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

Friday 02 November 2007

Written Answers to Questions

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

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Consultancy Expenditure

Mr G Savage asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the department's expenditure on consultancy; and to provide a breakdown of this expenditure, for the last year.

(AQW 1164/08)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): During the last financial year (2006/07), the Department’s expenditure on external consultants amounted to £1.193 million. A breakdown of this expenditure is detailed below.

Breakdown of Consultancy Spend 2006/07:

Category	Amount (£m)
policy appraisal and review	0.158
strategic management	0.811
organisational development	0.072
quality accreditation	0.008
projects	0.024
surveys	0.010
market research	0.046
Other	0.064
TOTAL	1.193

Agriculture and Rural Development

Animal Welfare

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail whether or not she proposes to update the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, in line with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in England and Wales; and if this new legislation will include the 'five freedoms'.

(AQW 1006/08)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): The Department consulted on proposals for new animal welfare legislation in late 2006. I have asked my officials to finalise a report which will summarise the outcome of the responses to the consultation, after which I will decide what new legislation is required.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) in the South are currently considering updating their animal welfare legislation. I believe that it is important that we take similar approaches to dealing with animal welfare abuses on the island of Ireland and I have asked that my officials liaise closely with their counterparts in DAFF. The summary of the responses to the 2006 consultation will therefore also reflect on the position in the South.

While the specific provisions in any new legislation will depend on detailed deliberation of the consultation responses, the ‘five freedoms’ will inform my considerations.

Carbon Footprint

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to assist research into the carbon footprint of Northern Ireland's farming systems.

(AQW 1039/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Research by the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) into proactive and innovative ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions from farming is ongoing.

DARD is also engaged with counterparts in Britain on research into carbon efficient farming systems and the development of a standard method for measuring the carbon emissions of agricultural products.

The Environment and Renewable Energy Centre at AFBI is researching a number of renewable energy technologies, including short rotation willow coppice and anaerobic digestion of farm waste, which will assist in reducing the carbon footprint of farming systems.

Carbon Footprint

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is her assessment of the potential advantages of showing Northern Ireland's farming systems to be carbon efficient, in assisting the marketing of agricultural products; and, if so, to detail how she would maximise this benefit.

(AQW 1040/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Evidence for the carbon efficiency of local farming systems would help reinforce the ‘branding’ of agriculture here as ‘clean and green.’

My Department would support efforts by the agri-food sector to exploit this brand through measures under Axis 1 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (the ‘NIRDP’).

DARD is engaged with counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales on a strategy for the sustainability of food production and consumption . Until this work has been taken further the carbon efficiencies of the local farming systems cannot be assumed.

Farmers Affected by Flooding

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 532/08, what action she has taken to source compensation for farmers affected by flooding in the Glens of Antrim in July 2007; and to detail the progress she has made on this issue, to date.

(AQW 1100/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I have directed farmers like other householders to the Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance to District Councils which is administered by the Department of Environment. There is no other assistance available from the Executive.

Food Security

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps her department is taking to ensure food security in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1114/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Future food security is a very important issue and I wish to advise that appropriate contingency planning on this matter is handled by Defra in consultation with my Department and the Agriculture Departments in Scotland and Wales. However, as the agri-food industry in the North is heavily dependant on external sales the issue of food security is unlikely to pose a local problem. I can also assure you that I am committed to the continued development of a sustainable local agri-food industry which has the capacity to produce more than enough food for the local population.

Pomeroy Business Park

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her department's involvement in the development of Pomeroy Business Park, located in Pomeroy forest; and what is the current stage of development of this project.

(AQW 1252/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My Department has recently agreed to the disposal of 0.9 hectares of land at Pomeroy Forest in County Tyrone to Pomeroy Community Developments for the purposes of an Enterprise Park. The Department has recently issued instructions to the Departmental Solicitors Office to prepare the legal documentation. Harvesting of the timber and development of this site will commence once the legal framework is in place and the required fees have been received.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

Community Festivals Fund

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the support provided by his department in relation to sustaining community festivals and events, other than that provided by the Community Festivals Fund.

(AQW 986/08)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the support provided by his department in relation to sustaining community festivals and events, other than that provided by the Community Festivals Fund.

ANSWER

The table below gives details the support provided by my Department for community festivals and events, other than from the Community Festivals Fund since the introduction of the Community Festivals fund in April 2006:

Source	Festival	Amount awarded
DCAL (Transitional Funding)	Féile an Phobail Ardoyne Fleadh Greater New Lodge Festival	£130,000 £31,000 £33,500
Foras na Gaelige	Spraoi (Fun) Camlough Festival Derry Festival Feile an Phobail	£2,371 £1,000 £995 £15,000
Arts Council	Glasgowbury Celtic Fusion Fairhead Folk Festival	£29,219 £52,000 £6, 900
Northern Ireland Events Company	Nashville Songwriters Festival Blues on the Bay Festival	£15,000£10,000

Education

School Repairs

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 69/08, what steps she has taken to make savings on the amount of her department's budget that is spent on repairs to schools.

(AQW 483/08)

The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Expenditure on repairs is made in response to building deficiencies identified by the school authorities and which need to be addressed, for example for reasons of safety. It is important that best use is made of all the funding available to improve the schools’ estate and in that regard the work underway to improve the planning of the estate, and improve the procurement of school projects should lead to greater efficiency in addressing infrastructure deficiencies.

Derryboye Primary School Car Park

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on the construction of a car park at Derryboye Primary School; and to give an expected completion date for the project.

(AQW 644/08)

Ms C Ruane: The South Eastern Education and Library Board is responsible for this project and it expects it to commence before the end of this financial year. The Board will advise you of the completion date as soon as it is known.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders Programmes

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each Education and Library Board for the five financial years prior to 31 March 2006, the number of applications received for after-school Autistic Spectrum Disorders programmes; the number of those applications approved by each Board; and the number of applications awarded by tribunal.

(AQW 770/08)

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

Financial Years 2001/2002 – 2005/06	Number of applications	Number of applications approved
Belfast	20	8
North Eastern	0	0
South Eastern	0	0
Southern	0	0
Western	4	3
TOTAL	24	11

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 29/08, to detail which of the organisations invited to the two stakeholder consultations, in August and September 2007, attended one or both of these meetings.

(AQW 778/08)

Ms C Ruane: The following organisations, including those with expertise in the area of autism attended one or other of the two building stakeholder consultation meetings held in Middletown in August and September 2007: Abbey Vocational School; Appleby Trust; Autism Initiatives; Autism NI (PAPA); Buncrana College Vocational Education Committee; Camphill Community Glencraig; County Donegal Vocational Education Committee; Irish Autism Action; Irish Society for Autism; Knappagh Presbyterian Church; Middletown Presbyterian Church; National Parents Council – Primary; Southern Education and Library Board; Western Education and Library Board.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 29/08, to detail whether or not any initial consultations with established universities, teacher training colleges, or university medical schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, or with the Department of Education and Science in the Republic of Ireland, took place, prior to the decision to acquire and site a centre of excellence for autism at Middletown.

(AQW 779/08)

Ms C Ruane: Officials within the Department consulted with their counterparts in the Department of Education and Science (DES) prior to the decision made in April 2002 to acquire and site a centre of excellence for autism at the property in Middletown. I am unable to confirm whether or not there were consultations with universities, teacher training colleges or university medical schools in the North or the South. My answer to AQW 778/08 refers to consultations with statutory providers carried out in December 2002.

School Repairs

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail her department's expenditure on school repairs in the East Derry/Londonderry constituency, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 859/08)

Ms C Ruane: The expenditure information available does not distinguish between maintenance and repairs. Details of expenditure on maintenance and repairs on schools in the East Derry constituency, in each of the last five years, is as follows:-

2002/03 £674,000

2003/04 £1,179,000

2004/05 £957,000

2005/06 £718,000

2006/07 £825,000

School Bus Seatbelts

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of primary school buses in North Antrim that have been fitted with seatbelts; and to list the schools and areas that are serviced by these buses.

(AQW 918/08)

Ms C Ruane: In total, 44 buses serving North Antrim primary schools have seatbelts fitted. The North-Eastern Education and Library Board has advised that the following primary schools in the North Antrim area are serviced by buses with seatbelts fitted:

School	Areas Covered	No. of Buses
Moorfields PS	Racavan/Rathkeel/Glenhead/Speerstown/Kells/ Whappstown/Connor/Craigstown/Tully/ Moorfields	2
Kells & Connor PS	Steeple/Lislunnan/Parkgate/Carncome/ Doagh Rd	1
Broughshane PS	Tullymore/Elginy/Longmore/Knockan/ Ballyloughan/Knowehead/Ballylig/Qoille/ Cloneytrace	1
Dunseverick PS	Ballintoy/Portballintrae/Causeway/Ballaghmore/ Lagavara/Craigalappin/Whitepark/Straid/ Dunseverick/Moycraig/Toberkeigh/Larrybane	1
Braidside Integrated PS	Ballymena/Munie/Broughshane/Carniny/Ahoghill/Cullybackey/Martinstown	7*
Knockahollett PS	Ballyveely/Ballyweaney/Kilmandil/Loughabin/ Knockmore/Crosstagherty/Tober/Frocess/ Ballyportery	1
Rasharkin PS/St Patrick’s PS, Rasharkin & Carrowreagh PS	Carclinty/Aghill/Portna/Bann/Drumack/Tamlaght/ Lisnahuncheon/Finvoy/Craigs/Mullan/Rosnashane/ Lisheeghan/Townhill/Donnelly Park/Vow/ Gortgole/Doneyshiel/Gortahar/Glenbuck/Bridge/ Station/Duneaney/Slaght/Slievenaghy/Tullaghans	4
St Brigid’s PS, Cloughmills & Clough PS	Ballinaloob/Kilmandil/Ballyveeley/Rosedemott/ Lislabin/Old Frocess/Springmount/DouryRd/ Ballycregagh/Cloughwater/Drumfin/ Loughmagarry/Carnlea/Crankill/Cladytown/ Ballybogey/Moneyduff/Frocess	3*
St Patrick’s PS, Loughguile & St Anne’s PS	Tober/Kilraughts/Pharis/Ballyweaney/Kilraughts/ Fernbank/Bregha/Altnarichard/Shelton/Altnahinch/ Coolkeeran/Magherahoney/Knockard	2
Gracehill PS & Carnaghts PS	Nursery Rd/Slatt/Marlow X/Rankinstown/ Ballycowan	1
Glenravel PS	Carncoagh/Lisnacrougher/Limavallaghan/ Tullykittagh/Skerry/Crommelin Hill/Riverlea/ Drumagrove	1
Barnish PS	Torr/Ballyvennaught/Craigfad/Fairhead/Watertop/C'dall Rd/Glenmakeeran/Churchfield/Glenshesk/ Careymill	1
Hazelbank PS (pm only)	Aghnadore/Douglas/Lisnamurrican/B'gelly/Clough/Longmore	1
St Colmcilles PS	Ballymean/Lisnahilt/Tully/Craigadoo/Moorfields Kells/Deerfin/Rankinstown	2
St Brigid’s PS, Ballymoney	Armoy/Ballymoney/Corkey/Taughey/Rosnashane/ Loughguile/Dunloy	3
Gracehill PS	Gracehill/Ballymontenagh/Nursery Rd/Caddy/ Sourhill	1
Ballymoney PS	Ballymoney	1
St Anne’s PS, Corkey	Corkey/Loughguile/Cloughmills/Armoy	1
St Ciaran’s PS	Clady/Knocknacarry/Torr/Tromra	1
Longstone PS, St Patrick’s & St Joseph’s PS, Ahoghill	Gillistown/Mount Hilary/Ballybollen/Clooney/ Culnafey/Crosskeys/Carmegrim/Grange/Priestown/ Cranearney/Glebe/Casheltown/Kilcurry	2
Buick Memorial PS	Killagan/Glenvale/Killycowan/Bridge/Caldytown/ Shellinghill	1
The Diamond PS	Garvaghy/Ballynafie/Priestown	1
Bushvalley PS	Altarichard/Knockmore/Moyarget/Mosside/ Moycraig/Drumaheigh/Ballinlea/Lisnagat/ Kilmahamogue/Islandboy	1
St Joseph’s PS, Dunloy	Bridge/Mallaboy/Galdanagh/Mullans/Dunloy/ Tullaghans/Loughabin/Glenbuck/Killagin/Anticur/ Frocess/Duneaney/Rosnashane	1

* Figure includes one vehicle fitted with seatbelts on exposed seats only

In addition to the vehicles listed above, Translink also operates 3 fully seatbelted 53 seater buses in the North Antrim area. As is the nature with Translink vehicles, it is not always the same vehicle servicing an individual school, however, it has advised that one of the fully seatbelted vehicles operates out of the Ballycastle depot while the other two operate out of the Ballymena depot.

Derryboye Primary School Car Park

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail the commencement and completion dates for the provision of a new car park for Derryboye Primary School.

(AQW 932/08)

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Education to detail the board members of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta; and the organisation that nominated each member.

(AQW 947/08)

Ms C Ruane: The membership of the Board of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) is as follows:

Nominee	Nominated By
Padaí Ó Ceallaigh	CnaG Board
Caoimhín Ó Peatáin	CnaG Board
Brian P Gaffney	CnaG Board
Vacancy	Gaeloiliúint
Paul O'Doherty	Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
Micheál Ó Máirtín	Universities Council for the Education of Teachers
Brendan Henry	Association of Education and Library Boards
Aodán Mac Póilin	Department of Education
Gabrielle Nig Uidhir	Department of Education
Áine Andrews	Altram
Gearóid MacSiacais	Foras na Gaeilge
Janet Muller	Pobal
Mícheál Mac Aodha	Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
Labhras Ó Ciaráin	Gaeleagras um Shainriachtanas Oideachais
John Morgan D'Arcy	Association of Northern Ireland Colleges
Vacancy	Irish-medium Schools
Éilís Uí Néill	Irish-medium Schools
Vacancy	Irish-medium Schools
Aedín Ní Ghadhra	Irish-medium Schools
Dara Woods	Irish-medium Schools
Marion Dorman	Irish-medium Schools
Vacancy	Irish-medium Schools

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail her department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 962/08)

Ms C Ruane: Present forecasts indicate that the Department of Education’s resource expenditure budgets will be fully utilised in the current financial year.

The Department is currently reviewing the position in relation to spending on the capital investment programme to ensure that spending is maximised. The Department will continue to monitor the position on both budgets closely

Sports Coaches in Schools

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Education to detail whether or not the funding for sports coaches in schools will be available to all schools in Northern Ireland; and to give a timescale for the full implementation of the scheme.

(AQW 987/08)

Ms C Ruane: Funding is being provided for 40 coaches to enable the GAA and IFA to provide 20 coaches each to work with a range of primary schools to support the development of children’s physical literacy skills, and to support teachers in delivering the PE curriculum. It will be a matter for primary schools to opt in to the programme, which will aim to support those dealing with greatest levels of disadvantage if oversubscribed.

The GAA has its coaches in place and the IFA will be recruiting shortly so that we have coaches working in schools from January.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the amount spent by her department, to date, on establishing the Education and Skills Authority, including the appointment of staff and the paying of salaries.

(AQW 992/08)

Ms C Ruane: The total amount spent by the Department of Education on establishing the Education and Skills Authority is £896,576.29. The following table itemises the expenditure:

Area of expenditure	Amount
Cost of advertising and recruitment for the post of Chief Executive Designate, Education and Skills Authority	£28,314.09
Salaries of staff who work in the Education and Skills Authority Implementation Team (ESAIT)	£521,513.53
Other Expenditure	£346,748.67
Total expenditure to date (since July 2006)	£896,576.29

Education and Skills Authority

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of officers who have been appointed to the Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 993/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Education and Skills Authority (ESA) has not yet been established. However, on 1 February 2007 the Chief Executive (Designate) of ESA was appointed, initially to the Department of Education and subsequently, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation to establish ESA, as Chief Executive of ESA.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the work that will be undertaken by the officers appointed to the Education and Skills Authority, taking into account that this body will not become operational until April 2010.

(AQW 996/08)

Ms C Ruane: It is my intention that the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) will be operational by April 2009 at the latest. No officers have been appointed to the ESA at this stage.

The ESA Implementation Team (ESAIT), which includes staff from 7 of the RPA affected education organisations, is supporting the Chief Executive (Designate) in establishing the ESA. They are taking forward the planning and developmental work including HR, ICT, Finance and Accounting, Organisational Design and Communications, necessary to ensure ESA will function effectively from the date of establishment. I have also asked the CE (Designate) to develop and lead a Convergence Programme, involving the existing education organisations, to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.

Review of Public Administration

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of officials involved in conducting the equality impact assessment of the recommendations of the Review of Public Administration and the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority; and the cost to her department in terms of (i) salaries; (ii) travel/subsistence; and (iii) secretariat services.

(AQW 1054/08)

Ms C Ruane: Consideration of equality is a integral part of policy development and staff throughout my Department have been involved on an ongoing basis in the assessment of proposals for the Review of Public Administration. This is part of the normal duties of those staff, and separate information on the costs of this particular work is not held by my Department.

Post-Primary Education

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQO 405/08, to detail what would be included in a broader view of post-primary education.

(AQW 1098/08)

Ms C Ruane: The phrase "a broader view of post-primary education" reflects the fact that the development of a replacement system of transfer is a complex matter that requires the consideration of several factors, including the impact of demographic decline on school enrolment, structural changes arising from the review of public administration, the gradual move towards an area-based planning approach for schools, the implementation of the revised curriculum and, in particular, movement towards the entitlement framework, all of which must help children to access, on a fair and equal basis, a high-quality post-primary education.

Education and Skills Authority

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the duties, functions, assets, liabilities and staff that will not be transferred from the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools to the Education and Skills Authority.

(AQW 1138/08)

Ms C Ruane: Legislation will be brought forward to transfer all of the statutory functions and duties of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools to the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) with the exception of:

a. preparing schemes of management and schemes of appointment for Catholic maintained schools, in accordance with guidance set by the Department of Education; and

b. responding to formal consultation on development proposals affecting Catholic maintained schools.

These functions will transfer to the trustees of Catholic maintained schools.

Details of the transfer of assets, liabilities and staff are under consideration, and have not yet been finalised. All assets and liabilities of the organisation will transfer to the ESA, other than assets that belong to the Catholic church. All teaching staff and other staff employed by the Council who are engaged wholly or mainly in the provision of front-line support services will transfer to the ESA.

Review of Irish-Medium Education

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail the progress made to date on the Review of Irish-Medium Education.

(AQW 1149/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Review of Irish-medium education is progressing well and it is expected to report shortly. This is a longer timescale than initially expected but is necessary so that the wide range of issues covered are fully considered. It is therefore important that this is done correctly rather than quickly.

The initial phase of the Review concentrated on gathering and quality-assuring factual information and evidence to determine the current situation in Irish-medium education and to identify all the issues which need to be addressed.

We are now entering the final phase of the Review when options are being identified to address the challenges. The outcomes of the Review will help inform future policy for the provision of IM Education.

Employment and Learning

Training for Success Apprenticeship

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how the Training for Success apprenticeship programme helps to meet the needs of the economy and young people, when the majority of apprentice training programmes are no longer available in Derry/Londonderry, an area of high unemployment.

(AQW 1238/08)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): In response to approaches from public representatives, the Department has commissioned a report to understand the demographics of apprenticeship training within the North West area and the underlying causes for trends over the past ten years, as well as how these trends might change over the next five to ten years. This report has not yet been completed, but I would be happy to forward you a copy once it has been finalised. Early indications from the report suggest that trends in Derry/Londonderry generally mirror the same trends throughout the rest of Northern Ireland, with an increase in apprenticeships, although the uptake of some occupational areas has seen some decline over recent years.

Whilst it would appear that recruitment to apprenticeship programmes in Derry/Londonderry has not been as high in other parts of Northern Ireland, there continues to be strong Further Education provision in the city, on which occupancy appears to be consistently high.

Training for Success nevertheless provides a range of professional and technical training opportunities, as well as access to industry-led qualifications in the skills areas that industry needs. Furthermore, the Job-Ready strand provides young people with the tools, skills, and basic qualifications required to gain employment. For this provision to be successful, and for Northern Ireland’s economy and industry growth to benefit, industry itself must continue to invest in the training of its employees, and I consider that Training for Success provides an ideal vehicle for this.

Apprenticeships

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what steps he is taking to ensure that the down turn in the building trade does not result in the loss of apprenticeships, particularly in relation to people in the final year of their apprenticeship.

(AQW 1290/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Under the Department’s Training for Success provision, apprenticeship training provides a range of professional and technical training opportunities. I would maintain that employers should want to invest in their businesses through employing apprentices, in order to develop the skills that they need to grow and to make them more competitive and profitable. To encourage this, therefore, the Department has ensured a direct financial incentive within the funding framework of this provision, for employers who take on apprentices.

I appreciate, however, that this provision is dependent on prevailing economic conditions and the consequent capacity of employers to accommodate apprenticeships. The Department has therefore been working closely with representatives from the construction industry to try and ensure that the provision, as far as possible, meets the industry’s immediate needs.

I also consider that the provision is sufficiently flexible, to allow apprentices to complete the provision with an alternative employer, should the unfortunate case arise where an employer is no longer able to continue facilitate an apprenticeship.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 963/08)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): DETI does not project an underspend at this point in the financial year. In-year Monitoring rounds provide opportunities for budgets to be adjusted in the light of emerging pressures and reduced requirements. The final projected expenditure will be established at February 2008 Monitoring.

Tourism

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps he has taken to ensure better communication between Tourism Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Regional Tourism Partnerships.

(AQW 1036/08)

Mr N Dodds: My Department continues to play a key role in ensuring that communication channels between the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), Tourism Ireland Limited (TIL) and the Regional Tourism Partnerships (RTPs) operate effectively. Communications between NITB & TIL occur on a daily basis and both organisations are currently updating a Memorandum of Understanding which aims to further enhance co-operation and reduce duplication. In addition the NITB’s relationship with the RTPs is based on regular contact and through a clearly defined relationship as set out in a Service Level Agreement.

Tourism-Related Budgets

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps he is taking to ensure that there is better co-ordination and more efficient use of funds between the respective Government departments that hold tourism-related budgets.

(AQW 1038/08)

Mr N Dodds: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is responsible for tourism policy and legislation. Due to the very diverse nature of tourism, a number of other Departments are also involved in supporting the tourism sector.

The priorities for tourism are set out in the tourism Strategic Framework for Action (SFA) which is currently being evaluated by a Steering Group led by DETI and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. The SFA was agreed with all those Departments which have budgets for supporting the sector. The evaluation of the SFA will include consideration of how co-ordination between Departments with tourism interests could be improved. DETI will take the lead in implementing recommendations arising from that evaluation.

New Hotels

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the grants offered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for new hotels in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1141/08)

Mr N Dodds: Responsibility for the provision of support to the tourism accommodation sector passed from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to Invest NI at its inception in 2002.

From April 2002 to date Invest NI has made offers of assistance towards the development of three new hotels in Antrim, Enniskillen, and Craigavon totalling £4,488,428.

New Hotels

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail whether or not the Northern Ireland Tourist Board is continuing to operate a grant system for new hotels within a 10 mile radius of Belfast.

(AQW 1142/08)

Mr N Dodds: Responsibility for the provision of support to the tourism accommodation sector passed from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to Invest NI at its establishment in 2002.

A moratorium on capital support for the development of new hotels and the extension or upgrading of existing hotels within a ten mile radius of Belfast city centre was introduced by NITB in 1997 and remains in place at this time.

The moratorium does have a number of specific exclusions and allows for the consideration of projects in areas on the periphery of the zone without an existing supply; in areas of New Targeting Social Need; or for hotel developments capable of generating their own supply from market sectors not serviced by existing hotels.

While capital support is not available, Invest NI may still consider developmental support for hotel projects in the moratorium zone.

Cosultancy Expenditure

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his department's expenditure on consultancy; and to provide a breakdown of this expenditure, for the last year.

(AQW 1167/08)

Mr N Dodds: DETI’s expenditure on external consultancy in 2006-07

Category	Amount (£’s)
1. policy appraisal and review	1,120,644
2. strategic management	114,799
3. organisational development	0
4. performance management	34,691
5. accountancy	0
6. audit	55,738
7. economic appraisal	16,355
8. internal audit	0
9. feasibility study	71,514
10. quality accreditation	0
11. investment appraisal	0
12. corporate governance	31,562
13. projects	88,037
14. surveys	0
15. marketing	60,418
16. market research	600
Other	0
TOTAL	£1,594,358

Invest NI

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of funding Invest NI has allocated to businesses in the (i) Omagh District Council area; and (ii) the Strabane District Council area.

(AQW 1178/08)

Mr N Dodds: During the 5 year period ended March 2007 Invest NI offered assistance in support of business formation, expansion and development projects valued at:

(i) £6.15 million within Omagh District Council area, and

(ii) £12.76 million within Strabane District Council area.

Trading Partnerships

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what consideration he has given to establishing a network of Northern Ireland agents in all major economies that might be identified as trading partners.

(AQW 1228/08)

Mr N Dodds: A strategic objective of Invest NI is to help new and existing exporters to compete successfully internationally and it provides a range of measures to achieve this including support services provided by trade advisers in key markets in Europe, North America, Middle East, India and China. Moreover, Northern Ireland businesses have access to the Commercial Departments of UK Diplomatic Posts in over 200 markets worldwide. They also can avail of the trade advisory services provided by Enterprise Ireland’s network of over 30 overseas offices.

The services Invest NI provides in overseas markets are kept under review to ensure that they are matched with those markets which offer local businesses the best trading opportunities.

Environment

Agricultural Planning Regulations

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment what steps she is taking to reduce the amount of planning regulation facing the agricultural sector.

(AQW 896/08)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): I am currently bringing forward legislation to extend the period during which the agricultural sector may rely on extended permitted development rights for the building and excavation of slurry storage facilities needed to comply with action measures implementing the Nitrates Directive to 31 December 2008.

I also expect to bring forward legislation which, should it be necessary because of avian flu, will enable producers to carry out development required to bring birds under cover without applying for planning permission.

More generally, my Department is working with DARD to review all the relevant regulations applied across the agricultural sector with a view to simplifying compliance with them and reducing the costs to food producers.

Planning Applications

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning applications for new housing units that have been (i) received; and (ii) approved by the Planning Service, in (a) Carrickfergus Borough Council area; (b) Larne Borough Council area; and (c) Newtownabbey Borough Council area, in each year since 2000.

(AQW 999/08)

Mrs A Foster: The numbers of applications for new and replacement single dwellings and housing developments received and approved in each of the council areas and in each year since 2000 are as shown in the attached tables.

Number of New Planning Applications received 2000 to 17/10/07
	Carrickfergus		Larne		Newtownabbey
Year	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments
2000	29	34	50	24	53	66
2001	27	31	44	18	41	60
2002	16	33	41	28	50	68
2003	23	24	69	40	70	79
2004	33	27	71	43	73	82
2005	27	39	85	50	48	84
2006	30	45	38	34	31	97
2007	12	74	30	53	32	97
Number of New Planning Approvals Issued 2000 to 17/10/07
	Carrickfergus		Larne		Newtownabbey
Year	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments
2000	18	32	24	10	30	24
2001	18	21	22	17	30	36
2002	11	26	22	13	32	43
2003	14	17	34	22	41	56
2004	14	19	41	22	39	57
2005	20	16	37	48	41	46
2006	26	36	32	23	27	58
2007	16	12	7	17	15	35
Number of Planning Applications received for Replacement Dwellings 2000 to 17/10/07
	Carrickfergus		Larne		Newtownabbey
Year	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments
2000	10	0	33	0	12	0
2001	7	0	26	1	9	1
2002	12	0	30	1	10	1
2003	16	1	21	0	16	2
2004	13	0	29	2	17	0
2005	10	0	16	0	20	0
2006	5	1	23	2	10	1
2007	0	1	28	3	13	0
Number of Planning Applications Approved for Replacement Dwellings 2000 to 17/10/07
	Carrickfergus		Larne		Newtownabbey
Year	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments	Single Dwellings	Housing Developments
2000	3	0	18	0	7	0
2001	7	0	20	1	5	0
2002	5	0	21	0	9	1
2003	12	0	24	1	13	1
2004	15	1	28	2	9	2
2005	7	0	7	0	13	0
2006	5	0	13	0	9	0
2007	2	0	13	1	4	0

The figures have been extracted from a live dataset which is continuously updated and validated. They should therefore be regarded as indicative only at this point in time and should not be compared with any previous figures published by the Agency.

MOT Tests

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the average waiting time for an MOT, in each of the vehicle testing centres in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1045/08)

Mrs A Foster: Details of the average waiting time for all test centres are included in the following table:

Test Centre	For week ending20 October 2007	From 1 April -20 October 2007
	Average weeklywaiting times in days	Average year to date waiting times in days
Armagh	14	14
Ballymena	17	22
Belfast	15	17
Coleraine	18	16
Cookstown	19	20
Craigavon	17	16
Downpatrick	23	17
Enniskillen	30	24
Larne	13	21
Lisburn	14	15
Londonderry	16	17
Mallusk	12	16
Newry	26	19
Newtownards	16	15
Omagh	15	16

Radioactive Waste

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give immediate assurances that Northern Ireland will not host any sites for the long-term disposal of higher capacity radioactive waste, arising from nuclear facilities based in Great Britain.

(AQW 1074/08)

Mrs A Foster: The current ‘Managing Radioactive Waste Safely’ consultation seeks views on both the process by which government might implement proposals to deal with the UK’s legacy of long-lived higher activity radioactive waste, and the process by which potential sites for disposal might be identified.

It would be inappropriate for me to make assurances that pre-empt the responses to the consultation, or any decisions that might subsequently be taken. However, I can clarify that at this time there are no plans to locate geological disposal facilities in Northern Ireland.

Radioactive Waste

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the financial and resource contribution her department is making towards the consultation on proposals for the way in which a site will be chosen for the long-term disposal of higher capacity radioactive waste.

(AQW 1075/08)

Mrs A Foster: A Departmental official sits on the Implementation Planning Group (IPG) of the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme, participating in meetings on an approximately bi-monthly basis. In financial terms, the Department incurred minor administrative costs related to the development and distribution of the consultation document.

Radioactive Waste

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment if she will explain the reasons why Northern Ireland’s devolved administration is co-sponsoring the Defra consultation on proposals for the way in which a site will be chosen for the long-term disposal of higher capacity radioactive waste.

(AQW 1076/08)

Mrs A Foster: In October 2006, my Department accepted, in conjunction with the UK government and the Scottish and Welsh devolved administrations, the recommendations of the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).

In June this year I agreed that my Department would also be a co-sponsor of the consultation ‘Managing Radioactive Waste Safely – a framework for implementing geological disposal,’ as it is an important step in implementing the recommendations made by CoRWM.

Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail whether or not her department has ceased to support the management plan for the Giant's Causeway, in which the Environment and Heritage Service is a partner, and which is predicated on the provision of a visitors' centre by the public sector, led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

(AQW 1081/08)

Mrs A Foster: The management plan for the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site (WHS) was commissioned by EHS to meet UNESCO requirements and was published in 2005.

Although the WHS Management Plan was part of a Ministerial initiative which included a Tourism Masterplan for the Causeway Coast and Glens area and the international competition for new visitor facilities launched by DETI in 2005, it was not predicated on the provision of a visitor centre by the public sector.

My Department is fully committed to delivery of the management plan. A meeting of the WHS Management Group was postponed while the stakeholder meetings about the proposed private sector visitor centre are taking place. My officials will review this position after meetings have taken place with each of the stakeholders and will convene the Management Group as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

Motorcycle Off-Road Tests

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to provide motorcycle off-road tests at the Coleraine Driver and Vehicle Testing Centre.

(AQW 1083/08)

Mrs A Foster: Based on a detailed assessment of the Coleraine Driver and Vehicle Test Centre it was considered, in the interest of health and safety, that there was insufficient space to ensure safe segregation from other traffic using the sites for vehicle and driving tests to accommodate an off-road motorcycle testing facility. Therefore there are no plans to introduce the test at the Coleraine centre.

The DVA Board has agreed that post implementation there will be an evaluation of the entire project and, subject to demand, further consideration will be given to testing locations and, if deemed necessary, DVA will endeavour to identify additional available sites.

Private Developments

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the laws governing management companies appointed by private developers to maintain ‘common areas’ in private developments; and what means of complaint householders have if they do not believe they are receiving value for money.

(AQW 1101/08)

Mrs A Foster: Developers who are required under current planning policy – PPS 8: Open Space, Sport & Outdoor Recreation - to provide areas of public open space in new housing are generally required to enter into a legal agreement (known as Article 40 Agreements) under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 transferring ownership and responsibility for the open space to a management company supported by a charitable trust.

The management company may be funded through a levy on residents which would be clearly identified at the time of purchase. Any dispute about service standards and value for money is entirely a matter between residents and the management company.

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 1113/08)

Mrs A Foster: The In-year monitoring process provides a formal system for reviewing spending plans and priorities set for the financial year in light of more up to date information.

In-year monitoring rounds are usually conducted at June, October, December and February and allow departments to surrender projected easements.

In view of the In-year monitoring process my department is not currently projecting an underspend for this financial year.

Consultancy Expenditure

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment to detail his department's expenditure on consultancy; and to provide a breakdown of this expenditure, for the last year.

(AQW 1163/08)

Mrs A Foster: The table below gives details of my Department’s expenditure on external consultancy for 2006-07 broken down into the categories defined by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP).

DEPARTMENT: Environment
Category	2006/07 Amount £
1. policy appraisal and review	107,791
2. strategic management	-
3. organisational development	28,195
4. performance management	-
5. accountancy	-
6. audit	-
7. economic appraisal	-
8. internal audit	-
9. feasibility study	-
10. quality accreditation	-
11. investment appraisal	-
12. corporate governance	-
13. projects	603,166
14. surveys	-
15. marketing	-
16. market research	-
Other	108,000
TOTAL	847,152

Motor Homes

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her department's strategy to better promote, and provide enhanced facilities for, motor homes in country parks.

(AQW 1231/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Department has no specific strategy relating to mobile homes in its country parks, but considers that the facilities provided for touring caravans by the concessionaire at its Castle Archdale Country Park are also fully satisfactory for mobile homes. Promotion of these is primarily down to the concessionaire. The Department has considered the possibility of providing touring caravan facilities at other country parks which it owns, but this is judged likely to be uneconomic. The Environment and Heritage Service policy statement on the management of its country parks can be accessed on http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/cppolicymarch04.pdf

The Department has no role in mobile home provision at local authority country parks.

Illegal Waste

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the authority in the Republic of Ireland, to which her department has applied for the removal of illegal waste at Slattinagh Garrison; (ii) the date of the application; (iii) the estimated cost of this work; (iv) the responses received from the authority; and (v) what is her assessment of whether or not it is expected that this application will be given favourable consideration.

(AQW 1306/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Department of the Environment applied on 7 August 2007 to Dublin City Council, the competent authority for all exports of waste from the Republic of Ireland, for the removal of the illegal waste at Slattinagh, Garrison. The cost of this work is very difficult to estimate before all the waste is removed from the site, however it is expected to be substantial. I understand that a response is expected this week from Dublin City Council on the production of a timetable for the repatriation of waste deposited at this site.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Suicide

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he will give to meeting with industry representatives from the media and broadcast organisations, including online social networking and other internet-based platforms, with a view to drawing up voluntary guidelines on the coverage and portrayal of suicides and attempted suicides involving young people.

(AQW 1003/08)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The media and broadcast organisations have a very important role to play in helping to prevent suicide and self-harm, and in the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing. I am pleased that the four main newspapers in Northern Ireland have recently undertaken a campaign on suicide prevention.

I recently met with a number of local newspaper editors in order to further emphasise the need for responsible reporting of these issues. In addition all-island media guidelines, which were developed in co-operation with the Samaritans and the Irish Association of Suicidology, to advise on the portrayal of suicide, were re-issued to all local media organisations earlier this year.

I also met with key internet industry stakeholders, including Bebo, Google and Vodafone/ My Space, to highlight my concerns about the impact the internet can have on vulnerable people, especially at times of crisis. I challenged them to outline what further actions they could take to promote positive mental health and to prevent their sites being used to promote suicide.

Initial responses have been positive, particularly as they have highlighted their intention to further promote positive mental health via their websites, and to encourage people to seek help and support at times of crisis. I will keep the focus on this issue and I intend to meet with these stakeholders again in the near future.

The issue of suicide requires sensitive handling in the media, as it is possible to make things worse through excessive or inappropriate reporting. Responsible reporting can have a positive impact, for example, a campaign to decrease media coverage of subway suicides in Vienna in the late 1980s cut subway suicides by 80%.

We are all obliged to act sensibly and maturely on this issue, as lives are at stake through contagion, especially among our young people. I will of course continue to monitor this important issue.

Suicide

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will explain the reasons why current statistics for suicides and attempted suicides are incomplete, in light of the fact that they do not provide for an exhaustive analysis of the extent to which alcohol and/or drugs play a significant role in suicides and attempted suicides involving young people in Northern Ireland, including cases where drugs and alcohol are not the immediate cause of death.

(AQW 1004/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Official statistics on suicide are derived from the statutory register of deaths. Deaths from non-natural causes are referred to the Coroner who can decide to have an inquest or a post-mortem. The Coroner then reports his findings on the cause of death which is subsequently recorded on the death certificate. This cause of death is used to compile detailed mortality statistics; in some cases alcohol / drugs is recorded on the death certificate (e.g. intentional self-poisoning). For all death certificates to include information on the role alcohol / drugs played in the cause of death, a change in death registration legislation would be required.

The Hospital Inpatient System, records all admissions to HSC hospitals in Northern Ireland. Reasons for the patients’ admission to hospital are recorded in seven diagnosis field, and from this diagnosis coding, it is possible to provide the number of admissions to acute hospitals which occur as a result of attempted suicide. In 2005/06 there were 4,498 admissions to hospital where the patient was diagnosed as having attempted suicide. Further diagnosis coding indicates that 4,286 of these admissions (95%) were also diagnosed with alcohol or drug related conditions. However, secondary coding may not be completed in all cases.

Central access to Accident and Emergency datasets is currently being developed. This database will include details of patients’ diagnoses. In the future it should be possible to identify attendances at Accident and Emergency as a result of attempted suicide provided that patients’ records are coded appropriately.

In summary, these are the reasons why statistics for suicides and attempted suicides are not exhaustive. No further Review is planned.

Suicide

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will undertake a review of the statistics and information collected by his department, in order to establish the extent of the role that drugs and alcohol play in all reported suicides and attempted suicides in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1005/08)

In summary, these are the reasons why statistics for suicides and attempted suicides are not exhaustive. No further Review is planned.

Health and Social Services Authority

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the indicative costs of delaying the new health and social services authority until April 2009.

(AQW 1041/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My decision to reconsider the Health and Social Care structural changes does not mean any additional cost, but will simply mean that some of the planned savings from reorganisation will now arise later than would otherwise have been the case.

It had been assumed that the rationalisation of Health and Social Care Boards and Agencies would lead to planned savings of approximately £1m by April 2009 (this is a relatively small proportion of the total of some £50 million, because much greater savings will arise from the Trust restructuring, and, subject to the conclusions following consultation, from the introduction of shared services).

Whilst an element of this £1 million of savings will not now be made as planned, other RPA savings have offset this loss, mainly because there is a larger than anticipated number of vacant posts within the Health and Social Care Boards as a result of the operation of vacancy controls.

Binge Drinking

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his department's expenditure on advertising the risks of binge drinking through public campaigns, in numerical and percentage terms, with reference to his department's overall budget.

(AQW 1102/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department’s budget for 2007-08 is £4.1 billion, of which approx £270k has been set aside to cover spend in relation to binge drinking campaigns. This represents 0.0067 percent of the overall DHSSPS budget.

Cardiac Screening

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to make cardiac screening for young people a statutory provision within the health service; and to make it available on a universal basis.

(AQW 1107/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The recent tragic deaths of young boys enjoying sport have brought home to us again the shock and devastation felt by their families, friends and communities. The most fitting response is that we put in place the most effective measures possible to minimise this terrible risk.

Our response has to be based on sound evidence. This is a complex area: more than twenty diffierent conditions have been identified as causes of sudden cardiac death in young people, and there is no single screening test that would diagnose all these causes. It is also important to consider whether screening is always the right course of action.

A workshop, led by the Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, is being organised to look at sudden cardiac death in the young. This workshop will call on an expert body of opinion to give this matter the attention it needs, and explore what further steps can be taken to protect those who are most at risk. This will include leading health experts in cardiology, clinical psychology, genetics, and research academics within this field, along with people from the relevant Government Departments, public health bodies, the Sports Council, and voluntary organisations.

The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) is scheduled to review its policy advice on screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2007/08. The Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland has written to the Chair of the NSC asking them to prioritise this review.

Sudden cardiac death in young will be covered in the Service Framework for Cardiovascular Health and Wellbeing which is due to be published for consultation in April 2008.

Regarding early health checks, all newborn babies have their hearts examined for defects.

All the facts need to be considered by the specialist group before any recommendations can be agreed and taken forward. This work is being taken forward as quickly as possible. At this stage it would not be right for me either to pre-empt the outcome of this work or to commit to a timescale.

Cardiac Screening

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to ensure that there are no barriers to children under the age of 14 accessing cardiac screening; and what consideration he is giving to integrating the option of cardiac screening into the system of early health checks and immunisations for children.

(AQW 1108/08)

Sudden cardiac death in young will be covered in the Service Framework for Cardiovascular Health and Wellbeing which is due to be published for consultation in April 2008.

Regarding early health checks, all newborn babies have their hearts examined for defects.

Cardiac Risk in the Young

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what additional resources he is making available to deal with cardiac-related deaths and cardiac risk in the young; specifically in terms of increasing (i) the number of specialist cardiologists who can interpret tests; (ii) the availability of defibrilators and people trained in their use; and (iii) the level of bereavement counselling services available to families affected by sudden death, due to undetected heart conditions.

(AQW 1109/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (i) Since 2002, there has been a 66% increase in the number of doctors pursuing specialist training in cardiology to meet the needs of the service.

(ii) There is no central register of how many defibrillators are available in Northern Ireland. The Department is currently working with the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at QUB, and with the Health and Social Care (HSC) Boards and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), to develop a Strategy for First Responders and Public Access Defibrillation. Part of this work will entail an exercise to identify the extent to which automated external defibrillators are available in Northern Ireland.

(iii) Trained staff within the Health and Social Care sector in Northern Ireland offer a wide range of support to the bereaved. This is in addition to the services available from voluntary, community and church organisations. The establishment, in March 2006, within the HSC of a Northern Ireland Bereavement Network comprising five area co-ordinators based in local trusts also makes a significant contribution to developing support for those families who experience a sudden death.

Investigate Heart Screening

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will indicate when the specialists group, established to investigate heart screening for young people, will report on its findings and recommendations.

(AQW 1110/08)

Sudden cardiac death in young will be covered in the Service Framework for Cardiovascular Health and Wellbeing which is due to be published for consultation in April 2008.

Regarding early health checks, all newborn babies have their hearts examined for defects.

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 1112/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department is projecting a minimal underspend for this financial year and every effort is being made to ensure all resources will be substantially spent. However, given the need to avoid an excess vote and the inclusion of certain demand led budgets such as pharmaceutical expenditure, a small underspend is inevitable, as is always the case for all Departments, though under the end-year flexibility arrangements, no resources are lost to Northern Ireland.

Mobile Phone Use

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what discussions he has had with the mobile phone industry, in relation to developing increased protection from radiation, following prolonged mobile phone use.

(AQW 1173/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department has had no discussions with the mobile phone industry on such matters. Mobile phones comply with the international guidelines set out in the European Council Recommendation EC/519/1999 on limiting public exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Dental Guidelines

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps his department is taking to produce guidelines for dentists, in relation to giving fillings to patients who are pregnant.

(AQW 1176/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There are no plans for my Department to produce guidelines for dentists in relation to providing fillings for patients who are pregnant.

MLA Meetings

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of meeting requests received from MLAs; the number of these that were declined; the number that were accepted; and the party affiliation of those MLAs whose meeting requests were declined.

(AQW 1221/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I can advise that from taking up office on 8 May 2007 34 requests for meetings from MLA’s were received.

17 of those were accepted and 14 were declined. Another 3 have yet to receive responses as these requests were only recently received.

Of the 14 that were declined

6 were DUP

4 were UUP

3 were Sinn Fein

1 was SDLP

Regional Development

Road Upgrade

Mr G McHugh asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the funding allocated to upgrading the B36 road from Lisnaskea/Roslea to Monaghan; and to detail whether or not any major surface upgrade is due in the near future.

(AQW 1073/08)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): My Department’s Roads Service has invested £299,000 on the structural maintenance of the B36 Dernawilt Road, which runs between Lisnaskea and the border with County Monaghan, over the past five financial years. In this time, 13.7 kilometers (75% of the length) of the B36 have undergone surface dressing or resurfacing work.

Two further sections of the road have been identified for resurfacing and are included in the programme for 2007/08, as well as a section in Roslea itself. Unfortunately resources are not sufficient to deliver the full programme at present, however both schemes are high on the reserve programme and will be implemented as soon as resources do become available, hopefully within this financial year.

Route Corridor Study

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will outline the planned timeframe for the completion of the A5 dual carriageway 'Route Corridor Study'; and for the completion of the subsequent public consultation into the alternative route options.

(AQW 1082/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am advised that an early appointment of consultants will allow the production of a preliminary options report including recommendations for a preferred corridor for the dualling of the A5 by late 2008. Subsequent work, including significant public consultation, should enable the identification of a preferred route within that corridor by mid 2009.

Disability Badges

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to introduce new blue disability badges, with the expiry date displayed on both sides, in order to prevent parking fines being imposed on disabled people because the date on their badge is not visible.

(AQW 1094/08)

Mr C Murphy: I can advise that my Department is preparing to issue a consultation document in respect of a number of changes to the Blue Badge scheme. The proposed changes include the alteration of the design of the Badge, and the inclusion of clearer instructions about which side of the Badge must be displayed. The consultation paper should be issued to interested parties in the very near future. Any suggestions relating to the Badge design will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.

Residents' Parking Schemes

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to introduce the necessary legislation to allow residents' parking schemes.

(AQW 1103/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am advised that my Department’s Roads Service took powers in the Road Traffic Regulation (NI) Order 1997 to permit the introduction of Residents’ Parking schemes. Under the Order, schemes can be implemented using individual Residents’ Parking Orders.

Roads Service intends to start work on the development of schemes as soon as the policy has been finalised. However, I am advised that it may be six to twelve months before the first schemes will be on the ground due to the local consultation and legislative processes that have to be followed.

Pedestrian Crossings

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his department's criteria for providing a pedestrian crossing at, or near to, the entrance to a primary school.

(AQW 1104/08)

Mr C Murphy: Controlled crossings are provided to facilitate access and easier movement for pedestrians and cyclists. They also have an important role in contributing to pedestrian safety and convenience.

My Department’s criteria for the provision of pedestrian crossings are outlined in Roads Service Policy and Procedure Guide: RSPPG - E005 Controlled Crossings: Assessment Procedures. This policy also covers the provision of a pedestrian crossing at, or near to, the entrance to a school and a copy is enclosed for your information.

In summary, a five step procedure is applied when assessing the need for the provision of a pedestrian crossing and, where required, to determine the type of crossing appropriate to the circumstances of the site. The five steps are:

an initial site survey and preliminary assessment;
a full site survey;
an assessment of need;
priority ranking; and
selection of type of facility.

The preliminary assessment uses the number of pedestrians and cyclists to measure the demand to cross the particular road and the degree of difficulty in doing so. Sites with a low demand and low difficulty are screened out of the process at this stage, while a more detailed assessment is carried out at sites above the initial threshold.

At these sites the location is subject to a site assessment and a needs assessment, taking into consideration a range of factors (eg demand/difficulty score, pedestrian collision history, number of vulnerable road users, speed of traffic, width of the road and proximity to public amenities, such as hospital, schools, libraries, health centres, post office, bus/rail station, etc). A scorecard is completed as part of the assessment and an overall score for the site is calculated. Sites are ranked in merit order, with those achieving the highest scores receiving priority attention within the normal budgetary constraints.

Free Public Transport

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development, further to the Assembly's resolution of 17 September 2007, regarding the introduction of free public transport for women and men at the age of 60, to detail what consideration he has given to this, in terms of his department's budget bids; and what priority he will assign to this issue.

(AQW 1121/08)

Mr C Murphy: As part of the Draft Budget, provisions have been made to extend free public transport services to men and women living here aged 60 to 64. Subject to confirmation of resources and upon satisfactory completion of the necessary Equality Impact Assessment and public consultation processes, I hope that my Department will be able to introduce this concession in late 2008.

Ballymoney Railway Station

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development to give a timescale within which work will commence at Ballymoney Railway Station, in order to ensure that the station is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

(AQW 1129/08)

Mr C Murphy: The programme of works to upgrade public transport facilities in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is being undertaken in two phases. Phase I is nearing completion and Phase II, which is presently at tendering stage, will commence towards the end of 2007 and will be completed in 2008. I can confirm that Ballymoney is to be included within the scope of the Phase II works; however, Translink cannot provide a definite timescale for the commencement of the work at Ballymoney station as this will be negotiated between them and the successful contractor.

Belfast to Derry/Londonderry Rail Line

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of breakdowns on the Belfast to Derry/Londonderry rail line in the last three years; and (ii) the resulting time delay associated with each breakdown.

(AQW 1131/08)

Mr C Murphy: The total number of breakdowns and resultant delays are detailed in the tables below. The figures for 2007/08 refer to the six months period up to the end of September 2007.

	2005/07	2006/07	2007/08 (Six Months)	Total
Number of Services	6,502	6,513	3,536	16,551
Number of Breakdowns	44	16	8	68

Over the two and a half years there have been a total of 68 breakdowns on the Belfast to Derry line. As a consequence the following delays have been experienced.

Delays / Cancellations	2005/07	2006/07	2007/08 (Six Months)
30-60 mins delay	32	9	5
60+ mins delay	6	3	1
Cancellation	6	4	2
Total	44	16	8

Traffic Congestion

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to tackle growing traffic congestion in Saintfield.

(AQW 1132/08)

Mr C Murphy: It is the case that congestion is a growing problem in all of our villages, towns and cities as a direct result of increased car ownership and a range of measures and initiatives have been undertaken by my Department’s Roads Service to address this problem.

The measures centre on sustainable transport initiatives, and aim to encourage commuters and school children in particular, to get to their destination by means other than private car.

While Saintfield would not be considered to have severe congestion issues, local Roads Service officials would be happy to meet with you to discuss any specific areas in Saintfield which you believe to be problematic.

Interdepartmental Steering Group

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will make a statement on the Interdepartmental Steering Group; its evaluation of investment in rolling stock and the rail network; and the options for future investment, in accordance with the Regional Transportation Strategy and the Railways Review Group reports.

(AQW 1133/08)

Mr C Murphy: Following on from the Regional Transportation Strategy and the Railways Review Group report, and in advance of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Interdepartmental Steering Group was established to take forward the evaluation of recent expenditure on the railway network and to review options for future investment. The group comprised representatives from the Department for Regional Development, the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Strategic Investment Board, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, Translink and the Department of Transport in Dublin.

The group considered a Business Development Analysis which looked at the recent performance of railway services here in terms of passenger numbers and estimated passenger demand levels for the future. This analysis fed into an Economic Appraisal of various options for future investment on the railways network. The group considered the Economic Appraisal and reported to me. On the basis of the Group’s report I submitted a bid to the Comprehensive Spending Review and to the Investment Strategy. This sought funding for the upgrading of rail infrastructure and for the purchase of new trains in order to enhance all rail services in the North together with the Belfast to Dublin service.

The outcome of that bid was announced in the draft Budget on 25 October 2007.

Speed Limits

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration he will give to designating the Darragh Road area of Comber, and the streets immediately surrounding it, as a 20 mph zone.

(AQW 1134/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am advised that current guidance permits the introduction of 20mph zones in residential areas only in cases where such limits are clearly self enforcing and where there is agreement with the PSNI.

The streets surrounding the Darragh Road in Comber are such that my Department’s Roads Service considers it unnecessary to introduce 20 mph zones.

Traffic calming work was undertaken on the main Darragh Road Housing Distributor in 2002 and has proven effective, with traffic speeds in the streets immediately surrounding the area considered to be below the current 30mph limit. With the success of the traffic calming measures in place, Roads Service officials believe there would be little to be gained by the introduction of a 20mph zone in this location at this time.

Septic Tanks

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what progress is being made by Northern Ireland Water towards meeting its commitment to customers to clear the backlog in the emptying of septic tanks by the end of November 2007.

(AQW 1135/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that since April 2007 around 19,000 requests have been received for septic tanks to be emptied and almost 16,000 have been emptied to date. The backlog currently stands at 2,850 and Northern Ireland Water remains on target to restore normal service for septic tank emptying by the end of November 2007.

Traffic Congestion

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an estimate of the daily volume of traffic along Main Street, Saintfield.

(AQW 1136/08)

Mr C Murphy: Officials in my Department’s Roads Service have advised me that the last recorded traffic survey for Main Street, Saintfield, was in 2005. At that time, the estimated daily volume of traffic using Main Street was approximately 11,500 vehicles. This estimate was based on two-way traffic flow.

Park and Ride Schemes

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he is taking to ensure that surplus land held by Government departments, that could potentially accommodate Park and Ride schemes along the railway line between Belfast and Larne, can be transferred to his department to strengthen the Sustainable Transport Strategy, rather than being sold off to private developers.

(AQW 1158/08)

Mr C Murphy: Details of publicly owned surplus land, which are being considered for sale, are circulated to Government Departments by the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Land and Property Services. The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, which is responsible for acquiring land needed by Translink for construction purposes, is included on this circulation list.

Derry/Londonderry to Belfast Railway Line

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of people who used the Derry/Londonderry to Belfast railway line in (i) each of the last 12 months; (ii) 2006; (iii) 2005; (iv) 2004; (v) 2003.

(AQW 1159/08)

Mr C Murphy: The table below details the patronage on the line over the last twelve periods of operation. A period is broadly equivalent to calendar months and corresponds with the financial year (i.e. Period 1 = April, Period 12 = March etc). Most periods have four weeks although Periods 3, 6, 9 and 12 all have five weeks.

2006/07	Derry Line Patronage
Period 7 = October	88,292
Period 8 = November	87,213
Period 9 = December	95,484
Period 10 = January	61,502
Period 11 = February	77,601
Period 12 = March	97,639

2007/08	Derry Line Patronage
Period 1 = April	85,076
Period 2 = May	92,484
Period 3 = June	96,323
Period 4 = July	80,174
Period 5 = August	97,971
Period 6 = September	112,147

In the last twelve operational periods a total of 1,071,906 passengers have travelled on the Derry line.

In the last four operational years passenger numbers on the Derry railway line have increased as follows.

Year	Derry Line Patronage
2003/04	652,262*
2004/05	850,056
2005/06	874,954
2006/07	1,020,685

(* The 2003/04 figure is an estimate as a new method of counting passengers was implemented from 2004/05 and there were some problems with the outgoing ticketing system.)

Rural Public Transport

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he has taken to expand existing rural public transport services.

(AQW 1180/08)

Mr C Murphy: Under the Rural Transport Fund my department currently provides support to 19 Rural Community Transport Partnerships to offer a range of specialised transport services to their members. These services complement the existing conventional public transport network and provide transport opportunities for people with reduced mobility living in rural areas throughout the North.

Following a recent review of the Fund, we have begun to re-focus the efforts of the partnerships to ensure that these important transport services are made available to a greater number of rural dwellers.

My Department also supports Translink to maintain a network of rural routes across the North that would otherwise be uneconomic to run. The future development of these services is being considered as part of the Ulsterbus strategic review.

Carbon Emissions

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development what action his department is taking to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector.

(AQW 1194/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Regional Transportation Strategy seeks to reduce people’s reliance on the private car and improve the use of public transport, cycling and walking, thereby reducing carbon emissions from transport. The Sustainable Development Strategy identified the need to take steps and identify targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. This will be considered as part of the mid- term Review of the Regional Transportation Strategy that is currently being undertaken.

The Travelwise initiative introduced in 2003 also promotes sustainable transport and encourages car sharing and personal travel planning. The scheme currently has over 2200 members and is reducing carbon emissions which equate to savings in the region of 1190 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Translink has also pursued energy management and efficiency programmes to help reduce emissions. Ulsterbus and Metro have now completed successful trials and plan to convert all bus operations to use bio diesel, a blend of 5% bio fuel and 95% diesel. This will further reduce CO2 emissions by typically 4% to 5%.

CO2 Reduction

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will provide an evaluation of the CO2 reduction schemes currently being operated by his department, including CO2 saved and the cost per tonne saved; and if he will make a statement on any major transport-related CO2 reduction schemes currently being planned by his department.

(AQW 1195/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is currently leading and promoting the Travelwise NI Car Share Scheme. The initiative launched in October 2003 promotes sustainable transport namely walking, cycling and greater use of public transport. It also includes measures such as car sharing and personalised travel planning to encourage a change in attitude away from the private car as the main means of transport. The Scheme currently has over 2200 members and is reducing carbon emissions, which equate to savings in the region of 1190 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Other major transport related schemes planned or already underway include the development of Workplace Travel Plans in all sectors and Personalised Travel Planning projects. Along with sustainable transport promotional events such as Bike Week and Walk/Cycle to School Week, my Department is engaged in raising public awareness on both the impact of unrestrained car use and the environmental savings including CO2 emissions which sustainable travel can deliver.

The Sustainable Development Strategy identified the need to take steps and identify targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. Targets will be considered as part of the mid term Review of the Regional Transportation Strategy.

Derry/Londonderry and Donegal Rail Link

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to commission a feasibility study into a north-west cross border rail link between Derry/Londonderry and Donegal; and what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland on the possibility of commencing such a study.

(AQW 1246/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have no plans at present to commission a feasibility study into a rail link between Derry and Donegal. I am aware that the Transport 21 initiative aims to re-open the railway corridor between Limerick and Sligo but I am not aware that it includes plans for a railway line from Sligo through Donegal towards Derry. I have not had any discussions with my counterpart on the possibility of commencing a study, but am open to doing so if the matter arises at a future date.

Social Development

Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the amount of funding allocated to each of the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships for 2006 and 2007, in (i) Strabane District Council area; (ii) Derry/Londonderry City Council area; and (iii) Limavady Borough Council area.

(AQW 991/08)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships are a vehicle for planning and implementing Neighbourhood Action Plans which detail priorities and expected outcomes for their respective areas. The Department is continuing to fund projects and services which are relevant to the priorities identified and which may play a part in the future delivery of the Neighbourhood Action Plans. The Department has not allocated any funding directly to the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships within Strabane, Derry/Londonderry or Limavady Council areas.

However, total Departmental funding provided to each of the Neighbourhood Renewal Areas in the Strabane District Council area, Derry/Londonderry City Council area and Limavady Borough Council area for the financial years 2006/07 and 2007/08 is as follows:

2006/07 Strabane - £1,943,072

Derry/Londonderry - £8,903,789

Limavady - £ 311,336

2007/08 to date Strabane - £3,386,681

Derry/Londonderry - £6,426,188

Limavady - £ 104,009

These figures include funding from programmes delivered by the North West Development Office, Voluntary and Community Unit and Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Energy Consumption

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Social Development, in light of the various commitments to reduce energy consumption and emissions in Northern Ireland, to outline any major initiatives planned to improve the performance of, and reduce, emissions from the household sectors; and to detail any associated targets.

(AQW 1059/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The main contribution that the Department makes to carbon reduction is in fuel switching and improved insulation, both of which are covered by the Department’s Warm Homes Scheme and the Northern Ireland Housing Excecutive’s Heating/Insulation programme.

All the works carried out through the various schemes between 1996 and 2004 on energy efficiency improvement have resulted in recurrent annual savings of 2.26 million tonnes of CO2. This figure will be updated later this year when the 2006 House Condition Survey figures are published.

The Housing Executive is the Home Energy Conservation Authority for Northern Ireland and funds advice, research and marketing campaigns aimed at improving domestic energy efficiency.

MLA Meetings

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of meeting requests received from MLAs; the number of these that were declined; the number that were accepted; and the party affiliation of those MLAs whose meeting requests were declined.

(AQW 1066/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have received 46 meeting requests from MLAs. Of these, 29 were accepted, 13 were declined and 4 are pending decisions. A breakdown of meetings requested by party affiliation of MLAs is provided in the following table;

Party	Requests accepted	Requests Declined	Pending	Total Requests Received
Sinn Fein	3	2	0	5
DUP	10	3	1	14
UUP	8	6	1	15
SDLP	8	1	1	10
PUP	0	1	1	2
Total	29	13	4	46

Bonfires

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the costs to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive of managing and clearing up bonfires on the Doury Road estate, Ballymena, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1079/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information is only available for the past three financial years. From 2005/06 – 2007/08 the Northern Ireland Housing Executive spent the following amounts clearing bonfire sites in the Doury Road estate, Ballymena.

2005/2006

£250

2006/2007

£250

2007/2008

£500

Clearances of identified bonfire sites are dealt with as part of the Housing Executive’s Grounds’ Maintenance contract. All burnt litter and debris are considered to be part of the normal litter lifting operation through its response maintenance programme. Within 7 days of a bonfire being burnt, all debris (including ashes and material not burnt, or scattered) are removed. Grass areas damaged are made good.

Housing Executive Waiting List

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people (i) currently on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive waiting list; (ii) who are classified as being in priority need; and (iii) who are deemed to be homeless, in North Belfast.

(AQW 1086/08)

Ms M Ritchie: At 31^st March 2007 the total waiting list figure for North Belfast was 2354. Of these, 1359 had more than 30 points and are therefore deemed to be in housing stress and of this total 715 had Full Duty Applicant status.

Vacant Houses

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development if she will provide an inventory of vacant houses; and to detail the number of (i) social housing units; and (ii) private houses, in North Belfast.

(AQW 1087/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information is not available in the format requested. The total number of Housing Executive vacant homes at 1^st October 2007 was 461, broken down as follows:-

Awaiting imminent relet – 35
Difficult to let – 147
Undergoing major improvements/decanting – 112
Pending sale or demolition – 167

Information compiled from Rates Collection Agency records shows 1677 vacant private residential properties in North Belfast at September 2006.

Vacant Properties

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development what action she intends to take to bring Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties that are vacant or abandoned back into use, as a means of addressing the housing shortage in North Belfast.

(AQW 1088/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In North Belfast the majority of long term vacant properties are concentrated at sectarian interfaces and are included in local estate strategies. There are also long term voids in non traditional house types (maisonettes) and in aged and obsolete stock.

In most instances local strategies have already been implemented to address the range of problems occurring in difficult to let areas. Estate strategies involving improvement, sale and/or selective demolition have been put in place for numerous estates. The Housing Executive is working closely with the local communities, for example in Lower Oldpark and Tiger’s Bay, to develop appropriate regeneration strategies to revitalise these neighbourhoods. In 2005 13 long term vacant dwellings in the private sector were vested and transferred to Clanmil Housing Association. Marketing, community safety and anti-blight measures are being carried out in social estates (including use of alarm systems, the appointment of neighbourhood wardens and other security measures). Improvement or demolition of unpopular, non-traditional housing is continuing. This includes decapitation (conversion of maisonette blocks to houses); privatisation and more intensive management.

In addition, in response to the Semple Report I have commissioned the Housing Executive to produce a costed empty homes strategy to bring such homes back into use.

Budget Underspend

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Social Development to detail her department's projected underspend for this financial year.

(AQW 1111/08)

Ms M Ritchie: It is not possible to provide an estimate of my Department’s projected underspend at this stage of the year as its budget will be refined up until the February Monitoring Round in the light of emerging pressures and reduced requirements.

Child Support Agency

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 500/08, what steps she is taking to speed up the processing of maintenance application forms submitted to the Child Support Agency, taking into account that only 20-25% of applications are cleared each year.

(AQW 1144/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Improvements have been made to the Child Support Agency’s computer system and working practices to speed up the processing of maintenance applications. Further improvements are also planned as part of the Agency’s Operational Improvement Project.

At September 2007, 71% of applications which started in April 2007 have been cleared within 18 weeks. The number of applications outstanding has also reduced by 37% compared to the March 2007 figure.

Child Support Agency

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development if she will confirm that all Child Support Agency cases will be transferred to Great Britain; and to outline an estimated date of transfer.

(AQW 1145/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are no plans to transfer all Child Support Agency cases to Great Britian.

Child Support Agency

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development what steps she is taking to retain Child Support Agency jobs in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1146/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have written to Lord McKenzie, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Work and Pensions requesting a meeting to discuss future working arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Within my Department, a project is also being established to take forward the issues associated with the Redesign of Child Maintenance, including the future arrangements for the provision of services on behalf of the Great Britain Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.

Housing Allocation

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development what action she will take to provide greater input for local residents' associations in South Down, in relation to the housing allocation process.

(AQW 1172/08)

Ms M Ritchie: All social housing is allocated on the basis of housing need. The points system, known as the Housing Selection Scheme, is managed by the Housing Executive to objectively and impartially assess housing need.

All social housing applicants for Housing Executive and Housing Association property are awarded a number of points which reflect their particular circumstances. For example, applicants receive points for overcrowding or living in property which is unfit or in disrepair.

When applicants receive their points they are registered on the Common Waiting List for their designated areas of choice. Applicants with higher points are housed before applicants with fewer points and all social housing allocations are made from this list.

The Housing Selection Scheme has been amended when required, to reflect changes in standards and society. The most recent revision was in 2000 and arose from concerns that the process did not take sufficient account of the relative and varying needs of applicants seeking accommodation. The review resulted in the introduction of an entirely points based scheme which aims to ensure that those in greatest overall need are ranked highest on the list and are housed appropriately. These changes were introduced following consultation with public representatives and other key stakeholders.

The Housing Executive is currently undertaking a review of the Common Waiting List, including in particular, the level of the applicants on the list deemed to be in housing stress. I expect to be appraised of the outcome in the autumn.

Residents groups cannot exercise influence over any aspect of the allocation process, but would be key consultees in the event of any proposal to amend the scheme.

Housing Executive Properties

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of properties owned by (i) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and (ii) housing associations, in the South Down area.

(AQW 1174/08)

Ms M Ritchie: At 31^st March 2007 records showed that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive owned 4767 properties and Housing Associations owned 1253 properties in the South Down area.

Consultancy Expenditure

Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Social Development to detail her department's expenditure on consultancy; and to provide a breakdown of this expenditure, for the last year.

(AQW 1213/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The actual expenditure on management consultancy incurred by the Department for Social Development for the financial year 2006/07 amounted to £260,652. A breakdown of the expenditure is as follows:-

Categories of Consultancy

Expenditure 2006/07£

1 Management - Policy Appraisal and Review 89,770

2 Management - Strategic Management 9,054

3 Management - Organisational Development 27,190

7 Financial - Economic Appraisal 9,625

13 Research - Projects 125,013

Total 260,652

Categories of Consultancy	Expenditure 2006/07£
1 Management - Policy Appraisal and Review	89,770
2 Management - Strategic Management	9,054
3 Management - Organisational Development	27,190
7 Financial - Economic Appraisal	9,625
13 Research - Projects	125,013
Total	260,652

Downs Syndrome

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of children with Downs Syndrome (i) who are in receipt of disability living allowance; (ii) who receive only the mobility component of disability living allowance; and (iii) who receive only the care component of disability living allowance.

(AQW 1233/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department does not hold the information requested.

While there are disability codes attributed to all Disability Living Allowance awards, there is no specific disability code relating to Downs Syndrome. This disability is captured under the disability code relating to mental health cases which encompasses many other types of mental health disabilities.

Jobs & Benefits Office, Newtownards

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development what steps she has taken to establish a combined Social Security Office and Job Centre in Newtownards.

(AQW 1298/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Social Security Agency remains committed to the rollout of a Jobs & Benefits office in Newtownards to ensure that clients benefit from the same enhanced work-focused service which is available elsewhere in Northern Ireland. A procurement exercise has been ongoing to identify the site of the new office.

Assembly Commission

Assembly Shop

Mr L Cree asked the Assembly Commission what consideration it has given, in conjunction with Eurest, to the production of a market research questionnaire, in order to gain information from visitors to the Assembly shop, in relation to (i) Assembly shop profile; (ii) goods; (iii) opening times; and (iv) prices.

(AQW 1119/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): As the member may know the new support services contract, which includes the Assembly Gift Shop, has been operating since 5 March 2007. During this period the efforts of both Eurest and Facilities Branch has been very much focused on the major components of the contract which are catering and cleaning. Of necessity, this has meant that other parts of the contract, including the shop, have not received the priority that it would otherwise enjoy.

The current position on the specific matters which you have raised is;

Eurest has not introduced a questionnaire specific to visitors to ascertain the shop profile.
A questionnaire of the goods currently on offer has not been conducted. Goods offered to date have been subjected to approval by Facilities Branch and the Speaker’s office.
The opening times Eurest operate are set by the Secretariat and are written into the support services contract. Eurest do also offer, on request, a mobile shop service to private tours and events outside of the normal opening hours.
No questionnaire has been carried out into the current selling prices within the shop. All prices within the shop are set in conjunction with Facilities Branch. Sales lines are subject to recommended retail prices that may vary in response to market trends.

You have highlighted a number of important points about the development of the Assembly shop which I will table at an early meeting of the Assembly Commission.

Assembly Shop

Mr L Cree asked the Assembly Commission what plans it has to encourage Eurest to extend the gift selection in the Assembly shop, to include Northern Ireland Assembly (i) t-shirts; (ii) sweat shirts; (iii) baseball caps; and (iv) other promotional items, which are now common in other visitor attractions.

(AQW 1120/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): Management are keen to encourage a greater use of the shop by internal and external customers and in extending the gift selection forms. Eurest are currently exploring new and innovative ideas to extend the current gift shop selection. Such new lines could include:

A new range of Quality chocolate;
Wine - N.I. Assembly crested wine;
CD Picture Postcards - A full DVD/CD picture postcard which is very light weight and easy to carry;
A new range of Business gifts, Folders, Pens, Credit Card Holders etc.;
A N.I. Assembly Tie pin; and
A N.I. Assembly Ladies Brooch.

Eurest will also as part of this process explore the feasibility of providing a range of NI Assembly clothing options for sale within the gift shop. Of course, any new lines will require a relevant business case for the Assembly Commissions consideration.

Friday 02 November 2007

Written Answers to Questions

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

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Consultancy Expenditure

Agriculture and Rural Development

Animal Welfare

Carbon Footprint

Carbon Footprint

Farmers Affected by Flooding

Food Security

Pomeroy Business Park

Culture, Arts and Leisure

Community Festivals Fund

Education

School Repairs

Derryboye Primary School Car Park

Autistic Spectrum Disorders Programmes

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

School Repairs

School Bus Seatbelts

Derryboye Primary School Car Park

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta

Budget Underspend

Sports Coaches in Schools

Education and Skills Authority

Education and Skills Authority

Education and Skills Authority

Review of Public Administration

Post-Primary Education

Education and Skills Authority

Review of Irish-Medium Education

Employment and Learning

Training for Success Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships

Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Budget Underspend

Tourism

Tourism-Related Budgets

New Hotels

New Hotels

Cosultancy Expenditure

Invest NI

Trading Partnerships

Environment

Agricultural Planning Regulations

Planning Applications

MOT Tests

Radioactive Waste

Radioactive Waste

Radioactive Waste

Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre

Motorcycle Off-Road Tests

Private Developments

Budget Underspend

Consultancy Expenditure

Motor Homes

Illegal Waste

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Suicide

Suicide

Suicide

Health and Social Services Authority

Binge Drinking

Cardiac Screening

Cardiac Screening

Cardiac Risk in the Young

Investigate Heart Screening

Budget Underspend

Mobile Phone Use

Dental Guidelines

MLA Meetings

Regional Development

Road Upgrade

Route Corridor Study

Disability Badges

Residents' Parking Schemes

Pedestrian Crossings

Free Public Transport

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
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
Assembly Commission