and Care Centre on the Braid Valley site in Ballymena is included in the Primary and Community Care Infrastructure Programme. This project has been identified as a high priority by the Northern Board and Trust. The business case for the project is currently being assessed by the Department and this process is expected to be completed by January 2008. Approval of the business case would allow the project to progress to the procurement stage, subject to the availability of the requisite capital and revenue resources to be confirmed in the current Comprehensive Spending Review and the review of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Renal Technologists

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide a timescale within which Renal Technologists (Medical Technical Officer grade) will be awarded the recruitment and retention premium, as outlined in the Agenda for Change, and already awarded to other medical groups.

(AQW 2074/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There is no evidence of recruitment or retention difficulties for the Medical Technical Officer grade in Health and Social Care Trusts and consequently there are no plans to introduce a recruitment and retention premium for this staff group. No recruitment and retention premium has been awarded to other medical groups under Agenda for Change.

Regional Development

Undulating Roads

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he will take in relation to roads in the Comber area that are undulating, as a result of rocky outcrops and the roads being constructed on a poor sub-base.

(AQW 1660/08)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I understand that you raised this matter recently with officials in my Department’s Roads Service, with particular reference to the (unclassified) Burn Road, Comber.

There are many roads in the Comber area with similar undulating characteristics, due to the topography of the County Down landscape, and many of these roads are unclassified. The undulations are due in part to the roads having been constructed on poor ground conditions and the fact that there are many rocky outcrops which create the crests in the longitudinal profile.

Many of these unclassified roads carry very low levels of traffic, when compared to classified roads. Funding for road maintenance/improvements is limited and it is normal to direct funding, in the main, to those roads which are more heavily trafficked and where there is a greater perceived need.

Unfortunately I am unable to commit to a programme of works to remove the undulations from the roads in the greater Comber area. In the meantime, I can assure you that the roads will continue to be inspected and repairs carried out in accordance with Roads Service’s maintenance guidelines.

Traffic/Pedestrian Safety Schemes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the place occupied by Greyabbey Primary School on the list of safety schemes for traffic and pedestrians in the vicinity of primary schools.

(AQW 1695/08)

Mr C Murphy: All requests for the inclusion of a school on the “Safer Routes to School” priority list are subject to an assessment procedure which allocates scores against pre-determined criteria.

I am pleased to report that Greyabbey Primary School is among the top four schools in the Ards Borough Council Area being considered for treatment in the next financial year, however this is subject to circumstances remaining the same at the schools on the list and the necessary finance being available.

A1 Dual Carriageway Upgrade

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to upgrade the A1 dual carriageway to a motorway, to link with the motorway in the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 1704/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service advise me that, at present, there are no plans to upgrade the A1 from dual carriageway to motorway standard. This is due to the requirement for additional provision of an alternative route to provide for non-motorway traffic, a significant amount of additional land take, increased community and farmland severance and much greater environmental effects.

However, Roads Service is implementing a substantial programme of major improvement works on the A1 Sprucefield to the Border road, as indicated in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015 (RSTN TP).

Advance works have commenced for the dualling of 9km of the A1 between Beech Hill and Cloghogue. Scheduled to be finished by 2010, this will complete a minimum standard of dual carriageway on the Belfast to the Border corridor. The final sections of this route, between Beech Hill and the Border, will have been designed to a standard similar to that of a motorway. Advanced site clearance works have also been undertaken for the construction of four grade separated junctions between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland.

The consultation document ‘Expanding the Strategic Road Improvement Programme 2015’ highlighted additional schemes that were proposed for inclusion within the current programme. This included a project to upgrade the A1 to a higher standard between Sprucefield and Loughbrickland by the grade separation of an additional four junctions and the erection of central median safety fencing, thus eliminating at grade crossings. The document also included a major junction improvement at the A1/M1 junction at Sprucefield.

The Draft Investment Strategy 2008 – 2018 (ISNI 2) presents the funding levels envisaged for improvements to the Strategic Road Network over the next 10 years. This will determine how quickly proposed schemes can be brought forward into the current Programme. The outcome of ISNI 2 is expected to be known early next year.

The plans that I have highlighted above will address the current bottlenecks and most significant safety issues along the route. On their completion the high standard dual carriageway will provide significantly improved road safety, a marked decrease in journey times and a greatly improved reliability of journey times, whilst also providing the best value for money.

Speed Limit Reduction

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development what is his assessment of the impact of reducing the speed limit in housing estates and high population density areas from 30 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour, in terms of road safety.

(AQW 1716/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am aware of research carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in England which indicates that, generally speaking, each 1 mph reduction in average speed is expected to reduce collision frequency by 5%.

Reducing speed limits on their own can have some impact on reducing speeds. However, when combined with traffic claming measures good speed reductions can be achieved.

A further TRL study found that, in a review of 250 traffic calming schemes across England, Scotland and Wales, average speeds fell by 9 mph, collisions fell by 60%, collisions involving children fell by 67% and collisions involving cyclists fell by 29%

Clearly, therefore, there is a strong link between vehicle speeds and the risk and severity of collisions.

Over the last 25 years, my Department’s Roads Service has effectively implemented many traffic calming schemes to reduce speeds and the number and severity of collisions on our roads. Roads Service will continue to give a high priority to the introduction of traffic calming, especially in residential areas.

Parking Tickets

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of parking tickets that have been issued in Portadown; (ii) the offences for which these tickets have been issued; (iii) the number of these that have been rescinded; and (iv) the reasons for this, since November 2006.

(AQW 1746/08)

Mr C Murphy:

In relation to all three AQW’s, my Department’s Roads Service became responsible for on-street parking enforcement in October 2006. Traffic Attendants, employed by NCP Services Ltd, began issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) on 13 November 2006.

(i) From 13 November 2006 to 16 November 2007, a total of:

 

(ii) The PCN processing system does not report on the type of contraventions per town, however the most common contraventions for all PCNs issued, with indicative percentages are:

(iii)From 13 November 2006 to 16 November 2007 the number of PCNs rescinded was:

(iv) The PCN processing system does not report on the reasons for PCNs being rescinded per town, however, for all PCNs issued, the main reasons are:

 

Parking Tickets

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of parking tickets that have been issued in Lurgan; (ii) the offences for which these tickets have been issued; (iii) the number of these that have been rescinded; and (iv) the reasons for this, since November 2006.

(AQW 1747/08)

Mr C Murphy:

In relation to all three AQW’s, my Department’s Roads Service became responsible for on-street parking enforcement in October 2006. Traffic Attendants, employed by NCP Services Ltd, began issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) on 13 November 2006.

(i) From 13 November 2006 to 16 November 2007, a total of:

 

(v) The PCN processing system does not report on the type of contraventions per town, however the most common contraventions for all PCNs issued, with indicative percentages are:

 

(vi) From 13 November 2006 to 16 November 2007 the number of PCNs rescinded was:

 

(vii) The PCN processing system does not report on the reasons for PCNs being rescinded per town, however, for all PCNs issued, the main reasons are:

 

Parking Tickets

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of parking tickets that have been issued in Banbridge; (ii) the offences for which these tickets have been issued; (iii) the number of these that have been rescinded; and (iv) the reasons for this, since November 2006.

(AQW 1748/08)

Mr C Murphy:

In relation to all three AQW’s, my Department’s Roads Service became responsible for on-street parking enforcement in October 2006. Traffic Attendants, employed by NCP Services Ltd, began issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) on 13 November 2006.

(i) From 13 November 2006 to 16 November 2007, a total of:

(viii) The PCN processing system does not report on the type of contraventions per town, however the most common contraventions for all PCNs issued, with indicative percentages are:

(ix) From 13 November 2006 to 16 November 2007 the number of PCNs rescinded was:

(x) The PCN processing system does not report on the reasons for PCNs being rescinded per town, however, for all PCNs issued, the main reasons are:

Traffic Congestion in Towns

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail whether or not research has been carried out in relation to traffic congestion in towns across Northern Ireland, since the Roads Service assumed responsibility for parking enforcement.

(AQW 1763/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service became responsible for on-street parking enforcement on 30 October 2006. The objective of the new parking enforcement operation is to reduce the amount of illegal parking in our towns and cities.

In order to measure the change in the level of illegal parking, initial compliance surveys were carried out before 30 October 2006. Post-contract surveys were completed in June 2007 and September 2007, with final surveys planned for February 2008.

Initial findings from the completed surveys indicate that the level of illegal parking has reduced by more than 20%. This will undoubtedly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in our towns and cities.

Water Supply Pipe

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he will take to ensure that the lead water supply pipe to numbers 1 - 37 James Street, Coleraine, is replaced at public expense; and if he will confirm that his department has carried out eleven repairs to this system in the previous ten years.

(AQW 1785/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it is not responsible for the supply pipe that runs from the customer’s tap to the property boundary. The supply pipe belongs to the individual property owner and responsibility for any maintenance or replacement rests with them. However, if a property owner agrees to replace their private supply pipe then Northern Ireland Water would be prepared to replace, free of charge, the lead communication pipe which runs from the property boundary to the water main.

Northern Ireland Water has confirmed that eleven repairs were carried out to the water mains in James Street, Coleraine over the past ten years.

Road Schemes

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister for Regional Development to list any road schemes, planned or tendered in this financial year, which did not take place or were delayed due to lack of funding.

(AQW 1794/08)

Mr C Murphy: The Roads Service Business Plan 2007-08 sets out the Key Performance Targets which I have agreed the organisation should seek to deliver during this year. One of these targets relates to the key milestones to be delivered within the Major Works Programme. There are eight milestones against schemes to be awarded, four of which relate to the second Public Private Partnership package, the contract for which has been signed, indicating commercial closure. It is anticipated the remaining contracts will be awarded in the course of this financial year, meeting all related targets.

You may be interested to know that by early in the New Year, Roads Service will have schemes under construction totalling over £370 million. This presents a significant investment in Roads infrastructure, which will greatly assist and benefit the economy, by reducing and providing certainty on journey times on the strategic road network.

Roads Construction

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration he has given to the use of recycled glass to be incorporated into any public procurement process in relation to roads construction.

(AQW 1795/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the design and procurement of all road construction work is directed by UK national standards. These standards give detailed guidance on conservation techniques and the use of recycled materials (including glass). Recycled glass is permitted in pipe bedding, bulk fill for embankments, sub bases for pavement construction and bitumen bound surfacing layers.

During the procurement process Roads Service takes into consideration how suppliers propose to deliver sustainable methods of construction, including the use of recycled materials.

I can also advise that Roads Service, in partnership with the Quarry Products Association (NI), is currently conducting a study on the use of secondary and recycled aggregates across the local industry, consulting with surfacing contractors, and suppliers of concrete and aggregates.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development what his assessment is in relation to whether or not the sum of £2.7 million, spent by Northern Ireland Water since its inception, represents value for money.

(AQW 1807/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it is content with the performance of Pricewaterhousecoopers and it is confident that the sum of £2.7 million represents value for money.

The consultants were appointed in accordance with Northern Ireland Water’s procurement procedures which required a business case to establish the need, a competitive tender and a selection process, taking account of quality and price.

The performance of any consultants appointed is monitored on a regular basis.

A26 Frosses Road

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development, further to his answer to AQW 1421/08, what priority he will give to undertaking a reappraisal of the timetable for the commencement of the dualling of the A26 Frosses Road.

(AQW 1810/08)

Mr C Murphy: As I advised in my previous answer ( AQW 1421/08) , it is not possible, at present, to provide a start date, for construction of the proposed dualling of the A26 Frosses Road from Glarryford Crossroads to its junction with the A44 Drones Road for the reasons outlined previously. However, it is likely to be within the latter half of the present Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015 (RSTN TP 2015) period.

A detailed assessment of the five routes under consideration is currently underway and the second stage of the three-stage assessment process is expected by May 2008. This process will conclude with the selection of a preferred route , which I will publicly announce.

The commencement dates of schemes within the RSTN TP are kept under review as schemes are developed. A reappraisal of the commencement date would not be appropriate at this time.

Strangford Ferry

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of (i) pedestrians; (ii) cars; (iii) vans; (iv) lorries; and (v) motorbikes carried by the Strangford Ferry in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1913/08)

Mr C Murphy: The number of pedestrians, cars and vans, lorries and motorbikes carried by the Strangford Lough Ferry Service in each of the last three financial years is shown in the table below:-

 

2004/5

2005/6

2006/7

Pedestrians

166,838

167,357

167,392

Cars and Vans

185,724

181,837

182,791

Lorries

5,364

4,635

4,224

Motorbikes

3,430

3,606

3,435

The above table refers to those charged for voyages. Separate figures for cars and vans are not available, as the fares charged are the same.

Roads Service operates a concession fare scheme, whereby children under five are not charged and holders of either of a Senior Citizens’, War Disablement or Registered Blind SmartPass are not charged when travelling as foot passengers or as an additional car passenger.

Parking Enforcement Staff

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide a breakdown of the religious composition of Parking Enforcement Unit/ National Car Parks Limited staff in overall terms and by district area.

(AQW 1914/08)

Mr C Murphy: With regard to your first question, the Parking Enforcement Unit within the Department for Regional Development is staffed with employees of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) which holds the monitoring information for these staff. This information is gathered to enable the NICS to monitor the effectiveness of its Equal Opportunities policies. Under data protection legislation, any further processing of monitoring information must not be incompatible with that purpose. With the exception of the Child Support and Social Security agencies, monitoring of Equal Opportunities policies is not carried out below departmental level, and consequently the further processing of monitoring information to the level requested would be inconsistent with the data protection principles.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold any information on the religious breakdown of NCP Services Ltd staff.

In answer to your second question, the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit within my Department’s Roads Service receives revenue in respect of payments of penalty charge notices and off and on-street parking income. All revenue received is retained by Roads Service.

With regard to your third question, I can inform you that Roads Service staff in the Parking Enforcement Unit fall within the pay arrangements for all NICS staff below Senior Civil Servants. These pay arrangements have a performance related element. Under the current pay agreement any member of staff with a performance marking higher than satisfactory receive a bonus - £50 for box 2 performance and £150 for box 1 performance.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold information on any performance related remuneration schemes for NCP Services Ltd staff, however the Department has been assured that there are no payments based on the number of tickets issued.

There are no ticket targets or quotas in the contract with NCP Services Ltd and payments are not related to the numbers of tickets issued.

I can inform you that in answer to your fourth question, responsibility for on-street parking enforcement transferred to my Department at the end of October 2006. Following a short period of issuing Warning Notices, the commencement date for issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) was 13 November 2006. To 10 November 2007 (first 12 months of operation), the amount of penalty charges paid to Roads Service is £4.09 million.

In answer to your final question, the table below outlines the number of penalty charge notices issued, by council area, since my Department took responsibility for traffic management.

Council Area

PCNs

Antrim

2674

Ards

3804

Armagh

4183

Ballymena

6208

Ballymoney

2194

Banbridge

2289

Belfast/Castlereagh

43897

Carrickfergus

2885

Coleraine

7128

Cookstown

2579

Craigavon

8824

Derry

20038

Down

4233

Dungannon and South Tyrone

3433

Fermanagh

10815

Larne

1028

Limavady

1954

Lisburn

5565

Magherafelt

3585

Moyle

315

Newry and Mourne

6671

Newtownabbey

2130

North Down

5636

Omagh

6759

Strabane

4673
Parking Enforcement Processing Unit

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what percentage of the total revenue secured by the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit is returned to the public purse.

(AQW 1927/08)

Mr C Murphy: With regard to your first question, the Parking Enforcement Unit within the Department for Regional Development is staffed with employees of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) which holds the monitoring information for these staff. This information is gathered to enable the NICS to monitor the effectiveness of its Equal Opportunities policies. Under data protection legislation, any further processing of monitoring information must not be incompatible with that purpose. With the exception of the Child Support and Social Security agencies, monitoring of Equal Opportunities policies is not carried out below departmental level, and consequently the further processing of monitoring information to the level requested would be inconsistent with the data protection principles.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold any information on the religious breakdown of NCP Services Ltd staff.

In answer to your second question, the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit within my Department’s Roads Service receives revenue in respect of payments of penalty charge notices and off and on-street parking income. All revenue received is retained by Roads Service.

With regard to your third question, I can inform you that Roads Service staff in the Parking Enforcement Unit fall within the pay arrangements for all NICS staff below Senior Civil Servants. These pay arrangements have a performance related element. Under the current pay agreement any member of staff with a performance marking higher than satisfactory receive a bonus - £50 for box 2 performance and £150 for box 1 performance.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold information on any performance related remuneration schemes for NCP Services Ltd staff, however the Department has been assured that there are no payments based on the number of tickets issued.

There are no ticket targets or quotas in the contract with NCP Services Ltd and payments are not related to the numbers of tickets issued.

I can inform you that in answer to your fourth question, responsibility for on-street parking enforcement transferred to my Department at the end of October 2006. Following a short period of issuing Warning Notices, the commencement date for issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) was 13 November 2006. To 10 November 2007 (first 12 months of operation), the amount of penalty charges paid to Roads Service is £4.09 million.

In answer to your final question, the table below outlines the number of penalty charge notices issued, by council area, since my Department took responsibility for traffic management.

Council Area

PCNs

Antrim

2674

Ards

3804

Armagh

4183

Ballymena

6208

Ballymoney

2194

Banbridge

2289

Belfast/Castlereagh

43897

Carrickfergus

2885

Coleraine

7128

Cookstown

2579

Craigavon

8824

Derry

20038

Down

4233

Dungannon and South Tyrone

3433

Fermanagh

10815

Larne

1028

Limavady

1954

Lisburn

5565

Magherafelt

3585

Moyle

315

Newry and Mourne

6671

Newtownabbey

2130

North Down

5636

Omagh

6759

Strabane

4673

 

Parking Enforcement Officers

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development to clarify whether Parking Enforcement Officers operate on a performance related pay basis and if so, to provide details of how this operates in practice.

(AQW 1929/08)

Mr C Murphy: With regard to your first question, the Parking Enforcement Unit within the Department for Regional Development is staffed with employees of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) which holds the monitoring information for these staff. This information is gathered to enable the NICS to monitor the effectiveness of its Equal Opportunities policies. Under data protection legislation, any further processing of monitoring information must not be incompatible with that purpose. With the exception of the Child Support and Social Security agencies, monitoring of Equal Opportunities policies is not carried out below departmental level, and consequently the further processing of monitoring information to the level requested would be inconsistent with the data protection principles.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold any information on the religious breakdown of NCP Services Ltd staff.

In answer to your second question, the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit within my Department’s Roads Service receives revenue in respect of payments of penalty charge notices and off and on-street parking income. All revenue received is retained by Roads Service.

With regard to your third question, I can inform you that Roads Service staff in the Parking Enforcement Unit fall within the pay arrangements for all NICS staff below Senior Civil Servants. These pay arrangements have a performance related element. Under the current pay agreement any member of staff with a performance marking higher than satisfactory receive a bonus - £50 for box 2 performance and £150 for box 1 performance.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold information on any performance related remuneration schemes for NCP Services Ltd staff, however the Department has been assured that there are no payments based on the number of tickets issued.

There are no ticket targets or quotas in the contract with NCP Services Ltd and payments are not related to the numbers of tickets issued.

I can inform you that in answer to your fourth question, responsibility for on-street parking enforcement transferred to my Department at the end of October 2006. Following a short period of issuing Warning Notices, the commencement date for issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) was 13 November 2006. To 10 November 2007 (first 12 months of operation), the amount of penalty charges paid to Roads Service is £4.09 million.

In answer to your final question, the table below outlines the number of penalty charge notices issued, by council area, since my Department took responsibility for traffic management.

Council Area

PCNs

Antrim

2674

Ards

3804

Armagh

4183

Ballymena

6208

Ballymoney

2194

Banbridge

2289

Belfast/Castlereagh

43897

Carrickfergus

2885

Coleraine

7128

Cookstown

2579

Craigavon

8824

Derry

20038

Down

4233

Dungannon and South Tyrone

3433

Fermanagh

10815

Larne

1028

Limavady

1954

Lisburn

5565

Magherafelt

3585

Moyle

315

Newry and Mourne

6671

Newtownabbey

2130

North Down

5636

Omagh

6759

Strabane

4673

 

Parking Enforcement Unit

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total amount of revenue that has been secured by the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit through penalty charge notices since its inception.

(AQW 1930/08)

Mr C Murphy: With regard to your first question, the Parking Enforcement Unit within the Department for Regional Development is staffed with employees of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) which holds the monitoring information for these staff. This information is gathered to enable the NICS to monitor the effectiveness of its Equal Opportunities policies. Under data protection legislation, any further processing of monitoring information must not be incompatible with that purpose. With the exception of the Child Support and Social Security agencies, monitoring of Equal Opportunities policies is not carried out below departmental level, and consequently the further processing of monitoring information to the level requested would be inconsistent with the data protection principles.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold any information on the religious breakdown of NCP Services Ltd staff.

In answer to your second question, the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit within my Department’s Roads Service receives revenue in respect of payments of penalty charge notices and off and on-street parking income. All revenue received is retained by Roads Service.

With regard to your third question, I can inform you that Roads Service staff in the Parking Enforcement Unit fall within the pay arrangements for all NICS staff below Senior Civil Servants. These pay arrangements have a performance related element. Under the current pay agreement any member of staff with a performance marking higher than satisfactory receive a bonus - £50 for box 2 performance and £150 for box 1 performance.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold information on any performance related remuneration schemes for NCP Services Ltd staff, however the Department has been assured that there are no payments based on the number of tickets issued.

There are no ticket targets or quotas in the contract with NCP Services Ltd and payments are not related to the numbers of tickets issued.

I can inform you that in answer to your fourth question, responsibility for on-street parking enforcement transferred to my Department at the end of October 2006. Following a short period of issuing Warning Notices, the commencement date for issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) was 13 November 2006. To 10 November 2007 (first 12 months of operation), the amount of penalty charges paid to Roads Service is £4.09 million.

In answer to your final question, the table below outlines the number of penalty charge notices issued, by council area, since my Department took responsibility for traffic management.

Council Area

PCNs

Antrim

2674

Ards

3804

Armagh

4183

Ballymena

6208

Ballymoney

2194

Banbridge

2289

Belfast/Castlereagh

43897

Carrickfergus

2885

Coleraine

7128

Cookstown

2579

Craigavon

8824

Derry

20038

Down

4233

Dungannon and South Tyrone

3433

Fermanagh

10815

Larne

1028

Limavady

1954

Lisburn

5565

Magherafelt

3585

Moyle

315

Newry and Mourne

6671

Newtownabbey

2130

North Down

5636

Omagh

6759

Strabane

4673

 

Parking Enforcement Unit

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide a breakdown, on a district council area basis, of the number of penalty charge notices issued to motorists since the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit took responsibility for traffic management.

(AQW 1931/08)

Mr C Murphy: With regard to your first question, the Parking Enforcement Unit within the Department for Regional Development is staffed with employees of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) which holds the monitoring information for these staff. This information is gathered to enable the NICS to monitor the effectiveness of its Equal Opportunities policies. Under data protection legislation, any further processing of monitoring information must not be incompatible with that purpose. With the exception of the Child Support and Social Security agencies, monitoring of Equal Opportunities policies is not carried out below departmental level, and consequently the further processing of monitoring information to the level requested would be inconsistent with the data protection principles.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold any information on the religious breakdown of NCP Services Ltd staff.

In answer to your second question, the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit within my Department’s Roads Service receives revenue in respect of payments of penalty charge notices and off and on-street parking income. All revenue received is retained by Roads Service.

With regard to your third question, I can inform you that Roads Service staff in the Parking Enforcement Unit fall within the pay arrangements for all NICS staff below Senior Civil Servants. These pay arrangements have a performance related element. Under the current pay agreement any member of staff with a performance marking higher than satisfactory receive a bonus - £50 for box 2 performance and £150 for box 1 performance.

NCP Services Ltd is a private company contracted by the Department to provide a parking enforcement service. The Department does not hold information on any performance related remuneration schemes for NCP Services Ltd staff, however the Department has been assured that there are no payments based on the number of tickets issued.

There are no ticket targets or quotas in the contract with NCP Services Ltd and payments are not related to the numbers of tickets issued.

I can inform you that in answer to your fourth question, responsibility for on-street parking enforcement transferred to my Department at the end of October 2006. Following a short period of issuing Warning Notices, the commencement date for issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) was 13 November 2006. To 10 November 2007 (first 12 months of operation), the amount of penalty charges paid to Roads Service is £4.09 million.

In answer to your final question, the table below outlines the number of penalty charge notices issued, by council area, since my Department took responsibility for traffic management.

Council Area

PCNs

Antrim

2674

Ards

3804

Armagh

4183

Ballymena

6208

Ballymoney

2194

Banbridge

2289

Belfast/Castlereagh

43897

Carrickfergus

2885

Coleraine

7128

Cookstown

2579

Craigavon

8824

Derry

20038

Down

4233

Dungannon and South Tyrone

3433

Fermanagh

10815

Larne

1028

Limavady

1954

Lisburn

5565

Magherafelt

3585

Moyle

315

Newry and Mourne

6671

Newtownabbey

2130

North Down

5636

Omagh

6759

Strabane

4673
National Car Parks

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of parking tickets that have been issued in (i) Newtownards; (ii) Comber; (iii) Ballygowan; and (iv) Saintfield since the inception of the National Car Parks contract.

(AQW 1949/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service became responsible for on-street parking enforcement in October 2006. Traffic Attendants employed by National Car Parks Services Ltd began issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) on 13 November 2006. The table below details the number of PCNs issued in Newtownards, Comber, Ballygowan and Saintfield, between 13 November 2006 and 22 November 2007.

Town

Total Parking Tickets issued from 13 November 2006 to 22 November 2007

Newtownards

3627

Comber

128

Ballygowan

5

Saintfield

93
Parking Penalties

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of people who have received penalty charge notices for not parking wholly within the markings of the bay/space in his department's car parks, since National Car Parks have been responsible for issuing penalty charge notices.

(AQW 2041/08)

Mr C Murphy: NCP Services Ltd became responsible for the enforcement of off-street car parks operated by Roads Service on 30 October 2006.

Up to 26 November 2007, a total of 5,006 Penalty Charge Notices have been issued to vehicles “not parked wholly within the markings of the bay/space” in Roads Service car-parks.

Road Safety Barriers

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 1503/08 to provide details of the criteria Roads Service use to decide whether or not safety barriers should be provided.

(AQW 2044/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is directed by road safety standards which form the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. The criteria used for the design of Road Restraint Systems uses a risk based framework called the “Road Restraint Risk Assessment Process” (RRRAP). The criteria which are considered are listed below:

  1. Likelihood of risk .

This takes account of the:-

  1. Consequences of risk.

This takes account of the:-

  1. Total Risk.

This takes account of the risk to occupants and risk to others.

Social Development

Disability Living Allowance Appeals

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, broken down by social security area, the total number of Disability Living Allowance appeals; and the number that were (i) upheld; and (ii) dismissed, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 1644/08)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): My Department’s Appeals Service can only provide the information requested broken down by Tribunal Centre, as opposed to social security area. Appeals are allocated to a Tribunal Centre based on the geographical area the appeal arises in, although this does not necessarily correspond to where the local Social Security Office is situated. On this basis, the total number of Disability Living Allowance appeals and the number that were upheld and dismissed in each of the last three years are set out in the table below. 

 

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Total

 

Upheld

Dismissed

Upheld

Dismissed

Upheld

Dismissed

Upheld

Dismissed

Armagh

55

92

35

85

36

64

126

241

Banbridge

19

47

18

66

10

46

47

159

Belfast

582

1544

584

1570

501

1165

1667

4279

Ballymena

72

213

93

227

62

175

227

615

Ballymoney

0

0

1

4

12

29

13

33

Cookstown

31

52

30

43

36

49

97

144

Craigavon

107

239

99

181

96

182

302

602

Coleraine

54

211

83

259

58

147

195

617

Dungannon

55

125

58

104

48

88

161

317

Downpatrick

36

141

48

143

49

122

133

406

Enniskillen

41

111

59

123

69

95

169

329

Londonderry

162

335

165

261

232

215

559

811

Limavady

28

65

13

42

51

54

92

161

Magherafelt

43

79

20

59

29

52

92

190

Newtownards

57

166

69

193

105

197

231

556

Newry

65

172

85

236

71

161

221

569

Omagh

45

97

49

80

43

49

137

226

Strabane

36

101

34

76

52

95

122

272

Total

1488

3790

1543

3752

1560

2985

4591

10527

 

Housing Benefit

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people in West Tyrone in receipt of Housing Benefit in 2005; 2006; and 2007.

(AQW 1655/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The tables below detail the number of claimants in receipt of Housing Benefit within the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Omagh and Strabane district office administrative areas. The information is available only in respect of financial years.

Table 1.

Housing Benefit Claimants 2004/05 

 

NIHE

Housing Association

Private rented

Total

Omagh  

2,077  

355 

1,068

3,500

Strabane  

1,574

250

1,576

3,400

Total 

3,651

605 

2,644

6,900

Table 2.

Housing Benefit Claimants 2005/06

 

NIHE

Housing Association

Private rented

Total

Omagh 

1,985

353

1,176 

3,514 

Strabane

1,548

258

1,605 

3,411

Total

3,533

611 

2,781

6,925

Table 3.

Housing Benefit Claimants 2006/07

 

NIHE

Housing Association

Private rented

Total

Omagh

1,929

376

1,375

3,680

Strabane

1,493 

268

1,662

3,423

Total

3,422

644

3,037

7,103

 

Housing Executive Land Bank

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the value and extent of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive land bank in (i) Ballymoney Borough Council area; (ii) Ballymena Borough Council area; and (iii) Moyle District Council area.

(AQW 1668/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The extent and value of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive land bank in the three areas is as follows:

Community and Voluntary Organisations

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of community and voluntary organisations funded by her department.

(AQW 1677/08)

 

Ms M Ritchie: In 2007/08, my Department is directly funding a total of 605 voluntary and community sector organisations through 23 separate programmes. A further 4 funding programmes are delivered through Intermediary Funding Bodies. Further information on grants awarded to voluntary and community sector organisations is publicly available on the Government Funding Database, at www.volcomgrantsni.org.uk

Funding for Community Organisations

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of funding schemes or streams administered by her department; and to give a breakdown of the community and voluntary organisations funded by each scheme or stream.

(AQW 1678/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department directly administers a total of 23 funding programmes, supporting 605 voluntary and community sector organisations.Details of these programmes and a breakdown of the organisations funded in 2007/08 have been placed in the Library.

Funding for Community and Voluntary Organisations

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the average turnaround time for processing applications for funding from community and voluntary organisations, from the time of the first letter of offer, in relation to funding schemes or streams administered by her department.

(AQW 1679/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The average turnaround time for processing applications for funding from date of receipt in the Department to the date of the first contract for funding, is 112 working days. All applications for funding from the voluntary and community sector are processed in line with common procedural guidance to ensure that all audit and accountability requirements are satisfied. This often requires significant follow-up actions with applicants which impacts on the overall turnaround time.

Funding for Community Organisations

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the average turnaround time for processing quarterly payments in relation to funding schemes or streams for voluntary and community organisations, which are administered by her department.

(AQW 1680/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In 2007/08 the average turnaround time for processing quarterly payments for voluntary and community sector organisations is 21 working days. DSD has a target of 30 working days to process a payment request, once all the required documentation and monitoring information is received from the organisation. Staff often spend a significant amount of time in follow-up action to ensure that all relevant information is in place. All grant claims are processed in accordance with the Department’s risk based approach to payment verification. This involves the Department making an assessment of the risk of awarding public funds to an organisation based on the organisation’s management structure, systems, governance and financial capabilities.

When an organisation is considered ‘high risk’ it is required to provide all supporting documentation with the application for payment, which is then fully verified before payment is made. If an organisation is considered to be ‘medium risk’ or ‘low risk’ they may submit quarterly requests for payment without supporting documentation and payment will be made quickly. Where a ‘medium risk’ assessment is in place, vouching/ verification is carried out on documentation from two quarterly payments per year on a pre-payment basis. Where the risk is considered ‘low’, vouching/verification is carried out on one quarterly payment per year on a post- payment basis.

The shortest time recorded for processing a payment is two days. The longest time recorded is 66 working days. In this instance, the queries related to eligible expenditure within a project. The organisation was not at risk and their core funding was unaffected. The Department also has a system in place to process emergency payments and this can be expedited in one working day.

Funding for Community Organisations

Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the (i) longest; and (ii) shortest time for processing quarterly payments from funding schemes or streams for voluntary and community organisations, administered by her department.

(AQW 1681/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In 2007/08 the average turnaround time for processing quarterly payments for voluntary and community sector organisations is 21 working days. DSD has a target of 30 working days to process a payment request, once all the required documentation and monitoring information is received from the organisation. Staff often spend a significant amount of time in follow-up action to ensure that all relevant information is in place. All grant claims are processed in accordance with the Department’s risk based approach to payment verification. This involves the Department making an assessment of the risk of awarding public funds to an organisation based on the organisation’s management structure, systems, governance and financial capabilities.

When an organisation is considered ‘high risk’ it is required to provide all supporting documentation with the application for payment, which is then fully verified before payment is made. If an organisation is considered to be ‘medium risk’ or ‘low risk’ they may submit quarterly requests for payment without supporting documentation and payment will be made quickly. Where a ‘medium risk’ assessment is in place, vouching/ verification is carried out on documentation from two quarterly payments per year on a pre-payment basis. Where the risk is considered ‘low’, vouching/verification is carried out on one quarterly payment per year on a post- payment basis.

The shortest time recorded for processing a payment is two days. The longest time recorded is 66 working days. In this instance, the queries related to eligible expenditure within a project. The organisation was not at risk and their core funding was unaffected. The Department also has a system in place to process emergency payments and this can be expedited in one working day.

Voluntary and Community Organisations

Mr D Ford asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the voluntary and community organisations that have been awaiting a quarterly payment for more than (i) one month; (ii) three months; (iii) six months; (iv) nine months; and (v) one year, in relation to funding schemes or streams administered by her department.

(AQW 1682/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The table below shows the number of quarterly grant payment requests awaiting completion in the Department within the timescales requested. Delays in payments can arise with particular issues of eligibility of expenditure, availability of relevant information or scheduling of verification visits. A full list of the community organisations awaiting payments has been placed in the library.

1 month

3 months

6 months

9 months

1 year

60

14

6

0

0

Social Housing

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Social Development what consideration she will give to carrying out a social housing scheme in Glenavy village; and if she will investigate the reasons why no social housing has been provided in this area to date.

(AQW 1700/08)

Ms M Ritchie: A need for 20 units in Glenavy has been identified but no scheme has as yet been brought forward by Housing Associations. Should any Housing Association identify a suitable site within Glenavy a scheme will be included in the Social Housing Development Programme, subject to the availability of funding.

Land supply and competition from private developers have historically impacted adversely on the ability of Housing Associations to secure suitable development sites. Two potential sites have however been identified and Housing Associations have work underway to determine the feasibility of developing them with a view to acquisition.

Relocation of Tenants

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of cases of intimidation in social housing developments in the Lisburn area that have been investigated by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in the last ten years; and the number of these cases that have resulted in the relocation of tenants.

(AQW 1708/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Data on the reasons for applicants presenting as homeless is only available from the financial year 2000/01. The table below details the total number of homeless applicants for the Lisburn area who cited intimidation as the reason between the financial years 2000/01 and 2006/07.

 

2000/01

2001/02

2002/03

2003/04

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Homeless

Presenters*

116

106

176

92

80

76

62

Awarded FDA

status**

54

67

115

53

46

38

30

FDA applicants rehoused***

41

43

56

37

41

34

30

* The number of applicants presenting as homeless citing the reason as intimidation.

** The number of applicants accepted as statutorily homeless and awarded Full Duty Applicant (FDA) status on the basis of intimidation.

*** The number of applicants rehoused from the common waiting list with FDA status (on the basis of intimidation).

There is not necessarily a correlation between those who presented as homeless, were awarded FDA status or were rehoused in any given year. For example, an applicant may have presented in one financial year and been awarded FDA status, or rehoused, in another year.

Neighbourhood Renewal: Small Pockets of Deprivation Programme

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, broken down by constituency, all projects funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal: Small Pockets of Deprivation Programme in each of the last two years.

(AQW 1726/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is detailed in the table below:

Neighbourhood Renewal:
Small Pockets of Deprivation

Number of Awards

2006/07

2007/08

 

 

£

£

Belfast North

 

 

 

White City

1

£32,013

£0

Bawnmore

1

£42,496

£18,885

Subtotal

2

£74,509

£18,885

 

 

 

 

Belfast South

 

 

 

Benmore, Finaghy

1

£16,699

£10,000

 

 

 

 

Belfast West

 

 

 

Andersonstown, Belfast

1

£46,707

£0

 

 

 

 

East Antrim

 

 

 

Larne

3

£113,110

£2,431

Sunnylands

2

£7,519

£11,260

Greenisland

4

£46,493

£4,454

Subtotal

9

£167,122

£18,145

 

 

 

 

Fermanagh & South Tyrone

 

 

 

Kilmacormick, Fermanagh

1

£22,962

£0

Drumcoo, Dungannon

1

£4,415

£14,313

Subtotal

2

£27,377

£14,313

 

 

 

 

Foyle

 

 

 

Strathfoyle

4

£24,258

£14,000

 

 

 

 

North Antrim

 

 

 

Carnany, Ballymoney

1

£27,185

£19,380

Castle, Ballymoney

1

£30,760

£0

Glebeside, Balymoney

1

£23,863

£17,000

Subtotal

3

£81,808

£36,380

 

 

 

 

North Down

 

 

 

Rathgill

1

£29,902

£11,112

Harbour

1

£25,016

£25,630

Subtotal

2

£54,918

£36,742

 

 

 

 

South Antrim

 

 

 

Glenvarna, Newtownabbey

3

£19,144

£14,453

 

 

 

 

Strangford

 

 

 

Glen, Newtownards

1

£19,448

£7,891

West Winds

1

£36,128

£20,000

Bowtown

1

£21,954

£2,684

Subtotal

3

£77,530

£30,575

TOTALS

30

£590,072

£193,493

 

Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of neighbourhood renewal partnerships that have constituted voluntary or community groups as the lead partner; and whether or not such groups are encouraged to become the lead partner.

(AQW 1743/08)

Ms M Ritchie: 21 out of 36 Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships have constituted voluntary or community groups as the ‘lead partner’. The appointment of a lead partner must be decided by the individual Neighbourhood Partnerships. A ‘lead partner’ may be a Local Strategy Partnership, District Council, or a properly constituted community or voluntary organisation capable of receiving, managing and accounting for public money.

Housing Executive Waiting Lists

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people (i) currently on the waiting list for a Northern Ireland Housing Executive property in Larne; Carrickfergus; and Newtownabbey, and (ii) on the waiting list for each of these areas in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1769/08)

Ms M Ritchie: At September 2007, the waiting list in the areas in question was as follows:

Housing Stress applicants have 30 points or more.

The following table details the historical waiting list for the areas over the last five years.

 

Larne

Carrickfergus

Newtownabbey

Year to 31 March

Total

Housing Stress

Total

Housing Stress

Total

Housing Stress

2003

368

147

842

410

1310

698

2004

370

143

839

394

1293

655

2005

390

144

849

409

1313

688

2006

380

145

916

445

1459

825

2007

505

193

1007

532

1578

929

 

Housing Allocation

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of houses allocated by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in Killyleagh/Shrigley since November 2006, providing a breakdown by house type and the number of points held by the successful applicant.

(AQW 1770/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The tables below detail all social housing allocations by house type and the number of points held by the successful applicant for Killyleagh/Shrigley since November 2006.

Allocations to Housing Applicants

 

House type

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

Bungalow

Flats / Maisonettes

<100 points

 

 

2

 

100-149 points

2

2

2

6

>150 points

2

1

1

 

Allocations to Transfer Applicants

 

House type

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

Bungalow

Flats / Maisonettes

<100 points

1

2

4

 

100-149 points

 

 

2

 

>150 points

 

 

1

 

Wood Chip Heating Systems

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to detail whether or not tenants of properties under her department's responsibility will be offered the option of installing wood chip heating systems, instead of oil fired heating systems.

(AQW 1783/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are no plans to install wood chip heating systems in social housing because of the installation costs involved. However, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has installed 4 wood pellet boilers on a trial basis on sites outside the gas area. These sites are being monitored to establish if they provide a viable alternative to oil fired heating and consideration is being given to extending the trial .

Caravan Owners

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the protection her Department intends to give to caravan owners to prevent them from being financially exploited by site owners.

(AQW 1808/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I would refer to the reply I gave to the Honourable Member for North Down in AQW 1261 on 9 November 2007.

Winter Fuel Payments

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what plans her Department has to increase the level of winter fuel payments to meet the increased costs of fuel, particularly oil.

(AQW 1809/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Winter Fuel Payment is intended to provide a significant contribution towards winter heating bills. It is not intended to cover the total cost of fuel bills. Winter fuel payments increased from £20 in 1997-98 to the current value of £200 for households with someone aged 60 to 79 years of age and to £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over.

Fuel prices are volatile and can fall as well as rise. It would not be sensible for the rate of winter fuel payments to track the upward and downward movement of fuel prices. There are no plans to increase the current amounts paid.

Warm Homes Scheme

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Social Development to give her assessment of the effectiveness of the Warm Homes Scheme.

(AQW 1813/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Warm Homes Scheme is the Department’s main instrument in tackling fuel poverty in private sector housing in Northern Ireland. T he number of households which have been able to benefit from the measures under the scheme has increased from 4,250 in 2001 to 10,000 in the current financial year. This is a significant achievement and has improved the quality of life for some of those people most in need.

Fuel Poverty

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the reasons why there is no priority streamlining or reference to the critical care register when assessing the situation of those most in need from fuel poverty under the EAGA home heating scheme.

(AQW 1891/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Warm Homes Scheme has been very successful and is now over subscribed. Eaga currently operates a limited prioritisation system. This includes a number of applicants with critical health conditions. I have asked my officials to review this system with Eaga to ensure that those people in greatest need get help first.

EAGA Heating Schemes

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister for Social Development what action she is taking to address the backlog in delivering home heating improvements through the EAGA heating schemes in South Antrim.

(AQW 1892/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Warm Homes Scheme, managed by Eaga on behalf of the Department, is the main instrument used by the Department to address fuel poverty. The scheme has been very successful, however, it is now over subscribed. With limited funding available, I have asked officials to review the delivery of the scheme and look at introducing prioritisation of applications to ensure that those people in greatest need get help first.

Fuel Poverty

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the amount of funding that has been made available to address fuel poverty schemes within the South Antrim area, within the last year.

(AQW 1893/08)

Ms M Ritchie: From March 2006 to April 2007 through the Department for Social Development’s Warm Homes Scheme there were 226 heating installations (£846, 549) and 618 house insulations (£296, 590) completed in private housing South Antrim, a total investment of £1,143,139.

In the same period NIHE invested £1,570,377 in installation of more efficient heating systems in its stock of social housing in South Antrim.

Housing Allocation

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of houses allocated by the Housing Executive in each of the West Belfast sub-areas in each of the last three years; and to detail, for each successful applicant, the number of points they held and the house type allocated.

(AQW 1904/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The tables below details all social housing allocations, by house type and the number of points held by the successful applicant, in the areas covered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Belfast Districts 1 and 3 for the period requested.

Allocations to Housing Applicants Belfast District 1 2004/05

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

 

3

 

1

12

16

100-149

 

4

1

2

14

21

>150

4

2

1

 

40

47

Total

4

9

2

3

66

84

 

Allocations to Transfer Applicants Belfast District 1 2004/05

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

5

10

2

1

8

26

100-149

 

 

 

4

1

5

>150

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

31

Allocations to Housing Applicants Belfast District 3 2004/05

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

1

1

0

0

1

3

100-149

0

3

0

5

5

13

>150

24

15

2

1

5

47

Total

25

19

2

6

11

63

 

Allocations to Transfer Applicants Belfast District 3 2004 / 2005

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

9

11

1

2

2

25

100-149

0

1

0

4

0

5

>150

1

0

0

0

0

1

Total

10

12

1

6

2

31

 

 Allocations to Housing Applicants Belfast District 1 2005/06

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

1

2

1

1

12

17

100-149

1

1

0

1

21

24

>150

6

2

0

3

17

28

Total

8

5

1

5

50

69

 

Allocations to Transfer Applicants Belfast District 1 2005/06

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

4

12

2

3

11

32

100-149

0

1

0

1

0

2

>150

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total

4

13

2

4

11

34

 

Allocations to Housing Applicants Belfast District 3 2005/06

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

0

0

0

0

0

0

100-149

0

5

0

1

9

15

>150

35

21

1

2

5

64

Total

35

26

1

3

14

79

 

Allocations to Transfer Applicants Belfast District 3 2005/06

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

5

Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

4

20

3

2

5

1

35

100-149

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

>150

1

0

0

0

0

1

2

Total

5

20

 

3

2

6

2

38

 

Allocations to Housing Applicants Belfast District 1 2006/07

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

0

3

1

0

18

22

100-149

1

2

1

2

35

41

>150

2

2

0

0

25

29

Total

3

7

2

2

78

92

 

Allocations to Applicants District 3 2006/07

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

0

1

1

0

0

2

100-149

0

5

0

8

13

26

>150

36

25

1

1

2

65

Total

36

31

2

9

15

93

 

Allocations to Transfer Applicants Belfast District 3 2006/07

 

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Bungalow

Flats /

Maisonettes

Total

Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

<100

4

28

6

3

7

48

100-149

2

1

0

3

0

6

>150

1

0

0

0

0

1

Total

7

29

6

6

7

55

 

Maintenance Work on Properties

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of properties which have been allocated to applicants who are currently unable to move into the premises due to maintenance work being carried out.

(AQW 1905/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are currently twenty four Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties which have been allocated but where the tenancy has not commenced due to major repairs being carried out. It is standard practice to allocate such properties when the work is nearing completion.

Social Security Office, Cookstown

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the current plans to upgrade the Social Security office in Cookstown to a Jobs and Benefits office.

(AQW 1908/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Social Security Agency remains committed to the roll-out of a Jobs & Benefits service in Cookstown to ensure that clients benefit from the same enhanced work focused service which is available elsewhere in Northern Ireland. However, the Agency is also carrying out a Strategic Business Review to examine how best to deliver services to the public in the future. The outcome of this Review will determine whether the Cookstown office will provide a Jobs and Benefits service only, or if it will also include a (back-office) benefits processing centre.

Closure of Reid Transport

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development what plans her department has to assist workers who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of Reid Transport.

(AQW 2135/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Departmenthas been and continues to work closely with the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) to meet the needs of Reid Transport employees. Staff from the Social Security Agency (SSA) participated in a redundancy clinic set up by DEL in Cloughmills on 28 November. The Agency will provide comprehensive advice and information on social security benefits to all employees and assist with the completion of benefit claim forms where appropriate. Already over 60 urgent appointments have been arranged and priority will be given to processing these claims. Entitlement to benefit will depend on each individual’s personal circumstances.

CORRIGENDA

 Written Answer Booklet of 16 November 2007

(Volume 25, No WA2)

 In page WA89, col 2, replace the answer to question (AQW 1359/08) with;

Music Therapy is provided at Tor Bank Special School by the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust as part of their Arioso project which is funded by the Children’s Fund. I recognise the real difference that the initiatives funded under the Children’s Fund, can make to the lives of children and young people and their families, and I would like to be able to continue to support this important work. However, until consultation on the draft Budget is concluded, and the budget is finalised, I cannot give any guarantees about the funding of individual initiatives. I recognise that existing initiatives need early confirmation about their future levels of funding, and I can assure you that this will be forthcoming as soon as possible.

Written Answer Booklet of 23 November 2007

(Volume 25, No WA3)

In page WA158, col 1, replace the answer to question (AQW 1558/08) with;

Information on the average waiting time for a home assessment by an occupational therapist is not collected according to parliamentary constituency. Information is, however, available on completed waiting times for commencement of assessments by community occupational therapists by the old Health and Social Services Trusts, according to specific time bands.

Figures are categorised according to priority and non-priority cases. The number of persons in each time band is shown in Table 1 (priority cases) & Table 2 (non-priority cases) overleaf, for the years ending 30 th June, 2003 to 2007, where a year refers to the period 1 st July to 30 th June.

During year ending 30 th June 2007, 54% of the 22,511 priority assessments commenced by occupational therapists started within 2 weeks of referral, 29% in 1 month or more, and 17% between 2 weeks and 1 month. During this period, 62% of the 17,940 non-priority assessments commenced by occupational therapists started within 3 months of referral, 25% in 6 months or more, and 13% between 3 and 6 months.

Time Waited for Commencement of Assessment by Community Occupational Therapists, During Year Ending 30 June (2003 – 2007)

(a) Priority Cases

HSS Trust

Year Ending 30 June

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Less than 2 Weeks

2 weeks to 1 month

1 months or more

Less than 2 Weeks

2 weeks to 1 month

1 months or more

Less than 2 Weeks

2 weeks to 1 month

1
months or more

Less than 2 Weeks

2 weeks to 1 month

1
months or more

Less than 2 Weeks

2 weeks to 1 month

1 months or more

North & West Belfast

908

246

683

1,008

256

722

1,174

364

667

1,066

259

848

826

216

735

South & East Belfast

3,687

423

631

3,504

558

570

2,812

780

448

1,842

497

551

2,437

619

615

UCHT

1,001

194

93

1,250

150

56

909

373

131

869

248

214

798

245

449

Down Lisburn

679

194

152

819

155

112

1,038

300

143

988

429

698

1,316

413

701

Causeway

391

172

298

389

161

333

332

133

481

329

157

453

411

194

691

Homefirst

2,154

780

1,373

2,295

744

1,188

2,627

503

1,428

2,944

474

1,333

2,856

518

1,264

Armagh & Dungannon

1,001

96

32

907

199

106

1,379

149

71

1,341

163

45

1,540

209

75

Craigavon & Banbridge

1,196

558

308

1,682

783

434

1,299

604

336

1,099

511

284

832

387

215

Newry & Mourne

1,619

0

0

1,725

0

0

1,258

494

166

557

553

525

321

370

654

Foyle

299

201

350

360

218

434

226

109

346

239

215

413

358

245

466

Sperrin Lakeland

312

304

576

330

234

614

291

201

550

209

116

674

448

328

759

Northern Ireland

13,247

3,168

4,496

14,269

3,458

4,569

13,345

4,010

4,767

11,483

3,622

6,038

12,143

3,744

6,624

Source: DHSSPS CP4 return

(b) Non-Priority Cases 1  

HSS Trust

Year Ending 30 June

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Less than 3 months

3 to 6 months

6 months or more

Less than 3 months

3 to 6 months

6 months or more

Less than 3 months

3 to 6 months

6 months or more

Less than 3 months

3 to 6 months

6 months or more

Less than 3 months

3 to 6 months

6 months or more

North & West Belfast

489

73

1,134

481

45

847

507

64

1,042

425

522

784

392

377

689

South & East Belfast

2,008

19

26

2,932

104

26

3,457

65

36

2,809

87

75

2,940

128

190

UCHT

1,975

337

432

2,211

173

20

1,591

883

4

1,656

355

217

1,383

239

305

Down Lisburn

701

295

595

771

396

208

843

320

261

465

130

650

254

112

1,077

Causeway

328

164

228

108

30

187

91

31

155

95

19

242

73

21

340

Homefirst

1,691

663

460

2,575

539

408

2,568

506

550

3,292

382

544

5,135

475

361

Armagh & Dungannon

521

192

164

350

99

308

377

168

402

433

283

43

303

185

143

Craigavon & Banbridge

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Newry & Mourne

440

87

12

115

132

119

80

281

628

115

133

85

123

112

446

Foyle

319

210

626

455

111

440

220

48

745

359

64

849

504

595

362

Sperrin Lakeland

304

33

599

211

16

402

67

8

323

115

9

174

56

12

608

Northern Ireland

8,776

2,073

4,276

10,209

1,645

2,965

9,801

2,374

4,146

9,764

1,984

3,663

11,163

2,256

4,521

1 Craigavon & Banbridge classifies all assessments by occupational therapists as priority.

Source: DHSSPS CP4 return