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.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

Friday 08 June 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

Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Commissioner for Older People

Mr Peter Weir asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what plans it has to create an Older People's Commissioner.

(AQW 147/07)

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness): Ministers fully recognise the distinctive needs of older people. Ministers will continue to focus on the needs of older people and will discuss at an early stage how the commitments in "Ageing in an Inclusive Society" will be taken forward.

A key issue for Ministers is how best to champion and take forward older people’s issues. No final decision has yet been reached on this issue but is currently being addressed. Junior Ministers have been given particular responsibility for older people which has been unanimously endorsed by the Executive.

Victims' Commissioner

Mrs Dolores Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister when it will announce the appointment of the Victims' Commissioner.

(AQW 195/07)

Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: We hope to make an announcement before the summer recess.

Default Retirement Age

Mr David Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if it will consider abolishing the default retirement age for people in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 220/07)

Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (NI) 2006 provide for a default retirement age of 65. The effectiveness of the default retirement age is being monitored, and will be reviewed in 2011 and if the evidence shows that it is no longer necessary, it will be removed.

English Classes for Non-English Speakers

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to advise what funds are committed by (a) OFMDFM and (b) the Community Relations Council towards the provision of English classes for non-English speakers during 2006/07 and 2007/08.

(AQW 221/07)

Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: Neither the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister nor the Community Relations Council has committed funding for the provision of English classes for non-English speakers during 2006/07 and 2007/08. Funding from both the department and the council is focused more on supporting interventions at local level to develop good relations between people of different community and ethnic backgrounds.

Office Cost Allowances

Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail what discussions have taken place with Northern Ireland Office officials in respect of recently proposed increases to office cost allowances.

(AQW 242/07)

Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: Discussions between officials of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and officials from the Information Service of NIO took place during the period 8 – 11 May 2007. The purpose of these discussions was to provide clarification, following press inquiries, of the terms of the increase to Office Cost Allowances, applied by the Secretary of State before the restoration of devolution on 8 May.

Energy Efficiency Measures

Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what plans are in place to offset the environmental impact of travel by Ministers, departmental officials and civil servants, and what renewable energy alternatives are currently used by the department.

(AQW 245/07)

Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister will be considering offsetting schemes as a potential adjunct to energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in the delivery of the Sustainable Development Strategy target to make the Government estate carbon neutral by 2015.
In common with other departments, the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has been sourcing a proportion of its energy requirements from renewable sources since 2000. Latest figures indicate that government as a whole is on track to meet the current target of 10% by March 2008. In addition, plans for a wood-chip fuelled boiler to provide heat and power for the Stormont estate are being progressed under the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund programme.

Staffing in OFMDFM

Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister how many civil servants are employed within the department; and what is the total number of press officers and special advisers currently employed within the department.

(AQW 246/07)

Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: At 25 May 2007, there were 405 full-time and part-time civil servants employed within the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
That figure includes 8 Press Officers who provide support to the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Junior Ministers and corporate media support to departments across the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
In addition, while the appointment process has not yet been completed, there are 6 Special Advisers currently employed in the Department

Section 75 Northern Ireland Act 1998

Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what assessment it has made of the impact of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(AQW 373/07)

Rt Hon Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness: The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has a statutory responsibility under Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to keep under review the effectiveness of the duties imposed by Section 75 of the same Act. The Commission has just published its’ review of the effectiveness of Section 75. This review included a focus on the impact that the legislation has had on individuals within the nine categories covered by the legislation, and on the impact that the legislation has had on the development and implementation of public policy. Further information on the review, the research underpinning it and the full report can be accessed on the Commission’s website at www.equalityni.org

Agriculture and Rural Development

Compensation for Alpha-nortestosterone

Mr Tom Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if compensation will be paid to cattle farmers who did not receive payments due to positive test results for alpha-nortestosterone, in cases where the hormone was not found to have been administered illegally.

(AQW 228/07)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Gildernew): The Department is required by law to remove any animal which tests positive for alpha-nortestosterone from the food chain, regardless of whether or not evidence of illegal administration has been found and is permitted to do so without incurring legal liability to pay compensation. Therefore, compensation cannot be paid to farmers in these cases. However, I have decided that all farmers who have had an on farm emergency slaughter male animal condemned due to a positive alpha-nortestosterone test will receive a goodwill payment equal to the value of the animal at the time of slaughter. This payment is in recognition of the fact that affected farmers have suffered financially through no fault of their own.

I have also met with affected farmers and apologised for the disturbance and indignation caused by on-farm searches, particularly at the outset, when the level of follow-up action was greater, before the emerging evidence prompted a progressively reduced and less intrusive approach.

Furthermore, I have undertaken to initiate a review of the handling of the alpha-nortestosterone issue and to see what lessons could be learned. The outcome of this review will be made public.

Agri-Food Business

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will give her views on Wales becoming sustainable and producing all its own food; and what plans she has to consider this approach for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 230/07)

Ms Gildernew: It is my understanding that this is not a policy which has been adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government.

However, our agri-food business is heavily export orientated: approximately 38% of production is sold on the local market; and 62% is exported.

Forestry Grants

Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (a) what forestry grants were paid out for tree planting in south Tyrone over the past three years; (b) what stipulations were laid down before payment of these grants; (c) what was the number of trees planted and their species; and (d) what is the location of all grant-aided tree planting schemes.

(AQW 312/07)

Ms Gildernew: In total, 31 forestry grants were paid out in South Tyrone in the last three years: 28 Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) Establishment Grants to support establishment of new woodlands, all of which were in receipt of Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) annual premia payments. Two WGS Restocking Grants were paid to support replanting of woodland areas which had previously been clearfelled. In addition, one area of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) was established under the SRC Challenge Fund grant.

The total value of grant aid paid to date is £ 117 000. This does not include second stage WGS payments (payable at the end of five years), ongoing commitments relating to FWPS annual premia payments and a final instalment payment for establishment of SRC under the Challenge Fund.

All WGS grants were paid as part of an agreement under which the owner undertakes to maintain the woodlands in accordance with good forestry practice, encompassed within the UK Forestry Standard and associated guidelines, for a minimum of 30 years in the case of predominantly broadleaved woodlands and 20 years in the case of predominantly conifer or fast growing broadleaved woodlands.

FWPS annual payments are made for 10 or 15 years, depending upon the trees planted and how they will be managed. To receive annual payments over 15 years, more than 50% of the area of the wood must be planted with broadleaved trees. The wood must not be felled within 30 years following the first annual payment. Woodlands with 50% or more of the area of the wood planted with conifers, or fast growing broadleaves to be felled in less than 30 years (e.g.Poplar), receive annual payments for 10 years. They must not be felled within 20 years of the first annual payment. Woodlands which are to be felled before 20 years are not eligible for FWPS.

The number of trees planted varied across the applications and was dependent upon the primary management objective of the woodland. Stocking levels varied between 1100 and 2500 stems per hectare for broadleaved woodlands. Conifer woodlands were established at a stocking density of 2250 stems per hectare. SRC was established at a stocking level of 15000 stems per hectare.

The approximate number of trees planted in the three year period was 691,000. This figure was broken down thus: 39,000 conifer (6%); 652,000 broadleaved (94%). The total area planted was 116.0 hectares.

Woodlands were established/replanted in the following townlands: Ballagh, Ballywallon Island, Bockets, Carnagat, Cavanboy, Corcreevy, Cranlome, Crilly, Cronghill, Cullamore, Culrevog, Demesne, Derrycloony, Derrycor, Dromore Lower, Drumderg, Drumgold, Drumlee, Drummond, Drumnamoless, Dungorman, Farriter, Glenroe, Killyfaddy, Killyneill, Kilnahusogue, Lismore, Lowerstown, Moyard, Seyloran, Shantavny Irish, Tattanellan, Tirelugan, Tullyglush.

A location map can be obtained from the Library.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

National Stadium in Belfast

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Supporters' Club regarding the location of the national stadium in Belfast.

(AQW 108/07)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr Poots): I am aware that representatives of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs have expressed a preference for international soccer games to be played at a stadium located in Belfast. Representatives of the Amalgamation have recently agreed to a suggestion from me that I meet with them to discuss their views on this issue. A meeting is currently being arranged which I expect will take place in the near future.

National Stadium in Belfast

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has met with Irish Football Association (IFA) officials to consider a new stadium in Belfast, in light of the IFA securing a £10 million sponsorship package with Sky TV.

(AQW 109/07)

Mr Poots: The Irish Football Association (IFA) has already agreed in principle to participate in a proposed Multi-Sports Stadium development at the Maze/Long Kesh. Discussions are on-going with IFA officials in relation to design and business planning issues associated with this proposal. I understand that the IFA have not been in discussions with either Belfast City Council or those bidding to develop a Stadium in Belfast. Neither a new stadium in Belfast nor the IFA’s sponsorship package with Sky TV are being considered as part of these discussions.

Funding for NI Football Clubs

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what financial assistance is available for football clubs in (1) the Premier League; (2) the 1st Division; and (3) the Intermediate League, in the financial year 2007/08.

(AQW 113/07)

Mr Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. There are three funding programmes available to football clubs in (1) the Premier League; (2) the 1^st Division; and (3) the Intermediate League, in the financial year 2007/08. These are as follows:

Building Sport is a Lottery programme which is open to all Premier League, First Division and Intermediate League football clubs.

Stadia Safety and Safety Management programmes are Exchequer programmes which are open to Premier League clubs only.

2012 Olympic Games

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in relation to Northern Ireland's involvement in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

(AQW 193/07)

Mr Poots: I have recently had a discussion, with Lord Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), regarding Northern Ireland’s involvement in the 2012 Games, and a further meeting is currently being arranged. My Department works in close partnership with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) the lead Government Department for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and with the LOCOG, to ensure Northern Ireland maximises the opportunities available from London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. DCMS have established an Inter-Departmental Group at which the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure is represented at a senior level. DCAL is also represented on a LOCOG, Nations and Regions Group (NRG).

Arts Sector Funding

Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he and his departmental officials have had regarding increasing per capita spend on the arts sector, to bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

(AQW 234/07)

Mr Poots: I have held discussions with officials in my Department regarding arts funding in the context of determining priorities for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Development of Swimming Strategy

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if there is a strategy for the development of swimming; and what organisation is responsible for implementing that strategy.

(AQW 292/07)

Mr Poots: At a national level, Swim Ireland has launched a strategy for the sport entitled "A Sport for Life and for All" 2002-2012. At a regional level, Swim Ulster has produced a development plan for the period 2006-2010 which aligns at the strategic goals, as set out by the parent body, Swim Ireland.

Swim Ireland and Swim Ulster are responsible for the implementation of their respective strategies/development plans.

Ulster-Scots Academy Implementation Group

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if it is his intention that, through 'resolute action', as required by part two of the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the Ulster-Scots language will be moved forward to part three status.

(AQW 334/07)

Mr Poots: Proposals have been drafted by the Ulster-Scots Academy Implementation Group as to how Ulster-Scots can be advanced to Part III status of the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The activities and initiatives detailed in a road map which would meet the criteria to progress Ulster Scots to Part III status have been issued for comment to the appropriate government departments. Once received by my Department the collated responses will be forwarded to the Group.

Interdepartmental Charter Implementation Group

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what is the role of the Interdepartmental Charter Implementation Group in relation to the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

(AQW 369/07)

Mr Poots: The terms of reference for Interdepartmental Charter Implementation Group are:

To oversee and monitor the implementation of the Charter by Government Departments in Northern Ireland
To prepare periodic reports for the Committee of Experts (COMEX) of the Council of Europe Council of Ministers
To develop guidance to Northern Ireland Departments (and Whitehall Departments that operate in Northern Ireland) as necessary
To advise on resource implications

Migration of Salmon and Smolts

Mr Barry McElduff asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what is his assessment of the impact of water abstraction from the River Camowen at Campsie, Omagh, to facilitate the generation of hydro-electricity, on the upward migration of salmon and the downward migration of smolts.

(AQW 443/07)

Mr Poots: Sections 54, 58 and 59 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 require any persons abstracting water from a river or lake to put in place fishery protection measures to protect migratory fish and facilitate their passage.

The Department has assessed the impact of the hydro-electric station at Campsie and suitable fishery protection measures have been incorporated in the design of the station. These include provision of gratings to prevent fish entering the abstraction and return channels and the alteration of the existing fish pass to ensure that a compensatory flow of water is maintained in the river at all times to assist salmon and smolt migration

Supporters' Trust

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what contact he has had with Supporters Direct; and what plans he has for the extension of the Supporters' Trust concept to Northern Ireland.

(AQW 453/07)

Mr Poots: I wrote to the Chief Executive of Supporters Direct in Great Britain on 29 May 2007 offering a meeting with DCAL officials to discuss Supporters Direct’s proposals for the extension of the Supporter’s Trust concept to Northern Ireland. Any plans for the extension of the concept to Northern Ireland would be a matter, in the first instance, for Supporters Direct and football supporters in Northern Ireland.

Education

Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Mr Tommy Gallagher asked the Minister of Education if she will provide, for each Education and Library Board for the five financial years prior to 31 March 2007, the number of applications for funding of home based Autistic Spectrum Disorders programmes received; the number of those applications approved by each Board; and the number of applications awarded by tribunal.

(AQW 26/07)

The Minister of Education (Ms Ruane):

I am advised by the Chief Executive Officers of the Education and Library Boards as follows;

Financial years 2002/03 - 2006/07	Number of applications	Number approved	Number awarded by tribunal
Belfast	20	8	0
North Eastern	6	2	0*
South Eastern	5	5	0
Southern	3	0	0
Western	11	8	0

*Two appeals are currently at tribunal but have not yet proceeded to hearing.

Glastry College

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education when the new build for Glastry College will commence; and when the new school will be completed.

(AQW 77/07)

Ms Ruane: The South Eastern Education and Library Board have advised that they expect construction work on the new build school for Glastry College should start in May 2008 and estimate that the new school should be completed in April 2010.

New Schools Programme for Newry and Armagh

Mr Dominic Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the new schools programme for the Newry and Armagh constituency, which was announced under direct rule, will commence; and if she will give the dates for completion of the programme on a school by school basis.

(AQW 119/07)

Ms Ruane: Planning is underway for each of the schools which have been allocated funding for major capital building works in the Newry and Armagh constituency. The table below provides the estimated date for construction work to start on site and estimated completion dates for each of the schools. The dates are subject to each stage of the planning and building processes being completed and approved within agreed timescales.

SCHOOL	ESTIMATED START DATE	ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
St Catherine’s College, Armagh	Dec 2007	Nov 2008
Abbey Christian Brothers G.S. Newry	Sept 2007	Nov 2009
St Colman’s College, Newry	May 2006 (actual start date)	Feb 2009
St Patrick’s G.S. Armagh	April 2008	Sept 2010
Dromintee P.S.	Feb 2008	Feb 2009
St Joseph’s Convent P.S. Newry	June 2008	Jan 2010
St Oliver Plunkett’s P.S. Forkhill	Jan 2008	March 2009
St Clare’s Abbey P.S. Newry	Aug 2007	March 2009
St Peter’s P.S. Cloughreagh	July 2007	July 2009

A Shared Future: First Triennial Action Plan 2006-2009

Mr Dominic Bradley asked the Minister of Education when she will provide the education authorities with guidance as to the criteria for 'A Shared Future: First Triennial Action Plan 2006-2009'.

(AQW 120/07)

Ms Ruane: The Department of Education has set up a working group to take forward the recommendations of ‘A Shared Future: First Triennial Action Plan 2006 – 2009’. The Department is examining the Triennial Action Plan in the context of the Bain Reports recommendations on sharing and collaboration and will engage with education partners on this in due course.

Procurement for Capital Schemes

Mr Dominic Bradley asked the Minister of Education when she will implement the new procurement arrangements to facilitate the reduction of delays in the delivery of capital schemes.

(AQW 121/07)

Ms Ruane: A review commissioned by the Department in 2004 recommended a radical shift away from how we currently procure capital projects, recommending that we should introduce strategic partnering arrangements. Given that such arrangements would take time to implement, the report recommended that we should develop Interim Framework Arrangements to help us to start delivering on the ground.

Steps are currently being taken to introduce three Framework Agreements covering: Construction Major Works for capital projects of a value greater than £500k; Construction Minor Works for capital projects valued at less than £500k; and a Professional Services Framework to provide client support services including Project Management.

The Major Works framework is being established to deliver capital projects totalling £550m - £650m through the life of the framework (max 4 years). The pre-qualification stage for the Construction Major Works framework closed on Friday 4 May and responses are currently being assessed to provide a shortlist who will be invited to tender as part of a primary competition.

In regard to the Professional Services Framework, a contract notice was placed in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on Wednesday 23 May. My officials are also working on the details of the Construction Minor Works framework and hope to issue a contract notice in the OJEU in the near future.

Funded Nursery School Places

Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley asked the Minister of Education how many funded nursery school places were allocated at the commencement of the 2006/07 school year in south Tyrone; and how this compares with the previous two years.

(AQW 140/07)

Ms Ruane: The number of statutory nursery school places at the commencement of each of the three years 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07 has remained the same. It is 156 places in statutory nursery schools and 104 in nursery units attached to statutory primary schools.

The number of pre-school places available in statutory nursery schools and nursery units in statutory primary schools is supplemented by places in voluntary and private playgroups and day nurseries that have pre-school places funded under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme. Numbers in respect of voluntary settings are 372 (2004/05), 374 (2005/06) and 433 (006/07).

South Tyrone has been interpreted as Dungannon Council Area – being the only council area within the Southern Education and Library Area that is part of Fermanagh South Tyrone

Nursery School Places in Newtownards

Ms Michelle McIlveen asked the Minister of Education when funding will be made available to address the need for additional nursery school places within the Newtownards town area; and if she will confirm whether a site has been identified for a new unit.

(AQW 144/07)

Ms Ruane: The South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) Pre-School Education Advisory Group (PEAG) has confirmed that in the Newtownards town area the availability of pre-school places equates to 90% provision against the P1 intake to primary schools. This is sufficient to meet the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme (PSEEP) aim of providing a year of good quality pre-school education for every child whose parents wish it.

The SEELB are currently undertaking a review of provision in the Newtownards town area. I look forward to seeing any proposals in relation to pre-school places on completion of the review.

Primary School Teacher Training

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education what measures she will introduce to ensure that sufficient in-service training is available to primary school teachers, to enable them to feel confident when introducing the proposed curriculum changes.

(AQW 150/07)

Ms Ruane:

The revised curriculum is being phased in from 2007/08 to 2009/10 to give schools time to prepare and adjust, with the first year being a transitional one. My Department has allocated £9million to the Partnership Management Board (PMB) over 2 years for a detailed programme of training for principals and teachers, sequenced in line with the phasing in timescales. The training programme is well underway and is being independently evaluated to inform its continuing roll-out. A range of guidance and support materials have been provided to all schools, with more to follow, and the Department has also made 5 school development days available to support schools in their preparation.

Educational Standards

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in addressing the specific problems affecting Protestant working class children, that were highlighted in the recent Westminster inquiry into educational standards in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 151/07)

Ms Ruane: The Department’s response is being directed at low achievement levels in all schools based on objective need throughout the north of Ireland.

The two research projects identified in the response to the Public Accounts Committee report are underway and will be completed shortly.

New policies for school improvement and literacy and numeracy are well advanced and will be consulted on in the Autumn.

The Department is working with the Education and Library Boards and other Departments on a long term, strategic intervention targeted at low performing schools.

Prematurely Retired Teachers

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education what steps she will take to ensure that recently retired teachers who have left the profession as 'prematurely retired' are not re-employed as substitute teachers in schools, thereby reducing the opportunities available to recently qualified teachers.

(AQW 152/07)

Ms Ruane: The recruitment of teachers is the responsibility of teachers’ employers. However, guidance issued by the Department to employers exhorts them to give preference to newly qualified teachers and experienced non-retired teachers who are seeking employment. The Department has also advised employers that retired teachers should only be re-employed to provide short-term cover where newly qualified teachers or experienced non-retired teachers are unavailable. The capping of the levels of the central reimbursement of the costs of substitute cover also provides an incentive for schools to employ newly qualified teachers as substitutes.

Cost of Duplicating Publications in Irish

Lord Browne asked the Minister of Education to detail the full breakdown of costs to date for the implementation of the decision of the former Minister of Education to duplicate all publications in Irish.

(AQW 168/07)

Ms Ruane: The former Minister for Education did not require all publications to be translated into Irish. I list below the cost of publications that have been translated into Irish since April 2000.

Financial Year	Cost of Publications (including leaflets/forms) Translated into Irish
2000/2001	£1,497.80
2001/2002	£7,427.00
2002/2003	£1,741.78
2003/2004	£3,970.20
2004/2005	£9,095.18
2005/2006	£4,075.23
2006/2007*	£2,522.58

*Figures for 2006/07 are incomplete as a number of invoices are still outstanding.

Enquiries in Irish

Lord Browne asked the Minister of Education to detail the percentage of enquiries made to her department using the Irish language.

(AQW 169/07)

Ms Ruane: The information requested is not collected by my Department.

Annual Pre - Employment Checks

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Education if she will confirm that annual pre-employment checks are completed for all staff employed in schools.

(AQW 176/07)

Ms Ruane: A pre-employment check is carried out on all schools’ staff, whether paid or unpaid, before employment starts. Where a concern occurs over an individual’s conduct during the course of employment, the agency charged with investigating the concern will notify the employer who will take appropriate action.

The current guidance to employers is DE Circular 2006/06, Child Protection: Recruitment of People to work with Children and Young People in Educational Settings (available at www.deni.gov.uk)

Classroom Assistants

Mrs Dolores Kelly asked the Minister of Education when she will initiate job evaluations for classroom assistants in all Education and Library Board areas; if she will indicate the timeframe for completion; and if she will confirm that there will be adequate budgetary provision to meet any necessary commitments.

(AQW 196/07)

Ms Ruane: The job evaluations for classroom assistants in all Board areas have in fact been initiated and completed and significant resources have already been provided by my Department to the five education and library boards. Until recently, the Boards and Trade Union Side (TUS) have been unable to reach final agreement on all related issues. However, I understand that as a result of recent further, extensive negotiations between the Boards and TUS considerable progress has been made and that the Boards are now ready to put a formal final offer to TUS. Before Boards can present proposals to Trade Union Side for final agreement they require Department of Education and Department of Finance and Personnel approval, to ensure that the proposed settlement is both workable and affordable from within the resources that have been made available. That approval was given on 31 May and represents a major step forward and will now, I hope, enable a final settlement to be achieved quickly and which will allow the funding to be released into the pay packets of eligible classroom assistants as soon as possible.

Victoria Primary School

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education if she will consider retaining the old Assembly Hall building at Victoria Primary School in Ballyhalbert for use by the local community, instead of using the whole site as a turning circle.

(AQW 205/07)

Ms Ruane: It is not feasible to retain the old Assembly Hall building at Victoria P.S. Ballyhalbert.

The entire school site, which is the minimum area recommended for a 7 classbase school, will be required for the provision of the new school building along with provision of adequate staff parking and a pupil drop-off zone, which are requirements of the Roads Service . These facilities, together with a new grass play area, will be provided on the site of the existing school building. It has been agreed with Ards Borough Council that the grass play area will be available for community use outside of school hours. The Assembly Hall in the new school building will also be available for community use on application to the Board of Governors of the school.

Teaching and Learning of Irish in Secondary Schools

Mr Dominic Bradley asked the Minister of Education what plans she has to provide teaching and learning resources for the teaching of Irish in post-primary English-medium schools in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 206/07)

Ms Ruane: The Department is providing resources to the Southern Education and Library Board, on behalf of all boards, to support the development of an Irish language resource for post-primary English medium schools.

In addition, CCEA provides schools with generic guidance for language teaching and commercially produced resources are also available for schools to purchase.

The Department, however, does not prescribe the teaching and learning resources to be used in schools for any part of the curriculum - that is a matter for schools to decide, with advice from their Education and Library Board.

Male Staff Numbers in the Teaching Profession

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to encourage men into the teaching and education profession.

(AQW 211/07)

Ms Ruane: My Department’s focus is on ensuring that there is appointment on merit to all posts in the education sector.

In the teaching profession, the gender balance 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.

The Education and Library Boards, who are the main employers of non-teaching staff, appoint on merit, in keeping with their Equal Opportunities policy. Advertised posts include a welcoming statement in line with that policy and which welcomes applications from all suitably qualified applicants, irrespective of gender.

Male Secondary School Teachers

Mr Mark Durkan asked the Minister of Education what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers are male, broken down by Education and Library Board area.

(AQW 213/07)

Ms Ruane:

The following table provides the number of male teachers and the corresponding percentage of all teachers in primary and post-primary schools by Education and Library Board area in Northern Ireland in 2005/06.

ELB area	School Type^1,2	no. of male teachers	percentage of all teachers (%)
Belfast	Primary	254	18.5
Belfast	Post-primary	853	37.7
Western	Primary	275	17.9
Western	Post-primary	722	36.7
North Eastern	Primary	263	13.8
North Eastern	Post-primary	862	36.3
South Eastern	Primary	311	16.1
South Eastern	Post-primary	694	35.5
Southern	Primary	311	15.7
Southern	Post-primary	836	35.6
Total	Primary	1414	16.2
Total	Post-primary	3967	36.4

Primary figures include teachers working in preparatory departments of grammar schools.
Post-primary figures include teachers working in secondary and grammar schools.

Cultural Rights of Children

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Education how she monitors the implementation, within the education system, of the cultural rights of children, as set out in Articles 29.1(c) and 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, (a) in the controlled sector; (b) in the maintained sector; (c) in the Irish-medium sector; (d) in the integrated sector; and (e) in the voluntary grammar sector.

(AQW 235/07)

Ms Ruane: The revised statutory curriculum, to be introduced on a phased basis from September 2007, includes a new strand of Citizenship education, where young people will be able to learn about their cultural identity, cultural heritage and cultural diversity within our society.

The Education and Training Inspectorate monitors routinely aspects of provision, including citizenship, across all sectors of the education system.

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Education where Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is based; and how many staff it employs.

(AQW 251/07)

Ms Ruane:

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is based in:

Teach an Gheata Thiar	Westgate House
4 Sráid na Banríona	4 Queen’s Street
Béal Feirste	Belfast
BT1 6ED	BT1 6ED

It employs 16 staff.

The funding provided to Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta since its establishment is as follows:

2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005//06	2006/07
£	£	£	£	£	£
210,000	282,494	422,700	473,500	533,000	515,000

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta was established in August 2000 to promote for the benefit of the public the development of all aspects of Irish-medium education.

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital, with charitable status, established under the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and operating under a Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The membership of the Board of the Company is constituted as follows:

3 nominations from Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta
1 Gaeloiliúint
1 Council for Catholic maintained Schools
1 Universities Council for the Education of Teachers
1 Association of Education and Library Boards
2 Department of Education
1 Altram
1 Foras na Gaeilge
1 Pobal
1 Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
1 Gaeleagras um Shainriachtanas Oideachais
1 Association of Northern Ireland Colleges
4 school principals
1 teacher
1 parent
1 school governor

Comhaírle na Gaelscolaíochta

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Education what funding has been given to Comhaírle na Gaelscholaíochta in each year since its formation.

(AQW 252/07)

Ms Ruane:

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is based in:

Teach an Gheata Thiar	Westgate House
4 Sráid na Banríona	4 Queen’s Street
Béal Feirste	Belfast
BT1 6ED	BT1 6ED

It employs 16 staff.

The funding provided to Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta since its establishment is as follows:

2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005//06	2006/07
£	£	£	£	£	£
210,000	282,494	422,700	473,500	533,000	515,000

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta was established in August 2000 to promote for the benefit of the public the development of all aspects of Irish-medium education.

The membership of the Board of the Company is constituted as follows:

Comhaírle na Gaelscolaíochta

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Education when Comhaírle na Gaelscholaíochta was formed; and what is the role of this organisation.

(AQW 253/07)

Ms Ruane:

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is based in:

Teach an Gheata Thiar	Westgate House
4 Sráid na Banríona	4 Queen’s Street
Béal Feirste	Belfast
BT1 6ED	BT1 6ED

It employs 16 staff.

The funding provided to Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta since its establishment is as follows:

2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005//06	2006/07
£	£	£	£	£	£
210,000	282,494	422,700	473,500	533,000	515,000

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta was established in August 2000 to promote for the benefit of the public the development of all aspects of Irish-medium education.

The membership of the Board of the Company is constituted as follows:

Comhaírle na Gaelscolaíochta

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Education how Comhaírle na Gaelscolaíochta is constituted.

(AQW 254/07)

Ms Ruane:

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is based in:

Teach an Gheata Thiar	Westgate House
4 Sráid na Banríona	4 Queen’s Street
Béal Feirste	Belfast
BT1 6ED	BT1 6ED

It employs 16 staff.

The funding provided to Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta since its establishment is as follows:

2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005//06	2006/07
£	£	£	£	£	£
210,000	282,494	422,700	473,500	533,000	515,000

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta was established in August 2000 to promote for the benefit of the public the development of all aspects of Irish-medium education.

The membership of the Board of the Company is constituted as follows:

Cultural Identity of Children

Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Education if her department has a strategy or action plan for the implementation, within the education system, for the child to learn about 'his or her own cultural identity', as set out in Articles 29.1(c) and 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

(AQW 255/07)

In addition, my Department is publicly consulting on a draft policy to assist the promotion of equality of opportunity for all children and young people who have English as an Additional Language. Part of this policy will be the promotion of cultural awareness in schools, through the new Ethnic Minority Achievement Service.

Industrial Tribunal Claims - Education and Library Boards

Mr Danny Kennedy asked the Minister of Education to detail payments made in settlement of cases brought for industrial tribunal claims in each Education and Library Board over the past two years.

(AQW 256/07)

Ms Ruane: The Education and Library Boards tell me that £146,500 was paid out in settlement of cases brought for industrial tribunal claims during the 2005/06 and 2006/07 financial years. A breakdown of the amount paid out by Board in these two years is provided in the table below:

£
BELB	40,000
NEELB	11,000
SEELB	41,000
SELB	51,000
WELB	3,500

Revised Literacy and Numeracy Strategy

Mr Dominic Bradley asked the Minister of Education what level of resources she will devote to the revised Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.

(AQW 268/07)

Ms Ruane: The revised literacy and numeracy strategy will be available for consultation in early autumn 2007. Funding levels will be dependent on the content of the finalised strategy and the CSR outcome.

Free Pre-School Places

Mr Dominic Bradley asked the Minister of Education if she will make available the necessary resources to ensure that all children who are entitled to a free pre-school place this year will get one.

(AQW 272/07)

Ms Ruane: The aim of the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme is to provide one year of high quality funded pre-school education, in the year before compulsory education, for every child whose parents wish it.

With the additional finance provided by the Children and Young People Funding Package, £800k in respect of the 2007/08 financial year, it is expected that this objective will be attained. However, it should be noted that demand is not geographically exactly matched to supply.

Education and Library Boards, who operate the admissions process, are now going through the re-allocation process. It is hoped that they will be in a position to confirm any shortfall in funded places in their respective areas by mid June.

Movilla High School, Newtownards

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Education to supply figures for enrolment for Movilla High School, Newtownards, for the last 3 years.

(AQW 275/07)

Ms Ruane: The enrolment in Movilla High School over the last three years was as follows:

2004/05 779
2005/06 698
2006/07 652

Physical Education in Schools

Mr Robin Newton asked the Minister of Education to confirm the number of hours devoted to sport/games within primary and secondary level education.

(AQW 289/07)

Ms Ruane: Physical Education is compulsory for all pupils from age 4 to 16. The Department does not prescribe the amount of time schools should spend on any part of the curriculum. It is a matter for schools to determine how much time is devoted to PE, but they are encouraged to provide pupils with at least 2 hours of physical activity per week.

Recently I met with the GAA and the IFA to look at ways of providing more opportunities for our young people to get involved in sport and develop their physical literacy skills.

Wind Turbines at Schools

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Education what advice her department provides to schools seeking to erect wind turbines within their grounds; and how does her department co-operate with the Department for the Environment to ensure that all risks and impact upon pupils, staff and local residents have been fully assessed.

(AQW 310/07)

Ms Ruane: The Department does not provide specific advice on the installation of wind turbines at schools. The installation of a wind turbine is subject to planning permission.

Suspensions and Expulsions from Secondary Schools

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Education how many pupils have been (a) expelled, and (b) suspended, from secondary schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

(AQW 329/07)

Ms Ruane: The information requested is shown in the following table:

School Year	No of pupils suspended	No of pupils expelled
2000/01	4,477	78
2001/02	4,690	76
2002/03	5,004	67
2003/04	5,194	69
2004/05	5,101	61

The suspension and expulsions statistics for 2005/06 school year are currently being analysed by the Department’s statistics branch and will be placed on the Department of Education website when this has been completed.

Expulsions and Suspensions from Primary Schools

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Education how many pupils have been (a) expelled, and (b) suspended, from primary schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

(AQW 330/07)

Ms Ruane: The information requested is shown in the following table:

School Year	No of pupils suspended	No of pupils expelled
2000/01	263	2
2001/02	361	0
2002/03	278	3
2003/04	290	2
2004/05	313	2

The suspension and expulsions statistics for 2005/06 school year are currently being analysed by the Department’s statistics branch and will be placed on the DE website when this has been completed.

Blind and Partially-Sighted Pupils

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to ensure that blind and partially-sighted pupils have access to school text books.

(AQW 331/07)

Ms Ruane: In early 2007 the Department of Education established a working party to consider the adequacy of the arrangements being made by Education and Library Boards for the provision of suitably adapted materials for pupils with visual impairment. The group has reported and the Department will now consider the recommendations made. The Department will then take this forward to ensure that improved arrangements are put in place to meet the needs identified.

Attacks on Teachers

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Education how many attacks on teachers have been reported in each of the last five years.

(AQW 332/07)

Ms Ruane: The Department does not collect the information requested.

However, from the 2002/03 school year, statistics on the reasons for suspension have been gathered annually from each education and library board and relate to the number of individual suspensions, not to the number of pupils suspended.

Table 1 details the number of suspensions¹ for physical attacks on staff in the 2002/03 - 2004/05 school years:-

TABLE 1

Year	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05
No. of suspensions for physical attacks on staff	365	320	262

Note:

¹The count of occasions is based on each incidence of suspension, where an incident is defined as a count from the first day a pupil was suspended until the last day suspended. Prior to 2004/05, the count of occasions was based on each record of suspension identified by the education and library boards, and in some instances longer periods of suspension may have had more than one record. This change is due to an improvement in the data collection systems for suspensions in the education and library boards, which has enabled better analysis of the data. As a result, the number of occasions pupils were suspended in 2004/05 has decreased from previous years. However, care should be taken when comparing the number of occasions in 2004/05 with the number of occasions in previous years.

Reasons for expulsion were first collected in 2003/04.

Table 2 below shows the total number of pupils expelled for physical attacks on staff for the 2003/04 and 2004/05 school years:-

TABLE 2

Year	2003/04	2004/05
No. of expulsions for physical attacks on staff	7	7

Kilcooley Primary School

Mr Alex Easton asked the Minister of Education what assessment she has made of the status of Kilcooley Primary School, in line with the Department of Social Development's 10 year plan for neighbourhood renewal and regeneration for the Kilcooley Estate, Bangor.

(AQW 335/07)

Ms Ruane: Kilcooley Primary School is a controlled school within the remit of the South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) and therefore the future planning of the school is a matter for the SEELB in the first instance.

Following a review of controlled primary provision throughout the Bangor area, the SEELB produced a strategic plan that was published by the Board in December 2005. One of the recommendations is for an Economic Appraisal to consider a number of options in relation to Kilcooley PS, with the aim of meeting the needs of the future primary population within a climate of demographic decline.

The SEELB is aware of the Department of Social Development’s (DSD) neighbourhood renewal activities in the Kilcooley estate and has yet to bring forward any proposals to the Department of Education in respect of Kilcooley Primary School.

Conlig Primary School

Mr Alex Easton asked the Minister of Education what are her plans for Conlig Primary School, in relation to its application for integrated status.

(AQW 336/07)

Ms Ruane:

Whilst I am aware that Conlig Primary School is considering publishing another development proposal to support the transformation of the school to controlled integrated status, a proposal has not yet been brought forward. I cannot therefore comment further.

Teaching of Evolution, Creations and Intelligent Design

Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister of Education what (a) discussions; (b) meetings; and (c) correspondence her department has had with the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in the last three years about the teaching of (i) evolution; (ii) creationism; and (iii) Intelligent Design, in schools in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 337/07)

Ms Ruane: The Department of Education has engaged with the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in the context of previous questions and correspondence about the teaching of evolution, creationism and intelligent design. In carrying out its statutory duty to advise on curriculum matters, CCEA has considered the place of evolution, creationism and intelligent design in curricular areas and examination specifications, and has had discussions with interested parties on these issues.

Expenditure on Substitute Teachers

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Education how much money has been spent on substitute teachers in each Education and Library Board in each of the last five years.

(AQW 351/07)

Ms Ruane:

The information requested is provided in the attached table: -

	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006/07
	£	£	£	£	£
Belfast	6,842,327	7,014,820	6,376,348	6,669,593	7,203,867
North Eastern	9,165,736	9,448,192	8,754,272	10,005,241	8,289,562
South Eastern	7,822,331	8,210,121	7,588,690	8,470,610	10,259,767
Southern	8,883,186	9,406,939	9,446,171	10,773,341	8,515,692
Western	7,095,673	7,526,599	7,413,210	8,069,669	11,019,450
Total	39,809,253	41,606,671	39,578,691	43,988,454	45,288.338

Notes
1. Cover based on hours and days paid via job-costing module at rate at time of payment
2. Cover based on financial years
3. Excludes Voluntary Grammar Schools, FE Colleges, Special and GMI schools.
4. Excludes employers superannuation & national insurance

Pre-School Places in Glenavy/Crumlin Areas

Mr Thomas Burns asked the Minister of Education what action will be taken to review immediately the provision of pre-school places in the Glenavy/Crumlin areas, in response to demographic changes which have shifted the location and size of demand.

(AQW 361/07)

Ms Ruane:

The Glenavy electoral ward falls within the South Eastern Education and Library Board area. For the 2007/08 school year there are 65 pre-school places available. Using the Primary 1 enrolment number (68) from the school census as a proxy for the pre-school cohort, indicates a level of provision of 96%.

The Crumlin electoral ward falls within the North Eastern Education and Library Board area. For the 2007/08 school year there are 222 pre-school places available. Using the Primary 1 enrolment number (148) from the school census as a proxy for the pre-school cohort, indicates a level of provision of 150%.

The Boards and the Department continue to monitor pre-school provision in the respective areas in order to address any need for additional pre-school places when identified.

Employment and Learning

Vocational Training Provider Contracts

Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the reasons why his department only allocates vocational training provider contracts to one provider per council area.

(AQW 157/07)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): Although normal practice, it is not always necessary to use NVQ frameworks in undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship. However, all apprentice frameworks must include a competence based element assembled from the National Occupational Standards set by the employment sector for which the framework is designed and, if required, other employment sectors.

The content of the competence element may be determined by the Sector Skills Councils, Sector Bodies and their employers. Subject to assessment methods designed to test competency, it is not a mandatory requirement to use National Vocational Qualifications. Alternatives may be considered.

Expanded Apprenticeship Courses

Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what analysis he has made of the content of expanded apprenticeship courses; and if he will prioritise the views of small and medium-sized enterprises in determining the content of such courses.

(AQW 158/07)

Sir Reg Empey: With the introduction of Training for Success, apprenticeships are being expanded from the current Level 3 apprenticeship provision to include Level 2 Apprenticeships.

All apprentices follow a training framework approved for delivery and developed in conjunction with the relevant industry. To maintain both quality and relevance of content, Sector Skills Councils and Standard Setting Bodies are required to take the views of employers of all sizes into consideration when developing training frameworks for apprenticeships. The Department for Employment and Learning is working with the Skills Councils to develop Sector Skills Agreements and in doing so is encouraging engagement with the full range of employers for that sector, including SMEs.

Vocational Training Report

Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what analysis his department has made of the report on vocational training conducted by the Northern Ireland Audit Office; what recommendations his department has made in response to the findings of the report; and what is his assessment of the effectiveness of those recommendations.

(AQW 159/07)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department, in its Memorandum of Reply, 16 December 2005, responded to the 23 conclusions of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following on from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report on Jobskills. In the response the Department outlined the actions it would take. The two main actions have been the establishment of a new Quality Performance Branch and the creation of a new professional and technical training provision, Training for Success, to commence 3 September 2007.

In January 2007 the Department published ‘Success through Excellence: A Quality Improvement Strategy for the Further Education and Training System’. Implementation of this strategy will have a positive impact. The composition and structure of Training for Success addresses the conclusions and recommendations of PAC. The implementation of Training for Success will be reviewed during its first year.

Leitch Review of Skills

Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if he accepts the recommendation of the Leitch Review of Skills, to substantially expand apprenticeships by 2020; and what proposals are being brought forward to achieve this.

(AQW 160/07)

Sir Reg Empey: The Leitch Report published in December 2006 contained a recommendation to achieve 500,000 apprentices in the UK by 2020. The Department of Employment and Learning had previously set its own target of 10,000 apprentices in training by 2010.

In Northern Ireland an Interdepartmental Group has been established, chaired by DEL, to develop a response to the Leitch Review of skills. This group is currently drafting an initial Northern Ireland response which will then be consulted on with key stakeholders before going through the Assembly processes.

In respect of Leitch related decisions, the DEL Minister agreed that the appointment of the position of Chair of the new UK-wide Skills Commission. This post was advertised in late February 2007. With that exception no decisions have been taken in relation to the Leitch Review recommendations.

ESOL Courses

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many courses are available on teaching English as a second language.

(AQW 328/07)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department provided funding for 347 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses in 2005/2006, the most recent period for which figures are available. These figures relate only to ESOL courses funded by the Department in the statutory further education sector. No figures are available for ESOL courses provided by FE colleges outside of the Department’s funding arrangements, or for similar courses provided by non-statutory organisations.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Ballycastle to Campbeltown Ferry

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans he has to provide support for the reinstatement of the Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry.

(AQW 142/07)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr Dodds): In light of the current Comprehensive Spending review process and public spending priorities that lie ahead there are no current plans to provide financial support for the reinstatement of the Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry service. However my Department and its agencies remain committed to enhancing economic opportunities across the North Antrim area and will continue to seek investment and entrepreneurial support to promote economic prosperity in the region.

Tourism Ireland

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will give an assessment of Tourism Ireland's marketing of Northern Ireland as a tourist destination.

(AQW 173/07)

Mr Dodds: Tourism Ireland (TIL) was established in 2000 to promote Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic as a preferred tourist destination in the rest of the United Kingdom and overseas. From 2003, (when the methodology for collating tourism statistics was revised), to 2006, out -of -state visitor spend grew by 31% to £371million. Tourism Ireland operates 19 overseas offices and it is active in 27 markets providing Northern Ireland with unprecedented exposure to potential international visitors. My Department will continue to set stretching targets for the company, and monitor its performance closely to ensure that Northern Ireland receives value for money for its investment. I will be meeting TIL Officials shortly to consider how we might build on their performance.

Employment in Manufacturing

Mr David Simpson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many people were employed in manufacturing in the last year (a) in total; and (b) broken down by constituency.

(AQW 216/07)

Mr Dodds: (a) The most up-to-date estimates of the number of employee jobs in the Manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland are available from the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES). Provisional estimates for December 2006 show there were 85,560 employee jobs in the Manufacturing sector.

(b) Estimates of the number of employee jobs below Northern Ireland level are only available from the Census of Employment on a biennial basis and the most up-to-date figures relate to September 2005. Estimates of the number of employee jobs in Manufacturing at September 2005 for each Parliamentary Constituency Area within Northern Ireland can be found in Table 1 below.

Table 1 Number of employee jobs in Manufacturing at September 2005 for each Parliamentary Constituency Area

Parliamentary Constituency Area	September 2005
Belfast East	6,948
Belfast North	3,945
Belfast South	2,024
Belfast West	1,987
East Antrim	4,010
East Londonderry	4,453
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	7,658
Foyle	4,801
Lagan Valley	6,629
Mid-Ulster	7,576
Newry & Armagh	4,076
North Antrim	7,094
North Down	1,637
South Antrim	5,609
South Down	3,548
Strangford	2,990
Upper Bann	9,514
West Tyrone	3,198
Northern Ireland	87,697

Source: Census of Employment, DETI

Potential Inward Investor Visits to Northern Ireland

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of company visits organised by and/or through Invest NI in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) each of the 26 local government districts; and (ii) each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies.

(AQW 236/07)

Mr Dodds: The two tables below show the breakdown of the number of potential investor visits to Northern Ireland District Councils and Parliamentary constituencies since April 2002. It should be noted that a Council area may include more than one Parliamentary constituency and a Parliamentary constituency may cover more than one Council area. Invest NI does not determine locations for visits for a potential investor: this decision is taken by the investor.

Table 1 - Potential Inward Investor Visits per Northern Ireland District Council area:

	02/03	03/04	04/05	05/06	06/07
Antrim	8	6	5	2	1
Ards	3	1	0	2	0
Armagh	4	1	1	1	0
Ballymena	0	1	0	1	0
Ballymoney	1	0	0	0	0
Banbridge	0	0	0	0	0
Belfast	78	79	82	62	67
Carrickfergus	7	4	1	1	1
Castlereagh	0	1	3	1	1
Coleraine	8	2	1	1	0
Cookstown	0	0	0	0	4
Craigavon	3	6	3	1	6
Derry	22	18	6	8	15
Down	3	1	0	0	0
Dungannon	0	1	1	0	0
Fermanagh	2	0	0	1	0
Larne	1	0	3	2	0
Limavady	1	0	0	0	0
Lisburn	4	4	2	0	0
Magherafelt	1	1	0	0	0
Moyle	0	0	0	0	0
Newry & Mourne	7	4	5	9	6
Newtownabbey	20	6	4	8	17
North Down	4	2	2	5	1
Omagh	5	1	0	1	5
Strabane	1	3	2	0	0
TOTAL	183	142	121	106	124

Land Held by Invest NI for Industrial Use

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of land held by Invest NI for industrial use, broken down by (i) each of the 26 local government districts; and (ii) each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies.

(AQW 237/07)

Mr Dodds: Invest NI holds 2,793 acres of land across Northern Ireland. Almost 1,945 acres of its estate are already occupied by Clients leaving 848 acres currently available for industrial use.

The two tables below show the breakdown of the 848 available acres by local government district council area (Table 1) and by parliamentary constituency area (Table 2).

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

Council Area	Land Available	Land Holding
	Total Acres	Total Acres
Antrim	27	110
Ards	9	32
Armagh	3	33
Ballymena	34	81
Ballymoney	2	13
Banbridge	0	27
Belfast	9	137
Carrickfergus	22	108
Castlereagh	0	13
Coleraine	50	74
Cookstown	6	38
Craigavon	212	360
Derry	107	419
Down	53	129
Dungannon	59	90
Fermanagh	38	126
Larne	5	36
Limavady	15	51
Lisburn	26	313
Magherafelt	26	72
Moyle	3	6
Newry and Mourne	2	100
Newtownabbey	103	283
North Down	20	63
Omagh	16	47
Strabane	2	29

Total at May 2007	848	2793

Table 2: Invest NI land by Parliamentary Constituency Area at May 2007

Parliamentary Constituency	Land Available	Land Holding
	Total Acres	Total Acres
Belfast East	0	0
Belfast North	3	16
Belfast South	0	7
Belfast West	20	190
East Antrim	27	144
East Londonderry	65	126
Fermanagh and South Tyrone	96	217
Foyle	107	419
Lagan Valley	12	239
Mid Ulster	32	110
Newry and Armagh	3	37
North Antrim	39	100
North Down	20	63
South Antrim	131	394
South Down	55	225
Strangford	9	45
Upper Bann	212	385
West Tyrone	18	76

Total at May 2007	848	2793

Investment by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount of investment made by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) each of the 26 local government districts; and (ii) each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies.

(AQW 239/07)

Mr Dodds: The total amount of financial assistance paid to tourism related businesses by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in each of the last five years is broken down in the two tables attached. Table A details the financial assistance paid broken down by each of the 26 local government districts while Table B shows the analysis for each for the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies.

While the investment is shown on a council / constituency basis, the economic and tourism benefits that this brings will have a much wider effect. For example, investment in the five Signature Projects will bring benefits across all of Northern Ireland.

Also, Invest NI have provided £12,094,558 to the hotel sector over the past five years.

TABLE A
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PAID TO ALL TOURISM PROJECTS BY DISTRICT COUNCIL

District Council	2002/2003	2003/2004	2004/2005	2005/2006	2006/2007	TOTAL

Across all Councils and X Border*	£953,401.82	£2,562,807.68	£1,487,400.89	£1,199,553.76	£4,322,949.52	£10,526,113.67
Antrim Borough Council	£9,700.00			£11,113.17		£20,813.17
Ards Borough Council	£56,736.58	£57,375.74		£3,660.65		£117,772.97
Armagh & City District Council	£26,630.56	£24,356.71				£50,987.27
Ballymena Borough Council	£1,500.00	£1,000.00				£2,500.00
Ballymoney Borough Council		£13,047.18				£13,047.18
Banbridge District Council						£0.00
Belfast City Council	£53,800.63	£70,400.00	£27,814.95	£158,928.61	£252,643.59	£563,587.78
Carrickfergus Borough Council		£500.00			£8,231.61	£8,731.61
Castlereagh Borough Council	£1,500.00					£1,500.00
Coleraine Borough Council	£87,673.88	£72,427.32		£2,272.82	£15,259.37	£177,633.39
Cookstown District Council	£100,348.63					£100,348.63
Craigavon Borough Council						£0.00
Derry City Council	£151,307.26	£175,535.10	£99,498.28	£679,784.00	£1,726,164.46	£2,832,289.10
Down District Council	£81,127.98	£18,691.99		£72,333.18	£9,923.27	£182,076.42
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council		£20,790.00	£2,310.00		£63,693.98	£86,793.98
Fermanagh District Council	£157,503.48	£265,129.58	£75,592.42	£125,936.20	£80,678.09	£704,839.77
Larne Borough Council	£1,500.00				£6,242.44	£7,742.44
Limavady Borough Council	£2,300.00	£4,602.91	£3,000.00			£9,902.91
Lisburn Borough Council	£3,500.00	£2,021.79		£2,510.40	£11,380.34	£19,412.53
Magherafelt District Council	£17,416.40			£3,974.68		£21,391.08
Moyle District Council	£24,185.92	£14,410.75	£14,709.16	£40,049.44	£71,952.19	£165,307.46
Newry & Mourne District Council	£37,397.60	£3,379.51	£36,801.19		£138,115.65	£215,693.95
Newtownabbey Borough Council						£0.00
North Down Borough Council	£700.00			£1,493.37		£2,193.37
Omagh District Council	£14,453.28		£7,093.37			£21,546.65
Strabane District Council	£25,432.99				£4,158.64	£29,591.63

	£1,808,117.01	£3,306,476.26	£1,754,220.26	£2,301,610.28	£6,711,393.15	£15,881,816.96

* Relates to projects across multiple district council areas or cross border

TABLE B
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PAID TO ALL TOURISM PROJECTS BY CONSTITUENCY

CONSTITUENCY	2002/2003	2003/2004	2004/2005	2005/2006	2006/2007	TOTAL

Across all constituencies & x-border*	£953,401.82	£2,562,807.68	£1,487,400.89	£1,199,553.76	£4,322,949.52	£10,526,113.67
Belfast East	£17,500.00	£49,400.00	£10,000.00	£6,565.70		£83,465.70
Belfast North	£4,000.00	£1,000.00	£4,500.00	£3,891.56		£13,391.56
Belfast South	£13,800.63		£13,314.95	£137,655.95	£252,643.59	£417,415.12
Belfast West	£20,000.00	£20,000.00		£10,815.40		£50,815.40
East Antrim	£400.00	£500.00			£14,474.05	£15,374.05
East Londonderry	£49,093.95	£77,030.23	£3,000.00	£2,272.82	£13,002.07	£144,399.07
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	£157,503.48	£265,495.09	£75,592.42	£125,936.20	£144,372.07	£768,899.26
Foyle	£174,740.25	£175,535.10	£99,498.28	£679,784.00	£1,730,323.10	£2,859,880.73
Lagan Valley	£3,800.00	£2,021.79		£2,510.40	£11,380.34	£19,712.53
Mid Ulster	£118,765.03	£20,790.00	£2,310.00	£3,974.68		£145,839.71
Newry & Armagh	£57,274.62	£23,991.20	£7,000.00		£6,050.00	£94,315.82
North Antrim	£68,065.85	£28,457.93	£14,709.16	£51,162.61	£74,209.49	£236,605.04
North Down	£28,700.00	£8,000.00		£3,266.34		£39,966.34
South Antrim	£8,000.00					£8,000.00
South Down	£69,381.52	£14,071.50	£29,801.19	£72,333.18	£141,988.92	£327,576.31
Strangford	£46,736.58	£57,375.74		£1,887.68		£106,000.00
Upper Bann	£500.00					£500.00
West Tyrone	£16,453.28		£7,093.37			£23,546.65

	£1,808,117.01	£3,306,476.26	£1,754,220.26	£2,301,610.28	£6,711,393.15	£15,881,816.96

* Across all constituencies and cross border relates to projects which straddle more than one Parliamentary Constituency

Wind Farms

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of electricity produced by wind farms in 2004; 2005; and 2006.

(AQW 264/07)

Mr Dodds: The amount of electricity produced by Northern Ireland wind farms in the past 3 years is:

2004/05: 241 Gigawatt-hours (GWh)
2005/06: 266 GWh
2006/07: 335 GWh

Community Interest Companies

Mr Jonathan Craig asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans are in place to promote and raise public awareness of Community Interest Companies; and how many social economy enterprises have taken on CIC status since the award came into effect earlier this year.

(AQW 318/07)

Mr Dodds: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) hosted an awareness raising seminar on 30 March 2007 in Belfast. The keynote speaker was John Hanlon, CIC Regulator and the event was attended by around 80 delegates. The event was featured in the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, Newsletter and on the UTV and other websites. Since the legislation came into effect on 6 April 2007 there have been no CICs incorporated by Companies Registry.

Closure of Belfast City Hall and Ulster Museum

Mr David McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether his department has made an economic assessment of the possible negative effects on the local tourism industry of simultaneously closing Belfast City Hall and the Ulster Museum, and, if so, what are the cost implications of these long-term closures.

(AQW 321/07)

Mr Dodds: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) has not carried out an economic assessment of the possible effects on the local tourism industry of the long term closure of Belfast City Hall and the Ulster Museum. However, DETI, Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), Belfast City Council (BCC), Belfast Visitor and Convention Centre (BVCB) and Tourism Ireland Ltd. (TIL) met recently to discuss a range of issues including the closure of these attractions. It was agreed that BCC will liaise with DETI regarding a list of other government buildings that should be open to the public and that BCC and BVCB will begin a process of encouraging other attractions to consider opening or extending their opening times.

Tourists Attractions in East Antrim

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what efforts he is making to ensure that areas within East Antrim are being specifically promoted as tourist attractions.

(AQW 349/07)

Mr Dodds: Areas within East Antrim are promoted as part of the Causeway Coastal Route. This is an international touring route which links key attractions and destinations together to increase visitor numbers, spend and length of stay in this area.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board supports the promotion of the attractions along the route through the Causeway Coast and Glens Regional Tourism Partnership as well as ensuring that the route is visibly promoted within the Belfast Welcome Centre; ensuring visitors arriving in Belfast are encouraged to travel along the Causeway Coast.

The Causeway Coastal Route is promoted internationally by Tourism Ireland; in 2006 this world class driving route gained international recognition through extensive coverage in several publications including the Lonely Planet and Guardian Newspaper.

Out of State Visitors

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many tourists visited Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what was the average duration of their stay.

(AQW 350/07)

Mr Dodds: Figures relating to the number of out of state visitors (who spent at least one night in Northern Ireland) and their average length of stay during the period 2002-2006 are outlined in the Table 1 below. Table 1: Number of Out-of-State* Visitors Staying at Least One Night in Northern Ireland & Average Length of Stay (2002-2006)

	2002^†	2003	2004	2005	2006
Visitors (million)	1.741	1.896	1.985	1.972	1.979
Average Length of Stay (nights)	4.9	4.7	4.3	4.8	4.9

*Out of state refers to visitors from outside Northern Ireland, i.e. excludes domestic tourism. ^†Due to changes in methodology 2003-2006 data should not be compare with data pre 2003.

Economically Inactive People

Mr Simon Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what is the estimated number of economically inactive people in Northern Ireland, broken down by District Council area.

(AQW 367/07)

Mr Dodds:

The latest available estimates for the number of economically inactive persons aged 16 and over in each District Council area can be found in the table below. The figures relate to the period October – December 2006.

Economically Inactive persons aged 16 and over by District Council area

District Council Area	Number of Economically Inactive persons aged 16+
Antrim	14,000
Ards	29,000
Armagh	14,000
Ballymena	19,000
Ballymoney	8,000*
Banbridge	17,000
Belfast	98,000
Carrickfergus	9,000
Castlereagh	16,000
Coleraine	20,000
Cookstown	8,000*
Craigavon	25,000
Derry	35,000
Down	18,000
Dungannon	15,000
Fermanagh	23,000
Larne	8,000
Limavady	13,000
Lisburn	32,000
Magherafelt	10,000
Moyle	6,000*
Newry & Mourne	22,000
Newtownabbey	25,000
North Down	25,000
Omagh	14,000
Strabane	18,000
Northern Ireland	538,000

* Estimates are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a higher than usual degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Source: Labour Force Survey, Quarter 4 (Oct-Dec) 2006

Environment

Proposed Review of Road Safety

Mr Raymond McCartney asked the Minister of the Environment if she will outline the timescale for her proposed review of road safety; and if the process of consultation will include the relevant agencies in the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 56/07)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs Foster): It is my intention to seek an early meeting with the Department for Regional Development and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the other key stakeholders involved in developing the Road Safety Strategy, to discuss the way forward.

My Department works closely with the relevant authorities in the Republic of Ireland to ensure shared road safety benefits.

Equine Industry

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what discussions she has had with representatives of the equine industry to consider changes to planning legislation, so that the equine industry is treated similarly to other agricultural sectors.

(AQW 72/07)

Mrs Foster: I have not had discussions with representatives of the equine industry to consider changes to planning legislation. Changes in planning legislation would be linked to the Agriculture Act which is a matter for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Lignite Mining

Mr Mervyn Storey asked the Minister of the Environment if she will make a statement on the suitability of proposed sites for lignite mining in County Antrim.

(AQW 95/07)

Mrs Foster: There are no current planning applications for the extraction of lignite in County Antrim. However, current planning policy requires proven reserves of minerals that are of particular value to the economy to be protected. Lignite has been identified by DETI as such a valuable mineral and the reserves in Northern Ireland form an integral part of their energy strategy.

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.

Town and Country Planning

Mr Sammy Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to introduce the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007, which have been in force in England since April 2007.

(AQW 118/07)

Mrs Foster: I have asked my officials to consider whether provisions similar to that in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 should be introduced in Northern Ireland. I wish to reflect on the outcome of that work before deciding on the next steps.

Development at Kiln Lodge, Lurgan

Mr John O'Dowd asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment she has made in relation to the planning application for a development at Kiln Lodge, Lurgan, in terms of the amount of open space being incorporated into design plans, as plans include 0.2 per cent of open space, when the departmental recommendation is at least 10 per cent.

(AQW 130/07)

Mrs Foster: I am satisfied that the open space provision of less than 10% is acceptable in this instance due to the proximity of zoned open space to the application site.

Planning Policy Statement 8 (PPS 8), Policy OS2, states that in new residential developments of 25 units or more, a normal expectation of public open space provision will be at least 10% of the total site area. However, the policy goes on to state that provision at a rate of less than 10% of the total site area may be acceptable where the residential development is close to and would benefit from ease of access to areas of existing public open space. Annex A of PPS 8 sets out the definition of open space and includes outdoor sports facilities such as tennis courts, bowling greens, sports pitches and golf courses etc. Directly opposite the application site is a large area of land that is zoned open space in the Craigavon Area Plan 2010, which includes a golf driving range, ski slope, equestrian centre, playing pitch and undeveloped areas of land.

High Hedges

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment if she proposes to bring forward legislation based on the outcome of the consultation on high hedges in 2005; and if she will give a timescale for the introduction of this legislation.

(AQW 149/07)

Mrs Foster: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on the 30 May. (AQW 51/07)

Staff Turnover at Downpatrick Divisional Planning Office

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment how many employees have left the Ards section of the Downpatrick Divisional Planning Office in each of the last 3 years, due to promotion; resignation; or disciplinary measures.

(AQW 163/07)

Mrs Foster: Details of staff leaving the Ards section of the Downpatrick DPO are as follows:

	Promotion	Resignation	Disciplinary
2004/05		1
2005/06	1	1
2006/07		1

Plastic Bag Levy

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister of the Environment what she will do to help secure the introduction of a plastic bag levy in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 180/07)

Mrs Foster: At present my Department is considering ways to tackle a number of local environmental problems such as litter, including plastic bag litter. I am aware that in the Republic of Ireland the levy on plastic bags has changed consumer behaviour. However, it is interesting that after detailed consideration, Scotland recently decided against such a tax. Alternatives to plastic bags often entail their own environmental problems and we need to consider all of the issues before deciding on the most appropriate way forward for Northern Ireland

Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the funding that has been raised through the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme and allocated to Northern Ireland for expenditure during each financial year since its introduction; and the estimated funds that will be generated during 2007-08.

(AQW 183/07)

Mrs Foster: The Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme is unique to Northern Ireland and entitles members of the Scheme to an 80% reduction in the Aggregates Levy, in return for carrying out environmental improvements. The Scheme does not generate revenue.

The Aggregates Levy was introduced throughout the UK in April 2002. Revenue from the Levy was used to create an Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund and to fund a 0.1percentage point reduction in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has provided the following figures for the Levy revenue from NI companies who pay the Levy:

2002 -03	2003 - 04	2004 – 05	2005 – 06	2006 -07 (provisional)	2007 – 08 (Estimated)
£9.7m	£15.9m	£9.13m	£7.66m	£8.26m	£8.26m

Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund 2007/2008

Mr Roy Beggs asked the Minister of the Environment to advise when funding raised through the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme will be allocated to projects which will benefit the local environment; to detail the mechanism for distributing the funding; and to account for any monies allocated to date.

(AQW 185/07)

Mrs Foster: My Department is currently producing a Business Case with a view to introducing an Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund in 2007/08

Environmental Protection Agency

Mr Tom Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment if she intends to establish an Environmental Protection Agency.

(AQW 222/07)

Mrs Foster: I am open minded as to whether or not there should be an Environmental Protection Agency.

Grievance Procedures Against Council Chief Executives

Mrs Dolores Kelly asked the Minister of the Environment what is the policy and procedure within local government for a grievance procedure against a Council Chief Executive; to detail how many grievances have been heard in the past five years, including grievances that have been lodged but subsequently withdrawn; to detail the approach that has been taken; and how they have been resolved.

(AQW 265/07)

Mrs Foster: Procedures and policies pertaining to grievances are matters for each district council and not the responsibility of my Department. The Department is not aware of the total number of grievances lodged against chief executives over the past five years.

District councils may seek guidance or advice from the Local Government Staff Commission and over the past five years the Commission has been involved in a total of six cases which have concluded: - 1 was dismissed, 3 were resolved by conciliation, mediation or agreement following independent investigations and 2 resolved by the use of individual compromise agreements which also dealt with associated disciplinary matters or tribunal proceedings. The Commission is aware of three on-going cases.

Re-introduction of the Red Kite

Mr John McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment if she supports the proposal for the re-introduction of the red kite to Northern Ireland; and, if so, what role will her department play in facilitating re-introduction.

(AQW 278/07)

Mrs Foster: The Department has recently received an application from the RSPB for a licence under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 to release Red Kite into the wild at a location in Co Down. I am awaiting the advice of my officials. In arriving at my decision on the matter, I will take fully into account the wide level of support from conservation and other bodies for the re-introduction of Red Kite into Northern Ireland.

Road Safety

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her plans for the establishment of an all-party working group to improve road safety within Northern Ireland, and between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 282/07)

Mrs Foster: I have no plans to establish an all-party working group between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

I have indicated my intention to review the Road Safety Strategy. How that will be taken forward is currently being assessed, and I do not wish to speculate at this stage on what working groups may need to be set up under the review.

My Department works closely with the relevant authorities in the Republic of Ireland to ensure shared road safety benefits.

Grouse Population

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what steps are being taken to address the number of foxes and grey-back crows, which are adversely impacting upon the grouse population on the moors at present.

(AQW 291/07)

Mrs Foster: The control of foxes and or Hooded Crows for the protection of game birds is the responsibility of the owner of the sporting rights. Foxes are not legally protected and therefore may be killed using legal methods by anyone with the permission of the land owner. Hooded Crows may be shot by authorised persons to protect wild birds under the terms of a general licence issued by Environment and Heritage Service. It is not proposed to change the terms of the general licence.

Protected Areas of Larne Lough

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what steps the Environment and Heritage Service is taking to ensure that the protected areas of Larne Lough, adjacent to Ballystrudder, are not compromised by the current and proposed sewage disposal arrangements for that end of Islandmagee and Ballycarry.

(AQW 308/07)

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. Water Order Consent standards for discharges into Larne Lough have been set by EHS at levels which will enable water quality standards, required by relevant Directives and EHS targets for the quality of coastal waters, to be complied with. It is the responsibility of Northern Ireland Water to provide the level of treatment necessary to achieve these Consent standards. The Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) serving Ballycarry currently provides secondary treatment (that is treatment by a biological treatment process) and is normally compliant with its Consent standard. The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requires appropriate treatment for discharges; hence, for Ballystrudder WWTW, secondary treatment is required. Currently, Ballystrudder WWTW provides primary treatment (that is settlement in a tank for a period of time with the settled solids removed off-site and the top liquor discharged as effluent). EHS has issued a Water Order Consent to Northern Ireland Water for the discharge from Ballystrudder WWTW. This means that secondary treatment must be provided at this site within a reasonable timescale or that the discharge be moved to a more suitable location.

Ulster Farm By-Products Ltd

Mr Thomas Burns asked the Minister of the Environment what steps have been taken to ensure that smoke and odours from Ulster Farm By-Products Ltd, Glenavy, do not further affect the surrounding community, especially residents of Crumlin.

(AQW 363/07)

Mrs Foster:

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

In 2005, the Company spent some £2m installing thermal oxidisers to destroy odours arising from the operation, widely accepted as the most effective odour treatment for this type of installation.

The thermal oxidisers did not operate as well as expected, but, following detailed investigations, operational improvements have now been made. These improvements have substantially reduced the visual and odour impacts from the thermal oxidisers.

In line with permit requirements, further investigation of other on-site sources of odour has been carried out. Measures to address these are due to be implemented in the next few months.

Significant progress has been made in addressing the environmental impacts from this installation since 2005. EHS will continue to ensure that the plant is effectively regulated and the resulting impacts are minimised as far as possible.

Vacancies in Residential Care Homes

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give an assessment of how to encourage shoppers to go green; and of the possibility of banning plastic bags and excess packaging given out by supermarkets.

(AQW 398/07)

Mrs Foster: Information on the number of vacant places within residential homes and the number of people currently on the waiting lists is not collected centrally.

Left Hand Drive Limousines

Mr Paul Butler asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give a timescale for the introduction of legislation in relation to left hand drive limousines, to ensure that they operate within the law in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 431/07)

Mrs Foster:

My Department is currently taking steps to regularise the standard of left-hand drive limousines and other "novelty" vehicles for use as public service vehicles. Work is currently under way to amend existing legislation to legalise such vehicles as American stretched limousines and the current target for introduction of the required amending regulations is early 2008.

It is also planned to introduce new powers in the Taxis Bill later this year to regularise the standard of all such vehicles used as public service vehicles. The Bill is scheduled to be introduced into the Assembly on 11 June 2007.

Finance and Personnel

Civil Service Jobs in East Antrim

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he will take to address the under-representation of regional civil service posts in the east Antrim boroughs of Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey.

(AQW 191/07)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Robinson): Current dispersal policy relies on taking advantage of opportunities when they arise where value for money can be demonstrated. Currently, there are no plans for decentralisation of civil service jobs to the boroughs of Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey. However, 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.

Financial Package for Northern Ireland

Mr Seán Neeson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to make a statement on progress towards obtaining a financial package for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 226/07)

Mr Robinson: I refer to my answer to AQW 7/07.

Decentralisation of Northern Ireland Civil Service Jobs

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what plans are in place to decentralise civil service jobs to Fern House and Mill House, Coleraine, to compensate for the proposed loss of jobs in Customs and Revenue at these locations.

(AQW 250/07)

Mr Robinson: Current dispersal policy relies on taking advantage of opportunities when they arise where value for money can be demonstrated. I understand that HM Revenue and Customs have made no final decisions on staffing requirements for any of their offices in Northern Ireland, and will not do so until they have completed a review of each location. The review of their offices at Fern House and Mill House is not planned to start until April 2008 and decisions once taken could take some years to implement. There are, therefore, no plans for decentralisation of Northern Ireland Civil Service jobs to Coleraine. However, 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

Inquiries to Land and Property Services

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many (i) inquiries and (ii) complaints have there been to Land and Property Services in this calendar year about (a) valuation of houses; and (b) increases in rates demands.

(AQW 327/07)

Mr Robinson: The Agency does not hold the information required in the form requested. However, since 1 January 2007 the Valuation and Lands Agency and Rate Collection Agency, (Land and Property Services from 1 April 2007) received some 18,000 inquiries in respect of revaluation matters and over 200,000 inquiries in respect of rate collection matters. In the same period 27 formal complaints about the valuation of houses and 18 formal complaints about rate increases have been received.

Social Housing

Mr Thomas Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what assessment he has made in relation to the urgent need for social housing, in light of the Semple Report, and to ask if this will be a spending priority.

(AQW 381/07)

Mr Robinson: On the 25 May the Executive agreed to the establishment of an inter-departmental taskforce to follow up on the proposals contained in the Semple Report on affordable housing.

Along with Executive colleagues, I will await the findings of the taskforce before taking a considered view on the way forward.

The issue of spending priorities will be considered by the Executive in the context of the development of the Programme for Government.

Ministerial Drivers

Mr Jonathan Craig asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if there is any variation between his department and other Northern Ireland departments in the payment of Ministerial drivers; if he will detail the nature of these variations; and if he will outline which form of payment applies to drivers for the Minister for each department.

(AQW 444/07)

Mr Robinson: There is now no variation between my department and other Northern Ireland departments in the payment of Ministerial drivers. On 23 May 2007 I withdrew the delegation from all other NI departments to pay for Ministerial drivers. This ensures there will be a consistent approach which conforms with best accounting practices.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Ambulance Availability at the Mid-Ulster Hospital

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail ambulance availability at the Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt, for each hour between midnight and 8am on Wednesday 23 May 2007; and if he will advise on overall night and early morning ambulance provision at the Mid-Ulster site.

(AQW 263/07)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr McGimpsey): Emergency ambulance availability at Magherafelt Ambulance Station on the Mid-Ulster Hospital site between midnight and 8.00 am on 23 May 2007 was as follows:

Time	Ambulances available
Midnight- 1.00 am	2
1.00-2.00 am	2
2.00-3.00 am	1*
3.00-4.00 am	1*
4.00-5.00 am	1*
5.00-6.00 am	2
6.00-7.00 am	2
7.00-8.00 am	2

*NOTE: One ambulance left the station to deal with a call during the periods from 2:03 to 2.57 am and 3.29 am to 4.24 am.

Overall night and early morning planned emergency ambulance provision for Magherafelt Ambulance Station is two Accident & Emergency crews between 9.00 pm and 8.00 am.

Number of Radiologists Employed in the NHS

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if there are any plans to increase the number of radiologists that the National Health Service employs within each of the hospitals in the province.

(AQW 286/07)

Mr McGimpsey:

The recruitment of staff is a matter for individual Health and Social Care Trusts taking into account factors such as service needs and available resources. The Department has a role in ensuring that sufficient suitably qualified staff are available to meet the needs of the service. The current numbers in radiology training would allow for an increase of 20 Consultants over the next five years.

Cancer Clusters

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide details of cancer clusters in Northern Ireland in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

(AQW 288/07)

Mr McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) do not routinely check for cancer clusters in small areas unless specifically asked by a member of the public/medical profession etc. However on a larger scale NICR produce Standardised Incidence Ratios and Standardised Mortality Ratios at Local Government District (LGD) (see Table 1 below). Table 1 aggregates information for 1993-2004 combined, as the number of cancers would not support a robust analysis for 2004 only. Complete information for 2005 and 2006 is not yet available.

Belfast LGD had the highest number of newly diagnosed cancers and cancer deaths each year due to its higher population. The standardised incidence and mortality ratios show that these values were still much higher than what would be expected if cancer cases and deaths were evenly distributed across Northern Ireland. Derry and Newry & Mourne LGDs also had higher than expected levels of newly diagnosed cancer and cancer deaths. Higher levels of cancer in these areas were driven by high incidence of lung (in Belfast and Derry), stomach (in Belfast and Newry & Mourne) and colorectal (in Derry and Newry & Mourne) cancer. This is likely to be linked to higher levels of deprivation and the associated higher levels of tobacco use in these areas.

The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) do not routinely check for cancer clusters in small areas unless specifically asked by a member of the public/medical profession etc. However on a larger scale NICR produce Standardised Incidence Ratios and Standardised Mortality Ratios at Local Government District (LGD) (see Table 1 below). Table 1 aggregates information for 1993-2004 combined, as the number of cancers would not support a robust analysis for 2004 only. Complete information for 2005 and 2006 is not yet available.

The following correction to this answer was published in the Weekly Answer Booklet 15 June 2007.

Table 1: Standardised incidence and mortality ratios for all cancers (excluding Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer) by LGD: 1993-2004
Local GovernmentDistrict	Average number of cases per year	Standardised Incidence Ratio(95% CI)		Average no. of deaths per year	Standardised Mortality Ratio(95% CI)
Antrim	158	96.8	(92.5,101.2)	88	100.7	(94.6,106.8)
Ards	276	92.6	(89.4,95.7)	158	95.7	(91.4,100.0)
Armagh	194	97.6	(93.7,101.6)	103	94.5	(89.3,99.8)
Ballymena	223	91.8	(88.3,95.2)	126	93.3	(88.6,98.1)
Ballymoney	94	91.0	(85.7,96.3)	51	88.5	(81.5,95.6)
Banbridge	145	95.4	(90.9,99.9)	74	88.2	(82.3,94.0)
Belfast	1,294	109.7	(108.0,111.4)	775	116.0	(113.6,118.4)
Carrickfergus	143	100.3	(95.6,105.1)	82	105.2	(98.6,111.8)
Castlereagh	292	98.3	(95.1,101.6)	160	96.0	(91.7,100.3)
Coleraine	224	99.1	(95.4,102.8)	122	96.3	(91.4,101.3)
Cookstown	102	88.4	(83.5,93.4)	55	86.6	(80.0,93.2)
Craigavon	289	98.1	(94.8,101.4)	150	93.4	(89.1,97.7)
Derry	350	110.6	(107.2,113.9)	198	118.5	(113.8,123.3)
Down	235	98.5	(94.9,102.1)	127	96.1	(91.3,101.0)
Dungannon	167	96.9	(92.6,101.1)	87	92.0	(86.4,97.6)
Fermanagh	221	95.9	(92.3,99.6)	120	92.4	(87.6,97.2)
Larne	136	104.0	(98.9,109.0)	74	102.1	(95.3,108.8)
Limavady	96	95.9	(90.3,101.4)	51	95.1	(87.5,102.6)
Lisburn	366	95.5	(92.6,98.3)	193	92.6	(88.8,96.4)
Magherafelt	129	95.3	(90.6,100.1)	68	91.3	(85.1,97.6)
Moyle	69	103.3	(96.3,110.4)	36	95.7	(86.6,104.7)
Newry & Mourne	317	106.5	(103.2,109.9)	175	108.4	(103.8,113.1)
Newtownabbey	319	100.3	(97.2,103.5)	173	99.2	(94.9,103.4)
North Down	335	95.5	(92.5,98.4)	179	89.4	(85.6,93.2)
Omagh	153	91.4	(87.3,95.6)	77	83.0	(77.7,88.4)
Strabane	127	95.9	(91.1,100.7)	70	97.7	(91.1,104.3)
Unknown	6538
Total	6,519	100.0	3,609	100.0

Both the standardised incidence and mortality ratios permit comparisons between regions and over time by taking into account differences in population structure. The ratio is of observed to expected incidence or deaths, multiplied conventionally by 100. Thus if mortality levels are higher in the population being studied than would be expected, the SIR or SMR will be greater than 100.
Figures in brackets represent the 95% confidence interval which is the range of values within which there is a 95% probability of finding the true value for the incidence or mortality rate.

This information was provided by the NI Cancer Registry and is the most up-to-date available.

Inspection of Residential Care Homes

Mr Robin Newton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the current number of residential care homes; and how often these are inspected.

(AQW 297/07)

Mr McGimpsey: There are 334 residential care homes currently registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).

The RQIA inspects these homes on at least two occasions per year – one pre-arranged inspection and one unannounced inspection, which can take place at any time of the day or night.

Where improvements are required or issues of concern arise, the RQIA may carry out further inspections.

Vacancies in Residential Homes

Mr Robin Newton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the number of vacant places within residential care homes; and the number of people currently on the waiting lists.

(AQW 298/07)

Mr McGimpsey: Information on the number of vacant places within residential homes and the number of people currently on the waiting lists is not collected centrally.

Residential Care Homes

Mr Robin Newton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the number of residential care homes that have been deregistered in the past five years; and the number of homes that have failed to meet the registration standard in this time period.

(AQW 299/07)

Mr McGimpsey:

Since April 2005, when the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) was established, a total of 27 residential care homes have been de-registered. Of these, 11 were de-registered in 2005/2006 and 16 in 2006/2007. All have been as a result of voluntary closure.

During the same period, 2005 to 2007, no residential care homes received "failure to comply" notices. However, in order to improve care practices, four residential care homes had conditions temporarily imposed upon them.

Prior to the establishment of the RQIA in April 2005 each of the four Health and Social Services Boards were responsible for registration and inspection through their Registration and Inspection Units. During the period 2002-2005, 83 residential care homes deregistered voluntarily. One had its registration cancelled. Seven homes were issued with "failure to comply notices" during this period.

During 2002-2003, 55 residential care homes deregistered with the four Registration and Inspection Units. Many of these homes de-registered in order to seek out new funding under the "Supporting People" programme, introduced in April 2003.

Islandmagee First Responders Scheme

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he will take to support the work carried out by the Islandmagee First Responders Unit; and what plans he has to encourage the formation of similar groups in other areas where ambulance response times may be subject to delay, by virtue of distance to be covered.

(AQW 311/07)

Mr McGimpsey:

Islandmagee First Responders Scheme is a community led initiative established in 2004 with technical help from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and training, preparation and administrative help from St John Ambulance. The Scheme relies on community-minded volunteers who have been trained to attend certain 999 calls in support of NIAS’s role. It is not funded by NIAS nor has my Department been directly approached for support.

However, my Department is keen to promote the introduction of First Responder schemes throughout Northern Ireland and is currently working with Professor Frank Kee, Queen’s University, NIAS, and other key stakeholders to establish a Northern Ireland Strategy for First Response and Public Access Defibrillation under the auspices of NIAS which will co-ordinate the activity of existing schemes and assess the potential for new schemes where appropriate

Alzheimer's Disease

Mr Alastair Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to help those caring for, and those suffering from, Alzheimer's Disease.

(AQW 353/07)

Mr McGimpsey: A range of treatment and care is provided for people with Alzheimer’s disease, across the primary, community, specialist and secondary care sectors.

The treatment and management of Alzheimer’s disease includes life-style measures and therapeutic interventions, which aim to promote active physical and mental health and help maintain an individual’s capacity for independence. Appropriate specialist drug interventions are also provided, including medicines designed to improve cognitive function.

My Department’s strategy for carers, published in January 2006, aims to recognise, value and support the valuable role they play in our society. Carers are entitled to have their needs assessed and have access to a range of advice, training and practical support.

A Dementia Services development centre is also to be established in Northern Ireland. The centre will provide training, consultancy and research for people with dementia and their carers.

Out of Hours Services

Mr George Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what are his plans to address the £2.5 million shortfall in funding for the out of hours service in the Western Health and Social Services Board in 2007/08 and 2008/09; and to ensure that this service is ongoing from 18.00 to 09.00.

(AQW 424/07)

Mr McGimpsey: There has been no reduction in the actual budget for the provision of Out of Hours services in the Western Health and Social Services Board area specifically, or in Northern Ireland as a whole. In January 2005, when responsibility for Out of Hours services transferred from GPs to the Health and Social Services Boards, the Department agreed to provide bridging finance for a period of 3 years to assist with the additional costs associated with this transfer. As agreed with the Health and Social Services Boards at that time, the bridging finance would decrease in 2007/08 and cease in 2008/09.

Under the General Medical Services Contract, the Out of Hours period is defined as, "(a) the period beginning at 6:30pm on any day from, and including, Monday to Thursday and ending at 8am on the following day; (b) the period between 6:30pm on, and including, Friday and 8am on the following Monday; and (c) any public holiday or local holiday agreed with the Board.". There are no plans to amend this definition or service under the contract

Regional Development

Winter Gritting

Mr William Irwin asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will undertake to ensure minor roads that currently fall below the specified vehicle threshold for winter gritting, but that carry school buses, will be included in Roads Service gritting schedules for this winter.

(AQW 170/07)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Murphy):

You will be aware that a review of Roads Service’s winter service policy and procedures was last carried out in 2001, following severe snow falls.

One of the key outcomes of the review, which was fully debated and accepted by the Assembly, was that the practice of targeting the limited available resources on the busier main through routes should continue. In effect, Roads Service salts through-routes carrying 1500 vehicles per day or more and, in exceptional circumstances, roads with difficult topography carrying between 1000 and 1500 vehicles per day are also gritted. The application of this policy ensures that 28% of the total road network, carrying 80% of traffic, is salted at an annual cost of approximately £5 million.

The review considered the inclusion of all school bus routes in the salted schedule but took cognisance of the fact that the inclusion of all such routes would more than double the annual cost of the salting operation, in addition to a substantial initial capital investment.

The review did, however, recognise that a modest increase in the salted network was justified, mainly for the benefit of rural communities, and recommended that buses in service, including school buses, receive special consideration so that, for example, a 40 seat bus is now counted as 40 vehicles when determining whether a road should be included in the salting schedule. In addition small settlements containing 100 dwellings or more now have a salted link via the shortest route to the main salted network.

Whilst I fully understand your concerns, I am sure you will appreciate that there is a fine balance to be drawn between putting even more funds into salting or into the many other worthwhile demands on Roads Service, many of which are also safety related. It is felt that the most effective use of Roads Service’s limited resources is to salt the busiest roads and this forms the basis of their current policy which is applied objectively and consistently across the country.

Public Transport in Greater Belfast

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to encourage commuters to use public transport in the greater Belfast area.

(AQW 175/07)

Mr Murphy: The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, published in November 2004, set out transport proposals for the Belfast area for implementation by 2015, subject to detailed economic appraisal, funding availability and statutory processes. The Plan's proposals represent a balanced and multi-modal approach to transport aimed at encouraging greater use of public transport and greater levels of walking and cycling. Some specific initiatives are:

in addition to the funding recently spent on introducing new trains to the rail network, which has resulted in increased passenger numbers in the greater Belfast area, options for future railways provision, which would include the purchase of more new trains to enhance capacity on the Belfast commuter rail network, are currently being examined;
a study is being carried out into the feasibility of two pilot Rapid Transit routes in the Belfast area;
funding of £48m was made available during the period 2004-2007 for the purchase of 352 new buses. Metro bus services in the greater Belfast area have benefitted from this investment. The fleet has been substantially modernised; average vehicle age has reduced to 6 years; and accessibility levels have increased to 96%. This has helped generate an increase in passenger numbers of 15% over the two years to March 2007;
Translink’s Metro phase II expansion plan will introduce 25 additional buses to increase frequency on three main routes; and, if this proves successful, a further 33 new buses will be introduced to increase frequency on all the main bus corridors;

Road Safety in Glenravel

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development when road safety measures and additional footpaths will be introduced along the Cushendall and Glenravel Roads in Glenravel.

(AQW 179/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that it is aware of concerns over road safety issues on the A43 Cushendall Road and that it has been monitoring the safety record of the road.

Following a number of meetings with MLAs and others regarding the route, it has been agreed to provide footway links on the A43 from Martinstown to the Chapel and from Cargan to the playing fields. Stage 1 of the Martinstown link will be undertaken during this financial year and the other stages will compete for inclusion in future programmes.

In addition a collision remedial scheme at the scene of the latest fatal collision that occurred on New Year’s Day 2007, near Cargan, is also programmed to be undertaken this financial year. Work will include the provision of kerbing, resurfacing and additional warning signage.

You will also be interested to know that a route study is currently being carried out on the A43 to identify whether any further warning signage or road markings can be provided to ensure that drivers are fully aware of the road layout. Any shortcomings identified will be addressed during this financial year.

A8 Trans-European Route

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development when he intends to complete the dualling of the A8 Belfast to Larne Trans-European route; and what discussions his officials have had with their counterparts in Scotland, during the period 2005-2007, regarding the section of the route which is located in Scotland.

(AQW 189/07)

Mr Murphy: I should explain that the composition and delivery of the major works programme of my Department’s Roads Service, is consistent with the level of investment proposed under the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (ISNI), published in December 2005. The ISNI sets out a high level view of planned investment up to 2015 with proposals for up to £1.4 billion of strategic road improvement schemes. Around £1 billion of these schemes have already been identified and Roads Service is currently considering responses to a consultation exercise on a further £400million of major works proposals.

The Irish National Development Plan 2007-2013, launched in January 2007, contains proposals for Irish Government investment in North/South projects. As part of the Chancellors package announced on 22 March 2007, the Irish Government confirmed its intention to make available further funding of £400 million to help fund infrastructure investment. This is in addition to an extra £200 million envisaged from the Treasury and will include a new roads programme to provide dual carriageway standard on routes within the North serving the North West Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry and on the eastern seaboard corridor from Belfast to Larne.

Work on the reassessment of the Strategic Road Improvement Programme is at an advanced stage, however it has not yet been finalised, and therefore I am presently not in a position to advise on details of its content or timing.

My officials have not held formal discussions within the past two years with counterparts in Scotland regarding this Trans-European Route.

B90 Road Junction

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he will take to address the road junction problems on the B90 at its intersection with the Carnmoney Road and the Carntall Road.

(AQW 190/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the junction to which you refer is the B59 Doagh Road with Carntall Road and Carnmoney Road North.

This junction was investigated in 2005 as part of a route management study for the B59 and was identified as a potential junction improvement scheme. In order to achieve the best long term solution for the route, detailed traffic modelling of this junction, together with the adjacent junction at B59 Doagh Road/B90 Old Carrick Road, is being carried out. This modelling work is nearing completion and Roads Service expects to be in a position to report the outcome of this further study by Autumn 2007.

However, all road schemes must be prioritised in order to ensure the most urgent and best value for money schemes are progressed. This scheme will have to compete for priority with other proposed schemes in the Roads Service Minor Works programme and its implementation will be subject to the availability of the necessary lands and funding.

I have asked the Eastern Divisional Roads Manager to advise you of the outcome of the study on its completion.

Septic Tanks

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give figures for those currently waiting for their septic tank to be emptied for each county in Northern Ireland; and if he will give reasons for the delays.

(AQW 207/07)

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 these questions.

Translink- Remunerations

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the salary packages paid to the last two Chief Executives of Translink in their final year of employment.

(AQW 240/07)

Mr Murphy: The last Chief Executive of Translink, Keith Moffatt, left his post on 31 December 2006 by mutual agreement with his employer the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company. His remuneration for the period from 1 April 2006 to 31 December 2006 amounted to £233,000. Mr Moffatt’s Emoluments for the previous year amounted to £374,000. The previous Chief Executive, Ted Hesketh, retired on 31 March 2003. His final year’s remuneration, as disclosed in the accounts of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company for the year ended 31 March 2003, was £215,000.

Translink - Severance Packages

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development what severance packages were paid to the last two Chief Executives of Translink.

(AQW 241/07)

Mr Murphy: The value of the severance package due to the last Chief Executive of Translink, Keith Moffatt, was £279,000. The previous Chief Executive, Ted Hesketh, retired on 31 March 2003. On his retirement the company paid £136k to augment Mr Hesketh’s retirement fund.

Translink - Corporate Credit Cards

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development how many corporate credit cards are used by senior management in Translink; the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and Northern Ireland Railways.

(AQW 243/07)

Mr Murphy: There are two corporate credit cards held by senior management in the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company. One is used to facilitate the booking of business related travel and accommodation for the Chairman. Expenditure, which amounted to £626 in the year to 31 March 2007, is approved by the Director of Corporate Affairs. The other card is not used. There are no corporate credit cards held by senior management within Translink.

Magherafelt Bypass

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development what is the commencement date for the Magherafelt Bypass.

(AQW 261/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service advises me that Magherafelt Bypass is one of a number of capital road works schemes included in its Strategic Road Improvement Programme. The scheme is currently being developed to identify a preferred route before commencing the Statutory Orders processes later this year. It is envisaged that the statutory notices could be published in 2008 and depending on the outcome of this public consultation, a public inquiry may be required. Commencement of the works will depend on the successful completion of the statutory processes, detailed economic appraisal and the availability of funding through the normal budgetary processes.

Cookstown Eastern Distributor

Mr Patsy McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development what is the commencement date for the Cookstown Eastern Distributor.

(AQW 262/07)

Mr Murphy: A proposal for the Cookstown Eastern Distributor is identified, in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015, as being included in the Forward Planning Schedule of my Department’s Roads Service.

I understand a Consulting Engineer is to be commissioned by the end of June 2007 to take forward the design for a 2.8km long single carriageway distributor road under the management of Roads Service engineers. Typically it can take at least six years to progress a scheme through the various design and consultation stages to the start of construction. Progression will be subject to the scheme clearing the statutory procedures, obtaining a satisfactory economic appraisal and the availability of funds through the normal budgetary processes.

Parking Fines

Mr John McCallister asked the Minister for Regional Development how many fixed penalty parking fines have been issued to motorists in the past six months; and if he will give a breakdown for each District Council area.

(AQW 270/07)

Mr Murphy:

My Department’s Roads Service advises that a total of 77,684 penalty charge notices (PCNS) have been issued between 30 November 2006 and 30 May 2007. The breakdown of these PCNs per council area is as follows:

COUNCIL

TOTAL PCNs

Antrim

1470

Ards

1528

Armagh

2272

Ballymena

2935

Ballymoney

912

Banbridge

1276

Belfast and Castlereagh

20389

Carrickfergus

1359

Coleraine

2898

Cookstown

1156

Craigavon

5092

Derry

8682

Down

1640

Dungannon

1629

Fermanagh

5472

Larne

601

Limavady

866

Lisburn

2530

Magherafelt

1324

Moyle

85

Newry and Mourne

3732

Newtownabbey

1126

North Down

2606

Omagh

3534

Strabane

2570

Total

77 684

Fixed Penalty Notices

Mr John McCallister asked the Minister for Regional Development how many motorists have challenged fixed penalty notices in the last twelve months, on the basis that 'pay and display' machines in the vicinity were inoperable.

(AQW 271/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department assumed responsibility for the enforcement of on-street parking and waiting restrictions on 30 October 2006. Between 30 October 2006 and 30 May 2007, 287 motorists successfully challenged their penalty charge notice on the grounds that ‘pay and display’ machines were not working properly.

Prior to 30 October 2006, my Department was only responsible for the enforcement of excess and alternative charges for off-street car parks, with responsibility for the enforcement of on- street waiting restrictions being a matter for the police. Information relating to challenges prior to the 30 October was not categorised by either party and, therefore, is not available.

Car Plus Scheme

Mr John McCallister asked the Minister for Regional Development what has been the take-up rate for the Carplus scheme; what is the total set up cost of commissioning Carplus; and how many car sharing schemes are currently in operation across Northern Ireland.

(AQW 276/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that, following a tender competition, Car Plus was commissioned at a cost of approximately £8,000, to conduct a scoping study into the potential for car clubs in Belfast. This study is ongoing.

In relation to the car share scheme established by Roads Service under its Travelwise initiative, I am advised that there are currently 19 such schemes in operation across the north with 2096 members.

Improvement of Rail Services

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail plans for the improvement of rail services between Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, including improvements to unmanned level crossings; the installation of passing loops; and improved timetables.

(AQW 279/07)

Mr Murphy: Work on rail services between Belfast and Derry is currently being carried out to maintain services on the line at existing levels in accordance with the Railways Review Group Report published in 2004. Following the carrying out of an appraisal which assessed the merits of a range of options for future railways provision the Department is bidding for additional funding to upgrade the Derry line as part of the second Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland. This includes the provision of a passing loop and if the bid was to be successful it would allow for an improved timetable on the line.

There are two types of unmanned crossings on the line between Belfast and Derry: public highway level crossings and private user worked crossings.

The public highway level crossings which are generally automatic half barrier crossings are installed and maintained to industry standards. These crossings are subject to annual inspections involving the DRD, Roads Service, PSNI and NIR to ensure that they remain compliant and local issues are considered regularly.

Private User Worked Crossings (UWC) occur generally on private laneways and between fields where historical accesses have been bisected by the railway. NIR is currently considering the need to either close or improve the highest risk crossings. Inspections are carried out every six months at UWCs and a dedicated team carry out all maintenance work identified.

Airport Rail Link

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will make it his policy to establish a departmental working group to explore the feasibility of a rail link between Belfast International Airport and the George Best Belfast City Airport.

(AQW 306/07)

Mr Murphy: Priority is currently being given to establishing the future investment needs of the existing railway network and a range of options have been the subject of an appraisal. The results of this appraisal process will inform the Department’s bids under the Priorities and Budgets and Investment Strategy exercises.

The establishment of a Departmental working group to explore the feasibility of a rail link between Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport is not being considered at this time.

A26 Coleraine to Glarryford

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development when work will commence on the A26 between Coleraine and Glarryford; and if he will give a timescale for the completion of this work.

(AQW 307/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service advises me that a scheme to provide a new dual carriageway on a 7 km portion of the A 26 between Glarryford crossroads and the junction with the A44 Drones Road, is one of a number of capital road works schemes included in its Strategic Road Improvement Programme. The scheme is being developed to identify a preferred route before commencing the Statutory Orders. Subject to the successful completion of the statutory processes, detailed economic appraisal and the availability of funding through the normal budgetary processes, it is currently envisaged that the scheme will be taken forward to procurement in 2010, with construction work being completed during late 2012/early 2013.

While there are no further schemes on the A26 currently in the Roads Service Programme, you will be interested to know that the proposed Expanded Strategic Road Improvement Programme 2015, published for consultation in 2006, includes a further improvement scheme on this road between Ballymoney and Coleraine. Roads Service is currently considering responses to this consultation.

Road Resurfacing in Donaghadee

Mr Alex Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to resurface the footpaths and roads in Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee.

(AQW 313/07)

Mr Murphy: I understand that you have already raised this issue with Roads Service and that a meeting has been arranged for 6 June 2007 between yourself and local Roads Service officials. At that meeting you can be more specific in identifying the footpaths or roads that you believe need attention and discuss the other matters you have written to Roads Service about. I hope that this meeting will serve to resolve your concerns.

Traffic Calming in Donaghadee

Mr Alex Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to put in place the traffic calming measures that have been requested by the local community in Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee.

(AQW 314/07)

Mr Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service receives many requests for traffic calming schemes and, as demand greatly exceeds the capacity to supply these measures, priorities must be established.

I am advised that officials in Roads Service will complete a preliminary assessment of the Beechfield Estate in the next few weeks and I have asked them to write to you directly to inform you of their findings.

Raw Sewage in Dunloy

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what immediate action he will take to stop raw sewage coming through manholes into residents' gardens in McClelland Park, Dunloy, and to minimise the health risk to children living there.

(AQW 359/07)

Social Development

Asbestos in Social Housing

Ms Michelle McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the extent of the use of asbestos in social housing; and the steps being taken by the Housing Executive to remove it, in relation to both rented and recently purchased homes.

(AQW 143/07)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms Ritchie): Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) were used extensively in social housing from the 1950s to the 1980s. The materials were most commonly used in roof coverings, soffit boards, lagging, flue pipes, floor coverings, insulation, panels and drip trays.

The Housing Executive’s asbestos management strategy includes a five year plan, which began in April 2005, for the survey of all its properties to identify the presence of asbestos and the production and implementation of plans to manage it.

The management of asbestos uses three approaches

leave the ACMs undisturbed;
treat the surface of or enclosing the ACMs or
remove the ACMs.

The approach in each case is determined by a risk assessment undertaken as part of the survey exercise. Any planned scheme of works includes an asbestos survey and subsequent management plan. To date surveys have been commissioned in 780 schemes covering 31,150 dwellings.

As far as purchased properties are concerned responsibility for asbestos lies with the property owner. Where it is found in properties sold by the Housing Executive financial assistance for its removal may be awarded through the Grants Scheme. The cost of survey and removal is included in the grant paid.

Vacant Dwellings

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of empty housing properties under the control of the Housing Executive in 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Ballymoney, Ballymena and Moyle districts, and the wards in which they are located.

(AQW 178/07)

Ms Ritchie: This information is held by financial year and is not readily available by ward. The table below details the numbers of vacant dwellings within the Housing Executive’s administrative areas for its Ballymoney, Ballymena and Ballycastle district offices.

Vacant Dwellings

		Awaiting Imminent Relet	Difficult to let	Undergoing Major Improvements/ Held for Decanting	Pending Sale of Demolition	Total
	At 31 March

Ballymena	2005	0	77	105	90	272
	2006	0	51	66	82	199
	2007	0	51	76	57	184

Ballycastle	2005	1	0	20	0	21
	2006	0	1	10	0	11
	2007	0	2	15	0	17

Ballymoney	2005	0	0	13	0	13
	2006	0	0	10	0	10
	2007	0	0	8	0	8

Homeless People

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are classified as homeless in each of the 18 parliamentary constituencies.

(AQW 200/07)

Ms Ritchie: The information requested is not readily available in the form requested.

At 31 March 2007 the total number of households accepted as statutorily homeless and awarded full Duty Applicant Status was 9,031.

As I have previously stated I am determined to address the issue of housing supply and take the necessary steps to promote the social inclusion of the homeless.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Waiting Lists

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are on the waiting list for (a) Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and (b) Housing Association accommodation in each of the 18 parliamentary constituencies.

(AQW 201/07)

Ms Ritchie: The information is not readily available in the form requested and can only be provided on the basis of Common Landlord Areas.

Applicants for social housing are assessed and pointed under the Common Selection Scheme and placed in priority order on the Common Waiting List. Separate lists are not held for Housing Executive and Housing Association properties.

The attached table details the number of applicants appearing on the Common Selection Scheme waiting list at 31 March 2007.

Waiting List (at 31 March 2007)

District	2007
Belfast 1	1,130
Belfast 2	1,725
Belfast 3	1,058
Belfast 4	982
Belfast 5	816
Belfast 6	1,372
Belfast 7	1,987
Antrim	979
Ballycastle	301
Ballymena	1,411
Ballymoney	477
Carrickfergus	1,007
Coleraine	1,234
Larne	505
Newtownabbey 1	738
Newtownabbey 2	840
Armagh	828
Banbridge	674
Dungannon	753
Fermanagh	1,038
Lurgan	1,048
Newry	1,727
Portadown	721
Bangor	1,857
Castlereagh	1,150
Downpatrick	1,166
Lisburn Antrim Street	1,788
Lisburn Dairy Farm	603
Newtownards	1,525
Cookstown	367
Limavady	522
Londonderry 1	727
Londonderry 2	722
Londonderry 3	708
Magherafelt	495
Omagh	640
Strabane	561
Total	36,182

Unclaimed Social Security Benefits

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister for Social Development what is the total amount of unclaimed social security benefits for each of the last five financial years.

(AQW 202/07)

Ms Ritchie: The information requested is not available as statistical data for all benefit categories. The Family Resources Survey provides details of estimates of unclaimed income related benefits and shows that the annual amounts unclaimed in respect of Income Support, Housing Benefit, Minimum Income Guarantee/Pension Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income-Based) lies in the ranges shown in the attached table. This information is only available for the period 2002 – 2005.

Estimated annual amount (£ million) of benefit unclaimed for selected benefits

Estimate based on period	Income Support	Housing Benefit	Minimum Income Guarantee/Pension Credit	Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based).
2002-04	5 - 82	6 – 37	na	12 – 76
2003-05	3 - 72	9 – 51	57- 134	3 – 35

Source: Family Resources Survey: Income Related Benefits, Estimates of Take-Up in Northern Ireland 2003/2005

Due to sampling constraints, results are presented as a range of values

Complaints to the Housing Executive

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister for Social Development how many complaints the Housing Executive has received in 2004; 2005 and 2006, in regard to damp and condensation problems in Housing Executive properties.

(AQW 257/07)

Ms Ritchie: The information requested is not readily available in the form requested. The table below details the number of repair requests received by the Housing Executive relating to damp and condensation for the periods requested.

Year	*Repair requests
2004/05	507
2005/06	668
2006/07	785

* These include reports of condensation or dampness on and around the walls, floors and ceilings, as well as chimneys and windows, of properties.

Housing Waiting Lists for Ballymoney, Ballymena and Moyle

Mr Daithí McKay asked the Minister for Social Development if she will give a breakdown of the current housing waiting list, by area, within Ballymoney; Ballymena; and Moyle districts, specifically in relation to those who are homeless and in urgent need.

(AQW 258/07)

Ms Ritchie: The total waiting lists for the Ballymoney, Ballymena and Ballycastle areas and, of that total, those in housing stress (with 30 or more points) are as follows:

Ballymoney Waiting List (at 31 March 2007)

Common Landlord Area	Housing Applicants
Common Landlord Area	Total	Housing Stress
District Town
Townparks	45	21
Glebeside	82	31
Trinity Drive	18	7
Eastermeade	51	17
Westgate	36	15
Margaret Avenue	4	1
Carnany	31	13
Ballybogy	2	1
Balnamore	19	6
Cloughmills	24	9
Dervock	33	15
Dunloy	25	13
Loughguile	16	3
Rasharkin	39	18
Stranocum	7	2
Bendooragh	15	11
Clintyfinnan	3	0
Corkey	9	1
Druckendult	2	1
Dunaghy	6	2
Killyrammer	5	0
Macfin	2	1
Seacon	3	0
DISTRICT TOTAL	477	188

table 2

Ballymena Waiting List (at 31 March 2007)

Common Landlord Area	Housing Applicants
Common Landlord Area	Total	Housing Stress
District Town
Adair/Demense	148	81
Rectory	61	30
Doury Road	22	9
Ballykeel 1	126	68
Ballykeel 2	61	34
Harryville	191	101
Fisherwick Cresc	20	5
Millfield	63	41
Dunclug	74	38
Dunvale	31	18
Ballee	130	74
Clonavon Estate	12	5
Duke Street	6	5
Balmoral Avenue /Princess Street	19	10
Herbison Park	19	9
Carniny	2	2
Galgorm	16	7
Gracehill	7	5
Tullygarley/ Riverdale	8	4
Ahoghill	68	37
Broughshane	99	50
Glenravel	19	15
Clough	10	4
Cullybackey	85	47
Kells	50	23
Portglenone	48	27
Moorlands/ Taylorstown	1	0
Slatt	2	1
Straid	0	0
Glarryford	4	4
Craigywarren	2	1
Procklis	0	0
Ballymarlow	0	0
Moorfields/ Glenwherry	7	0

DISTRICT TOTAL	1411	755

table 3. ballycastle Waiting List (at 31 March 2007)

Common Landlord Area	Housing Applicants
Common Landlord Area	Total	Housing Stress
District Town
Ballycastle	153	74
Bushmills	33	14
Cushendall	55	27
Armoy	17	11
Ballintoy	8	6
Ballyvoy	3	3
Mosside	4	4
Waterfoot	12	2
Cushendun	11	4
Liscolman	2	1
Rathlin	3	1

DISTRICT TOTAL	301	147

The numbers awarded full duty homeless status as at the end of March 2007 are as follows:

Ballymoney - 122
Ballymena - 441
Ballycastle - 83

Integrated Development Funding

Mrs Dolores Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, in relation to integrated development funding for Portadown, (a) the current level of spend, (b) the percentage of available funds spent on salaries, overheads, consultancy fees and on projects, (c) projects undertaken, and (d) to report on the progress and implementation of those projects.

(AQW 266/07)

Ms Ritchie: In relation to the Integrated Development Funding for Portadown (as of 31 March 2007) the:

(a) Current level of spend is £86,823.16

(b) The percentage of available funds spent on:

Salaries is 54.92% (£47,681.61)
Overheads is 2.9% (£2516.18)
Consultancy fees is 19.4% (£16818.15)
Projects is 0% (£0).

Housing Waiting Lists for Coleraine and Limavady

Mr John Dallat asked the Minister for Social Development to detail waiting lists for social housing in the Coleraine and Limavady districts; to provide new build numbers in those districts for the years 2002/03; 2003/04; 2004/05; 2005/06; and 2006/07; and to provide information on projected new build for the years 2007/08; 2008/09; and 2009/10.

(AQW 280/07)

Ms Ritchie: Waiting lists for Coleraine and Limavady as at 31 March 2007 are as follows:

District
Coleraine	Applicants	1234
	Applicants in housing stress*	636
Limavady	Applicants	522
	Applicants in housing stress*	210

*Applicants in housing stress are those with 30 points or more

New build units completed for Coleraine and Limavady for the years requested are as follows:

	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2006/06	2006/07
Coleraine	7	18	27	45	3
Limavady	26	9	0	28	0

Projected new build for Coleraine and Limavady for the years 2007/08; 2008/09; and 2009/10 is as follows:

	No. of units
	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10
Coleraine	44	13	37
Limavady	11	12	0

An additional 94 units are planned for 2010/11 and 2011/12 for Coleraine and 27 units planned for 2010/11 for Limavady.

Abbey Street Car Park

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Social Development when a decision on the Abbey Street Car Park in Coleraine will be made.

(AQW 315/07)

Ms Ritchie: The Department for Social Development issued a development brief in respect of the Abbey Street and Mall car park sites in November 2005. One of the objectives of the development brief was to address the parking shortfall in Coleraine town centre. The Department is currently assessing the development proposals which have been submitted in response to the development brief. It is hoped that the Department will be in a position to take a decision on the Abbey Street site by the end of July 2007.

Urban Renewal Scheme

Mr Fred Cobain asked the Minister for Social Development what plans are in place to implement departmental commitments in relation to the Urban Renewal Scheme in the Village area; and what meetings she has had on this issue.

(AQW 319/07)

Ms Ritchie: The economic appraisal for the proposed Urban Renewal Scheme in the Village area is at present still being considered by the Department. However, the Greater Village Regeneration Trust has developed an alternative option which they wish to have considered. Senior Departmental officials have met twice with representatives from the area and a third meeting is at present being arranged. I have already indicated that my intention is to visit the area as soon as my diary permits. I hope that the visit will provide me with an opportunity to meet with representative groups.

Housing Association New Build - Ards and Strangford

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development if she will give figures for Housing Association new build for each of the last five years for (a) Ards Borough Council area; and (b) the Strangford constituency.

(AQW 357/07)

Ms Ritchie: The information is not readily available in the form requested.

The table below shows the number of units completed by Housing Associations for the periods requested by the common waiting list administrative areas for Newtownards, Downpatrick and Castlereagh. The table also details units still onsite at 31 March 2007.

Area	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	On site at 31 March 2007
Newtownards	8	11	5	11	11	15
Downpatrick	60	0	40	18	11	21
Castlereagh	6	0	3	12	17	101
TOTAL	74	11	48	41	39	137

Disability Living Allowance

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance by (a) constituency, (b) District Council area, and (c) each Social Security Office.

(AQW 376/07)

Ms Ritchie: The information requested is set out in the attached tables. The numbers shown reflect the number of claims where an amount of Disability Living Allowance is in payment at the date of extract.

Table 1: Disability Living Allowance Recipients by Parliamentary Constituency at 28 April 2007

Parliamentary Constituency	Disability Living Allowance Recipients (28 April 2007)
BELFAST EAST	7,306
BELFAST NORTH	12,181
BELFAST SOUTH	7,239
BELFAST WEST	16,087
EAST ANTRIM	6,605
EAST LONDONDERRY	6,951
FERMANAGH AND SOUTH TYRONE	8,729
FOYLE	13,566
LAGAN VALLEY	7,856
MID ULSTER	9,177
NEWRY AND ARMAGH	11,373
NORTH ANTRIM	7,879
NORTH DOWN	5,644
SOUTH ANTRIM	7,965
SOUTH DOWN	10,695
STRANGFORD	7,696
UPPER BANN	11,663
WEST TYRONE	11,847
Unallocated Postcode *	870
TOTAL	171,329

* In producing this analysis, individual records were attributed to Electoral Wards and Parliamentary Constituency on the basis of their postcode. Not all records can be correctly allocated to a ward using this method, and some cannot be allocated at all.

Table 2: Disability Living Allowance Recipients by District Council Area at 28 April 2007

District Council Area	Disability Living Allowance Recipients (28 April 2007)
ANTRIM	4,140
ARDS	5,960
ARMAGH	5,244
BALLYMENA	3,968
BALLYMONEY	2,530
BANBRIDGE	4,026
BELFAST	35,227
CARRICKFERGUS	3,091
CASTLEREAGH	5,101
COLERAINE	3,925
COOKSTOWN	3,993
CRAIGAVON	9,233
DERRY	13,566
DOWN	6,558
DUNGANNON	5,649
FERMANAGH	5,024
LARNE	2,328
LIMAVADY	3,026
LISBURN	9,867
MAGHERAFELT	3,240
MOYLE	1,381
NEWRY & MOURNE	10,069
NEWTOWNABBEY	6,653
NORTH DOWN	4,813
OMAGH	6,334
STRABANE	5,513
Unallocated Postcode *	870
TOTAL	171,329

Table 3: Disability Living Allowance Recipients by Social Security Office/ Jobs & Benefits office boundary at 28 April 2007

Social Security Office/Jobs & Benefits office boundary	Disability Living Allowance Recipients (28 April 2007)
Andersonstown	7,544
Antrim	5,063
Armagh	4,596
Ballymena	4,444
Ballymoney	3,690
Ballynahinch	2,342
Banbridge	4,161
Bangor	5,244
Carrickfergus	3,093
Coleraine	3,930
Cookstown	3,420
Corporation Street	8,649
Downpatrick	3,263
Dungannon	5,213
Enniskillen	5,423
Falls Road	6,546
Foyle	8,876
Holywood Road	6,976
Kilkeel	1,524
Knockbreda	5,698
Larne	2,331
Limavady	2,720
Lisburn	6,180
Lisnagelvin	5,065
Lurgan	6,319
Magherafelt	3,492
Newcastle	2,058
Newry	8,220
Newtownabbey	5,529
Newtownards	4,806
Omagh	6,189
Portadown	4,210
Shaftesbury Square	4,339
Shankill Road	3,636
Strabane	5,499
Unallocated Postcode*	1,041
TOTAL	171,329

* Disability Living Allowance is a centralised benefit and therefore has no Social Security Office/Jobs & Benefits office indicator. Table 3 is a breakdown of customers whose postcodes fall within each of the 35 Social Security Office/Jobs & Benefits office boundaries. "Unallocated Postcode" in this instance refers to those postcodes which cannot be referenced on the Geographic Information System and therefore cannot be assigned to a Social Security office Boundary.

Incapacity Benefit Recipients

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people in receipt of Incapacity Benefit by (a) constituency, (b) District Council area, and (c) each Social Security Office.

(AQW 377/07)

Ms Ritchie: The information requested is set out in the attached tables. The numbers shown in receipt of Incapacity Benefit Recipients reflect the number of claims where an amount of Incapacity Benefit is in payment at the date of extract.

Table 1: Incapacity Benefit Recipients by Parliamentary Constituency at 31 March 2007

Parliamentary Constituency	Incapacity Benefit Recipients (31 March 2007)
BELFAST EAST	2,878
BELFAST NORTH	4,373
BELFAST SOUTH	2,757
BELFAST WEST	4,632
EAST ANTRIM	3,144
EAST LONDONDERRY	3,415
FERMANAGH AND SOUTH TYRONE	3,404
FOYLE	5,329
LAGAN VALLEY	3,378
MID ULSTER	4,021
NEWRY AND ARMAGH	4,517
NORTH ANTRIM	3,971
NORTH DOWN	2,456
SOUTH ANTRIM	3,396
SOUTH DOWN	4,381
STRANGFORD	3,522
UPPER BANN	5,345
WEST TYRONE	4,603
Unallocated Postcode*	491
TOTAL	70,013

Table 2: Incapacity Benefit Recipients by District Council Area at 31 March 2007

District Council Area	Incapacity Benefit Recipients (31 March 2007)
ANTRIM	1,736
ARDS	2,777
ARMAGH	2,367
BALLYMENA	2,059
BALLYMONEY	1,267
BANBRIDGE	1,927
BELFAST	11,937
CARRICKFERGUS	1,466
CASTLEREAGH	2,165
COLERAINE	1,998
COOKSTOWN	1,684
CRAIGAVON	4,214
DERRY	5,329
DOWN	2,552
DUNGANNON	2,194
FERMANAGH	1,896
LARNE	1,149
LIMAVADY	1,417
LISBURN	3,754
MAGHERAFELT	1,651
MOYLE	645
NEWRY & MOURNE	3,788
NEWTOWNABBEY	2,813
NORTH DOWN	2,134
OMAGH	2,347
STRABANE	2,256
Unallocated Postcode*	491
TOTAL	70,013

Table 3: Incapacity Benefit Recipients by Social Security Office/Jobs & Benefits office boundary at 31 March 2007

Social Security Office/Jobs & Benefits office boundary	Incapacity Benefit Recipients (31 March 2007)
ANDERSONSTOWN	2,123
ANTRIM	2,184
ARMAGH	1,988
BALLYMENA	2,326
BALLYMONEY	1,801
BALLYNAHINCH	1,070
BANBRIDGE	1,995
BANGOR	2,286
CARRICKFERGUS	1,467
COLERAINE	2,012
COOKSTOWN	1,410
CORPORATION STREET	2,996
DOWNPATRICK	1,240
DUNGANNON	2,006
ENNISKILLEN	2,077
FALLS ROAD	1,766
FOYLE	3,214
HOLYWOOD ROAD	2,782
KILKEEL	595
KNOCKBREDA	2,338
LARNE	1,152
LIMAVADY	1,243
LISBURN	2,634
LISNAGELVIN	2,306
LURGAN	2,845
MAGHERAFELT	1,733
NEWCASTLE	795
NEWRY	3,026
NEWTOWNABBEY	2,276
NEWTOWNARDS	2,283
OMAGH	2,287
PORTADOWN	2,022
SHAFTESBURY SQUARE	1,580
SHANKILL ROAD	1,330
STRABANE	2,257
UNALLOCATED POSTCODE*	568
TOTAL	70,013

* Incapacity Benefit is a centralised benefit and therefore has no Social Security Office/Jobs & Benefits office indicator. Table 3 is a breakdown of customers whose postcodes fall within each of the 35 Social Security Office/Jobs & Benefits office boundaries. "Unallocated Postcode" in this instance refers to those postcodes which cannot be referenced on the Geographic Information System and therefore cannot be assigned to a Social Security office Boundary.

COUNCIL	TOTAL PCNs
Antrim	1470
Ards	1528
Armagh	2272
Ballymena	2935
Ballymoney	912
Banbridge	1276
Belfast and Castlereagh	20389
Carrickfergus	1359
Coleraine	2898
Cookstown	1156
Craigavon	5092
Derry	8682
Down	1640
Dungannon	1629
Fermanagh	5472
Larne	601
Limavady	866
Lisburn	2530
Magherafelt	1324
Moyle	85
Newry and Mourne	3732
Newtownabbey	1126
North Down	2606
Omagh	3534
Strabane	2570

Total	77 684

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY Friday 08 June 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

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

Friday 08 June 2007

Written Answers to Questions