Friday 25 May 2007

Written Answers to Questions

Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Voluntary Modulation

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline her policy on voluntary modulation.

(AQW 1/07)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Gildernew): I am currently reviewing the announcement on voluntary modulation made by my predecessor on 23 March 2007. I will consider the issues carefully, including the views of the range of rural stakeholders, and will come to a decision in the coming weeks.

Single Farm Payments

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to state how many applicants have not yet received their Single Farm Payments and to advise on the date by which all outstanding payments will be made.

(AQW 2/07)

Ms Gildernew: At 16 May 2007 93.8% (37,418) applicants had either been paid their 2006 Single Farm Payment or been advised that a payment is not due because of ineligibility or the application of penalties under scheme rules 2,456 applications have not yet been finalised; not all of these claims may subsequently be eligible for payment. Validation of the 2006 applications continues and the objective is to pay out at least 96.14% of the budget by 30 June 2007 as provided for in European Council legislation.

Cross-Compliance Farm Inspections

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will outline her plans in relation to cross-compliance farm inspections.

(AQW 42/07)

Ms Gildernew: Under the Integrated Administration and Control System the Department is required to undertake both eligibility inspections and Cross-Compliance inspections.

Despite an increase in the number of Statutory Management Requirements to be considered in cross compliance inspections this year compared to last, the Department expects to reduce the number of Cross-Compliance inspection visits this year by 400, and by a further 400 next year.

CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Fishing in the River Dibney in Killyleagh

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he has taken to enhance fishing in the Dibney River in Killyleagh, County Down.

(AQW 13/07)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr Poots): The Department has no statutory remit to enhance fishing where it does not acquire or own the fishing rights. It does not own the fishing rights to the Dibney River. However the Department’s Fisheries Officers have and will continue to provide advice to the Dibney River Trust, which is investigating the enhancement of fishery habitat and fishing in the Dibney River.

EDUCATION

Under-Representation of Males in the Teaching Profession

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education how she intends to redress the current under-representation of males:

1. entering the teaching profession; and

2. employed in primary schools.

(AQW 67/07)

The Minister of Education (Ms Ruane): The gender balance of the teaching profession has traditionally favoured women, particularly within the primary school sector. The providers of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses have been asked by my Department to draw attention to the under-representation of males within their Access Agreements (particularly in the primary sector) and to review their recruitment procedures. As a result, the Higher Education Institutions have sought to encourage males to apply for ITE courses through a range of actions, including: ensuring that males are well represented in publicity materials for their ITE courses; targeting all-male schools and male groups in mixed schools for careers talks and presentations; and, meeting regularly with careers teachers and senior staff to seek their help in encouraging males to apply for ITE courses.

Kirkistown Primary School

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education what plans the South Eastern Education and Library Board has to address the increasing numbers of pupils attending Kirkistown Primary School.

(AQW 68/07)

Ms Ruane: The South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) is reviewing provision at a number of controlled schools within its remit, including Kirkistown PS, as part of its Strategic Capital Development Plan 2004-2009. The SEELB advise that it is likely that the review covering the Ards peninsula will be completed in 2008.

The enrolment at Kirkistown PS has increased steadily in recent years and a minor works scheme to provide a multi-purpose hall for the school is currently in planning and, subject to the necessary approvals, is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2008.

ENVIRONMENT

Grouse Moors

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if she will sponsor a survey for grouse moors in North Antrim that would consider the impact of birds of prey on their numbers.

(AQW 18/07)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs Foster): EHS commissioned a survey of all Red Grouse habitat in Northern Ireland which reported in December 2004. This can be found at http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/red_grouse_survey_04.pdf

Because the Red Grouse population is low at present it is unlikely that birds of prey affect it significantly. Studies in Northern Ireland demonstrate that smaller birds, notably Meadow Pipit and Skylark, make up the bulk of the diet of the Hen Harrier, the species most likely to prey on Red Grouse. If, in the future, management of Red Grouse increases the population to a point where birds of prey could have an adverse effect, it may be necessary to consider action to mitigate this effect. As all birds of prey are specially protected under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 any action taken would have to comply with the Order.

Lignite Mining in North Antrim

Mr Daithi McKay asked the Minister of the Environment what steps will be taken to ensure that lignite mining will be prevented in North Antrim; and what further action will be taken to ensure that those living in lignite-designated areas are not subject to planning restrictions related to the presence of lignite.

(AQW 27/07)

Mrs Foster: The Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland contains the current regional planning policy for mineral extraction and it requires that, where proven reserves of minerals which are of particular value to the economy occur, they are protected from surface development which would prejudice their future development.

Lignite has been identified by DETI as such a valuable mineral and the reserves in Northern Ireland form an integral part of its energy strategy. The Department is therefore obliged to protect this valuable resource through the planning process.

You will no doubt appreciate the necessity to protect minerals that are recognised as valuable to the economy of Northern Ireland and that it would not be appropriate to pre-judge the outcome of any possible proposal.

The protection does not necessarily mean that a future application would be approved as each application would be treated on its merits and all environmental implications considered.

Applications for dwellings within these areas will be considered in the light of all relevant policies and will be treated on their individual merits.

Protection for Urban Streams

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for the Environment what steps she intends to take in order to enhance the levels of protection that may currently exist for urban streams.

(AQW 49/07)

Mrs Foster: It is the role of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) to conserve, protect and where possible improve the aquatic environment in Northern Ireland. It does this through a range of activities including the control of effluent discharges, water pollution prevention programmes, the promotion of good practice in new development (through its response to planning consultations) and the education of the industry sector and the wider community. EHS also operates a Water Pollution Hotline, available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. In order to combat or minimise the effects of pollution, EHS co-ordinates and manages the response to reports of pollution within set targets, depending on the severity of the incident. Where pollution does occur, EHS takes appropriate formal enforcement action.

High Hedges Legislation

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what steps she intends to take to progress the nuisance high hedges legislation commenced by her direct rule predecessor.

(AQW 51/07)

Mrs Foster: I am aware of the large number of responses to the consultation on this issue in 2005 and the interest expressed by fellow members. I am keen to bring forward legislation. However, the timing will be subject to consideration of other competing priorities.

Local Government Planning Functions

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give a timescale for the return of planning functions to the control of local government; and if she will explain whether it will be a staged return, or if local authorities will only become responsible for these functions following completion of the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 78/07)

Mrs Foster: I am now working with my colleagues in the Executive to consider how we proceed in relation to the RPA decisions of the previous administration in respect of local government. It is clear to me that we need to consider what we expect local government to deliver in the context of a fully-functioning devolved Assembly and Executive, and to consider the number of councils and functions that we believe would be required to do so.

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Additional Funding

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will list all additional monies that have been allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive subsequent to the original budget allocation; and if he will indicate the source of the additional funding.

(AQW 7/07)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Robinson): As part of the preparations for restoration, since late 2006 the local political parties have been in discussion with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding a financial package for the Northern Ireland Executive. Those discussions, which are now being led by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, supported by me, are on-going. The latest position on offer from the Chancellor was set out in his Written Statement to the House of Commons on 8 May 2007. I have placed a copy of this in the Library.

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the Network Infrastructure Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 9/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the Network Infrastructure Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
Actica Consulting	No	Guildford, England
Amey Business Services	No	Belfast
ASM Horwath	Yes	Belfast
Blackbox	Yes	Antrim
British Telecom	Yes	Belfast
Business and Scientific Services	No	Belfast
Computacenter (Belfast)	No	Belfast
Damovo	No	Newtownabbey
DELL/Sureskills	No	Belfast
Deloitte & Touche	No	Belfast
Fujitsu Services	No	Belfast
Helm	Yes	Moira
Hitachi Consulting	No	London
Hewlett-Packard Ltd	No	Belfast
Hyder Consulting	No	Belfast
ICS Computing	Yes	Belfast
Improcom	No	Lutterworth, England
Logica CMG	No	Belfast
McCaughan Associates	Yes	Holywood
NCC Group Plc	No	Manchester, England
Northgate Information Solutions	No	Newtownabbey
Parity	No	Antrim
Plannet 21	Yes	Belfast
Price Waterhouse Coopers	Yes	Belfast
QI Consulting	No	London, England
Real Time Systems	No	Carryduff
Red Squared	No	Altrincham, England
Siemens Business Solutions	No	Belfast
Socitm	No	Holyhead, Wales
Steria	No	Holywood
Stiona Software	No	Belfast
Stirk lamont Associates	Yes	Belfast
Tribune Business Systems Limited	No	London, England
Wellington Computer Systems	No	Belfast

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the E-Business Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 10/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the E Business Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
Accenture	No	Dublin
Actica	No	Guildford
Agility Consulting	No	Dungannon
Amaze	No	Runcorn, England
AMT Sybex (NI) Limited	No	Belfast
Asidua Ltd	No	Belfast
ASM Horwath	Yes	Belfast
Bearing Point	No	Belfast
Biznet Solutions	No	Belfast
British Telecom	No	Belfast
Business & Scientific Services	No	Belfast
Computacenter (Belfast)	No	Belfast
D4 Business Solutions	No	Ballynahinch
Deloitte MCS Limited	No	Belfast
Ecom Software Limited	No	Belfast
Evolve Business Consultancy Limited	No	Surrey, England
Fluent	Yes	Belfast
Fujitsu Services	No	Belfast
Gartner Consulting	No	Dublin
Goldblatt McGuigan	Yes	Belfast
Helm	Yes	Moira
Hitachi	Yes	London, England
Hewlett Packard Ltd	No	Belfast
IB Solutions	No	Dublin
Icon eBusiness	No	Londonderry
ICONI Software	No	Belfast
ICS Computing	Yes	Belfast
Inc Consulting	No	Belfast
Inphoactive	No	Jordanstown
Integrity Consulting Partners Limited	No	London, England
Kainos Software	No	Belfast
Level Seven	Yes	Belfast
Logica CMG	No	Belfast
Mentec	No	Belfast
Microsoft	No	Belfast
Neueda Technologies	No	Randalstown
Northgate Information Solutions	No	Belfast
Original Solutions	No	Limerick
Parity	No	Belfast
Plannet 21	No	Belfast
Price Waterhouse Coopers	Yes	Belfast
QI Consulting	No	London, England
Real Time Engineering	No	Glasgow, Scotland
Red Squared	No	Cheshire, England
Siemens Business Services Limited	No	Belfast
Singularity	No	Londonderry
Socitm	No	Anglesey, Wales
Sopra Group	No	Belfast
Steria	No	Holywood
Stiona Software	No	Belfast
Stirk Lamont Associates	No	Belfast
Tibus	No	Holywood
UU Tech Limited	No	Newtownabbey
Version 1 Software limited	No	Dublin
Wellington Computer Systems	No	Belfast
Western Connect Limited	No	Londonderry
Yarra Software	No	Belfast

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the Telecoms Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 11/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the Telecoms Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
Actica	No	Guildford, England
British Telecom	Yes	Belfast
Business & Scientific Services	No	Belfast
Computacenter	No	Belfast
Damovo	No	Antri
DELL/Sureskills	No	Belfast
Deloitte MCS Limited	No	Belfast
Fujitsu Services	No	Belfast
Helm	Yes	Moira
Hitachi Consulting	No	London, England
Hewlett Packard	No	Belfast
Hyder Consulting	No	Belfast
Improcom	No	Jordanstown
Kainos	No	Belfast
Mason Communications	Yes	Dublin
McCaughan Associates	No	Sainfield
PA Consulting	Yes	Belfast
Parity	No	Antrim
Plannet 21	Yes	Belfast
Price Waterhouse Coopers	Yes	Belfast
QI Consulting	No	London, England
Siemens Business Solutions	No	Belfast
Singularity	No	Londonderry
Socitm	No	Angelsey, Wales
Steria	No	Holywood
Stirk Lamont Associates	No	Belfast
Western Connect	No	Londonderry

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the IT Security Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 12/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the IT Security Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
Actica	Yes	Guildford, England
ASM Horwath	Yes	Belfast
British Telecom	Yes	Belfast
Business & Scientific Services	Yes	Belfast
DBI	Yes	Kenilworth, England
Deloitte & Touche	Yes	Belfast
Echelon	No	Fleet, England
Evolve	Yes	Surrey, England
Fujitsu Services	No	Belfast
Griffin Security Management	No	Newark, England
Helm	Yes	Moira
Hitachi Consulting	No	London, England
Hyder Consulting	Yes	Belfast
Hewlett Packard Ltd	No	Belfast
Improcom	No	Lutterworth, England
LA International	Yes	Stoke on Trent, England
Logica CMG	Yes	Belfast
Mentec	No	Belfast
MMT Digital	No	Rutland, England
NCC Group Plc	No	Manchester, England
Neuda Technologies	No	Randalstown
Northgate Solutions Limited	Yes	Newtownabbey
PA Consultancy	No	Belfast
Parity	No	Belfast
Price Waterhouse Coopers	Yes	Belfast
QI Consulting	No	London, England
Quadra	No	Holywood
Sapphire	Yes	Cleveland, England
Siemens Business Services Limited	No	Belfast
Socitm	Yes	Anglesey, Wales
Sopra Group	Yes	Belfast
Steria	Yes	Holywood
Stirk Lamont Associates	Yes	Belfast
Wellington Computer Systems	No	Belfast

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the Web Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 15/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the Web Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
Accenture	No	Dublin
Amey Business Services	No	Belfast
Asidua Limited	Yes	Belfast
ASM Horwath	Yes	Belfast
Astounding Technologies	No
Aurion Limited	Yes	Belfast
Bearing Point	No	Belfast
Biznet	Yes	Belfast
British telecom	Yes	Belfast
Business & Scientific Services	No	Belfast
Cadan Solutions	Yes	Banbridge
Castle WebSolutions	Yes	Carrickfergus
Connect Internet Solutions	No	Liverpool
Cora Systems	No	Carrick-on-Shannon
D4 Business services	Yes	Ballynahinch
Deloitte MCS Limited	No	Belfast
Ecom Software Limited	No	Belfast
EG Information Consulting	Yes	Belfast
Ernst & Ernst	No	Crumlin
eSpatial Solutions	No	Dublin
Evolve Business Consultancy Limited	No	Surrey, England
Fluent	Yes	Belfast
Fujitsu Services	Yes	Belfast
Helm Corporation Limited	Yes	Moira
Hitachi Consulting	No	London
Hewlett Packard Limited	No	Belfast
Icon eBusiness	Yes	Londonderry
Iconi	Yes	Belfast
ICS Computing	Yes	Belfast
Kainos Software	No	Belfast
Level 7	Yes	Belfast
Logica CMG	No	Belfast
MMT Digital	No	Rutland
Mentec	No	Belfast
Neueda Technologies	Yes	Randalstown
Open Sky	Yes	Limerick
Parity	No	Antrim
QI Consulting	No	London
Real Time Engineering Ltd	No	Glasgow, Scotland
Red Squared Plc	No	Cheshire, England
RMA Systems & Services	Yes	Belfast
Siemens Business Services Limited	No	Belfast
Singularity	Yes	Londonderry
Socitum (Society of Information Technology Management)	No	Anglesey, Wales
Sopra Group	No	Belfast
Steria Ltd	No	Holywood
Stiona Software Ltd	No	Belfast
Stream On.Net	Yes	Belfast
Syn3rgy	No	Armagh
System Concepts Ltd	No	London
Tibus	Yes	Holywood
UU Tech Ltd	No	Newtownabbey
Version 1 Software Ltd	No	Dublin
Wellington Computer Systems	Yes	Belfast
Yarra Software	No	Belfast

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the Application Development category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 35/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the Application Development category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
Accenture	No	Dublin
AMT Sybex	No	Belfast
Asidua	Yes	Belfast
ASM Horwath	Yes	Belfast
Bearing Point	No	Belfast
Biznet	No	Belfast
British Telecom	Yes	Belfast
Cadan Solutions	Yes	Banbridge
Centrix	No	Dublin
Connect Internet Services	No	Liverpool, England
Cora	Yes	Carrick on Shannon
D4 Business Solutions	No	Ballynahinch
DELL/SureSkills	No	Belfast
Deloitte	No	Belfast
Ecom Software	Yes	Belfast
EG Information Consulting	Yes	Belfast
Ernst and Ernst	No	Belfast
eSpatial Solutions	No	Swords
Fluent	Yes	Belfast
Foyle Tech	No	Londonderry
Fujitsu Services	Yes	Belfast
Goldblatt McGuigan	No	Belfast
Helm	Yes	Moira
Hitachi Consulting	No	London, England
Hewlett Packard Ltd	No	Belfast
iB Solutions	No	Dublin
Icon eBusiness	No	Derry
Iconi	Yes	Belfast
ICS Computing	Yes	Belfast
Kainos	No	Belfast
Logica CMG	No	Belfast
Mentec	No	Belfast
Neueda Technologies	No	Randalstown
Northgate Information Solutions	No	Newtownabbey
Open Sky	Yes	Limerick
Original Solutions	No	Dublin
Parity	No	Belfast
PriceWaterhouseCoopers	No	Belfast
Qinetiq	No	Farnborough, England
QI Consulting	No	London, England
Real Time Engineering	Yes	Glasgow, Scotland
Red Squared	No	Altrincham, England
RMA Systems and Services	Yes	Belfast
Siemens Business Services ltd	No	Belfast
Singularity	No	Londonderry
Sopra Newell and Budge	No	Belfast
Steria	No	Holywood
Stiona Software	No	Belfast
Stirk Lamont Associates	No	Belfast
Syn3rgy	Yes	Lurgan
Systems Network Ltd	Yes	Belfast
UU Tech	No	Newtownabbey
Version 1	No	Dublin
Wellington Computer Systems	Yes	Belfast
Yarra	No	Belfast

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the Programme and Project Management Support category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 36/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the Programme and Project Management Support category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
Accenture	No	Dublin
Actica Consulting	Yes	Guildford, England
Agility Consulting Limited	Yes	Dungannon
Amey Business Services	Yes	Belfast
AMT Sybex	No	Belfast
Asidua Limited	No	Belfast
ASM Horwath	Yes	Belfast
Bearing Point	No	Belfast
British Telecom	Yes	Belfast
Business and Scientific Services	No	Belfast
Computacentre (Belfast)	No	Belfast
Cora Systems	No	Carrick-on-Shannon
D4 Business Solutions	No	Ballynahinch
Damovo	Yes	Newtownabbey
DELL/SureSkills	No	Belfast
Deloitte MCS Limited	Yes	Belfast
Ecom Software Limited	Yes	Belfast
Eolas Solutions	No	Londonderry
Evolve Business Consultancy Limited	No	Tongham, England
Fabrio	No	Bangor
Fujitsu Services	Yes	Belfast
Gartner Consulting	No	Dublin
Goldblatt McGuigan	Yes	Belfast
Helm Corporation Limited	Yes	Moira
Hitachi Consultancy	Yes	London, England
Hewlett Packard Ltd	Yes	Belfast
Hyder Consulting	Yes	Belfast
iB Solutions	No	Dublin
Inc. Consulting	Yes	Belfast
Integrity Consulting Partners Limited	Yes	London, England
Kainos Software	Yes	Belfast
L.A. International Computer Consultants Limited	Yes	Stoke on Trent, England
Logica CMG	Yes	Belfast
Mason Communications Ireland	No	Dublin
McCaughan Associates	No	Holywood
NCC Group Plc	Yes	Manchester, England
Neueda Technologies	Yes	Randalstown
Northgate Information Solutions	Yes	Newtownabbey
Original Solutions	No	Limerick
Outperform UK Limited	No	Wrexham, Wales
PA Consulting Group	No	Belfast
Parity	No	Antrim
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP	Yes	Belfast
QI Consulting	No	London, England
Real Time Engineering Limited	Yes	Glasgow, Scotland
Real Time Systems Limited	No	Carryduff
Red Squared Plc	No	Altrincham, England
RMA Systems and Services	No	Dundonald
Siemens Business Services Limited	No	Belfast
Socitm	Yes	Holyhead, Wales
Sopra Group	No	Belfast
Steria Limited	Yes	Holywood
Stirk Lamont Associates	No	Belfast
Syn3rgy	No	Lurgan
Tribune Business Systems Limited	No	London, England
UU Tech Limited	No	Newtownabbey
Version 1 Software Ltd	No	Dublin
Western Connect	No	Londonderry

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the General IS/IT Advice category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 37/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the General IS/IT Advice category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
4Sol	No	Belfast
Accenture	No	Dublin
Actica Consulting	No	Guildford, England
Agility Consulting Limited	Yes	Dungannon
Amaze	No	Cheshire, England
Amey Business Services	No	Belfast
AMT Sybex (NI) Limited	No	Belfast
Asidua Limited	No	Belfast
ASM Horwath	Yes	Belfast
Aurion Limited	Yes	Belfast
Bearing Point	No	Belfast
British Telecom	Yes	Belfast
Business and Scientific Services	Yes	Belfast
Computacentre (Belfast)	Yes	Belfast
D4 Business Solutions	Yes	Ballynahinch
Damovo	No	Belfast
DELL/SureSkills	No	Belfast
Deloitte MCS Limited	No	Belfast
Ecom Software Limited	No	Belfast
EG Information Consulting	Yes	Belfast
Eolas Solutions	No	Londonderry
Evolve Business Consultancy Limited	No	Tongham, England
Fabrio	No	Bangor
Fujitsu Services	Yes	Belfast
Gartner Consulting	No	Dublin
Goldblatt McGuigan	Yes	Belfast
Helm Corporation Limited	Yes	Moira
Hitachi Consultancy	No	London, England
Hewlett Packard	Yes	Belfast
Hyder Consulting	Yes	Belfast
iB Solutions	No	Dublin
Improcom	Yes	Leicestershire, England
Inc. Consulting	Yes	Belfast
Integrity Consulting Partners Limited	Yes	London, England
Logica CMG	No	Belfast
McCaughan Associates	Yes	Holywood
Microsoft Ireland	No	Belfast
NCC Group Limited	No	Manchester, England
Neueda Technologies	Yes	Randalstown
Northgate Information Solutions	No	Newtownabbey
Original Solutions	No	Dublin
PA Consulting Group	No	Belfast
Parity	No	Antrim
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP	Yes	Belfast
QI Consulting	No	London, England
QinetiQ	No	Malvern, England
Real Time Engineering Limited	No	Glasgow, Scotland
Real Time Systems Limited	No	Carryduff
Red Squared Plc	No	Altrincham, England
Siemens Business Solutions	No	Belfast
Socitm	No	Holyhead, Wales
Sopra Group	No	Belfast
Steria Limited	Yes	Holywood
Stiona Software Limited	No	Belfast
Stirk Lamont Associates	Yes	Belfast
Syn3rgy	No	Lurgan
Tribune Business Systems Limited	No	London, England
UU Tech Limited	Yes	Newtownabbey
Version 1 Software Limited	Yes	Dublin
Wellington Computer Systems	No	Belfast
Western Connect Limited	Yes	Londonderry

Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will provide a list of all the applicants under the Microsoft Product-centric Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement; and if he will outline the successful applicants and their locations.

(AQW 38/07)

Mr Robinson: The information requested is given in the following table. The Framework Agreement was awarded after a competition in accordance with the EU Directive and associated UK regulations. The location of applicants was not a factor considered in the evaluation process, nor could it be under procurement law.

List of all applicants under the Microsoft Product-Centric Services category of the Information Systems, E-Business and Related Services Framework Agreement.

Applicant	Successful	Location
4 Sol	No	Belfast
Accenture	Yes	Dublin
Amey Business Services	No	Belfast
Asidua	Yes	Belfast
Bearing Point	No	Belfast
Biznet	No	Belfast
British Telecom	Yes	Belfast
Business & Scientific Services	No	Belfast
Cadan Solutions Ltd	No	Banbridge
Centrix	No	Dublin
Computacentre (Belfast)	No	Belfast
DELL/Sureskills	No	Belfast
Deloitte & Touche	No	Belfast
EG Information Consulting	No	Belfast
Ernst & Ernst	No	Crumlin
Fluent	Yes	Belfast
Fujitsu Services	No	Belfast
Helm	No	Moira
Hitachi Consulting	Yes	London, England
Hewlett-Packard Ltd	No	Belfast
ICON eBusiness	No	Londonderry
ICS Computing	Yes	Belfast
Kainos	No	Belfast
Mentec	Yes	Belfast
Microsoft	No	Belfast
Northgate Information Solutions	No	Belfast
Parity	Yes	Belfast
Price WaterhouseCoopers	No	Belfast
QI Consulting	No	London, England
Real Time Systems	No	Carryduff
Red Squared	No	Altrincham, England
RMA Systems and services	Yes	Belfast
Siemens Business Solutions	No	Belfast
Singularity	No	Londonderry
Sophra Newell & Budge	No	Belfast
Steria	No	Holywood
Stiona Software	No	Belfast
Stirk Lamount Associates	No	Belfast
Version 1	No	Dublin
Wellington Computer Systems	No	Belfast
Yarra	Yes	Belfast

Decentralisation of Public Sector Jobs

Mr Barry McElduff asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will make a statement detailing a proactive approach regarding decentralisation and the location of public sector jobs, and to make a specific commitment that areas west of the River Bann will receive equality in this matter.

(AQW 53/07)

Mr Robinson: The consultation on ‘The Guiding Principles for the Location of Public Sector Jobs in Northern Ireland’ which closed on 30 April 2007 is the first step in developing a framework which would facilitate future decision-making on the location of public sector jobs. Responses to the consultation are currently being analysed. Once this work is complete I would wish to discuss the matter further with the Executive Committee.

Decentralisation of Civil Service Jobs

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline the existing plans for decentralisation of civil service jobs; or, in the absence of any such proposals, what future provision will be made to do so.

(AQW 65/07)

Mr Robinson: Current dispersal policy relies on taking advantage of opportunities when they arise where value for money can be demonstrated. While currently, there are no plans for decentralisation of civil service jobs, the consultation on ‘The Guiding Principles for the Location of Public Sector Jobs in Northern Ireland’ which closed on 30 April 2007 is the first step in developing a framework which would facilitate future decision-making on the location of public sector jobs, including those in the Civil Service. Responses to the consultation are currently being analysed. Once this work is complete I would wish to discuss the matter further with the Executive Committee.

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Respite Care

Mr John O'Dowd asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what provision he is making to ensure that there is proper and equitable respite care for people suffering from mental health problems and their families in the Portadown area, as well as in the entire Upper Bann constituency.

(AQW 8/07)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr McGimpsey): The Southern Health and Social Care Trust provide respite in a range of settings. These include statutory domiciliary home care services, day services such as those provided at Trasna Day Centre in Lurgan, Home Response and Floating Support, in partnership with Praxis Care Group, and 3 drop-in centres in partnership with Rethink in Portadown, Banbridge and Lurgan. In addition, the Trust provides funding to a charity called C.A.U.S.E who organise carer support and activities specifically for those caring for someone with a mental illness.

Community Mental Health Services also provide emergency respite for clients in residential facilities, both statutory and private. Older people with serious mental health difficulties can avail of planned respite purchased from the independent sector.

Macular Degeneration

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps have been taken to provide treatment of macular degeneration by introducing new drugs, including Lucentis.

(AQW 20/07)

Mr McGimpsey: Additional funding of £24 million has been allocated in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for specialist hospital drugs. It is for Health and Social Services Boards, as commissioners of services, to prioritise how funding is used, taking into account local circumstances, the strategic objectives established for the Health and Social Care (HSC) sector and demands and pressures generally for access to a wide range of new effective drug therapies.

Specialised treatments are available in Northern Ireland for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including photodynamic therapy with the drug verteporfin (Visudyne). Two new treatments for wet AMD – pegaptanib (Macugen) and ranibizumab (Lucentis) – are currently being appraised by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Institute is expected to publish its guidance in September 2007. When that guidance is published, the Department will consider the applicability of the NICE guidance to the HSC. In the interim, the Health and Social Services Boards have agreed that they will consider funding treatment with Macugen or Lucentis for those patients presenting with the greatest clinical priority, on a case by case basis.

Gorse Fires

Mr Willie Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will detail the costs that have been accumulated in relation to the number of gorse fires in Northern Ireland in the last six months.

(AQW 29/07)

Mr McGimpsey: There were 2,450 gorse fires responded to by Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) in the period 1 November 2006 to 30 April 2007. The total cost to NIFRS was £503, 971 of which approximately £300,000 was additional. Gorse fires have also added costs through damage to habitats and wildlife which cannot easily or accurately be quantified and they also detract from the enjoyment of the countryside for recreation.

Telecommunication Masts

Mr Willie Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will provide any available evidence of cancer clusters which are in close proximity to telecommunications masts; and if he will make this evidence available to the public.

(AQW 61/07)

Mr McGimpsey: Major literature reviews such as the Stewart report¹ and its follow up² have not uncovered any evidence indicating that proximity to telecommunication masts increases the risk of developing cancer. Work however is continuing worldwide on this issue due to public concern. The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) conducted an investigation in 2004 with regard to one particular mobile phone mast located in Cranlome due to the local perception of a cancer cluster in this area. Cancer levels were found to be within the expected range and of the expected pattern. The work concluded that no cancer related health effects were detected in the area under study. This research is publicly available on the NICR web site and was published in the Ulster Medical Journal in 2006

(http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/FileStore/Filetoupload,36606,en.pdf).

References:

¹ Stewart W, Chairman. Mobile phones and health: a report from the Independent Expert Group. Didcot, Oxfordshire: IEGMP; 2000. 

http://www.iegmp.org.uk/report/text.htm

² National Radiological Health effects from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: report of an Independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation. Didcot, Oxfordshire: NRPB; 2004, Vol 14,   No. 2.

http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/publications/documents_of_nrpb/pdfs/doc_15_5.pdf

Autism Act for Northern Ireland

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the measures that have been taken to introduce an Autism Act for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 63/07)

Mr McGimpsey: No measures have been taken to introduce additional legislation specifically for Autism. People with Autism are already covered by existing legislation, including The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Chapter 75 of the 1998 Northern Ireland Act, The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.

Ambulance Response Times

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, by Trust, ambulance response times, outlining the percentage of emergency ambulance call outs which met the emergency response times for the years 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07, including category A calls.

(AQW 66/07)

Mr McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) does not collect emergency response times data for Health and Social Care trust areas. However, data is collected by Health and Social Services Board area and this is set out in the following tables.

It should be noted that two response targets apply during the periods concerned. During 2004/2005, NIAS’s targets were to respond to 50% of all 999 calls within 8 minutes and 95% of 999 calls within 18 minutes in its Eastern Division or 21 minutes in the remainder of Northern Ireland. During 2005/06 and 2006/07 NIAS’s target were to respond to 75% of Category A (life threatening) calls within 8 minutes.

2004/05

Board Area	Total Responses	Responses within 8 min	% response within 8 min	Responses within18/21 min	% responses within 18/21 min
EHSSB	42,087	23,664	56.2%	40,316	95.8%
NHSSB	19,024	7,959	41.8%	17,316	91.0%
SHSSB	12,501	5,000	40.0%	11,571	92.6%
WHSSB	11,276	5,516	48.9%	10,312	91.5%
NI	84,888	42,139	49.6%	79,515	93.7%

2005/06

		CATEGORY A RESPONSES			ALL 999 RESPONSES
Board Area	Total Responses	Responses	Responses within 8 min	% response within 8 min	Responses within 18/21 min	% responses within 18/21 min
EHSSB	43,125	15,076	9,161	60.8%	40,586	94.1%
NHSSB	21,467	9,370	3,986	42.5%	19,229	89.6%
SHSSB	13,569	6,109	2,382	39.0%	12,186	89.8%
WHSSB	12,216	5,773	2,877	49.8%	11,116	91.0%
NI	90,377	36,328	18,406	50.7%	83,117	92.0%

2006/07

		CATEGORY A RESPONSES			ALL 999 RESPONSES
Board Area	Total Responses	Responses	Responses within 8 min	% response within 8 min	Responses within 18/21 min	% responses within 18/21 min
EHSSB	47,607	16,197	10,768	66.5%	44,963	94.4%
NHSSB	23,525	8,171	3,588	43.9%	21,148	89.9%
SHSSB	15,695	5,504	2,380	43.2%	14,311	91.2%
WHSSB	13,679	5,178	2,658	51.3%	12,268	89.7%
NI	100,506	35,050	19,394	55.3%	92,690	92.2%

Carrickfergus Ambulance Depot

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail when the new ambulance depot planned for Prince William Way, Carrickfergus, will be in place.

(AQW 88/07)

Mr McGimpsey: Planning approval for this development has now been received. However as it is likely that completion will take a further 6 – 9 months, it is not possible at this stage to provide a firm date.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Mr David Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many new cases of (a) HIV; (b) chlamydia; (c) gonorrhoea; (d) syphilis; (e) genital warts; and (f) genital herpes were reported in Northern Ireland by people aged (i) 16 or under; (ii) 17-19; (iii) 20-25; and (iv) over 25, in the last 12 months.

(AQW 98/07)

Mr McGimpsey: The numbers of new cases of all of these sexually transmitted diseases recorded in Northern Ireland in the past 12 months, within these specified age groups, are not available.

The numbers of new episodes of certain diagnoses within these conditions, recorded at Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics across Northern Ireland during the calendar year 2006, are available for the age groups included in the table below.

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

Notes:

1 - Uncomplicated Chlamydial Infection only

2 – Uncomplicated Gonorrhoea only

3 - Primary and Secondary Infectious Syphilis only

4 - Anogenital Warts - first attack only

5 - Anogenital Herpes simplex - first attack only

Figures relate to the period 1^st January 2006 to 31^st December 2006. The figures are currently provisional and may subsequently change.

These figures relate to episodes of diagnosis and/or treatment of infection or disease and not individual people. Thus one individual may contribute to more than one episode.

Figures for (a) HIV have been presented in collapsed age groups to avoid the potential of deductive disclosure.

Figures previously reported by the Department of Health Social Services & Public Safety included additional diagnoses within each condition. Age breakdown is only available for the selected diagnosis within each condition as outlined above.

Society for the Protection of Unborn Children

Mr Sammy Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what representations have been made to him over the last year by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.

(AQW 115/07)

Mr McGimpsey: The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) have made representations to the Department of Health and Public Safety (DHSSPS) on the draft abortion guidelines circulated to interested parties for their comments on 9^th January 2007. Within this process SPUC met with Departmental officials on 2^nd February 2007 to discuss the guidelines, and presented their written comments to DHSSPS on 20^th April. The Department is currently considering all comments received and will produce a summary consultation document.

There have been no direct representations made to the Minister for Health and Social Services and Public Safety by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children outside of this consultation process

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PPS 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will confirm that no provision is made for disabled people and/or their carers to have independent, stand alone single dwellings in the open countryside under Planning Policy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside; and if he will outline what measures will be taken to address this inequity.

(AQW 19/07)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Murphy): There is no policy provision in draft PPS 14 to specifically consider a person’s personal and/or domestic circumstances as an exception to the presumption against development. However, Policy HOU 16 (House Extensions) of ‘A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland’ has not been superseded by draft PPS 14 and facilitates the provision of partially self-contained accommodation for elderly or dependant relatives, as an alternative to a separate house in the countryside. I will be reviewing this and other issues as I consider how to take forward rural planning policy.

Review of Public Administration and Rural Planning

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development what he intends to do with the Committee on the Programme for Government Report on Review of Public Administration and Rural Planning.

(AQW 23/07)

Mr Murphy: I regard the Rural Planning section of the Committee on the Programme for Government Report on the Review of Public Administration and Rural Planning as an important piece of work. It will greatly assist me as I consider the appropriate way forward on rural planning policy.

Dual Carriageway from M1 to Ballygawley Roundabout

Mr Tommy Gallagher asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will confirm that work on the provision of a dual carriageway from the M1 to the Ballygawley roundabout is going ahead; if he will indicate the commencement date for this work; and the funding to be allocated for the scheme.

(AQW 24/07)

Mr Murphy: The A4 Dungannon to Ballygawley dual carriageway scheme is one of the schemes included in my Department’s Roads Service Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) Package 2 project. The final negotiations with the provisional preferred bidder are currently taking place. It is hoped that this DBFO contract will be awarded before the end of June 2007 and that work will commence on the Dungannon to Ballygawley scheme in the Spring of 2008.

The overall cost of this scheme is in the order of £102 million, which includes preparation costs, land acquisition and construction. The DBFO contractor will provide the funds for the construction of this capital scheme and will be repaid by service payments over a 30 year period. These payments will also include provision for the cost of maintaining the road network within the project area over the contract period.

A20 Frederick Street Link, Newtownards

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development when work will commence on the construction of the A20 Frederick Street Link in Newtownards.

(AQW 30/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that, subject to the satisfactory completion of the on-going tendering process, it is anticipated that construction of this road will begin during autumn 2007 and will continue for approximately six months.

A20 Newtownards Southern Distributor

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development when work will commence on the construction of the A20 Newtownards Southern Distributor.

(AQW 31/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that, subject to the satisfactory completion of the on-going tendering process, it is anticipated that construction of this road will begin during autumn this year and will continue for approximately one year.

Brownfield Policy

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to introduce a brown field policy in relation to sites on which rural dwellings once stood, with a view to making them eligible as one-off sites for replacement dwellings.

(AQW 39/07)

Mr Murphy: Rural planning policy is the responsibility of the Department for Regional Development so your question has been passed to me to answer.

The re-use of previously developed sites in the countryside is a proposal which was put forward by many respondents to the public consultation on draft PPS 14. The Report of the Programme for Government Committee on RPA and Rural Planning also concluded that a more flexible and innovative approach to policy in relation to replacement dwellings was needed. I shall certainly be taking this fully into account in considering the most appropriate way forward on rural planning policy.

Companion Free Travel

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to introduce companion free travel, to allow eligible free travellers who require assistance when travelling to bring a nominated companion with them, also free of charge.

(AQW 41/07)

Mr Murphy: I have no plans at present to extend the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme to include free companion travel. The Department recently reviewed the Scheme and, as a result of this, is looking at the possibility of extending the scheme in a number of ways. However, the ability to make changes would be dependent on securing the necessary resources as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Temporary Waste Water Treatment Works at Ballyhalbert

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give a timescale for the completion of the temporary waste water treatment works at Ballyhalbert.

(AQW 43/07)

Mr Murphy: The Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 transferred responsibility for the delivery of water and sewerage services from the Department's Water Service Agency to a statutory water and sewerage undertaker. A government-owned company, Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been appointed as the undertaker and the issues raised are operational matters for it. I have asked the Chief Executive of NIW (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) to write to you in response to this questions.

Comber Bypass

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will make a statement on the next phase of work on the Comber Bypass; and if he will give a possible start date.

(AQW 44/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the draft Ards and Down Area Plan includes a proposal to provide a link road from the Ballygowan Road into the existing Comber By-pass. The scheme was the subject of a number of objections which were heard at the recent Public Inquiry. The Department awaits the Planning Appeals Commission inspector’s report, which is expected towards the end of 2007. The scheme is currently not considered a high priority.

Rail Travel in East Antrim

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he intends to take to ensure that rail travellers in east Antrim experience a quality train service equivalent to that enjoyed by passengers on other parts of the railway network in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 48/07)

Mr Murphy: None of the 23 new C3K trains are deployed on the Belfast to Larne line. This decision was an operational one made by Translink for the following reasons:

• The deployment of the C3K trains on the Bangor/Belfast/Portadown corridor permits maximum use of 90 mph track sections and mixes well with the higher speed Enterprise service;

• The line to Derry is mainly single track with passing loops and hence overall punctuality is particularly sensitive to the need for each train keeping exactly to time; and

• C3K trains, as well as being more suitable seating-wise for the longer journeys to the North West, are more capable of making up time lost as a result of delays.

Services on the Larne line are provided by class 450 trains. While these are much older than the C3K trains used elsewhere, they have recently been refurbished at a cost of £3.5 million and should provide a good standard of passenger comfort. NIR is looking to initiate the procurement processes needed to replace these trains and this is included within the costs of the various investment options in an appraisal being undertaken by officials. The appraisal will inform Ministerial decisions on proposed future railway services. It will then be necessary to seek the required funding in the Priorities and Budget exercise and the Investment Strategy.

Vehicle Figures

Mr Willie Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, for the last 3 years, the vehicle figures for the following roads:

a) Newcastle to Kilkeel;

b) Newcastle to Belfast;

c) Newcastle to Newry;

d) Castlewellan to Banbridge; and

e) Downpatrick to Newry.

(AQW 58/07)

Mr Murphy: You recently requested vehicle figures for the last 3 years for the following roads, Newcastle to Kilkeel, Newcastle to Belfast, Newcastle to Newry, Castlewellan to Banbridge and Downpatrick to Newry.

I should explain that my Department’s Roads Service collects traffic volume data by means of 273 automatic census points strategically located across the road network. The information is recorded either for 365 days per year or for one week in each quarter and an annual average calculated. The results are published in Roads Service’s annual Traffic and Travel Information report, which presents the traffic volumes in a variety of formats for each site.

Roads Service has a number of traffic census points on the roads leading to and from Newcastle. The latest data on the average daily number of vehicles travelling past these census points is provided in the table below.

Pedestrian Crossings

Mr Willie Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development what formula is used to assess the need for pedestrian crossings; and if this formula is comparable to that used in other European Union countries.

(AQW 59/07)

Mr Murphy: I am advised that the normal assessment process for pedestrian crossings, adopted by my Department’s Roads Service, has two main components.

Firstly an initial sift is carried out using a calculation based on the number of pedestrians and volume of traffic at the site. This gives an indication of the level of 'demand' and degree of 'difficulty' at a particular location and provides a measure of the potential conflict at the site.

This is presented numerically in the equation PV² where ‘P’ represents the number of pedestrians using the site (the initial demand factor) and ‘V’ the volume of traffic (the initial difficulty factor). If this number is less than 0.2 x 10⁸ or if the average number of pedestrians per hour is less than 8, in general no further assessment is undertaken.

The second part of the procedure uses a 'need assessment scorecard' to assign scores to various other 'demand' and 'difficulty' factors. The 'demand' factors reflect the users of the crossing and in particular, vulnerable road users who experience most difficulty in crossing. These include such groups as the elderly, people with mobility difficulties and children. The proximity to public amenities including hospital, schools, libraries, health centres, post office and bus/rail station will also be taken into account. The 'difficulty' factors include considerations such as the number of lanes of traffic, crossing widths and speed of traffic.

Sites with the highest scores will receive priority attention, within normal budgetary constraints.

Additionally, I am advised that, in recognition of the peculiar circumstances pertaining in rural settlements situated on the Trunk Road Network, Roads Service may give special consideration installing a crossing in the event of the following criteria being met:

• where 8 pedestrians per hour, or more, cross the road during peak traffic flow;
• where a speed limit restriction, not greater than 40mph, already exists;
• where infrastructure is in place to support a crossing facility e.g. footways, street lighting, electricity supply etc;
• where local community facilities exist e.g. post office, surgery, community hall etc; and
• where the length of road being assessed is defined as the village/town centre.

I am assured that the assessment procedures in place do not at any stage consider the cost of providing a crossing. They do however, allow each potential site to be given an individual score which helps to ensure that the limited funding available is targeted at locations of greatest need.

Waste Water Treatment Works at South Down

Mr Willie Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development what progress has been made towards improving waste water treatment in south Down.

(AQW 60/07)

Mr Murphy:The Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 transferred responsibility for the delivery of water and sewerage services from the Department's Water Service Agency to a statutory water and sewerage undertaker. A government-owned company, Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been appointed as the undertaker and the issues raised are operational matters for it. I have asked the Chief Executive of NIW (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) to write to you in response to this question.

Residents Parking in South Down

Mr Willie Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline when residents-only parking schemes will be introduced in south Down.

(AQW 75/07)

Mr Murphy: Following the completion of a public consultation exercise in February 2007, my Department’s Roads Service is currently finalising a new policy which will facilitate the introduction of Residents’ Parking Schemes. Roads Service hopes to complete this work by the end of June 2007, and subject to my approval, introduce the first schemes towards the end of 2007.

These pilot schemes will be in the Belfast area, subject to further local consultation. There have not been any requests for pilot schemes in the South Down area.

Belfast to Larne Rail Line

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give an assessment of difficulties faced by the passengers on the Belfast to Larne rail line, relating to punctuality and comfort.

(AQW 85/07)

Mr Murphy: The Passenger’s Charter Standard produces a target for trains on the Belfast to Larne line of 95% arriving within 5 minutes of the published timetable. Translink advise that the average punctuality figure for the year to 25 March 2007 was 91.9%.

Comfort levels have improved following the £3.5m refurbishment of the Class 450 trains used on the line.

The NIR plan to replace these trains is addressed within the costs of the various investment options in an economic appraisal commissioned by DRD. That appraisal will inform Ministerial decisions on proposed future railway services here. Appropriate levels of funding will be sought in the Priorities and Budget exercise and via the updated ‘Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland’.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Investment in the Warm Homes Scheme

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development what the total investment in the Warm Homes Scheme has been to date in each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies.

(AQW 32/07)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms Ritchie): The Warm Homes Scheme was introduced in Northern Ireland on 1 July 2001 and the total investment in the scheme, by constituency, from then up to 31 March 2007 is set out in the table below.

Uptake of the Warm Homes Scheme

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development what the uptake of the Warm Homes Scheme has been to date in each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies.

(AQW 33/07)

Ms Ritchie: The Warm Homes Scheme was introduced in Northern Ireland on 1 July 2001 and the uptake of the scheme, by constituency, from then up to 31 March 2007 is set out in the table below. It should be noted, however, that some homes may have received both heating and insulation measures, therefore, adding these two measures together will not give an accurate picture of the number of homes completed.

Fuel Poverty

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development how many people in Northern Ireland are estimated to be living in fuel poverty, broken down by each local government district and each constituency.

(AQW 34/07)

Ms Ritchie: Figures on fuel poverty are classified in terms of households rather than by numbers of people and are collected through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s House Condition Survey. The 2004 Interim House Condition Survey collected fuel poverty information on a Northern Ireland wide basis but, due to the small sample size, to break down the information into parliamentary constituency or district council area would not be truly representative. The sample tested indicated that the overall number of households in fuel poverty has reduced from 203,000 in 2001 to 153,530 with the number of vulnerable households decreasing from 181,000 to 126,100 for the same period.

NI Game Licensing Legislation

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to explain what she intends to do in regard to Northern Ireland's game licensing legislation, with reference to the recent consultation by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on changes to game licensing and game management.

(AQW 47/07)

Ms Ritchie: In Northern Ireland licences for taking, killing and dealing in game were originally introduced to prevent poaching and the sale of illegally killed game and to ensure that game was not killed during breeding seasons. I am aware of the proposals by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the reform of the game licensing system in England and Wales. This is a matter that is under consideration and I will reflect carefully on the way forward for Northern Ireland, taking into account the wider implications of any decision to reform the current arrangements.

Social Housing in Cookstown and Magherafelt

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development if she will detail waiting lists for social housing in the Cookstown and Magherafelt districts; provide new build numbers in those districts for the years 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07; and provide information on projected new build for the years 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10.

(AQW 64/07)

Ms Ritchie: At March 2007 there were 367 applicants on the waiting list for Cookstown of whom 133 were in housing stress. Of these 133 applicants, 67 were single persons and a further 35 were small families. There were 77 allocations in the year to 31 March 2007.

At March 2007 there were 495 applicants on the waiting list for Magherafelt of whom 276 were in housing stress. Of these 276 applicants 110 were single persons and a further 95 were small families. There were 70 allocations in the year to 31 March 2007.

Units completed in the period 2002/03-2006/07 were as follows:

District	Completions 2002/2003	Completions 2003/2004	Completions 2004/2005	Completions 2005/2006	Completions 2006/2007
Cookstown	-	5	-	-	5
Magherafelt	-	-	6	3	-

The following units have been included in the current Social Housing Development Programme for the period 2007/08 – 2009/10

	2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
Cookstown	3	0	0
Magherafelt	0	9	16

The waiting list west of the Bann is now experiencing increased growth and this will be taken into account when the programme is rolled forward.

Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee

Mr Alex Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to put in place a strategy for neighbourhood renewal for Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee.

(AQW 89/07)

Ms Ritchie: The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy targets the worst 10% of deprived neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland using the Noble Index for Multiple Deprivation. The Beechfield Estate in Donaghadee falls well outside the worst 10% of deprived neighbourhoods and is therefore not included as one of the 36 Primary Neighbourhood Renewal Areas which have been identified for funding.