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 07 December 2007

Written Answers to Questions

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

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child

Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what action it has taken in preparation for the forthcoming examination of the United Kingdom Government by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child; and what plans it has to hold a debate in the Assembly on the Northern Ireland Jurisdictional Report.

(AQW 535/08)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): The State report which was submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in July of this year was a composite report covering the four jurisdictions. Departmental officials made a significant contribution to that report in relation to devolved issues, following a series of consultations with key stakeholders. These were carried out prior to devolution.

In line with the other devolved administrations, a Northern Ireland country-specific report was sent to the Committee at the end of August. Both reports refer to a pre-devolution period.

Both reports make a clear distinction between devolved and excepted/reserved matters. The reports relate solely to policies and decisions taken in the context of direct rule.

The two reports have been placed in the Assembly Library, made available to the OFMDFM Committee and have been published on the website www.allchildrenni.gov.uk. Hard copies will be available shortly.

We understand that the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child will not hold its examination until late 2008. We have asked our officials to begin our preparatory work now.

The question of whether there should be a debate in the Assembly is of course a matter for the Assembly Business Committee.

Deloitte Touche Report, 'The Cost of Division: A Shared Future Strategy'

Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the cost involved in placing the Deloitte Touche report, 'The Cost of Division: A Shared Future Strategy' on the departmental website.

(AQW 814/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We have no plans to place the report on the departmental website. As explained in AQW 348/07, the report is already widely accessible.

Resource Efficiency

Mr P Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the mathematical formula used to assess Northern Ireland's resource efficiency, referred to in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland: First Steps Towards Sustainability.

(AQW 1602/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The measure of resource efficiency included in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland was estimated using the results of research undertaken within the "Northern Limits Project" (2004), which benefited from sponsorship by the Department of the Environment and Queen’s University Belfast. An objective of the project was to examine and calculate Northern Ireland's ecological impact on the environment.

The estimate of resource efficiency was derived by looking at the amount of resources that remain within Northern Ireland and comparing this to total resource consumption by the economy here. This comparison enabled the ratio of: (i) resources consumed, less waste, to: (ii) total resources consumed, to be calculated.

Precise information relating to the data used within the calculations can be obtained from the "Northern Limits" final report which is available from http://www.northern-limits.com/.

Tackling Child Poverty

Mrs N Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail whether or not the proportion of funding for tackling child poverty, set out in the United Kingdom Comprehensive Spending Review, and allocated to Northern Ireland under the Barnett formula, will be ring fenced for this sole purpose, similar to the allocation in England, Scotland and Wales.

(AQW 1727/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Tackling poverty and indeed child poverty requires a co-ordinated plan of actions across a range of departmental programmes including employment, education, health and social development. It is not anticipated therefore that resources within the Northern Ireland Block allocation will be ring fenced solely for this purpose. It is expected however that Departments will, in line with previous practice, continue to skew efforts and resources towards those in greatest objective need.

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

Junior Ministers, in their role of particular responsibility for children, will continue to lobby ministers in other departments to ensure this is the case.

European Union Gender Goods and Services Directive

Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answers to AQW 624/08, AQW 626/08 and AQW 631/08, to outline the cost of the recent public consultation on the European Union Gender Goods and Services Directive.

(AQW 1828/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The cost associated with the consultation on the EU Gender Goods and Services Directive was £1,724.00. This amount covered design, printing, distribution and advertising costs.

Programmes for Children and Young People

Ms S Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain how it is ensuring that programmes for children and young people are funded and resourced.

(AQW 1834/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The report "An Analysis of Public Expenditure on Children in Northern Ireland" commissioned by the Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland and part funded by OFMDFM and DFP was copied to Ministerial colleagues in advance of the Budget 07 exercise to inform their decisions. We also strongly made the case for significant funding for children’s programmes during pre-Budget discussions. Significant resources have been provided across a number of Departments including £26 million to facilitate the continuation of projects previously funded by the Children and Young People’s funding package.

We were successful in attracting funding in the draft Budget for the development of plans to implement a Play Policy for Northern Ireland. The play policy is set within the context of the 10-year strategy and will contribute to the delivery of many of our strategic aims for children and young people, particularly those which relate to improved health and achievement outcomes.

We have also secured resources in the draft Budget to support exemplar area based projects which will contribute to a range of improved outcomes for children and young people through joined up working.

Junior Ministers have a particular responsibility for children and young people’s issues. They are currently working on an action plan to most effectively ensure children’s issues are addressed and resourced adequately across government.

Waterways Ireland

Mr B McElduff asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the pay awards, both applied and consolidated, in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, for administration and professional technical staff in Waterways Ireland, since the body's inception; and to detail the action he is taking to resolve pay discrepancies between staff from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 2173/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Details of the pay awards, both applied and consolidated, for administration and professional technical staff in Waterways Ireland, since the Body’s inception are as follows:

Professional Technical and Administration Staff based in Northern Ireland		Professional Technical and Administration Staff based in Ireland
01/04/01	2%	01/04/01	2%
01/10/01	5.5%	01/10/01	5.5%
01/12/01 Bench-marking award Phase 1, 25% of the agreed award was applied to each scale with effect from this date. Each grade received different increase and some grades received different increases at different points on the scales as set out in the Benchmarking Report in the South. These increases were applied to the relevant points on the scales.		01/12/01 Bench-marking award Phase 1, 25% of the agreed award was applied to each scale with effect from this date. Each grade received different increase and some grades received different increases at different points on the scales as set out in the Benchmarking Report in the South. These increases were applied to the relevant points on the scales.
01/04/02 – one off lump sum payment of 1% of annual pay (not applied to scale) non-consolidated.		01/04/02 one off lump sum payment of 1% of annual pay (not applied to scale) non-consolidated.
01/10/02	2.67%	01/10/02	4%
01/04/03 – one off payment £200 non-consolidated (performance bonus)
01/04/04, plus £235 non-consolidated (performance bonus)	2%	01/01/04, plus Ph2 of benchmarking (50% of agreed award) 01/07/04 01/12/04	3% 2% 2%
01/08/05 16^th month settlement – WI have submitted proposals to TU for consideration.		01/06/05, plus Ph3 of Benchmarking (25% of agreed award) 01/12/05	1.5% 1.5%
01/08/06Proposals for implementing the 06/07 pay awards are with Departments for consideration		01/06/06 01/12/06 01/06/07	2.5% 3% 2%

The Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of the North/South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland have raised concerns that the disparity in pay, between personnel employed in Northern Ireland whose pay is linked to the Northern Ireland Civil Service and staff in Ireland whose pay is linked to the Irish Civil Service, is affecting their ability to attract, motivate and retain staff. The Council considered this matter at the Institutional meeting on 30 October 2007 and agreed that officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Finance would advise their Ministers of the issues and consider the CEO Pay Paper together with additional information provided by the

Bodies in the context of relevant national pay policies. Conclusions will be reported to a future NSMC meeting.Officials from the two Finance Departments plan to meet in the near future to discuss the matter.

Agriculture and Rural Development

Equality in the Agricultural Industry

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development pursuant to her comments during the debate on the Abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board, on 22 October 2007, to give her assessment of which sector(s) within the agricultural industry currently deny equality in the workplace to their employees, whether local or immigrant workers.

(AQW 1867/08)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): I have no evidence to suggest that any sector within the agricultural industry currently denies equality in the workplace to its employees whether local or migrant workers. The existence of the Agricultural Wages Board ensures the rights of all agricultural workers in the North are protected.

Front Line Advisers

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of front line staff currently employed by her department to offer advice to (i) beef and sheep farmers; and (ii) dairy farmers.

(AQW 1869/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My Department currently employs 110 front line staff to provide advice/support, albeit not exclusively, to beef and sheep and dairy farmers.

In addition/on occasion, provide advice, but this is not their primary/sole function.

Article 4 Audits

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of Article 4 audits that have been carried out by her department on European programmes, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1897/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My Department has carried out a total of 1946 Article 4 inspections across all European programmes for which I am responsible by 16^th November 2007. The total number of inspections completed in each of the last five years by programme area is as follows;

YEAR	BSP	PEACE	LEADER	INTERREG
2003	25	12	1	0
2004	37	32	52	0
2005	58	188	114	3
2006	74	518	102	10
2007	236	137	330	17
Total	430	887	599	30

Fishing Industry

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what assistance she will give to the fishing industry, given that the price of red diesel has risen to £2.10 per gallon.

(AQW 2007/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Rising fuels prices have been caused primarily by the increase in crude oil prices and also by increases in the rate of excise duty. Both these matters are likely to be long term features for all parts of the economy that use oil.

The European Commission confirmed last year that Member State subsidy of the cost of fuel constituted operating aid and is incompatible therefore with the Treaty. However what we can do is to assist the industry to become more fuel efficient.

Under new European Fisheries Fund Regulation it will be possible to provide assistance for various measures including:

The purchase of fuel efficient replacement engines, but subject to stringent conditions to prevent increases in fleet capacity.
Use of bio-fuels in fishing vessels.
Gear technology that reduces fuel consumption.
Audits of vessels to identify where fuel can be saved.
Vessel engineering to reduce fuel consumption.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be consulting stakeholders early next year on an Operational Programme for the implementation of the EFF here.

Fishing Licences

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the reasons why the entitlement to fish for whitefish has been removed from Category A licence holders.

(AQW 2009/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The 2005 EC TAC and Quota Regulation removed the flexibility for vessels using fishing gear with a higher days at sea allocation from using fishing gears with lower days at sea allocations, if they did not have a track record of using such gears from 2001 to 2004.

The change was made largely to conserve cod stocks by preventing the possibility of vessels with no recent track record of using whitefish gear from doing so in future. This change mostly affected a number of vessels using Nephrops gear that had no track record of using whitefish gear from 2001 to 2004.

Since 2006 vessel owners who wish to use fishing gears, such as whitefish gear, for which they do not have the appropriate track record, are permitted to transfer in days at sea from a vessel with an appropriate track record for that gear. The track record of gear use remains with the donor vessel.

Aid for the Prawn Boat Sector

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what consideration she will give to an emergency aid package for the prawn boat sector, given the high cost of fuel and low prawn prices.

(AQW 2081/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I have no plans to bring forward an aid package for the prawn boat sector. The European Commission confirmed last year that Member State subsidy of the cost of fuel constituted operating aid is incompatible therefore with the Treaty. However the new European Fisheries Fund will provide opportunities for the fishing industry to become energy efficient through measures such as grant-aid for the purchase of more fuel efficient engines. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be consulting stakeholders early next year on an Operational Programme for the implementation of the EFF here.

Modernisation of the Fishing Fleet

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the measures she will take to modernise the fishing fleet, particularly the prawn sector.

(AQW 2082/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Down Fishing Villages Taskforce has recently invited applications for a "Fleet Modification Scheme" that will provide grant support to the North’s over-10 metre fishing fleet, to replace existing mechanical machinery (such as winches, cranes, net drums and steering gear) where the replacement will improve the safety of vessels and crew, without increasing the vessel’s fishing-effort capacity. The scheme will make available £480,000 at a rate of 40% grant on eligible items. Further assistance will be available under the European Fisheries Fund which will come into operation next year.

Carbon Footprint of the Prawn Boat Sector

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline what research has been carried out in relation to the carbon footprint of the prawn boat sector.

(AQW 2090/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Comprehensive research on the carbon footprint of the prawn boat sector would require an examination of the direct emissions of CO2 from the fossil fuels consumed by the prawn boat sector as well as the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of the products used by these vessels included those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. I am not aware of any research on indirect emissions, however Seafish published a report last year (available at www.seafish.org) on "Options for Improving Fuel efficiency in the UK Fleet" which focused on key segments of the fishing fleet, and covers fleet operations, gear type and fishing patterns. The Report includes an assessment of some of the current fuel efficiency measures, the degree of uptake and barriers to uptake of these measures.

Carbon Footprint of Fishing Fleets

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what trials have been carried out into the viability of using bio diesel in fishing fleets in order to reduce its carbon footprint.

(AQW 2091/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Researchers from the University of Exeter, are currently testing the first commercial fishing boat to run on environmentally friendly bio-diesel made from vegetable oil. One of the aims of the project is to determine whether bio-diesel can be used as a direct substitute for red diesel in fishing boats without the need for modifications to the engine or fuel system. If successful the use of bio-fuel could significantly reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions as well as reducing other sulphur emissions to zero. The University of Exeter received funding from Defra under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and Seafish to carry out the project.

Fishing Diversification Schemes

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what grants are to be made available to fishermen wishing to upgrade their boats in order to diversify into fishing for alternative species.

(AQW 2092/08)

Ms M Gildernew: In November 2006, DARD, through the Down Villages Fishing Taskforce, provided £220,000 grant support to enable vessels that primarily target whitefish to diversify into more sustainable fisheries. 12 eligible applications were received and 6 vessels were awarded diversification support.

In August 2007, a further £170,000 grant was awarded to enable the 6 remaining eligible vessels to complete their diversification projects and an additional £200,000 was provided to allow 5 dedicated whitefish vessels, which had not initially applied for such support, to seek such assistance.

During 2006 and 2007, DARD has also supported experimental "diversification" fisheries in the Irish Sea relating to sprats, potted and trawled nephrops, and shrimp fisheries. The total grant awards associated with this support exceeds £250,000.

There are no plans to have further diversification schemes at the moment although similar projects will be possible under the European Fisheries Fund which will come into operation next year.

Hospitality Expenditure

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the amount spent by her department on hospitality in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2141/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Expenditure on hospitality for the Core Department only (i.e. excluding Agencies) for the last five financial years:

2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
£53,021	£77,697	£86,481	£97,169	£65,949

Coastal Shell Fishing Industry

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to assist the development of the coastal shell fishing industry based in Belfast and Larne Loughs.

(AQW 2161/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The role of my Department is to promote the sustainable development of both the wild and farmed shellfish sectors in all coastal waters including Belfast and Larne Lough, to licence shellfish farms and to provide financial assistance to develop these sectors under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). The Department will be issuing a consultation paper early next year on an Operational Programme for the implementation of EFF here and all stakeholders will have the opportunity of contributing to the development of the various measures within the programme.Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (CLAMS) Groups have been established for licensed shellfish producers in Belfast Lough and Larne Lough under the Department’s Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems Initiative. The purpose of these groups is to assist local producers with the management and development shellfish farming the Loughs and inshore waters. The Department is also bringing forward legislation to protect the interests of bottom grown mussel producers whose sites are located within the northern limits of Belfast Harbour.

Fish Farming Industry

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the assistance she will provide to enable the fish farming industry, in particular those located off the East Antrim coast around Glenarm, to recover from the problems presented by the recent jellyfish appearance.

(AQW 2162/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I have met with representatives of the Northern Salmon Company to discuss the crisis and express my concerns over the potential impact for the company. I have also taken the views of Executive colleagues. My officials are engaging with the Company’s management and officials from other Departments to assess the impact of the recent jellyfish appearance in Glenarm Bay and Red Bay, and to determine the potential for assistance.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

Irish Language Bill

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline any areas of contention relating to the use of the Irish Language that were raised by (i) individuals; or (ii) organisations, that contributed to his view that an Irish Language Bill would be divisive.

(AQW 1819/08)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): In my statement to the house on the 16 October 2007 on the proposal to introduce Irish language Legislation I advised that over 11,000 written responses were received as well as petitions containing 629 names. 65% (7,500) of the total number of respondents indicated support for some form of legislation. 35% (4,129) of all respondents were against any form of legislation.

The sheer numbers of responses confirms the strong and divergent views on this issue throughout the community. It is my intention to publish all the responses on DCAL’s website by the end of this calendar year in line with Departmental accessibility guidelines.

Ian Patrick Magill's Employment at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail when Ian Patrick Magill was appointed to a position at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, and the position to which he was appointed.

(AQW 1849/08)

Mr E Poots: I will answer these two questions together. Mr Ian Magill was employed by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum between the years 1975 and 1997 in the capacity of Exhibitions Officer. Mr Magill was dismissed on 18 November 1997 following his conviction for the illegal importation of indecent video material and magazines.

Ian Patrick Magill's Employment at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail when Ian Patrick Magill's employment at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum was terminated and the reason(s) for this.

(AQW 1850/08)

Land Bank Value

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the value of the land bank in his department that has the potential to be realised.

(AQW 1911/08)

Mr E Poots: I am aware that this Question was due for Answer on the 4^th of December 2007, and I apologise to the Member for the delay.

As part of its planning work for the CSR period (2008 – 11), the department identified capital receipts which would arise through the disposal of PRONI’s existing site on Balmoral Ave and through sales of Libraries assets and land owned by National Museums of Northern Ireland. Sales proceeds are estimated at £14.10m.

Beyond this, Minister Robinson has established a review of departmental asset holdings which seeks to identify the scope for better use of assets, including higher levels of disposals where appropriate. This work is being taken forward by the Capital Realisation Taskforce which plans to report before the end of this year.

DCAL has carried out a thorough review of its and sponsored bodies’ asset holdings and has fully engaged with the Taskforce. Furthermore, I have arranged to meet its Head later this month to discuss my Department’s returns. However, given that this process is not complete, I am unable to provide further details at this time.

Ian Patrick Magill's Employment with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the date on which Ian Patrick Magill was suspended by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, after his arrest in 1995 for importing child pornography; and to confirm whether or not he was paid his full salary during the period of his suspension.

(AQW 1970/08)

Mr E Poots: Mr Magill was suspended by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on the 9^th October 1995 as soon as it became aware that he had been found with indecent material coming through Heathrow Airport. Mr Magill was paid full salary during the period of his precautionary suspension in accordance with the Museums’ disciplinary procedure.

In the period between Mr Magill’s arrest and his conviction the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum undertook a preliminary investigation of the alleged offence. This involved communication with HM Customs and Excise and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. This preliminary investigation, together with legal advice thereon, led the Museum to conclude that Mr Magill should remain on suspension, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

Following his conviction on the 11^th November 1997 Mr Magill was summarily dismissed by the Museum, following a disciplinary hearing, on the 18^th November 1997.

Against a background of considerable public and press interest in Mr Magill’s case, the Board of Trustees commissioned an Independent Enquiry into the matter, led by a former County Court judge.

The Enquiry examined the circumstances surrounding Mr Magill’s continued employment after his previous conviction in 1991 and concluded that while the Trustees could have considered the wider implications of the case for the museum, they acted in good faith in accordance with the legal advice available at that time. The Enquiry further established that Mr Magill did nothing untoward on museum premises and no action by him affected any child visiting the museum.

In line with the recommendations of the Enquiry, National Museums Northern Ireland introduced a number of measures to further ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, including the development of a Child Protection Policy and Procedures (now Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy and Procedures).

Ian Patrick Magill's Employment with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action was taken by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in relation to Ian Patrick Magill, between his arrest in 1995 for importing child pornography and his conviction in 1997.

(AQW 1971/08)

Following his conviction on the 11^th November 1997 Mr Magill was summarily dismissed by the Museum, following a disciplinary hearing, on the 18^th November 1997.

Against a background of considerable public and press interest in Mr Magill’s case, the Board of Trustees commissioned an Independent Enquiry into the matter, led by a former County Court judge.

Ian Patrick Magill's Employment with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action was taken by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in relation to Ian Patrick Magill, after his conviction in 1997 for importing child pornography; and to detail the dates on which such action was taken.

(AQW 1972/08)

Following his conviction on the 11^th November 1997 Mr Magill was summarily dismissed by the Museum, following a disciplinary hearing, on the 18^th November 1997.

Against a background of considerable public and press interest in Mr Magill’s case, the Board of Trustees commissioned an Independent Enquiry into the matter, led by a former County Court judge.

Sports Funding

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the amount of funding allocated to (i) soccer; (ii) Gaelic games; and (iii) rugby, in the last five years.

(AQW 2054/08)

Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding to sport. Over the last five financial years SNI has allocated exchequer and lottery funding to soccer, Gaelic games and rugby as follows:

		Soccer	Gaelic Games	Rugby
2002/03	Exchequer Lottery	1,931,575 696,561	568,559 884,462	122,330 160,860
2003/04	Exchequer Lottery	69,624 322,149	217,111 1,181,112	101,825 244,163
2004/05	Exchequer Lottery	1,053,092 765,048	140,839 750,947	96,728 -
2005/06	Exchequer Lottery	93,258 9,000	1,004,081 101,330	102,930 -
2006/07	Exchequer Lottery	2,158,273 -	2,701,488 -	882,901 -

Library Provision

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail, broken down by education and library board, for each of the last five years (i) the total amount spent on library provision; and (ii) the percentage of the total budget of each board that these amounts represented.

(AQW 2060/08)

Mr E Poots: I attach at Annex 1 details of recurrent expenditure on library provision broken down by Education and Library board, for each of the last five years and the percentage of the total recurrent budget of each board that these amounts represent.

Annex 2 also provides details of capital funding provided by DCAL for the public library service over the last five years.

AQW 2060/08

Annex 1

All figures are in £000's

	2002/03	2002/03	2003/04	2003/04	2004/05	2004/05	2005/06	2005/06	2006/07	2006/07
	Total	DCAL	Total	DCAL	Total	DCAL	Total	DCAL	Total	DCAL
	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent	recurrent
BELB	203532	5730	213122	6073	209959	5049	222605	5541	229173	5774
Percentage		2.8%		2.8%		2.4%		2.5%		2.5%
NEELB	244478	4613	263650	5588	259989	4730	280604	4741	291379	5415
Percentage		1.9%		2.1%		1.8%		1.7%		1.9%
SEELB	222264	5183	232138	5916	233532	4667	249156	5376	244897	5634
Percentage		2.3%		2.5%		2.0%		2.2%		2.3%
SELB	254194	4349	273170	4336	278375	4166	298583	4533	310687	4996
Percentage		1.7%		1.6%		1.5%		1.5%		1.6%
WELB	234637	4369	258493	4216	284923	3726	299869	4088	308998	4535
Percentage		1.9%		1.6%		1.3%		1.4%		1.5%
ELfNI		3294		4032		3502		3514		3873

Notes

1. The DCAL figures for the financial years 2002/03 to 2004/05 includes payments for job evaluation.

2. In addition to its recurrent budget, the NEELB receives an annual amount for the Electronic Libraries Project for Northern Ireland (ELfNI) which it administers on behalf of the 5 Boards. The ELfNI figures shown in the table above are not included in the NEELB total recurrent budgets.

Annex 2

All figures are in £000's

	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
	capital	capital	capital	capital	capital
BELB	210	213	647	1082	865

NEELB	853	1409	646	316	1193

SEELB	260	448	593	243	515

SELB	194	717	175	559	656

WELB	1385	856	625	327	183

Shooting Clubs

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of shooting clubs that have been approved in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2124/08)

Mr E Poots: The licensing of firearms clubs in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter and responsibility for this matter therefore rests with the Northern Ireland Office.

Shooting Clubs

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of shooting clubs that were established in (i) 1970; (ii) 1990; and (iii) 2000.

(AQW 2125/08)

Mr E Poots: The licensing of firearms clubs in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter and responsibility for this matter therefore rests with the Northern Ireland Office.

Shooting Clubs

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide a breakdown of shooting clubs that are (i) clay pigeon clubs and lay-outs; (ii) indoor; and (iii) outdoor.

(AQW 2128/08)

Mr E Poots: The licensing of firearms clubs in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter and responsibility for this matter therefore rests with the Northern Ireland Office.

Windsor Park

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions he plans to have with the Irish Football Association and Linfield Football Club regarding the condition of Windsor Park; and whether or not government assistance will be made available to ensure that the stadium meets health and safety and FIFA criteria.

(AQW 2155/08)

Mr E Poots: Responsibility for the condition of Windsor Park rests with the owners of the ground, Linfield FC and the Irish Football Association (IFA), the governing body of football in Northern Ireland. My Department is currently facilitating discussions between IFA and Linfield FC in relation to the condition of Windsor Park. Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport including the distribution of funding. SNI runs a number of funding programmes which are designed to assist owners and operators of Soccer grounds, including Windsor Park, meet health and safety and FIFA requirements. These include Soccer Strategy and Stadia Safety programmes.

Children and Young People in Sport

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his strategy for encouraging the participation of children and young people in sport and physical activity.

(AQW 2170/08)

Mr E Poots: On 9^th October 2007, I published, for 3 month consultation, a draft of The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation, 2007-2017." The draft Strategy, which was prepared by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), proposes a number of specific targets and actions which are designed to encourage greater participation by children and young people in sport and physical activity. The consultation on the draft Strategy ends on 9^th January 2008 and a final Strategy will hopefully be published in the spring.

Irish language Broadcasting

Mr G Adams asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to clarify the position on the future status of Irish language broadcasting in Northern Ireland once the current allocation of funding ends.

(AQW 2248/08)

Mr E Poots: £12 million was made available to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund over a four year period commencing in 2005. This funding is due to end in March 2009. As you are aware, I was unable to secure further funding for the Fund in the draft budget agreed by the Executive.

I am considering what options are available to me to promote Irish language broadcasting within the wider promotion of the Irish language, Government’s commitments under the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and my anticipated budget. I intend then to bring forward any proposals to this House and the CAL Committee in due course.

Northern Ireland Events Company

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the expenses paid to each Board member of the Northern Ireland Events Company in the last three financial years.

(AQW 2253/08)

Mr E Poots: The Northern Ireland Events Company has paid the following amounts in expenses to each Board member in the last three years:

Name	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Aideen Corr		£563.80
Mervyn Elder	£554.54	£610.40	£2,596.99
Ian Lee	£826.00	£1,068.40	£1,387.46
Paul McWilliams	£340.00	£174.40	£327.20
Eric Saunders	£94.40	£310.10	£371.79

Northern Ireland Events Company

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the salary paid to the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Events Company over the last three years.

(AQW 2254/08)

Mr E Poots: The gross salary for the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Events Company for the last three years was:

2004/05 - £49,999

2005/06 - £53,171

2006/07 - £53,171

Education

Competitive Education System

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail how she proposes to ensure that Northern Ireland's education system delivers a workforce that is more economically competitive than that of the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 92/08)

The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): The revised curriculum focuses on developing the skills young people need for life and work in the 21st century. Employability, incorporating Entrepreneurship, is also an important part of the revised post-primary curriculum.

In addition, the Entitlement Framework will guarantee all pupils access to a greater range of vocational courses, equipping them with the professional and technical skills that business and industry needs. Pupils will be able to access courses appropriate to their individual needs, interests and aspirations, providing a wider choice at age 14 and an even wider choice at age 16.

To support pupils in making their choices and decisions about their futures, we are working to develop high quality careers education, information advice and guidance.

All of this will be set within a broader strategic framework for 14-19 provision, on which DE and DEL are currently engaged, ensuring that our young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take their place in an increasingly global workforce.

Employment and Learning

School Leavers

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

(AQW 1937/08)

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

On that basis, the number of these enrolments from areas of social disadvantage (defined here as the 20% most deprived super output areas) at the Queen’s University of Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Open University, in each of the last 5 available years is given in the table below:

	Queen's University of Belfast	University of Ulster	The Open University
2001/02	390	485	10
2002/03	370	600	5
2003/04	320	640	5
2004/05	310	560	5
2005/06	390	710	5

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

School Leavers

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of school leavers from Northern Ireland who attend universities in (i) England; (ii) Scotland; (iii) Wales; (iv) the Republic of Ireland; and (v) Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2075/08)

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

On that basis, the number of these enrolments at UK Higher Education institutions by country of institution in 2005/06 is given in the table below:

England	2,125
Scotland	1,035
Wales	70
Northern Ireland	7,750

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Graduates

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of students that attended (a) Queen's University, Belfast; and (b) the University of Ulster, who were from (i) the Republic of Ireland; (ii) Great Britain; and (iii) outside both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 2103/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The number of students that attended Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster who were from the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and outside both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in each of the last ten years is shown in the table below.

	Queen’s University Belfast			University of Ulster
	ROI	GB	Outside UK & ROI	ROI	GB	Outside UK & ROI
1996/97	1390	540	1105	2540	255	565
1997/98	1540	485	1065	2565	215	580
1998/99	1500	445	1085	2285	165	545
1999/00	1255	595	825	2055	200	685
2000/01	1165	505	770	1835	245	470
2001/02	1095	520	785	1840	285	520
2002/03	1075	500	840	1995	360	625
2003/04	975	465	870	2240	415	620
2004/05	1155	570	945	2265	445	605
2005/06	920	430	900	2435	470	620

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Notes: Figures are based on a snapshot of enrolments at 1^st December within the relevant academic year. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Hospitality Expenditure

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail his department's expenditure on hospitality for each of the last five years.

(AQW 2140/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The expenditure on hospitality for the last five years is as follows:

Year	Amount
	£
06/07	30,192.54

05/06	33,078.80

04/05	29,904.47

03/04	42,758.56

02/03	29,969.93

Total	165,904.30

University Students

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the total number of students from the European Union, excluding the United Kingdom, currently studying at (i) Queen's University, Belfast; and (ii) the University of Ulster.

(AQW 2296/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The total number of student enrolments from the European Union, excluding the United Kingdom, at (i) Queen’s University, Belfast; and (ii) the University of Ulster in 2005/06 (the latest available year) is given in the table below: -

Queen's University of Belfast	University of Ulster
1,290	2,935

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Foreign Nationals

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail what responsibility his department has in relation to monitoring the number of foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2318/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department for Employment and Learning has no formal responsibility to monitor the number of foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland. Foreign nationals comprise a spectrum of categories of people covering asylum seekers, migrants, including migrant workers, dependents, students and others. The Department is leading work by state and non-state organisations on migrant worker issues.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Alternative Means of Energy Production

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the work undertaken in his department in relation to the exploration of alternative means of energy production in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1821/08)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): The Department’s work relating to the identification of alternative means of energy production is focused on renewable sources of energy.

The recently completed Grid Study researched the resource potential for different renewable technologies on the island of Ireland in 2020, the extent to which the renewable generation, primarily wind, could be accommodated onto the electricity grid, and implications for future network development. An initial consideration of study results suggests that there is potential for a significant increase in the level of electricity generation which can be obtained from renewable sources, however this will require significant investment in both renewable technologies and strengthening of the electricity grid.

The Department has also, through Action Renewables, let a contract to research the potential for deep geothermal energy in Northern Ireland. The aim of the study is to assess the potential geothermal energy resources suitable for heating, using all available information including the recently completed Tellus airborne survey. The project report will be available in March 2008. In terms of shallow geothermal energy, Action Renewables is also working with the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and the British Geological Survey to enable consumers quickly to obtain an assessment of the suitability of the ground conditions for the installation of Ground Source Heat Pump systems.

Through the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund, which has been in place for some 18 months, the DETI has also supported work to stimulate the development of alternative energy sources and, in particular, Energy from Waste, microgeneration technologies and biomass. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, too, has carried out biomass-related work under these Fund initiatives.

In addition, the Department is currently scoping the potential for bioenergy and marine renewable energy to contribute to more diversified and sustainable energy production in Northern Ireland.

Ballycastle/Campbeltown Ferry Link

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if his department is undertaking a new economic appraisal for the Ballycastle/Campbeltown ferry link.

(AQW 1895/08)

Mr N Dodds: I have agreed with Stewart Stevenson MSP, my counterpart in the Scottish Government who has lead responsibility for this matter, to jointly fund a new options and economic appraisal for the proposed Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry route.

Closure of Tyco Health Care (UK) Manufacturing Limited

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action his Department has taken over the proposed closure of Tyco Health Care (UK) Manufacturing Limited in Ballymoney.

(AQW 1896/08)

Mr N Dodds: I deeply regret the planned closure of Tyco Healthcare UK Manufacturing Ltd (Tyco) in Ballymoney.

My Department has been in regular contact with Invest NI to ensure that all possible options were considered by Covidien Ltd (Covidien), the US parent of Tyco, before a final decision was made in relation to the proposed closure.

Invest NI met with local management in Ballymoney on 31 August 2007 and with senior US management on 4 September 2007. There has been ongoing contact with both local and US management since 4 September 2007.

At the meeting with senior US management Invest NI suggested a number of business options as detailed below:

Change to production of new higher added value products;
Possible transfer of products from other Covidien sites;
An R&D Centre;
Future use of the specialized sterilization unit in Ballymoney.

Invest NI also re-affirmed the possible forms of financial assistance available from Invest NI.

Following the confirmation of the closure on 23 November 2007 Invest NI met with the Ballymoney management on 29 November 2007. The local management confirmed that Covidien had considered all options during the 90 day consultation period however unfortunately had decided to proceed with the closure of the Ballymoney plant.

The US management has advised that no other option was considered suitable for the plant however this is absolutely no reflection on the workforce and stems from Covidien’s reshaping of its portfolio and streamlining of operations.

Invest NI furnished Covidien with a list of Republic of Ireland companies that are believed to have a need for product sterilization. Invest NI offered to make initial contact with these companies to obtain preliminary feedback in relation to the sterilizer unit. During the 90 day consultation period Covidien had advised Invest NI not to make contact. Following the announcement on 23 November 2007 Invest NI has contacted Covidien in relation to this issue and is awaiting further feedback.

Invest NI contacted the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) in relation to Tyco when the announcement of the proposed closure was made in August 2007. As the closure of the Ballymoney plant has now been confirmed by Covidien, Invest NI will liaise with DEL and the company in order to organise provision of advice to staff on training, job vacancies and opportunities for self employment. The Tyco Human Resources manager has confirmed that the company will host a redundancy clinic and DEL has been advised to contact the company week commencing 3 December 2007 to initiate discussions in respect of the timing of the clinic.

Political Tourism

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline any plans his department has to develop the political tourism projects that currently take place in West Belfast in order to increase the number of tourists who visit.

(AQW 1926/08)

Mr N Dodds: Political tourism is part of the tourism product mix and the interest in Northern Ireland’s recent past presents a window of opportunity. However it is a sensitive subject where the needs of the visitor have not always been the primary focus of promoters.

It is only one element of the cultural tourism product within West Belfast. NITB is working with Belfast City Council, Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau and local representatives to integrate political tourism into broader promotions for Great Britain and overseas marketing by Tourism Ireland.

Current Visitor Servicing projects supported by the International Fund for Ireland and the Integrated Development Fund include initiatives to distribute visitors from the traditional city centre attractions into communities within the Greater Belfast area. West Belfast is participating in the Belfast Cultural Diversity and Visitor Servicing Pilot Project which is in the final stages of development. This will be marketed by Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB), NITB and Tourism Ireland.

Invest NI

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of visits by potential inward investors, hosted by Invest NI, to the South Antrim constituency in each of the past three years.

(AQW 1932/08)

Mr N Dodds: The figures below outline the number of visits that have been organised by Invest NI for potential inward investors to the South Antrim constituency in 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Potential inward investor visits	South Antrim Constituency
2004-2005	6
2005-2006	7
2006-2007	5

Invest NI does not determine locations for visits for a potential investor: this decision is taken by the investor. The focus of Invest NI’s international sales and marketing effort is to aggressively promote all areas of Northern Ireland as attractive and viable locations for new inward investment opportunities, in what is a very competitive global market.

Renewable Energy

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all the bodies known to his department that provide renewable energy advice; and to outline the cost of these bodies to the Northern Ireland budget.

(AQW 1943/08)

Mr N Dodds: The cost to the Northern Ireland Budget of bodies that provide renewable energy advice is detailed below:-

Funding Body	Organisation Funded	Total Amount of Funding in 07/08 (£000’s)	Total dedicated to Renewable Energy advice (£000’s)
DETI	Action Renewables	1.182	1.182 This is to deliver an agreed work programme of renewable energy activities including technical advice, tailored renewables information and policy support.
Invest Northern Ireland	Carbon Trust	2.725	0.790 This is to provide a support programme for Invest NI client companies on energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
Northern Ireland Housing Executive	Northern Ireland Energy Agency	0.206	The target here is against providing advice to 70,000 households and delivering advice to elderly residents through Heat Smart. The advice through both programmes primarily focuses on energy efficiency but around 20% of these households also receive general advice on renewable energy.

Environment and Renewable Energy Fund

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide a breakdown of planned expenditure of the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund to the end of the current financial year.

(AQW 1944/08)

Mr N Dodds: The planned expenditure of the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund (EREF) to the end of the current financial year, broken down by Department is estimated as :-

Department	Planned capital expenditure (£ m)	Planned resource expenditure (£ m)
DETI	5	2.042
DSD	7.675	-----
DFP	0.889	0.100
DARD	1.35	0.300
DOE	-----	0.170
OFMDFM	-----	0.300

Renewable Energy Reconnect/Household Programme

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount of money spent on advertising the Renewable Energy Reconnect/Household programme.

(AQW 1945/08)

Mr N Dodds: The total amount spent, as of 22 November 2007, on advertising the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund, household programme, Reconnect is £495,675.

Renewable Energy Fund

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the cost of installation of each renewable energy type provided for by the Renewable Energy Fund (i) including advertising costs; and (ii) excluding advertising costs.

(AQW 1946/08)

Mr N Dodds: The average costs per renewable energy technology installation, including Reconnect grant, including and excluding advertising, and householder contribution are:

Technology	Grant Paid (£)	Advertisng Cost per installation (£)	Householder Contribution (£)	Total Installed Cost (Including advertising) (£)	Total Installed Cost (excluding advertising) (£)
Solar Hot water	1125	330	2575	4030	3700
Photovoltaic	9100	330	8650	18080	17750
Wood Pellet Boilers	3160	330	4070	7560	7230
Wood Pellet Stoves	1173	330	1777	3280	2950
Wind Turbine	5100	330	7800	13230	12900
Ground Source Heat Pumps	2960	330	4900	8190	7860
Air Source Heat Pumps	1833	330	7517	9680	9350

Trade Missions to India

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of companies from (i) Ballymena Borough Council area; (ii) Ballymoney Borough Council area; and (iii) Moyle District Council area, that have taken part in recent trade missions to India.

(AQW 1959/08)

Mr N Dodds: Since the beginning of 2006 Invest NI has organised 4 trade missions to India and participated in one other organised by Enterprise Ireland.

Two companies from the Ballymena Borough Council area and no companies from either the Ballymoney Borough Council or Moyle District Council areas participated in these missions.

Trade Missions are open to all companies in Northern Ireland seeking to do business in international markets. Invest NI publishes an annual trade events programme to all of its client companies and other interested parties. The details of all trade missions are also published on Invest NI’s website www.investni.com/trade and on nibusinessinfo.co.uk – Northern Ireland’s online business advice service

Redundancy Packages

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the actions he is taking to ensure that redundancy packages offered by TYCO are fair.

(AQW 1961/08)

Mr N Dodds: With regard to redundancy, it must be recognised that, beyond reference to statutory minimum requirements, the terms of a redundancy package are entirely a matter for the company to agree in consultation with the employees.

I would suggest that any requests for information concerning the structure of the proposed redundancy package should, in the first instance, be addressed to the company at Ballymoney.

Invest NI

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the policy of Invest NI in relation to offers of financial assistance to participate in overseas trade missions, by companies that have announced their intention to close their Northern Ireland-based operations before the trade mission takes place.

(AQW 2069/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI policy and practice is not to provide financial assistance to companies towards their participation in overseas trade missions if they have announced their intention to close their Northern Ireland operations before the mission is scheduled to take place.

Invest NI

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of Invest NI assistance provided for each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies, expressed as a figure per head of population.

(AQW 2086/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below presents assistance per head of adult population offered to businesses by parliamentary constituency.

It should be noted that parliamentary constituency areas are not self-contained labour markets. A project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency and council area boundaries. In addition, Invest NI has limited scope for ‘directing’ investment to specific geographic areas. Although it has been able to influence the location decisions of some inward-investment projects, the final location decision rests with the business.

Invest NI Parliamentary Constituency Area Assistance per Head (2002/03 - 2006/07)

Parliamentary Constituency	ASSISTANCE PER HEAD (£)
BELFAST EAST	1,018
BELFAST NORTH	332
BELFAST SOUTH	1,220
BELFAST WEST	383
EAST ANTRIM	595
EAST LONDONDERRY	339
FERMANAGH AND SOUTH TYRONE	326
FOYLE	773
LAGAN VALLEY	242
MID ULSTER	355
NEWRY AND ARMAGH	288
NORTH ANTRIM	245
NORTH DOWN	167
SOUTH ANTRIM	480
SOUTH DOWN	163
STRANGFORD	119
UPPER BANN	670
WEST TYRONE	274
NORTHERN IRELAND	439

Notes

1. Population figures are based on 2006 mid-year estimates of adult population sourced from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.

Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Mrs C McGill asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail Northern Ireland Tourist Board funding to projects in the designated Sperrins area of outstanding natural beauty, over the last five years.

(AQW 2111/08)

Mr N Dodds: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) recognises the importance of the Sperrins as a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and the positive contribution this makes to tourism in Northern Ireland.

In the last five years the NITB has provided financial support of £927,313 for projects in the Sperrins area. In addition, £3.4m of Natural Rural Resource Tourism Initiative (NRRTI), which NITB jointly supported with Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) and DOE Environment & Heritage Service, was allocated to projects in the Sperrins area.

Invest NI

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the jobs promoted or supported by Invest NI that were located in the Derry/Londonderry City Council area, over the last two years.

(AQW 2164/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below presents the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward-investment projects, located in Derry District Council Area (DCA), and supported by Invest NI during the two financial years 2005/06 and 2006/07.

FINANCIAL YEAR	JOBS PROMOTED	JOBS SAFEGUARDED
2005/06	361	1,258
2006/07	754	0
TOTAL	1,115	1,258

Projects supported include investments by Seagate Technology (Ireland) Ltd (300 new jobs), Firstsource Solutions Ltd (577 new jobs) and Axa Insurance (153 new jobs).

In addition, the Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme, which is provided by Invest NI in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland, offered assistance to 473 individuals to start their own business within Derry DCA. The expected employment associated with these is around 615.

Although Invest NI does not measure the number of jobs promoted in relation to its support for existing indigenous businesses, it is important to note that this element of the agency’s work will also ultimately lead to greater wealth creation and better employment opportunities.

It should also be noted that constituency areas are not self-contained labour markets. A project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency and council area boundaries. In addition, Invest NI has limited scope for ‘directing’ investment to specific geographic areas, although it has been able to influence the location decisions of some inward-investment projects. In the case of established businesses, reinvestment patterns will be determined by the existing location of the business.

Invest NI

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the jobs promoted or supported by Invest NI which have had weekly salaries above the Northern Ireland private sector median, over the last two years.

(AQW 2165/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below details the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward-investment projects during the past two years. This includes an analysis of the number expected to be paid above the Northern Ireland Private Sector Median (PSM).

	JOBS SUPPORTED			NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE NI PSM
FINANCIAL YEAR	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL
2005/06	3,052	3,003	6,055	2,015	2,827	4,842
2006/07	2,964	204	3,168	1,169	199	1,368
TOTAL	6,016	3,207	9,223	3,184	3,026	6,210

NB: The analysis relates only to those jobs for which the necessary salary data was available. The total number of jobs promoted and safeguarded during the two year period was 6,551 and 3,485 respectively.

Invest NI

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of jobs promoted or safeguarded by Invest NI over the last two years.

(AQW 2166/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below presents the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward-investment projects supported by Invest NI during the two financial years 2005/06 and 2006/07.

FINANCIAL YEAR	JOBS PROMOTED	JOBS SAFEGUARDED
2005/06	3,100	3,281
2006/07	3,451	204
Grand Total	6,551	3,485

In addition, the Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme, which is provided by Invest NI in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland offered assistance to 6,381 individuals to start their own business. The expected employment associated with these is around 8,295.

Invest NI

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total amount of land held by Invest NI in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2193/08)

Mr N Dodds: Table 1 shows the amount of land held by Invest NI at the 31^st March in each of the last five years. It also shows the amount of land available for sale.

Table 1 Invest NI Land Holding and Land Available by Year

Date	Land Holding (Acres)	Land Available for Sale (Acres)
2002-2003	2829	1028
2003-2004	2805	984
2004-2005	2806	958
2005-2006	2806	910
2006-2007	2793	861
2007/2008 (Estimate)	2780	770

The variation in land owned from one year to the next reflects the new impact of freehold sales and acquisations.

Invest NI

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of land acquired by Invest NI in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2194/08)

Mr N Dodds: Since its formation Invest NI has acquired 6.67 acres of land.

Table 1 shows the breakdown of the acquisitions.

Invest NI is currently seeking to acquire new land to service the needs of its client base.

Table 1: Invest NI Land Acquisition by Year

	Location of Land Acquisition	Amount of Land Acquired (Acres)
2002-2003	None	None
2003-2004	Down Business Park	4
2004-2005	None	None
2005-2006	None	None
2006-2007	Forth River Business Park	2.67
2007-2008 (Estimate)	None	None

Invest NI

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of land provided for industrial use/development by Invest NI in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2195/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI has interpreted the term "land provided" to mean the amount of land available.

Invest NI holds land exclusively for the use of its clients with an approved business case and a demonstrable immediate property need.

Invest NI currently (as of 31 October 2007) holds 2,793 acres of land across Northern Ireland. At 31 October 2007, Invest NI had 811 acres of available land. It is estimated that by the end of this financial year, 31^st March 2008, this figure will have reduced to 770 acres.

Table 1 shows the breakdown of available land at the end of each financial year in each of the last five years.

Over the course of the last two years Invest NI has seen a large increase in demand for industrial land. Should this level of demand continue, the existing land bank will be fully let within the next 5 to 7 years. Invest NI is currently seeking to acquire new land to service the future needs of its clients.

Table 1: Invest Available Land by Year

	Land Available (Acres)
2002-2003	1028
2003-2004	984
2004-2005	958
2005-2006	910
2006-2007	861

Invest NI

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all the jobs promoted or safeguarded by Invest NI, which have had weekly salaries above the Northern Ireland private sector median average, on an industrial sectoral basis over the past two years.

(AQW 2208/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below details the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward- investment projects supported during the past two years by industry sector. This includes an analysis of the number expected to be paid above the Northern Ireland Private Sector Median (PSM) wage.

	JOBS SUPPORTED			NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE PSM
SECTOR	NEW	SAFEGUARDED	TOTAL	NEW	SAFEGUARDED	TOTAL
Business & Financial Services	3,682	90	3,772	1,110	90	1,200
Clothing & Textiles	51	33	84	11	33	44
Electrical, Electronic & Optical Equipment	559	2,268	2,827	559	2,268	2,827
Fabricated Metal Products & Metal Finishing	44	0	44	38	0	38
Food, Drink & Tobacco	100	16	116	44	16	60
Non-Electrical Machinery	121	98	219	121	63	184
Other Manufacturing	153	362	515	131	362	493
Other Services	153	0	153	41	0	41
Paper Products, Printing & Publishing	130	0	130	130	0	130
Rubber & Plastic Products	56	247	303	56	101	157
Software & Computer Services	967	33	1,000	943	33	976
Transport Equipment	0	60	60	0	60	60
TOTAL	6,016	3,207	9,223	3,184	3,026	6,210

Invest NI

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all the jobs promoted or safeguarded by Invest NI, which have been located in Derry/Londonderry City Council area, and have had weekly salaries above the Northern Ireland private sector median average, on an industrial sectoral basis over the last two years.

(AQW 2209/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below details the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward-investment projects in Derry DCA during the past two years by industry sector. This includes an analysis of the number expected to be paid above the Northern Ireland Private Sector Median (PSM) and the regional median wage.

	JOBS SUPPORTED			NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE NI PSM			NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE REGIONAL PSM
SECTOR	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL
Business & Financial Services	616	0	616	83	0	83	83	0	83
Electrical, Electronic & Optical Equipment	300	1,076	1,376	300	1,076	1,376	300	1,076	1,376
Other Manufacturing	14	0	14	4	0	4	4	0	4
Rubber & Plastic Products	45	182	227	45	36	81	45	182	227
Software & Computer Services	24	0	24	0	0	0	24	0	24
TOTAL	999	1,258	2,257	432	1,112	1,544	456	1,258	1,714

Notes:

(i)The analysis relates only to those jobs for which the necessary salary data was available. The total number of jobs promoted and safeguarded during the two year period was 1,115 and 1,258 respectively.

(ii) The regional PSM is based on the following council areas – Derry, Limavady, Coleraine, Magherafelt and Strabane

Invest NI

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail all the jobs promoted or safeguarded by Invest NI over the last two years, which have had weekly salaries above the Northern Ireland private sector median average, and were located in the Derry/Londonderry City Council area.

(AQW 2210/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below details the number of jobs promoted and safeguarded through inward investment projects in Derry DCA during the past two years. This includes an analysis of the number expected to be paid above the Northern Ireland Private Sector Median (PSM) and the regional median wage.

	JOBS OFFERED BY PROJECT			NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE NI PSM			NUMBER OF JOBS ABOVE REGIONAL PSM
FINANCIAL YEAR	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL	NEW	SAFE-GUARDED	TOTAL
2005/06	359	1,258	1,617	349	1,112	1,461	349	1,258	1,607
2006/07	640	0	640	83	0	83	107	0	107
TOTAL	999	1,258	2,257	432	1,112	1,544	456	1,258	1,714

Notes:

(ii) The regional PSM is based on the following council areas – Derry, Limavady, Coleraine, Magherafelt and Strabane.

Invest NI

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of land sold by Invest NI in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2238/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI holds land exclusively for the use of its clients with an approved business case and a demonstrable immediate property need.

In the five years ended 31 March 2007 Invest NI has sold 357 acres of land.

Table 1 shows the amount of land sold by Invest NI in each of the five years. It also shows estimated land sales to the end of the current financial year.

The last two years have seen a large increase in demand for Invest NI land. Should this level of demand continue, the land bank will be fully let within the next 5 to 7 years. Invest NI is currently seeking to acquire new land to service the needs of its client base.

Table 1 : Invest NI Land Sales by Year

	Land Sales (Acres)
2002-2003	56
2003-2004	74
2004-2005	62
2005-2006	93
2006-2007	72
2007-2008 (Estimate)	129

Environment

UN Global Climate Talks

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment in the light of the recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change in which experts have declared climate change as unequivocal, and state that it may bring abrupt and irreversible impacts on the world community, to indicate whether or not she will be attending the UN global climate talks in Bali in December 2007.

(AQW 1848/08)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): Three UK Ministers, namely Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Phil Woolas, Minister of State for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Gareth Thomas, Under Secretary of State for the Department for International Development are attending the 13^th Climate Change Conference from 3^rd – 14^th December in Bali.

As our interests will be represented by the above attendees, and in order not to contribute further to the carbon footprint, I will not be attending the conference.

Housing Developments on Flood Plains

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her policy on the granting of planning permission for housing developments on flood plains.

(AQW 1858/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department’s general policy approach to dealing with flooding is contained within Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 15 "Planning and Flood Risk" which adopts a precautionary approach to decision making. PPS15 is one of many material considerations in the determination of a planning application to be weighed against the development plan, other planning policy publications and other considerations including planning history. My Department will consult DARD Rivers Agency on planning applications within flood plains and have regard to what they say as part of the planning application assessment process. In those circumstances where new development within a flood plain would result in significant flood risk planning applications may be refused on these grounds.

Planning and Flood Risk

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking to discourage further development in areas of Comber susceptible to flooding, such as the Belfast Road, in order to protect existing neighbouring developments from the effects of displaced water.

(AQW 1859/08)

Mrs A Foster: Firstly, all planning applications for new development in Comber, and indeed elsewhere, are considered in the context of prevailing regional policy. In the case of lands liable to flooding, the relevant policy document is Planning Policy Statement 15, (PPS 15), ‘Planning and Flood Risk’, where there is presumption against development within flood plains unless in exceptional circumstances. In any planning application for development within an area susceptible to flooding, the Department will consult with Rivers Agency and Northern Ireland Water. The Department is guided by their advice and PPS15 , ‘Planning and Flood Risk’, in drafting an opinion to Ards Borough Council for consideration.

Secondly, my Department has published a draft Plan for Ards and Down, including Comber. Proposals for Comber were drafted in line with prevailing regional policy and in consultation with key statutory agencies, in this case Rivers Agency which has a statutory role in relation to flooding issues. Land judged liable to flood, in the opinion of Rivers Agency, was not included for development in Comber or indeed elsewhere throughout Ards and Down. Draft Plan policies were open to objection and we are currently awaiting the report of the PAC on those objections, some of which relate to the exclusion of lands in Comber.

My Department will consider that report in detail in consultation with key agencies. Again, in the case of flooding related issues, we will consult with Rivers Agency. It will then proceed to adopt the new Plan for Ards and Down, with or without modifications.

Driving Tests for People with Disabilities

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of people with disabilities who have taken a driving test in each of the past five years.

(AQW 1862/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) conducts tests for people with disabilities and makes provision on a case by case basis.

The attached table details the number of people who sat a driving test and declared a disability to DVA in the financial years 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and the first seven months of 2007/08. Accurate figures for 2002/04 are not available as such tests were not recorded on the booking system.

Year	Number of applicants who declared a disability
2004/05	21
2005/06	65
2006/07	64
2007 to 31/10/07	37

Driving Test Candidates with Disabilities

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the special arrangements provided to driving test candidates with disabilities.

(AQW 1863/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) has procedures in place to deliver special arrangements for driving test candidates with disabilities.

If the candidate is unable to access any of the six Theory Test sites they may be accommodated at an alternative mutually agreed location such as a DVA practical test centre, hotel or educational establishment.

There are a number of special arrangements in place for candidates with disabilities taking the practical test.

If the information on the application form is not explicit, DVA will liaise directly with the applicant to ensure there is no misunderstanding about their requirements and, if necessary, they will be awarded additional time for the test at no extra charge.

In addition, those candidates with hearing and /or speech difficulties may be accompanied with a signer and, in some

cases, the examiner may wear an electronic communication

device to assist the candidate.

The practical test generally starts in the test centre but if a candidate is in a wheelchair or, as a result of another condition, feels unable to meet the examiner in the test centre, the examiner will, at their request, start the test in their vehicle.

Finally, on completion of the test, if appropriate, the examiner may discuss the adaptations on the candidate’s vehicle and suggest additional amendments which may assist the driver with overall safe control of the vehicle.

Planning Applications

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her assessment of the time required for the Craigavon Planning Office to reach recommendation stage, in relation to commercial planning applications; and to give comparisons with the position in other Divisional Planning Offices.

(AQW 1866/08)

Mrs A Foster: The average time over the last 3 years taken in weeks to make a recommendation to Council on commercial planning applications by Craigavon Divisional Planning Office is shown in the table below.

Comparing Craigavon to other Divisions, timescales were longer in 2005/06 and 2006/07 reflecting workload pressures and complexity of proposals. This year processing times have decreased and are in line with the average across all Divisions.

Division	Average Time (weeks) 2005/06	Average Time (weeks) 2006/07	Average Time (weeks) 2007 – date
Ballymena	23.8	19.6	11.5
Belfast	19.3	17.6	11.4
Craigavon	33.1	27.7	13.7
Downpatrick	22.2	20.0	16.7
Londonderry	27.8	24.5	13.7
Omagh	28.0	24.1	13.5

Pomeroy Community Developments

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment (i) if the planning service recently approved a planning application for an Enterprise Park that was applied for by Pomeroy Community Developments, which was located outside Pomeroy Development zone limits; and (ii) if so, what basis and exceptional case was used and accepted to approve this application outside the development zone.

(AQW 1894/08)

Mrs A Foster: Outline Planning permission for a Business/Industrial Enterprise Park was granted on 9 February 2007 for Pomeroy Community Projects. The Department is currently assessing a Reserved Matters application for the proposal.

The application was assessed under Planning Policy Statement 4 Industrial Development (PPS4). PPS4 makes provision for a specific industrial project outside but visually associated with settlement limits in exceptional circumstances where there is no suitable land within the settlement. The enterprise must make a significant contribution to the local economy rather than a speculative scheme. The proposal complied with the above requirements. The applicant demonstrated that no suitable sites were available within the development limits, the site is just outside the development limits sharing a common boundary with them and it will make a significant contribution to the local economy.

Planning Service

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of the Environment if she will carry out a review of the way in which public representatives can interact with the planning service.

(AQW 1899/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department remains committed to the involvement of public representatives at the earliest opportunity and throughout the plan making process in order that the views and comments of public representatives can help to shape emerging draft plans.

You will be aware that my officials are conducting an overall review of the development plan system. As part of that review, consideration will be given to the role of public representatives and the way in which they can interact with the Planning Service during the preparation of a draft plan.

District Councils are consulted about planning applications within their area by Planning Service. Councillors may also make representations to Planning Service about individual applications.

The procedures for this consultation between Planning Service and Councils in relation to planning applications are

also currently the subject of a review. Once the review is complete, further consideration will be given to ways of improving the consultation process.

Chauffeur-Driven Car Hire Firms

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of chauffeur driven car hire businesses licenced in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1928/08)

Mrs A Foster: There are no requirements for chauffeur driven car hire businesses to have an operator’s licence within Northern Ireland. A chauffeur driven vehicle used to carry passengers for hire or reward is required to be licensed either as a taxi or bus. I am unable to determine the number of these vehicles licensed as taxis or buses. They are included in the general statistics for these categories and not recorded separately.

However, I can tell you that at June 2007 there were 374 taxed limousines in Northern Ireland and this will include many chauffeur driven vehicles.

Unlicenced Chauffeur-Driven Cars

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what measures are in place to alert members of the public to the dangers of hiring illegal and unlicenced chauffeur-driven cars.

(AQW 1934/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Driver & Vehicle Agency has measures in place to alert members of the public to the dangers of hiring illegal and unlicensed chauffeur-driven cars.

An Agency educational information leaflet titled "A guide to hiring a vehicle for Weddings or other Special Occasions" is regularly distributed by enforcement and compliance staff to members of the general public and industry alike, outlining the risks and responsibilities associated with using these vehicles. This leaflet is also available at various Government offices and on DVA’s website.

The Agency has raised awareness of the dangers in travelling in unlicensed public service vehicles through themed education at the Motor Plus Show hosted at the Kings Hall Belfast in 2005 and again in 2006 when it hosted an industry roadworthiness open day at its Headquarters in Belfast. The Agency is also committed to hosting an educational awareness stand at the 2008 NI Taxi Magazine Show to be hosted in the Nugent Hall Belfast.

Enforcement officers carry out unannounced enforcement visits at Wedding Trade Shows when hosted in Northern Ireland. This work involves inspecting the various categories of motor vehicles advertised for wedding hire and outlining legal requirements with their operators and the general public. This work has proved to be a very successful educational strategy but it has also been controversial in that it effectively disrupts the commercial aims of illegal operators. Since April 2005, five Wedding Fairs have been visited by enforcement officers and 62 chauffeur–driven vehicles inspected.

When unlicensed chauffeur–driven cars are detected by enforcement officers at the roadside, passengers are advised immediately of the licensing status of the vehicle and the associated risks involved in travelling in such vehicles.

Chauffeur-Driven Car Hire Firms

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment what measures are in place to deter, detect and penalise the operators of illegal and unlicenced chauffeur-driven car hire firms, providing vehicles for weddings and other social occasions.

(AQW 1935/08)

Mrs A Foster: During the period April 2005 to date, the following measures have been taken by the Driver & Vehicle Agency to deter, detect and penalise those operating illegal and unlicensed chauffeur-driven cars in Northern Ireland:

The Agency has raised awareness of the dangers in travelling in unlicensed public service vehicles through themed education at the Motor Plus Show hosted at the Kings Hall Belfast in 2005 and again in 2006 when it hosted an industry roadworthiness openday at its Headquarters in Belfast. The Agency is also committed to hosting an educational awareness stand at the 2008 NI Taxi Magazine Show to be hosted in the Nugent Hall Belfast;

Enforcement officers carry out unannounced enforcement visits at Wedding Trade Shows when hosted in Northern Ireland. This work involves inspecting the various categories of motor vehicles advertised for wedding hire and outlining legal requirements with their operators and the general public. This work has proved to be a very successful educational strategy. However, it has also been controversial in that it effectively disrupts the commercial aims of illegal operators. Since April 2005, five Wedding Fairs have been visited by enforcement officers and 62 chauffeur–driven vehicles inspected.

Enforcement officers carry out unannounced visits at suspect operator premises. These visits are aimed at inspecting vehicles suspected of being offered for hire and reward, and taking effective and proportionate enforcement action where mechanical deficiencies are discovered. During the period 16 visits were carried out resulting in 86 vehicles inspected.

The Agency has been directing its available enforcement resources at targeting those suspect vehicles, drivers and operators who place the public at greatest risk, based on the grade of intelligence it receives. Enforcement officers do not have powers to confiscate unlicensed public service vehicles at present which limits the range of sanctions that can be imposed to prohibition and prosecution action; however, such powers will become available under the new proposed NI Taxi Bill, poised to come into force in early 2008.

The following road traffic offences were detected during intelligence led targeted operations and reported with a view to prosecution:

Offences detected at the roadside	Period April 2005 – Oct 2007
No Public Service Vehicle Licence	37
No Appropriate Drivers Licence	11
No Insurance	23
No Road Service Licence	6
Tachograph/Drivers Hours Offences	2

Chauffeur-Driven Car Hire Firms

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of chauffeur-driven car hire firms that have been found to be operating illegally over the past three years.

(AQW 1936/08)

Mrs A Foster: During the past 3 years, Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) Enforcement Officers have identified 32 chauffeur–driven car hire firms using vehicles that have been operating illegally.

Household Waste Recycling

Mr J Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the percentage of total household waste which is recycled by each of the district councils in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1942/08)

Mrs A Foster: In 2006/07 District Councils in Northern Ireland collectively recycled and composted 27.7% of collected household waste. The percentage of the total household waste recycled / composted for each district council is set out in table 1 overleaf.

Waste Management Group	District Council	% of household waste sent for recycling & composting as a % of total household waste arisings (2006/07)
ARC21	Antrim Borough Council	47.1%
	Ards Borough Council	25.5%
	Ballymena Borough Council	28.2%
	Belfast City Council	19.0%
	Carrickfergus Borough Council	21.9%
	Castlereagh Borough Council	34.9%
	Down District Council	32.2%
	Larne Borough Council	31.6%
	Lisburn City Council	25.1%
	Newtownabbey Borough Council	24.8%
	North Down Borough Council	33.0%
Total ARC21		26.8%
NWRWMG	Ballymoney Borough Council	24.7%
	Coleraine Borough Council	25.7%
	Derry City Council	24.4%
	Limavady Borough Council	28.5%
	Magherafelt District Council	35.3%
	Moyle District Council	26.5%
	Strabane District Council	22.8%
Total NWRWMG		26.3%
SWaMP	Armagh City & District Council	32.8%
	Banbridge District Council	45.1%
	Cookstown District Council	31.6%
	Craigavon Borough Council	30.0%
	Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council	24.9%
	Fermanagh District Council	27.8%
	Newry & Mourne District Council	27.8%
	Omagh District Council	27.9%
Total SWaMP		30.5%
	Northern Ireland Total	27.7%

Toxin Emissions

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the results of her department's monitoring of toxin emissions for all towns in which this exercise is conducted, for the last five years.

(AQW 1969/08)

Mrs A Foster: A statutory framework has been established under the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 to manage local ambient air quality in Northern Ireland. Under this local air quality management framework, District Councils are required to review and assess a range of air pollutants against health based air quality objectives set out in the UK’s Air Quality Strategy.

The monitoring results emanating from District Council reviews are compiled in reports which are submitted to the Department of the Environment for appraisal.

A report summarising all air quality monitoring data in Northern Ireland has been compiled annually since 2000 by the Department. These reports along with all relevant District Council reports can be viewed on the Departments dedicated Northern Ireland air quality website at http://www.airqualityni.co.uk/reports.php?n_action=report&t=3

The 2006 monitoring report will be published in early December and will also be available at the above web link.

Monitoring requirements for industrial installations regulated under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (NI) 2003 are specified in permits on an installation by installation basis. Regulators may also carry out independent check monitoring. Information on monitoring results is available on public registers located in Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) headquarters at, Klondyke Building, Lower Ormeau Road, Belfast ,BT7 2J, for those installations regulated by EHS and in District Council Offices for installations regulated by them.

Nuisance High Hedges

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the reasons for the delay in the introduction of legislation in relation to the 2005 consultation on nuisance high hedges.

(AQW 1984/08)

Mrs A Foster: I am aware that there is widespread concern about nuisance high hedges and I am keen to bring forward legislation as soon as possible. However, the timing will be subject to consideration of other competing priorities. These include (i) responding to a number of EU imperatives arising from new and amended EC Directives and European Court judgements, (ii) work to determine the way ahead on the Review of Public Administration, and (iii) proposals that will be brought forward to simplify, streamline and further reform the planning system.

Road Accident Deaths

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of road accident deaths involving drivers aged (i) 18-29; (ii) 30-49; (iii) 50-65; and (iv) over 65, for each of the past 10 years.

(AQW 1994/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is responsible for the collection and collation of statistics on all road traffic collisions. Figures obtained from the PSNI for the numbers of road deaths involving drivers aged 18-29, 30-49, 50-65 and over 65 for each of the past ten years are set out below. The figures do not indicate responsibility for the collisions.

Year	18-29	30-49	50-65	Over 65
1997	84	64	15	8
1998	90	72	32	20
1999	81	75	29	11
2000	96	94	32	13
2001	83	80	25	7
2002	88	62	42	15
2003	67	76	35	18
2004	80	74	21	23
2005	65	72	34	13
2006	67	73	24	6

Medical Standards for Obtaining a Driving Licence

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to indicate whether or not there is any random check on the medical condition of all applicants for driving licences; and the number of prosecutions there have been, during each of the last three years, of holders of driving licences who failed to notify a significant medical condition when they made an application.

(AQW 1995/08)

Mrs A Foster: All applicants for, or the holders of, driving licences are required, by Article 9 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, to inform the Department if they suffer from any medical condition that may affect their ability to drive a motor vehicle. In practice, the applicant completes a questionnaire which forms part of the driving licence application form, and make a declaration regarding their physical fitness to drive. Where this declaration indicates that the applicant may be suffering from a relevant disability, the Department instigates further enquiries, in accordance with guidance set by the Secretary of State for the Department for Transport’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panels.

The 1981 Order did not provide the Department with any specific powers of prosecution where an applicant for a licence made a false declaration in respect of physical fitness to drive. However, the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 has introduced a provision making it an offence for a licence holder to drive a motor vehicle having knowingly made a false declaration with regard to his physical fitness. This provision came into effect on 15 November 2007.

The Department does not carry out random checks on the validity of the declarations made by applicants.

Medical Standards for Obtaining a Driving Licence

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to detail whether or not there are statutory medical imperatives applied to young persons obtaining a driving licence for the first time.

(AQW 1996/08)

Mrs A Foster: All applicants for driving licences are required to meet certain minimum medical standards, irrespective of age. The medical standards are, however, higher for drivers of large goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles. There are no medical requirements, statutory or otherwise, specific to young persons.

Granting of Driving Licences to the Elderly

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment what is her assessment on whether or not there is any discrimination in the granting of driving licences to the elderly; and, if so, the age at which this discrimination begins.

(AQW 1997/08)

Mrs A Foster: In Northern Ireland, ordinary driving licences are issued for a period of up to ten years until the applicant is aged 60. Where the applicant is aged over 60 the licence is issued up to the seventieth anniversary of the applicant's birth or for a period of three years, whichever is the longer. Given the perception that age increases the risk of a person developing a condition which may impair their ability to drive a motor vehicle, it is considered desirable to assess an older licence holder’s physical fitness to drive on a more regular basis. Due to the compulsory frequency of licence renewal where the licence holder is aged over 70, the licences are issued free of charge. The same provisions are applied throughout the United Kingdom.

There is no discrimination against elderly drivers: the medical standards remain the same irrespective of age. Elderly drivers are not routinely subjected to any medical assessments, other than the current self-declaration which is common to all applicants for a driving licence.

The current system of medical assessment, in relation to the granting of a driving licence, is based primarily on a system of self-declaration with a general responsibility on the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) to undertake and pay for medical investigations. The relevant medical criteria are set out in legislation and guidelines based on expert advice. The system as it stands has largely been in place since the mid 1970s and to date there has been no fundamental review of its key elements.

However, the Department for Transport in Great Britain is currently reviewing the practice of medical assessments, with a view to developing a more meaningful medical process. A UK-wide consultation exercise will be conducted, beginning in January 2008.

Driving Licences Issued to Drivers Suffering from Diabetes

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to define the statutory regulations for granting driving licences to those who suffer from diabetes, and who fall into the categories (i) diet controlled; (ii) tablet controlled; and (iii) insulin dependent, and for what length of time driving licences are granted in each case.

(AQW 1998/08)

Mrs A Foster: Since April 1991, new applicants or existing drivers who suffer from insulin-dependent diabetes are prohibited from driving Large Goods Vehicles or Passenger-Carrying Vehicles. Drivers first licensed prior to April 1991 are dealt with individually and licensed subject to satisfactory annual Consultant assessment.

Regulation changes in April 2001 allow "exceptional case" drivers to apply for or renew their entitlement to drive small lorries (with or without a trailer) subject to meeting certain qualifying conditions. These conditions are that: the driver must not have suffered any hypoglycaemic attacks requiring assistance whilst driving within the previous 12 months; their condition has been stable for a period of at least one month prior to making an application for a licence; they must regularly monitor their condition by checking their blood glucose levels at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving; they must be examined every 12 months by a hospital consultant who specialises in diabetes; they must have no other condition which would render them a danger when driving small goods vehicles, they must sign an undertaking to comply with the directions of the doctor or doctors treating the diabetes; and they must report immediately any significant change in their condition.

Drivers who suffer from insulin-dependant diabetes may have their licences restricted for a period of up to three years.

Persons who suffer from diabetes which is either diet- or tablet-controlled may continue to drive without reference to the Department, provided they do not develop any diabetes-related conditions, such as a reduction of vision. Licences granted to persons suffering from diet- or tablet-controlled diabetes are often issued for the statutory maximum of ten years (below age 60).

Information relating to driving and diabetes may be found on the Driver & Vehicle Agency website www.dvlni.gov.uk under the section relating to medical conditions.

Illegal Dumping

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of successful prosecutions for illegal dumping in the Lisburn City Council area in the last five years.

(AQW 2056/08)

Mrs A Foster: EHS does not hold records for these prosecutions prior to late December 2003, when it assumed responsibility for waste management from District Councils. Since then, EHS has overseen 19 successful prosecutions for waste offences in the Lisburn City Council area.

Driving Test Waiting Times

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, per test centre, the waiting time to take a driving test.

(AQW 2108/08)

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

Test Centre	For week ending 1 December 2007	From 1 April to 1 December 2007
	Average weekly waiting times in days	Average year to date waiting times in days
Armagh	19	20
Ballymena	20	24
Balmoral	25	25
Coleraine	17	25
Cookstown	14	24
Craigavon	15	17
Dill Road, Belfast	30	35
Downpatrick	23	28
Enniskillen	28	32
Larne	32	33
Lisburn	15	20
New Buildings #	5	5
Newry	19	19
Newtownards	38	29
Omagh	19	25
Waterside	27	30

Vehicle Test Waiting Times

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, by test centre, the waiting time for a vehicle test.

(AQW 2109/08)

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

Test Centre	For week ending 1 December 2007	From 1 April – 1 December 2007
	Average weekly waiting times in days	Average year to date waiting times in days
Armagh	16	14
Ballymena	13	21
Belfast	20	17
Coleraine	14	16
Cookstown	21	20
Craigavon	18	16
Downpatrick	16	17
Enniskillen	22	23
Larne	16	20
Lisburn	14	16
Londonderry	13	16
Mallusk	14	16
Newry	25	20
Newtownards	17	15
Omagh	21	16

Cost of Driving Lessons

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of the Environment whether or not her department has any control over the cost of driving lessons; and what consideration she will give to capping the cost of professional driving lessons, in order to make these more affordable for new young drivers.

(AQW 2119/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Driver & Vehicle Agency regulates the activities of approved driving instructors. It does not employ them. Legislation does not provide for the Agency to set the price of driving lessons and I have no plans to change this.

Squirrel Numbers

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration her department has given to a cull of the grey squirrel population, in the context of supporting the indigenous red squirrel.

(AQW 2276/08)

Mrs A Foster: It is acknowledged that the Grey Squirrel is the biggest threat to the conservation of the Red Squirrel in Northern Ireland.

A cull of the complete Grey Squirrel population would be impracticable. However, the Draft All-Ireland Species Action Plan (SAP) for the Red Squirrel, currently at the public consultation stage, does propose, as one of its actions, the targeted control of Grey Squirrels to prevent their ingress into areas occupied by Red Squirrels only.

When the public consultation has been completed the targeted control of Grey Squirrels will be considered.

The Draft SAP can be found at http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/biodiversity/sap_uk/sap_ni.htm

Introduction of Wild Boar

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the approaches she has received from organisations or individuals in relation to the introduction of wild boar into Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2277/08)

Mrs A Foster: I have received no approaches from organisations or individuals in relation to the introduction of Wild Boar into Northern Ireland.

Planning Applications

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the position in relation to planning application number 1267F, 8 The Park, Dunmurry, given the recent demolition of the building at this site.

(AQW 2331/08)

Mrs A Foster: I can confirm that the planning application which was received on 20 September 2007 remains under consideration and no opinion has been formulated at this stage.

Finance and Personnel

Freedom of Information Requests

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

(AQW 1739/08)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): The Department of Finance and Personnel, in common with all NI Departments, has not calculated or recorded information on the cost of individual FOI requests to date and therefore no information is available.

However, I have commissioned some analysis that may better inform the costings associated with the Freedom of Information process. I will, of course, share this with you once it is complete.

Peace III Monitoring Committee

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail how the Peace III monitoring committee will be established; and to outline what action he will take to ensure that its membership reflects the make-up of the community.

(AQW 1947/08)

Mr P Robinson: The PEACE III Monitoring Committee has been established in line with Articles 11, 63, 64 and 65 of European Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 and in line with the partnerships and equality requirements of the Programme. The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the PEACE III Managing Authority, proposed its structure and it was agreed by the Executive on 13 September 2007. The structure of the PEACE III Monitoring Committee is as detailed below –

Member States and Managing and Certifying Authorities	4 members
Regional / Sub-Regional / Local Government	8 members
Social and Economic Partners	8 members
Cross Cutting Interests (Equality / Environment)	4 members
Independent expert on best practice in international peace building programmes	1 member
Total	25

SEUPB requested nominations for full and deputy members of the Monitoring Committee from appropriate nominating organisations. In seeking nominations, SEUPB specified that membership should be appropriately balanced between men and women, community background and urban and rural interests, and that members should be drawn from a broad geographical base. The role of these Monitoring Committee members will be to promote the best means of securing the objectives of the programme, and to monitor the progress towards those objectives. Committee members do not represent the particular interests of their sector. Committee decisions will be by consensus rather than by voting. I have subsequently approved nominations for full and deputy members as they have been brought forward on the basis that all necessary interests are represented. The inaugural meeting of the PEACE III Monitoring Committee took place on 6 November 2007 in Altnaveigh House, Newry.

Civil Service Staff Headcount

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of staff employed in each government department in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1951/08)

Mr P Robinson: The number of staff (permanent and temporary), based on headcount, employed in each of the 11 Northern Ireland Departments and their agencies at 1 January in each of the last 5 years is set out in the attached table.

NICS Staff (Headcount) in the eleven NI Departments and their Agencies at 1 January 2003 – 2007

Department	1 Jan 03	1 Jan 04	1 Jan 05	1 Jan 06	1 Jan 07
DARD	3,838	4,075	4,259	4,110	3,336
DCAL	433	432	463	461	456
DE	595	639	702	694	697
DEL	1,654	1,756	1,808	1,845	1,819
DETI	718	737	769	747	713
DFP	2,814	2,984	3,036	3,050	3,037
DHSSPS	1,003	1,031	1,045	1,034	997
DOE	2,189	2,411	2,655	2,785	2,916
DRD	4,906	4,930	4,821	4,695	4,455
DSD	8,413	8,550	8,130	8,187	8,041
OFMDFM	385	394	417	369	388
TOTAL	26,948	27,939	28,105	27,977	26,855

Efficiency Delivery Plans

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the amount of potential savings for each department, by 2010/2011, that will result from the development of efficiency delivery plans.

(AQW 2010/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Executive has agreed that all departments will deliver cumulative efficiency savings of 3% a year over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. This amounts to some £790 million of efficiency savings by 2010-11.

The table below sets out the amount of savings for each department that will be realised over the Budget period.

Cumulative Total Efficiencies			£m
	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11

DARD	6.2	12.2	18.1
DCAL	3.6	7.0	10.4
DE	63.2	124.5	184.0
DEL	20.3	40.1	59.2
DETI	7.7	15.2	22.5
DFP	5.7	10.3	14.8
DHSSPS	118.2	232.8	344.0
DOE	3.9	7.7	11.4
DRD	22.4	44.2	65.3
DSD	19.3	38.1	56.3
FSA	0.2	0.4	0.7
OFMDFM	2.4	4.6	6.8
TOTAL DEPARTMENTS	273.2	537.3	793.5

Departments are currently developing efficiency delivery plans to ensure that the targets identified in the draft Budget are realised. These will be published on departmental websites at the time of the final Budget in late January.

In addition, the establishment of a Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit (PEDU) will examine the scope for departments to deliver higher levels of cash releasing efficiencies in achieving best practice levels of performance.

Executive Programme Fund

Mrs N Long asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail his department's plan to extend, or replace, the Executive Programme Fund, in particular the Executive Programme Fund for Children, due to end in March 2008.

(AQW 2035/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Draft Budget 2008-11 has been developed on the basis that programmes previously funded through central funds, such as Executive Programme Funds, should be considered by the relevant departments in the context of their overall Budget outcome. This approach seeks to ensure that such programmes, where of sufficient priority, will have more certainty regarding longer term funding. It will also address problems experienced with the previous approach, such as poor levels of spend as compared to budget.

Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Supported Living

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what steps she has taken to ensure that the recommendations of the Bamford Review in relation to 'supported living' are reflected in the draft Budget 2008-2011; and to detail the number of groups and individuals that are (i) currently supported; and (ii) will be supported, through 'supported living'.

(AQW 1856/08)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The Government’s response to the Bamford Review is currently being developed and will include actions by a range of Departments who will be looking to the CSR for increased funding to develop services. My Department is leading on the preparation of the response which will be presented to the Executive for approval in February. Strengthening mental health and learning disability services in response to the Bamford Review findings was identified within my Department as a priority for the CSR and my Department’s bids of £17m, £29m and £48m across the CSR period resulted in an allocation in the draft budget of £4m, £7m and £18m.

It is not possible to quantify the number of people provided with "supported living" as this covers a range of services and information is not held centrally.

Independent Sector Providers

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of spending by his department on independent sector providers, in order to reduce outpatient waiting lists for the years 2005; 2006; and 2007.

(AQW 1870/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is available by financial year only. Spending on independent sector providers to reduce outpatient waiting times in 2005/06 was £406,607, and in 2006/07, £6,342,857.

At March 2006, there were 74,000 people waiting over 6 months for a first outpatient appointment. By 31 March 2007 this had been reduced to only 32 people. In clearing a backlog of this scale, it was necessary to supplement health service capacity with significant independent sector activity during 2006/07.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the funding opportunities provided in his department’s section of the draft Budget 2008-2011 for community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, such as that provided by the Hope Centre in Ballymena.

(AQW 1873/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Much of the work to deliver on the outcomes contained in the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (NSD) is taken forward at a local level. The Department therefore asked each of the local Drug and Alcohol Co-Ordination Teams (DACTs) to develop a local action plan which would both address local needs and support the delivery of the NSD. In support of this, the Department allocated £4.8 million to the four DACTs in 07/08. A tender process was used by the DACTs to put in place services and programmes to deliver their Action Plans, and all local organisations were able to take part in this tender process.

The current level of funding will be available to DACTs until 2009, by which time we anticipate the Local Action Plans will have been reviewed, and consideration will be given to future programmes and services, delivery mechanisms, and the level of funding required.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what guidelines are in place in Northern Ireland for the treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT); and to confirm that all Health and Social Services Boards have implemented these guidelines.

(AQW 1886/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There are no formal guidelines in place in Northern Ireland for the treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). However, in April 2007 the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety issued a circular to the health and social care sector drawing attention to the published recommendations of the Expert Working Group on the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalised Patients. This Group was convened by the Department of Health in England to consider how current best practice and guidance on the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be promoted and implemented.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is also reviewing guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery and other high risk procedures.

TARCEVA Cancer Drug

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (i) detail the number of cancer patients who have been refused the drug 'TARCEVA'; and (ii) outline the department's plans for ensuring this drug for treating lung cancer is available on the National Health Service.

(AQW 1907/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I refer you to my answer to your earlier question on this matter AQW1593/08.

Warm Homes Initiatives

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will confirm that the annual cost to the health budget of illnesses arising from cold damp homes and fuel poverty is of the order of £60 million per annum, and if he is planning, under his department's section of the Draft Budget 2008-2011, to make a contribution to warm homes initiatives, thereby in the longer term saving on the health budget.

(AQW 1916/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: A link between living in cold, damp conditions and a number of illnesses, including poor mental health, respiratory disease, and premature mortality has long been accepted. For this reason fuel poverty was recognised as an area for action in the public health strategy, Investing for Health.

The Fuel Poverty Strategy encourages a partnership approach to tackling fuel poverty involving Government Departments; relevant public sector organisations; the voluntary and community sector; energy suppliers; and relevant organisations in the energy industry. The tight outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review means that there are very limited resources available. I am not planning to make any contribution from the Draft Budget 2008 – 2011 to warm homes initiatives, however locally based Investing for Health arrangements are working with a number of partners eg DSD, energy agencies, NIHE and Councils etc to identify those at risk and to signpost and support clients to access appropriate initiatives including DSD’s Warm Homes scheme. These efforts will continue.

New Acute Hospital in Enniskillen

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the projected budget for each of the first five operational years of the acute hospital in Enniskillen, due to open in 2011; and (ii) the percentage of that budget to be used to (a) pay for the Private Finance Initiative project; and (b) deliver frontline healthcare services.

(AQW 1938/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I am unable to provide this information at present as the PFI procurement is in competitive dialogue stage. During this process commercial in confidence negotiations occur which ensure that bidders are required to compete with each other and meet the Trust’s evaluation of the PFI to drive out the most competitive solution in terms of quality and whole life cost.

Access to Midwife-Led Maternity Units

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to increase access for women to midwife-led maternity units.

(AQW 1939/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is for Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts to determine the most appropriate pattern of local service provision. Boards and Trusts can give consideration to the development of midwife-led maternity units – in addition to other choices for maternity care – as part of their service planning.

Grant Aid

Mr J Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of grant aid that has been awarded to Brook Northern Ireland in each of the last five financial years.

(AQW 1941/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Health and Social Services Boards have provided the following funding to Brook in the last five years:-

H&SSB	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08
EASTERN	£70,000	£90,000	£84,000	£105,000	£129,000
NORTHERN	£21,095	£21,622	£22,163	£37,978	£21,640
SOUTHERN	Nil	£1,325	£1,815	Nil	£1,787
WESTERN	£385	Nil	£275	£137	£302
Totals	£91,480	£112,947	£108,253	£143,115	£152,729

My Department has provided funding as follows:

2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08
£29,478	£28,170	£35,374	£39,468	£16,647

Review of Public Administration

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of the impact on productivity within his department of delays in implementing the Review of Public Administration reforms.

(AQW 1948/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I am looking in depth at the reforms developed by previous Direct Rule Ministers because I believe it is important that we adopt plans that are specifically tailored to local needs, represent value for money and secure the sustained improvements in service that we all wish.

This has not had any adverse impact on the productivity of my department, which continues to deliver as normal on its responsibilities in improving health and social care for the people of Northern Ireland during this transitional period.

Advertising Expenditure

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount spent by his department on advertising in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1964/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The following amounts were spent on advertising in the last four years.

2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006	2006-2007
£355,141	£277,494	£272,284	£204,358

Figures for 2002/2003 have not been recorded in this format and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

The figures provided are compiled using the total media spend for all forms of advertising.

Foreign National Employees

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of (i) European Union foreign nationals; and (ii) non-European Union nationals, that are employed in his department.

(AQW 1966/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: In line with the rest of the Northern Ireland Civil Service the Department of Health Social, Social Services and Public Safety does not hold data on the nationality of its employees.

Mental Health Services

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure (i) that mental health problems are detected early in sufferers; and (ii) that appropriate services are available to treat those affected.

(AQW 1967/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Early intervention in the management of mental health problems is important in order to prevent more serious problems arising. This is especially true in the management of eating disorders and child and adolescent mental health. Health professionals are routinely given awareness training.

The recently completed Bamford Review points the way to achieve a comprehensive and modern mental health service. Implementing the Report’s recommendations would ensure appropriate services are available. However, this will require appropriate funding.

Fertility Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement on whether or not the £50,000 funding for additional counselling, announced in September 2006, following the review of criteria for access to fertility treatment, has been distributed; and to outline what plans he has to ensure that there is adequate provision for this service.

(AQW 2000/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Additional investment has been allocated for the development of counselling services, and its distribution is for the four Health and Social Services Boards to determine in light of existing services and the particular areas that would benefit from further enhancement. I understand that commissioners have met with a range of stakeholders and a profile for future counselling services is expected to be agreed in December 2007. Service enhancements will include improved geographic access and improved information and support for people at all stages of their care pathway.

Care Management Networks

Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he has taken to establish care management networks for patients with chronic illnesses.

(AQW 2001/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Department has been working with HSC Boards to develop new arrangements for the more effective management of people with chronic conditions. These arrangements include the development of self care programmes to help people manage their own conditions more effectively and pro-active case management arrangements whereby a network of healthcare professionals will deliver a fully integrated health and social care package to maintain people with the most complex chronic conditions in their own homes rather than being unnecessarily admitted to hospital.

An additional £1m was allocated in 2007/08 to aid the development of these initiatives.

IVF Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendation that women should receive three cycles of IVF treatment; and what plans he has to ensure that this recommendation is implemented.

(AQW 2002/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The NICE clinical guideline on the assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems was published prior to the establishment of the Department’s formal link with the Institute and therefore has not been assessed for its applicability to Northern Ireland. The guideline is to be reviewed by NICE, commencing in February 2008, and the revised guidance will be assessed by the Department to determine whether it should be implemented in the Health and Social Care sector in Northern Ireland.

IVF Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm, in relation to a woman who commences one IVF cycle, under the existing criteria governing access to fertility treatments, that this cycle will include up to three treatments with any additional eggs harvested during the initial IVF treatment.

(AQW 2004/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Under the existing criteria, couples are offered one cycle of IVF treatment. Subsequent cycles, including implantation of additional embryos produced and frozen during the initial IVF treatment, are not currently provided within the publicly funded fertility service.

Waiting Times for IVF Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to indicate whether or not any comparative studies are being undertaken to determine if waiting times for IVF treatment in Northern Ireland are greater or lesser than for Primary Care Trusts in England.

(AQW 2005/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Studies to compare waiting times for IVF treatment are not currently being undertaken.

On 25 October I advised the Assembly that I have asked the HSS Boards for a report on the impact of the current criteria. When I have that report I will then be in a position to consider the extent to which the existing policy and its application meet the needs of service users.

IVF Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not his department has advised Health Trusts that they should be working to a three cycle treatment programme for women undergoing fertility treatment, similar to advice issued in 2007 by the Department of Health in England.

(AQW 2013/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: In September 2006 new criteria for access to publicly funded fertility treatment were introduced. In conjunction with the new access criteria. Health Boards and Trusts were advised that qualifying couples should be offered one cycle of fertility treatment.

IVF Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what his assessment is of the impact of any age-weighting proposal, on other age categories of women awaiting IVF treatment.

(AQW 2014/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The current criteria for access to publicly funded fertility services were introduced following extensive consultation, which included consideration of the upper age limit for people receiving fertility treatment.

IVF Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (i) detail the number of women awaiting IVF treatment at 1 November 2007; (ii) the length of waiting times; and (iii) the age profile of women awaiting treatment.

(AQW 2015/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (AQW 2015/08) Information on the number of (i) women awaiting IVF treatment in Northern Ireland at 01 November, broken down by (ii) length of time waiting in months is provided in the table below:

Months Waiting	Number of Women Waiting for IVF Treatment at 01 November 2007
0 - 2	151
3 - 5	150
6 - 8	122
9 - 11	65
12 -14	21
15-17	12
18 – 20	6
21- 23	5
24+	15
NI Total	547

Source: Regional Fertility Centre

(iii) Due to data disclosure issues it is not possible to report the number of women waiting by timeband and age.

(AQW 2016/08) Information on the number of women awaiting IVF treatment in Northern Ireland at 01 November, broken down age is provided in the table below:

Age in Years¹	Number of Women Waiting for IVF Treatment at 01 November 2007
<20	0
21-25	20
26-30	109
31-35	223
36-40	195
>40	0
NI Total	547

Source: Regional Fertility Centre

¹The upper age limit for treatment is 39 years of age.

IVF Treatment

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of women, by age, in each age group, up to the age of 40 years, awaiting IVF treatment at 1 November 2007.

(AQW 2016/08)

Months Waiting	Number of Women Waiting for IVF Treatment at 01 November 2007
0 - 2	151
3 - 5	150
6 - 8	122
9 - 11	65
12 -14	21
15-17	12
18 – 20	6
21- 23	5
24+	15
NI Total	547

Source: Regional Fertility Centre

(iii) Due to data disclosure issues it is not possible to report the number of women waiting by timeband and age.

(AQW 2016/08) Information on the number of women awaiting IVF treatment in Northern Ireland at 01 November, broken down age is provided in the table below:

Age in Years¹	Number of Women Waiting for IVF Treatment at 01 November 2007
<20	0
21-25	20
26-30	109
31-35	223
36-40	195
>40	0
NI Total	547

Source: Regional Fertility Centre

¹The upper age limit for treatment is 39 years of age.

Medical Legal Claims

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of money that is received by Trusts for photocopying of patients' notes for medical legal claims.

(AQW 2022/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information is not held centrally and could only be collated at disproportionate cost.

Car Parking Fees

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of money that is received by Trusts from car parking fees.

(AQW 2023/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Charging for car parking takes place in the Western Trust, the South Eastern Trust and Belfast Trust and the money received by each Trust in 2006/07 is as follows:

Trust	Income
Western	85,000
South Eastern	538,000
Belfast	843,000

Use of Hospital Facilities by Consultants for Private Patients

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of money that is received by Trusts in relation to the use of hospital facilities by Consultants for private patients.

(AQW 2024/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information is not available in the format requested. However, total Private Patient income for the 2006/07 financial year by Trust is as follows:

Trust	Amount £k
Northern	327
Belfast	3,714
South-Eastern	523
Southern	845
Western	519
NIAS	3

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he will give to the inclusion of warnings regarding Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders on all alcoholic beverage containers, similar to those which are carried on all tobacco products.

(AQW 2033/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: In May 2007, the UK Government announced an agreement with the drinks industry that will see alcohol unit and health information included on drinks labels. Depending on the level of implementation of this voluntary labelling agreement with industry, this information could include the following message regarding alcohol and pregnancy (although the pregnancy element is not formally part of the agreement with the industry):

Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol;
If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.

It is anticipated that the majority of labels will carry this information by the end of next year.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he will give to the introduction of a poster campaign in all pharmacies, general practice surgeries and well women clinics, warning of the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the risk of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

(AQW 2034/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: In 2007, the four Chief Medical Officers for the UK agreed a new reworded message about alcohol and pregnancy, and this was message ‘launched’ on 25 May.

The advice, which was issued for the whole of the UK, recommends that:

Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol;
If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.

This message is contained in an information leaflet for the general public which has been produced by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland on behalf of my Department. The leaflet is currently in print, and is typically distributed through health centres, surgeries and advice centres.

At this stage, no active consideration has been given to developing a poster on this issue.

Efficiency Measures

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the efficiency measures for his department for each of the next four years, and the estimated savings from each measure.

(AQW 2037/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department is currently finalising challenging efficiencies amounting to £118m£233m/£344m by 2010/11, as part of the Executive Committee’s agreed approach to the Comprehensive Spending Review. This builds on £146m of efficiencies already achieved by 2007/08.

My officials are working closely with health, social services and fire services to develop detailed plans for the delivery of these efficiencies. Until I am assured that these are real efficiencies and not simply service cuts by another name, I will not be supporting specific efficiency proposals and therefore cannot provide the estimated savings from each measure.

However, what I can say at this stage is that I fully expect that across the CSR period my Department will deliver £75m through taking advantage of national pay deals and through delivering the agreed 5% annual reduction in Departmental Budgets. I expect Pharmaceutical savings to deliver some £40m of additional savings. RPA changes in Trusts and Boards, to reduce administrative posts, should deliver £53m. The Fire service will provide approximately an additional £5m. This leaves a balance of some £171m to be found from further service proposals on productivity and procurement.

Operations

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of operations performed in each hospital in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2038/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of operations* performed at each hospital in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years are shown in the table below.

Hospital	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06
Altnagelvin	18,050	19,362	19,971
Antrim	8,847	8,786	9,034
Ards	5,497	5,144	5,059
Belfast City	16,240	15,876	17,488
Causeway	6,356	6,348	6,385
Craigavon	10,118	10,013	10,184
Daisy Hill	6,440	5,120	4,489
Downe	2,372	2,178	1,699
Erne	2,576	2,864	3,043
Lagan Valley	4,765	4,929	5,625
Mater	7,965	7,395	8,075
Mid Ulster	3,326	3,121	2,771
Musgrave Park	6,321	7,628	7,934
RBHSC	5,296	5,069	5,091
Royal Victoria	34,869	34,962	35,763
South Tyrone	3,199	2,710	3,814
Tyrone County	5,771	4,955	5,487
Ulster	16,391	16,566	16,049
Whiteabbey	3,507	3,307	3,377
Total	167,906	166,333	171,338

Source:- Hospital Inpatient System.

* For the purpose of this question an operation has been taken to mean all procedures undertaken within a surgical specialty, excluding any anaesthetic procedure, whilst in hospital.

Operations

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients who died during an operation in each hospital in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2039/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of patients who died during an operation is not available. Information held currently will only state that a patient died whilst in hospital, it does not provide information on the location in hospital where the death occurred.

Staff Projections

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the staff projections for (i) doctors; (ii) nurses; (iii) auxiliary staff; and (iv) administrators, for each hospital for each of the next four years.

(AQW 2040/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Staffing levels are a matter for individual Trusts, based on service requirements and available resources. However, in order to ensure that sufficient, suitably qualified staff are available to meet service needs my Department has established on-going regional workforce planning.

The workforce planning cycle comprises a major review approximately every three years, with interim update reviews. These are carried out for each clinical professional group including doctors and nurses and take into account the requirement for support staff.

Published reviews can be found on the Departmental internet site at

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hrd/wpu/wpu-planning/wpu-publications.htm

Diabetes

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes in Northern Ireland; and (ii) the number of people who have died of diabetes in Northern Ireland, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 2049/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information is not available in the form requested. However, under the Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF) of the General Medical Services contract, the total number of GP-registered patients aged 17 and over with diabetes mellitus is recorded. Table 1 shows the total number of people on the QOF diabetes register, as at 14 February each year, for the last three years. Table 2 shows the number of deaths in each year where the underlying cause of death was recorded as diabetes¹.

Table 1: Number of patients on Diabetes Register (aged 17 and over)

	Number of patient on Diabetes Register (aged 17 and over)
As at 14 February 2005	51,541
As at 14 February 2006	54,950
As at 14 February 2007	56,924

Source: Payment Calculation and Analysis System (PCAS).

Table 2: Number of deaths where diabetes was the underlying cause of death

Registration Year	Number of deaths where diabetes was the underlying cause of death
2004	189
2005	224
2006^P	197

Source: Registrar General Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency

1. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes E10-E14 (diabetes mellitus).

^PProvisional data.

MRSA

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps are in place to prevent the spread of MRSA to patients using ambulances.

(AQW 2065/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has robust procedures for controlling infection, including MRSA, which comply with the Ambulance Service Association’s national guidance and procedures for infection prevention and control.

Ambulances are cleaned where necessary after each incident and ‘made ready’ at the end of each shift for the incoming crew. Ambulances are also scheduled for ‘deep cleaning’ each week and crews are stood down from front-line duty to do this. All ambulance staff are trained in infection control during their induction training. In addition, NIAS has invested in disposable clinical equipment to reduce the risk of infection.

Draft Budget

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, following the publication of the draft Budget, what consideration has been given by his department to whether or not bids originally described as "inescapable" or "unavoidable", actually were entirely within these categories; and to detail who has been involved in this work.

(AQW 2083/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Following the publication of the draft budget, my officials have continued the process of reviewing and challenging the nature and quantum of all of the bids classified as "inescapable" in liaison with HSC organisations.

Since the publication of the draft budget for consultation only one bid is now viewed as discretionary. This relates to the GP contract which was proposed as £1m/£5m/£10m and is no longer to be introduced through the mandatory element of the UK wide GP contract. Decisions will be taken as to whether to invest in primary care services or shift resources to other service development proposals.

On the other hand, Boards and Trusts have raised concerns about whether the Department’s assessment of inescapables is sufficient in a number of areas.

Budget Bids

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the budget bids classed as being "inescapable" or "unavoidable", that were so categorised as the result of (i) contractual obligations; or (ii) Ministerial commitments.

(AQW 2084/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: In preparing each individual Comprehensive Spending Review proposal the guidance issued by DFP required that the extent to which the proposal was unavoidable be set out. The guidance also recognised that in some cases there would be significant costs associated with simply maintaining existing services with little or no impact on the delivery of public services.

It was recognised that costs may be unavoidable due to a Ministerial pre-commitment, legal or statutory obligation and price inflation. Other factors may also come into play depending on individual proposals.

The table attached sets out the reason that a bid was classified as inescapable or unavoidable.

	Ministerial Commitment	Legal/Statutory obligation	Price Inflation	Other
Pay and Pay Reform (Agenda for Change)			√	Inescapable due to the need to meet rising costs over which the Department has no control.
Non Pay			√
Pharmaceutical Services			√
Superannuation		√		The HPSS Superannuation Scheme operates on a policy of parity with the NHS scheme in E&W. This is in line with Treasury policy. Failure to meet this cost would mean that future pension entitlements would be at risk.
Pandemic Flu Emergency Provision	√			Minister has identified contingency planning for an influenza pandemic as a priority if the mortality and morbidity implications of a pandemic flu are to be minimised.
Medical Workforce Training and Tuition Fees	√			Ministerial commitment has been given to the medical workforce plan which has identified the need to increase the numbers of GPs in NI and to the need to complete training of existing medical students.
Renal Services	√	√		Ministerial commitment to the Renal Service Review 2002 The Department also has a duty of care to provide existing services to all those that need it.
Child Protection	√	√		Consistent with the Secretary of States commitment and announcements to prioritise children’s services. The requirement to vet is set out in various pieces of primary and secondary legislation.
Children with Complex Needs	√			Minister has endorsed the report on Children with Complex Physical Healthcare Needs.
Blood Safety		√		Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 which transpose the European Blood Safety Directives 2005/61/EC and 2005/62/EC. These measures are being introduced across the whole of the UK.
Revenue Consequences of capital investment	√	√		Reflects the DHSSPS and Ministerial draft capital investment strategy to be taken forward within the ISNI. The non-cash costs of cost of capital and depreciation will be incurred even if the investments are not commissioned.
GP Contract				A high priority in NI given the recommendations arising in GB in relation to access to primary care.
Additional Acute Services		√		The Department has a duty of care to ensure that services in rural areas are maintained and sustained.
Mainstreaming Children and Young People's Package	√	√		These measures deliver on a number of the high level outcomes within the OFMDFM children and young people's strategy. Minister has given a commitment that the majority of the package will be mainstreamed.
Demographic Pressures in Primary and Community Services		√		The Department has a duty of care to ensure that existing services are available to all those that need them and that demographic change is addressed.

Contact with Mr John O'Hara

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what contact his department has had with John O'Hara during the past year; and to detail the dates of any such contact.

(AQW 2159/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Officials from my Department, including those seconded as Inquiry staff, have had contact with John O’Hara on the following occasions to discuss the progress towards, and practical arrangements for, the resumption of the Inquiry:

20 November 2006	31 May 2007
4 December 2006	28 June 2007
1 February 2007	9 October 2007
27 February 2007	15 November 2007
19 April 2007	28 November 2007

In addition to the dates listed above, the Department has also had contact with John O’Hara on a small number of other occasions for which the dates are not available. This was also in relation to progress and practical arrangements.

Contact with Mr John O'Hara

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any discussions he has had with John O'Hara regarding his inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related deaths, and to detail the dates of these discussions.

(AQW 2160/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I met with John O’Hara on 31 May 2007 to discuss how the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related deaths might be progressed.

Mental Health Directorate

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to establish a Mental Health Directorate outside his department and within the remit of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

(AQW 2188/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I do not accept the need to move responsibility for mental health promotion from my Department to a Mental Health Directorate within the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, as recommended by the Bamford Review report, "Mental Health Improvement and Well-Being – A Personal, Public and Political Issue".

Rather, I consider that the structures we currently have in place and which will be put in place to implement that Review, will help to achieve the objective of multi-agency and cross-sectoral co-ordination of activities and that mental health promotion will be central to this work.

Leukaemia

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people diagnosed with leukaemia in each council area; and to outline the number of cases there have been, per 100 people, in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 2255/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The tables below detail the number of incidences of leukaemia (ICD-10 C91-C95) in Northern Ireland overall and by Local Government District for the last ten years available.

Table 1: Incidence of leukaemia in NI, 1996-2005

Year	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Cases diagnosed	150	193	165	148	167	143	178	122	145	164
Crude Incidence rate per 100,000 population	9.0	11.5	9.8	8.8	9.9	8.5	10.5	7.2	8.5	9.5
European age-standardised incidence rate per 100,000 population	8.5	10.9	9.0	8.0	9.0	7.6	9.5	6.6	7.8	8.5

Table 2: Incidence of leukaemia by Local Government District

Local Government District	Cases diagnosed from 1996-2000	Cases diagnosed from 2001-2005	Mean annual rate per 100,000 from 1996-2000	Mean annual rate per 100,000 from 2001-2005
Antrim	21	19	8.7	7.7
Ards	35	28	9.9	7.5
Armagh	29	21	10.9	7.6
Ballymena	38	20	13.1	6.7
Ballymoney	10	12	7.8	8.6
Banbridge	12	21	6.1	9.7
Belfast	161	142	11.3	10.4
Carrickfergus	16	14	8.7	7.3
Castlereagh	37	41	11.2	12.4
Coleraine	20	21	7.2	7.5
Cookstown	23	12	14.3	7.2
Craigavon	40	39	10.1	9.5
Derry	48	38	9.1	7.1
Down	32	36	10.2	11.0
Dungannon	17	26	7.2	10.6
Fermanagh	28	28	9.9	9.5
Larne	16	12	10.4	7.8
Limavady	13	11	8.1	6.6
Lisburn	50	60	9.2	10.9
Magherafelt	18	18	9.3	8.8
Moyle	8	<5	10.3	<5
Newry & Mourne	36	22	8.4	4.9
Newtownabbey	40	33	10.1	8.2
North Down	41	43	10.8	11.1
Omagh	25	19	10.5	7.7

Notes:

Due to small numbers when disaggregating by individual LGD, it is necessary to group leukaemia incidence data for five years to protect the anonymity of individuals. For similar reasons, where cells contain less than 5 incidences, they are labelled as "<5".
A small proportion of incidences (0.6%) could not be assigned to LGD.

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

Birth Defects

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people diagnosed with birth defects in each council area; and to outline the number of cases there have been, per 100 people, in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 2256/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of people who have been diagnosed with birth defects is not available. However, information is collected by the Chief Medical Officer on the number of children born each year in Northern Ireland with any of the following congenital malformations; Anencephalus, Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida and Downs Syndrome. These figures are provided in the table below for the years 1997 to 2005 (the latest year for which information is available) together with the number of cases per 1,000 registered births.

Notifications of Selected Congenital Malformations: Number and Rate per 1,000 Total Registered Births to Mothers Resident in Northern Ireland, 1997 to 2005

	Anencephalus	Hydrocephalus	Spina-Bifida	Downs Syndrome
Year	No. (Rate)	No. (Rate)	No. (Rate)	No. (Rate)
1997	3 (0.12)	9 (0.37)	9 (0.37)	45 (1.84)
1998	7 (0.29)	10 (0.42)	11 (0.46)	42 (1.75)
1999	5 (0.22)	13 (0.56)	8 (0.35)	27 (1.17)
2000	0 (0.00)	13 (0.60)	9 (0.42)	32 (1.48)
2001	5 (0.23)	11 (0.50)	13 (0.59)	36 (1.63)
2002	6 (0.28)	8 (0.37)	8 (0.37)	34 (1.58)
2003	4 (0.18)	6 (0.28)	12 (0.55)	38 (1.75)
2004	2 (0.09)	7 (0.31)	11 (0.49)	33 (1.47)
2005	1 (0.04)	6 (0.27)	14 (0.62)	25 (1.12)

Source: Core Tables associated with the Report of the Chief Medical Officer, 2006 which are updated annually and available at http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/phealth/cmo_stats.htm

Downs Syndrome

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people diagnosed with Downs Syndrome in each council area; and to outline the number of cases there have been, per 100 people, in each of the last ten years.

(AQW 2257/08)

Notifications of Selected Congenital Malformations: Number and Rate per 1,000 Total Registered Births to Mothers Resident in Northern Ireland, 1997 to 2005

	Anencephalus	Hydrocephalus	Spina-Bifida	Downs Syndrome
Year	No. (Rate)	No. (Rate)	No. (Rate)	No. (Rate)
1997	3 (0.12)	9 (0.37)	9 (0.37)	45 (1.84)
1998	7 (0.29)	10 (0.42)	11 (0.46)	42 (1.75)
1999	5 (0.22)	13 (0.56)	8 (0.35)	27 (1.17)
2000	0 (0.00)	13 (0.60)	9 (0.42)	32 (1.48)
2001	5 (0.23)	11 (0.50)	13 (0.59)	36 (1.63)
2002	6 (0.28)	8 (0.37)	8 (0.37)	34 (1.58)
2003	4 (0.18)	6 (0.28)	12 (0.55)	38 (1.75)
2004	2 (0.09)	7 (0.31)	11 (0.49)	33 (1.47)
2005	1 (0.04)	6 (0.27)	14 (0.62)	25 (1.12)

Source: Core Tables associated with the Report of the Chief Medical Officer, 2006 which are updated annually and available at http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/phealth/cmo_stats.htm

Rape Crisis Centre

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action is being taken to ensure that funding is provided to the Rape Crisis Centre, Belfast, to avoid its closure.

(AQW 2258/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) provided funding to the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre (NI) Ltd (RCASAC) for many years up to October 2006 when funding ceased. The decision to cease funding for any organisation which provides a service to vulnerable people is never taken lightly. However, on this occasion, the Department was left with no other option.

The Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre had long-standing financial difficulties and was constantly in debt. Departmental Officials worked very closely with the organisation, providing significant support to try and help it meet the required standards.

Despite receiving extensive practical and financial support from the Department over many years, the RCASAC continually failed to meet the necessary government accounting requirements for the receipt of grants. The Department was left with no option, other than cease funding to RCASAC.

As the Department’s priority was to ensure that there was no reduction in services, Departmental funding previously given to the RCASAC was re-directed into quality services for victims of rape and sexual violence, through the Health and Social Services Boards.

Funding for Health and Social Services Boards

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide a pro-rata breakdown of funding for each of the Health and Social Services Boards.

(AQW 2265/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The split in percentage terms of the total funding to each of the Health and Social Services Boards in the last full financial year and to date in the current one is as follows:

Health Board	Funding issued to Boards in 2006/07	Funding issued to Boards to date in 2007/08
Northern	23.69%	23.80%
Southern	17.88%	18.35%
Eastern	41.46%	40.67%
Western	16.97%	17.18%

Cardiac Defects in Young People

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the progress made by his department in the early detection of cardiac defects in young people, particularly in relation to plans for heart screening, and other measures aimed at tackling sudden cardiac death; and to detail the advice that he is providing, on this issue, to sporting and other organisations which involve young people.

(AQW 2311/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Chief Medical Officer has written to the Chair of the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) to ask if they will prioritise a planned policy review on research evidence on screening for hypertrphic cardiomyopathy. The current evidence does not support the introduction of a screening programme.

A Service Framework for Cardiovascular Health and Wellbeing is due to be published for consultation in April 2008 and the Chief Medical Officer has written to Dr David Stewart, Chair of the group, to ensure sudden cardiac death is addressed within the framework and account is taken of the new Chapter 8 covering arrhythmia and sudden cardiac deaths in the Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework developed for England.

A workshop, led by the Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, is being organised by my Department to look at research evidence on heart screening and will include leading health experts in cardiology, clinical psychology, genetics, and research academics within this field along with those from the relevant Government Departments, Public Health Bodies, Sports Council, and Voluntary Organisations.

Once the outcome from the workshop and further advice from the NSC is known, I will be able to take forward the appropriate and proper action to protect those most at risk of sudden cardiac death.

Medical Devices Manufactured by Shelhigh Inc.

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the medical devices manufactured by Shelhigh Inc. which (i) have been used in the Northern Ireland health service in the past 10 years; and (ii) are currently in use in each Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 2343/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (i) The Royal Victoria Hospital is the only Northern Ireland health service hospital that has used Shelhigh medical devices. The two Shelhigh medical devices that have been used in the past 10 years at the hospital are detailed as follows:

	Shelhigh Product
	No-React Patch	Pulmonary Valved Conduit
December 1997 - March 1998	0	0
April 1998 - March 1999	4	2
April 1999- March 2000	9
April 2000 - March 2001	10
April 2001 - March 2002	17	1
April 2002- March 2003	16
April 2003- March 2004	15
April 2004 - March 2005	14
April 2005- March 2006	5	1
April 2006- March 2007	9
April 2007 - December 2007	2
Total	101	4

(ii) The above products are available to the Royal Victoria Hospital for current use.

Medical Devices Manufactured by Shelhigh Inc.

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in light of the United States' Food and Drug Administration notice of 17 April 2007 to seize all medical devices manufactured by Shelhigh Inc., whether or not he intends to review the use of medical devices manufactured by Shelhigh Inc.

(AQW 2344/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the

UK regulator for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, together with other relevant European bodies, has investigated the situation regarding the FDA action regarding medical devices manufactured by Shelhigh Inc. and has concluded that there are no significant deficiencies in the Shelhigh Inc. manufacturing processes which would in any way compromise the safety of patients.

Medical Devices Manufactured by Shelhigh Inc.

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not patients who have received an implant manufactured by Shelhigh Inc. are being monitored for infections, and proper device functioning, over the expected lifetime of the device.

(AQW 2345/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Royal Victoria Hospital is the only Northern Ireland health service hospital that has used Shelhigh medical devices. Paediatric patients are reviewed initially by the Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and then a Paediatric Consultant Cardiologist is responsible for the ongoing review of the paediatric patient through to and including adulthood. The frequency of this review is dependant on the complexity of the patient's condition and includes an echocardiogram, chest x ray and electrocardiogram as indicated. Parents are advised should the patient experience fever or poor appetite that they should contact Clark Clinic during the initial discharge period or their General Practitioner thereafter.

For patients who have an initial diagnosis during adulthood and for whom it is appropriate to use such a device, they are reviewed initially by the Consultant Cardiac Surgeon prior to being referred back to the referring Consultant Cardiologist for routine outpatient review. The frequency and duration of which is dependant upon the individual patient symptomology.

Fire and Rescue Service Budget Cuts

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that proposed budget cuts for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service will not have an adverse effect on the proposals for new fire stations in Cushendall and Ballymena.

(AQW 2361/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has indicated that if its allocation detailed in the draft budget is confirmed, it will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the proposals for the replacement of Fire Stations no longer fit for purpose, including Cushendall and Ballymena Stations.

Bamford Review

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Bamford review.

(AQO 1036/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Boards and Trusts are already planning and developing services in line with Bamford recommendations. However, implementation of the Review requires a Government-wide response and my Department is leading on this work. The response document will be submitted to the Executive for approval early in 2008, once the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review is known, and will then be issued for public consultation.

Inpatient and Outpatient Waiting Lists

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement on inpatient and outpatient waiting lists over the last twelve months.

(AQO 1011/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Hospital waiting times in Northern Ireland have been transformed in the last 12 months. At the end of March 2006, there were 74,000 people waiting over six months for a first outpatient appointment, and 6,600 patients waiting over six months for inpatient or daycase treatment. By March 2007, only 32 patients were waiting over six months for an outpatient appointment, and one for inpatient or daycase treatment.

I have set a target to reduce these waiting times further, ensuring that, by March 2008, no-one waits longer than 13 weeks for a first outpatient appointment, and 21 weeks for inpatient or daycase treatment. I am confident that both of these targets will be achieved.

Drug Addiction Treatment

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the amount of funding that has been allocated to treat long term drug addiction; (ii) the breakdown by Health and Social Care Trust, in number and percentage terms; (iii) the residential in-patient facilities for treating patients with severe drug addiction and dependency problems that are available and their capacity; and (iv) the Trust areas that have no such facilities.

(AQO 1103/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety provides funding for core addiction services to each of the Health & Social Services Boards. These services cover treatment for both alcohol and drug addiction and therefore a separate breakdown for drugs alone is not available. In answer to your specific questions

The total amount of funding provided to the four Health Boards for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction in the last financial year for which figures are available was £6,141,184.
The breakdown by Board in numbers and percentage –

Northern Board	£1,260,148	(20%)
Southern Board	£714,678	(12%)
Eastern Board	£2,746,944	(45%)
Western Board	£1,419,414	(24%)

The residential inpatient facilities for treating patients with severe drug addiction and dependency problems, and their current capacity across the five Health & Social Care Trusts is described thus:

Trust	Beds	Facility
Belfast	10	Shaftesbury Square
South Eastern	14	Downshire (Ward 15)
Western	7	Tyrone & Fermanagh
Southern	10	St. Luke’s Armagh
Northern	10	Carrick 1
	Total 51

Additional beds contracted by trusts	8 6	Northlands Carlisle House
	Total 14

(iv) All five Health & Social Care Trust areas have facilities for in-patient/residential addiction treatment

Sleep Apnoea Service

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his plans to provide a sleep apnoea service for the Northern Trust, to serve the patients of Causeway and Antrim Area Hospitals.

(AQO 1007/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is for the 4 Health and Social Services Boards to decide what specific services are provided for their populations and how these services are provided.

Whilst a specialised sleep apnoea service is currently not provided within the Northern Trust area, patients who are thought to suffer from sleep apnoea may be referred to other Trusts for assessment.

Newly Qualified Nurses

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the proportion of those nurses, who completed their training in the last year, who have secured full-time employment in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 1033/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: From information provided in September 2007, out of 359 students who graduated from Queen’s University Belfast, this year, 316 or 88% have gained employment in Northern Ireland.

At the University of Ulster, 143 students completed their course in September 2007; final destination statistics are not yet available for these students. However from the 150 who successfully graduated in winter 2006, 130 or 87% are known to have employment in Northern Ireland.

Occupational Therapists

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he will take to address the lack of Occupational Therapists; and to detail the impact this is having on adaptations to dwellings, including back logs in carrying out work.

(AQO 1110/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department is currently undertaking a Value for Money Audit of Allied Health Professional services, including Occupational Therapy. This audit will examine the demand for Occupational Therapy services and the capacity to meet this demand on a regional basis and will also examine the staffing levels, skill mix, recruitment and selection of Occupational Therapists in Northern Ireland.

Until this audit is complete, it is not possible to confirm that there is a definite lack of Occupational Therapists. When complete, the findings of the audit will help to promote effective integrated working across the primary, secondary and community care sectors and identify ways of improving efficiency and performance, which will help to reduce the waiting list for housing adaptations.

Furthermore, my Department issued a regional access target in relation to Allied Health Professional services, including Occupational Therapy. The new target will comprise maximum waiting times for access to services, assessment and treatment of 26 weeks by March 2008, falling to 13 weeks by March 2009. Health and Social Care Trusts are working on reform programmes and implementation plans in order to meet these targets and address assessment and waiting times.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the reasons why there has been no cognitive behaviour therapy service available in the Newry, South Down and South Armagh area; and to outline his plans to ensure that people in these areas have access to this service.

(AQO 1032/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There is a general deficit in all mental health services in Northern Ireland. Newry, South Down and South Armagh are not particularly disadvantaged compared to other areas.

There is a range of psychological therapies offered by the consultant clinical psychologist based in Daisy Hill Hospital. Other members of the mental health teams in Newry have had CBT training, and whilst not designated as specialist cognitive behavioural therapists, these staff will have used these skills within the interventions offered to care for and treat patients. A specialist counsellor employed in the Newry and Mourne Area provides a trauma counselling service on a part-time basis, for individuals who have been affected by the conflict in Northern Ireland.

The Bamford Review recommends greater availability of CBT and the Department has commissioned the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation (NICTT) to map existing training in, and provision of, psychological therapies in Northern Ireland. A draft report is expected by the end of November.

Within CSR allocations, we are proposing to allocate £0.4m, £0.4m and £1.9m to developing psychological therapies.

Heating System at the Ulster Hospital Renal Unit

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the timescale for the installation of an adequate system of heating for the Renal Unit at the Ulster Hospital.

(AQO 1005/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The heating system in the Renal Unit is fully adequate and meets all recognised standards for health buildings. The recommended temperature range under NHS guidance for ward areas in Hospitals is 19-23 degrees. The temperatures recorded by the Building Management System in early November 2007 show that the temperature in patient occupied areas was consistently in the range of 21.5 – 24 degrees.

Locally Based Commissioning

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of the potential for locally based commissioning to improve productivity.

(AQO 1050/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is imperative that health and social care services deliver the best possible outcome for all the people of Northern Ireland. To this end I am currently considering how health and social care structures can best be developed to support improvements in productivity, efficiency and value for money. My considerations will include an assessment of the benefits of commissioning at different levels and the role that commissioning can play in achieving the improvements I wish to see.

Lurgan Hospital

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement on the provision of services at Lurgan Hospital.

(AQO 1034/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Lurgan Hospital provides day hospital, assessment, rehabilitation, respite and continuing care services for older people, as well as a range of specialist services including a child development clinic, dermatology inpatient and outpatient services, mammography breast screening services, a stroke rehabilitation unit, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech & language therapy.

I have placed a full list of services available at Lurgan Hospital in the Assembly library.

Mental Health Funding

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the funding that will be devoted to mental health issues over the next three years, based upon the draft Budget proposals for his department.

(AQO 1017/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Based upon the draft Budget proposals for the DHSSPS, the funding that will be devoted to mental health issues over the next three years, is likely to be as follows :

2008/2009 £2 million

2009/2010 £3.7 million

2010/2011 £9.6 million

Health Service Administrators

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the changes to the number of Health Service administrators over the last decade.

(AQO 1047/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I would refer the member to my answer to Priority Written Question No. 1950 answered on 26 November 2007.

The information requested is mainly statistical in format and is too detailed to read out. A copy of the information has been placed in the library.

The changes to the number of Health Service administrators over the last decade are set out in the tables attached:

Table 1. Administrative and Clerical staff by grade (headcount), 1998 - 2007

											% change	% change
Grade	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	1998 - 2007	2006 - 2007
1 Clerical and Admin	8,408	8,519	8,842	9,060	9,523	9,910	10,406	10,808	10,862	10,657	26.7%	-1.9%
2 Manager	504	500	579	603	669	767	852	921	964	990	96.4%	2.7%
3 Senior Manager	623	652	710	782	861	972	1,111	1,157	1,182	1,153	85.1%	-2.5%
4 Senior Executives	146	142	156	163	167	171	173	189	196	161	10.3%	-17.9%
5 Board Member	52	57	58	60	118	159	162	162	158	82	57.7%	-48.1%
Total	9,733	9,870	10,345	10,668	11,338	11,979	12,704	13,237	13,362	13,043	34.0%	-2.4%

Table 2. Administrative and Clerical staff by grade (WTE), 1998 - 2007

											% change	% change
Grade	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	1998 - 2007	2006 - 2007
1 Clerical and Admin	7342.21	7452.41	7703.82	7867.99	8230.06	8538.55	8968.80	9214.05	9276.33	9116.04	24.2%	-1.7%
2 Manager	495.35	485.37	561.20	582.95	639.93	736.34	812.60	882.36	919.21	946.70	91.1%	3.0%
3 Senior Manager	616.08	641.57	697.51	764.40	842.88	952.66	1085.88	1130.66	1152.08	1123.05	82.3%	-2.5%
4 Senior Executives	142.50	138.50	152.50	159.45	166.96	170.27	172.17	186.90	194.19	159.50	11.9%	-17.9%
5 Board Member	48.13	50.13	52.50	54.50	115.00	156.00	159.00	159.00	158.00	82.00	70.4%	-48.1%
Total	8644.27	8767.98	9167.53	9429.29	9994.83	10553.82	11198.45	11572.97	11699.81	11427.29	32.2%	-2.3%

Source: Human Resources Management System

Figures are as at 30th September in each year

Regional Development

Free Public Transport

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will carry out research into the reasons why a large percentage of eligible citizens in rural areas are not using free public transport.

(AQW 1781/08)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I have no plans at present to commission research on this issue. On the basis of information which it collected, the policy review of the concessionary fares scheme published earlier this year concluded that take up and usage rates are likely to be higher in places where public transport services are more frequent and convenient. In addition, concessionary fares are not available on the subsidized services provided by rural community transport partnerships.

However, should the decision in the draft budget to extend free travel to those aged 60 and over be confirmed, my Department will work with the relevant representative groups to promote the concessionary fares scheme and to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from this concession.

Rumble Strips

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the timeframe for completion of the new rumble strips for the entrance roads to Ballygowan.

(AQW 1844/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that it is aware that the red textured markings on the Saintfield Road, Ballygowan require refurbishment. The road surface under the markings has, however, deteriorated and resurfacing will be required before the markings can be replaced.

As funding for resurfacing is limited, all schemes must compete for priority within the resources available to Roads Service. At present, the resurfacing of this carriageway does not merit a sufficiently high priority, when compared with other schemes, for inclusion in the resurfacing programme.

Your request has been noted and will of course be kept under review, should additional funding become available.

European Union Structural and Cohesion Fund

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the amount of the grant(s) received from the European Union Structural and Cohesion Fund to assist with the infrastructure improvements in both road and railway networks, over the past five years, and (ii) his Department's plans to submit applications within the next two years.

(AQW 1878/08)

Mr C Murphy: Under the authority of the Northern Ireland Community Support Framework, 2000-2006, the Department received European Union Structural Fund grants amounting to some £78.7 million to assist with improvements in road and railway infrastructure.

Northern Ireland did not receive any Cohesion funding during this period.
Under the European Territorial Cooperation objective of the 2007-13 European Union Structural and Cohesion Fund, the Department has been successful in securing some £6.66 million from the INTERREG IVA programme for cross-border road improvements. The Department has also submitted a bid to the Department for Transport for some £7.2 million TENS funding to assist with the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue road improvement scheme.

Northern Ireland will not receive Cohesion funding during this period.

Rural Water Supply

Mrs C McGill asked the Minister for Regional Development to comment on the accessibility of mains water for residents of dispersed rural areas of West Tyrone, and on how his department plans to address the difficulties experienced in accessing mains water.

(AQW 1880/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it is required under Article 76 of the Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 to provide a requisitioned water main for domestic purposes subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions, set out in Article 77, requires the persons making the requisition to pay the reasonable costs of providing the water main as determined in accordance with Northern Ireland Water’s charges scheme.

Under Regulation 7 of the Water and Sewerage Charges Scheme (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, Northern Ireland Water is empowered to provide an allowance against the cost of complying with a water main requisition and details are set out in the charges scheme.

Article 4 Audits

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of Article 4 audits that have been carried out by his department, in relation to European programmes, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1962/08)

Mr C Murphy: The table below sets out the number of Article 4 checks carried out in the last five years for projects and schemes which received grant funding assisted from the Building Sustainable Prosperity, PEACE II and INTERREG IIIA EU programmes.

ARTICLE 4 CHECKS COMPLETED

	Building Sustainable Prosperity			PEACE II	INTERREG IIIA
Year	Measure 1.6A Roads	Measure 1.6B Transport	Measure 5.1 Sustainable Management of the Environment & Promotion of the built Heritage (Water)	Measure 1.1D Business Competitiveness	Measure 2.1D Inter-Regional Economic Infrastructure	Total
2003	1	2	0	3	0	6
2004	1	1	1	6	2	11
2005	3	1	4	1	1	10
2006	0	1	1	0	0	2
2007	0	1	0	0	1	2
Total	5	6	6	10	4	31

Traffic Calming Measures in King Street, Newcastle

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the timescale within which construction will commence in relation to traffic calming measures in King Street, Newcastle.

(AQW 1968/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that construction of the King Street Traffic Calming scheme commenced on 13 August 2007, however, soon after that date, the contractor encountered some resource problems and was unable to complete the work.

I have been assured that work will re-commence imminently and that all works will be completed before Christmas.

New Railway Lines

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to open any new railway lines or railway stops.

(AQW 2006/08)

Mr C Murphy: There are no plans at present to open any new railway lines. A new railway stop at Ballymartin is at the early stages of planning, although it will be at least three years before it will be in operation. However my Department has approved work, which is currently underway, to upgrade all stations and halts on the railways network in accordance with Disability Discrimination legislation and Translink’s New Rail Vision.

The draft budget and ISNI announcements will allow improvements to the existing railways network in the form of upgrading of infrastructure and the introduction of new trains to enhance frequency and quality of rail services.

Plans for Bypass at Dungiven

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to (i) outline the progress that has been made in relation to plans for a bypass at Dungiven; and (ii) provide a timescale within which work will commence.

(AQW 2026/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that stage one of the three stage assessment process for the Dungiven Bypass is now complete. This included the development of possible single carriageway bypass routes southwest of Dungiven and the appointment of Consultants to develop a strategy for future dualling of the A6 between Castledawson and Derry, including a dual carriageway bypass of Dungiven. The scheme to build 30 km of dual carriageway from Derry to Dungiven was included in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTN TP) 2015 and announced in December 2005. The Dungiven Bypass routes will be reviewed and integrated into this larger scheme.

The scheme is currently being progressed through the second stage of the assessment process and it is hoped to announce a preferred route for the 30 km long scheme in 2009, with the publishing of an Environmental Statement and draft statutory orders following in 2010. Subject to the successful completion of the statutory orders and the availability of finance at the time, construction should commence within the latter half of the plan period.

New Ikea Store

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his department's plans to introduce special measures to deal with the traffic that will be created by the opening of the new Ikea store on 13 December 2007.

(AQW 2036/08)

Mr C Murphy: In preparation for the increased traffic expected to be generated by the opening of the new IKEA store, officials in my Department’s Roads Service have had a series of meetings with IKEA officials, the PSNI, Harbour Police and other bodies. A number of measures have been identified and will be implemented to assist with the traffic management in and around the store when it opens later this month. These include:

rationalisation of the carriageway markings near the store;
provision of additional temporary direction signs near the store;
PSNI will provide extensive areas of ‘no waiting’ cones;
additional temporary overflow parking provision for the initial period of the store being open;
use of electronic driver information signs during the week of opening;
provision of additional CCTV traffic camera adjacent to the store; and,
traffic conditions will be monitored and necessary adjustments made to the electronic information signs and traffic signal timings.

That said, based on experience at other IKEA stores in GB, I understand that there is likely to be a higher than normal volume of traffic in the early period after opening, and because of this, some congestion can be expected.

Colinglen Road, Dunmurry

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 1495/08, to confirm that, as a result of the route improvement study of the A501 in relation to footway provision, the Roads Service will consider this measure for the Colinglen Road.

(AQW 2042/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has considered the provision of a footpath on the Colinglen Road, as highlighted in the route improvement study for the A501. A scheme to provide a footpath on this stretch of road would involve the need for accommodation works, purchase of agricultural land and would also affect residential properties. In addition, the topography surrounding Colinglen Road is such that large scale construction of reinforced earth embankments and retaining walls would be required.

Given the scale and cost of the works to provide a footpath on the Colinglen Road and the relatively low volumes of vehicles and pedestrians that use this stretch of road, the scheme did not rank highly on a prioritised list of Minor Works. Roads Service therefore has no plans to progress the scheme.

Bonfires

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the measures his department plans to put in place to prevent bonfires occurring on its property next year.

(AQW 2052/08)

Mr C Murphy: The Member will be aware from previous replies on this matter, that under the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993, my Department has the power to remove any bonfire material near or on a public road, which may constitute a danger to road users. However, bonfire management is an inter-agency issue and it is often difficult to find solutions acceptable to the interested parties, when problems arise. The support, co-operation and involvement of local communities is an important factor, as was recognised in the report of the inter-agency group, which produced guidelines on bonfire management. In these circumstances, my Department’s Roads Service will continue to take a joint approach with the other agencies in the management of bonfire sites.

Roads Service experience has been that many of the complaints received from the public are related to the stockpiling of materials on sites adjacent to public roads, which are not owned by Roads Service. On occasions where the overspill from bonfire stockpiles obstructs a public road or footway, Roads Service will remove it or arrange for it to be pushed back off the road onto the bonfire site, in consultation with the police and local communities as necessary. However, Roads Service has a duty of care to its staff and the immediate and ongoing safety of personnel tasked with removal work must be taken into consideration, in consultation with the police and other parties.

In the relatively few instances where bonfires are actually brought onto public roads for lighting, Roads Service will arrange for burnt out debris to be removed and will carry out any repairs to carriageways, footways and street lights that may be needed.

Majors Wall, Newtownstewart

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his department's plans to make improvements to the Majors Wall, Moyle Road, Newtownstewart.

(AQW 2068/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is currently considering engineering solutions to rectify the part failure of the Major’s Wall, Newtownstewart. Subject to the availability of funding, it is intended that remedial works will commence in 2008/09. In the interim, public safety is being maintained with single lane traffic control.

Hightown Road Bridge

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development, in relation to the demolition and reconstruction of the Hightown bridge, to detail (i) the total estimated cost of the project; (ii) the capital sums provided by the contractor, in advance, to finance the programme of work; (iii) the schedule of repayments of this capital by his department to the contractor (including dates, project milestones and sums involved); (iv) an estimate of the profit the contractor will make under this public private funding initiative; and (v) any penalty clauses.

(AQW 2071/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that:

the reconstruction of Hightown Bridge is part of the M2 Widening Scheme which has a total construction cost of £17.5 million (at 2004 prices). It is not possible to provide the disaggregated cost of an individual element such as Hightown Bridge as requested;
the M2 Widening Scheme was included in a package of road improvement schemes which also includes the M1\Westlink and the Antrim Hospital Slip Roads. The contract is a form of Public Private Partnership (Design Build Finance Operate) under which the contractor not only designs and constructs schemes but also finances and carries out certain operation and maintenance functions for thirty years under the supervision of Roads Service. The total construction cost of the schemes in the package is £118.5 million (at 2004 prices) and the Net Present Value of the project is £186 million (at 2004 prices). The finance raised is not provided to the Department but is held on account by the DBFO Company;
as is typical in this form of Contract, the DBFO Contractor receives a relatively low payment until such time as the assets are opened to public use. The payments are monthly and will increase when all the schemes are completed and opened to the public. These schemes are expected to be completed in 2009. For reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not possible to provide the information requested. Once the schemes have been completed the DBFO Contractor will receive payments until 2036 subject to satisfactory performance of operation and maintenance, less deductions for carriageway unavailability;
for reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not possible for the Department to provide the information requested; and
the DBFO Contractor has financial incentives to finish in advance of the programme. There are contractual mechanisms under which his performance is monitored not only by the Department but also by the lenders.

Rural Water Supply

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to introduce a policy that will allow rural dwellings, without a mains water supply, to receive a supply free of charge; and to make a statement on the equality issues associated with the absence of this supply for rural dwellers.

(AQW 2100/08)

Mr C Murphy: Under Article 76 of the Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 Northern Ireland Water is required to provide a water main to be used for providing supplies of water for domestic purposes. Article 77 requires the persons making the requisition to pay the reasonable costs of providing the water main as determined in accordance with the company’s charges scheme.

Regulation 7 of the Water and Sewerage Charges Scheme (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 makes provision for an allowance against the cost of a water main requisition in respect of an existing dwelling. The level of the allowance is set out in the company’s charges scheme.

My Department has provided additional assistance in respect of existing properties constructed before 1 January 2000 to make it more affordable for householders in rural areas to have their properties connected to the mains water supply. The level of assistance was increased from £5,000 to £6,500 per property from 1 April 2007 following a consultation on ‘Charges for Connections to the Water and Sewerage Networks’ which was carried out in 2006. This increase was implemented as a mitigation of possible differential equality impacts. It is my intention that the level of this assistance will be kept under review taking account of any recommendations made by the Independent Water Review Panel.

Average Speed of Vehicles on the A8(M), Sandyknowes Roundabout

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an estimate of the average speed of traffic on the A8(M) citybound, on the approach to Sandyknowes roundabout, between 8:00am and 9:30am, Monday to Friday.

(AQW 2106/08)

Mr C Murphy: As part of the monitoring of the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan, my Department’s Road Service conducts biennial Journey Time Surveys on the A8, including the A8(M) section between Corrs Corner and Sandyknowes.

These surveys do not provide data useful for determining the average speed over the A8(M) section alone, as they are intended to determine average speeds over longer sections of the A8, e.g. the stretch between the junction with the A57 at Ballynure and Sandyknowes, which is 10.38km long.

However, recently some survey work was carried out to gauge the effects of the closure of Hightown Bridge, Glengormley, on roads in the local area. While this survey, conducted on a single day, did not provide average speeds on the A8(M), it did provide information on how long it took for a vehicle to travel from reaching the back of the queue on the A8(M) to Sandyknowes roundabout. These times are provided below:-

Direction of Survey	Time of survey	Time taken to enter Sandyknowes Roundabout from joining the back of queue
A8M to Sandyknowes	07:32	7 min
A8M to Sandyknowes	07:46	19 min
A8M to Sandyknowes	08:14	31 min
A8M to Sandyknowes	08:49	21 min

Roads Service also has an automatic traffic counting site on the A8(M), which provides information on traffic volume and speed. The counter, however, will only provide an average speed for traffic passing over it. This cannot be used as a proxy for the average speed over the entire road, because no allowance is made for the length of the traffic queue on the approach to Sandyknowes roundabout. Information from this traffic counting site (June 2007) would suggest an average speed of traffic passing over the counter, in the direction of Sandyknowes, of 40.4 mph, between 8.00 am and 9.00am.

I hope this information is helpful.

Repair of Sewers

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 518/08 and in light of recent commitments given by his department, to provide (i) details of any remedial work carried out recently; (ii) confirmation of any dates when further work will be carried out; and (iii) an estimate of the total cost of repairing the sewers at Bramblewood.

(AQW 2107/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that no remedial work has yet been undertaken to bring the sewers at Bramblewood up to adoption standard. Northern Ireland Water was considering the use of its contractor to undertake remedial work, subject to the availability of funding, but the developer has now requested that he be given the opportunity to undertake the work. To facilitate this Northern Ireland Water, in association with my Department’s Roads Service, has deferred a decision on the commencement of the work by its contractor until the end of January 2008.

The cost of completing the necessary remedial work to improve the sewers to an adoptable standard is estimated at £200,000.

Part-Time Speed Limits

Mrs M Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 1343/08, what plans he has to include Groarty Controlled Primary School in the pilot scheme to introduce part-time speed limits at schools.

(AQW 2118/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service advises that Groarty Controlled Integrated Primary School is not included in the pilot scheme to introduce part-time speed limits at schools.

As you will be aware, Groarty Road is very rural in nature and there is very little frontage development. As such, the road does not meet the criteria for the introduction of a lower speed limit. However, Roads Service will keep the speed limit under review and should circumstances change as the area is developed, officials will consult with the PSNI to determine if a lower limit is appropriate.

Meantime, I am pleased to note that new signs and road markings are currently being installed on the approaches to the school, under my Department’s "Safe Routes to School" initiative. I trust that these will greatly enhance the safety of those using the school, until it is re-located to the proposed new site.

Castlebawn Bypass, Newtownards

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide the timescale for the commencement and completion of the Castlebawn bypass, Newtownards.

(AQW 2130/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that, subject to the successful conclusion of tendering procedures and agreement on a mutually acceptable start date with the successful contractor, it is anticipated that work will commence early next year and will take approximately 12 months to complete.

Water Charges for Charities

Mr L Cree asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline any proposals to provide relief for charities who are currently exempt from paying rates, but will be subject to water charges upon their introduction.

(AQW 2132/08)

Mr C Murphy: Following the publication of the Independent Water Review Panel’s Strand 1 report on 12 October 2007 the Executive made a number of decisions which I announced to the Assembly on 22 October. This included the proposal that existing metered water customers in the non-domestic sector (which includes charities) would continue to pay charges but new charges would be introduced for sewerage customers and unmeasured customers on the basis of 50% in 2008-09 and full charges in 2009-10. At present there are no proposals to provide relief from charges for any group of non-domestic customers.

The Independent Panel is considering the issue of affordability under Strand 2 of its review. Although this is principally focussed on the domestic sector the Executive will be happy to consider any recommendations made by the Panel in respect of other customer groups.

Staff Bonuses

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of non-pensionable bonuses that were paid to staff in his department in each of the last three years, and what steps is he taking to ensure that such bonuses are not used as a cheaper alternative to an appropriate salary increase.

(AQW 2146/08)

Mr C Murphy: The numbers of non-pensionable bonuses paid to staff in the Department for Regional Development in each of the last three completed financial years are set out below. The figures take into account staff in Core Divisions and Agencies (including Water Service, which transferred to Government-owned Company status on 1 April 2007).

Number of non-pensionable Number of non-pensionable

Financial Year bonuses paid to bonuses paid to

non-industrial staff industrial staff

2004/05 1,896 0

2005/06 2,424 57

2006/07 1,697 70

There is no question of non-pensionable bonuses being used as an alternative to salary increases. The policy adopted within the Northern Ireland Civil Service is that not all reward should be in the form of consolidated salary increases, and that non-pensionable bonuses, focused on the assessment of in-year performance, should form an integral part of wider pay strategies.

Hightown Road Bridge

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the alternative measures that have been identified to minimise the effects of the proposed closure of the Hightown Road Bridge for up to 12 months from the end of January 2008; and what consideration will he give to opening a third lane on the M2, for the duration of the work, during peak traffic periods.

(AQW 2172/08)

Mr C Murphy: The 50 year old Road Bridge that carries the Hightown Road over the M2 motorway has been assessed as being under strength and needs to be replaced for safety reasons. This work is being undertaken as part of the contract to widen the M2 motorway at this location. As you are aware, the bridge is planned to close in January next year for 12 months to allow for the demolition of the current bridge and construction of a replacement.

I fully appreciate that closing the Hightown Bridge for 12 months will have a significant impact on people living in the Glengormley area. On 13 November 2007, I met with you and a cross party delegation to discuss the closure and a range of possible measures to reduce its impact. I can advise that, in addition to the provision of a signed diversion route and alterations to traffic signals at key junctions on the diversion route that were in place for the initial closure, my Department’s Roads Service is presently considering the feasibility of the following additional measures:

providing a temporary bridge or keeping the existing bridge partially open during the reconstruction;
reviewing the arrangements for emergency access, including considering the need for emergency ambulance equipment at a temporary location convenient to the Hightown Road;
the need for additional buses for school children in the Hightown and Mayfield areas;
reducing the one year closure period by considering the possibility of night time working;
additional traffic management measures to mitigate delays on the diversion route; and
opening 3 lanes on the M2 city-bound to improve traffic flows leaving Sandyknowes roundabout.

As you are aware, I have agreed to report back to the cross party group on the feasibility of these options early in January 2008.

The current improvement works on the M2 involve widening the Belfast-bound carriageway of the M2 between Sandyknowes and Greencastle to provide a third lane. I should explain that the widening has to be completed before a third lane on this carriageway can be opened over the full length of the road. This is currently programmed for summer 2009. Roads Service will keep the traffic management arrangements under review as the work progresses and if a portion of widened M2 can be opened to help alleviate the approach from Sandyknowes Junction this shall be utilised, provided it does not compromise safety. The original road layout of two lanes as a minimum will be maintained on this carriageway during the works.

The existing country-bound carriageway of the M2 between Sandyknowes and Greencastle has three lanes. A minimum of two lanes will be maintained on this carriageway, with additional road space being provided when ever possible.

Roads Maintenance

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the total amount spent; and (ii) the amount spent per mile, on structural roads maintenance over the last five years.

(AQW 2203/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads has advised that the total annual structural maintenance expenditure broken down per mile over the past 5-years is detailed in the table below:-

	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08¹
Structural maintenance expenditure £000’s	82,900	73,800	70,500	65,600	59,700
Total route length (miles)	15437	15478	15515	15561	15623
Expenditure per mile £/mile	5,400	4,800	4,500	4,200	3,800

Anticipated expenditure
Financial figures have been rounded.

Road Signage for Belfast International Airport

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the action he is taking to ensure that road signage in relation to Belfast International Airport is brought up to international standards on all arterial routes leading to the airport.

(AQW 2212/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that directional signage, to the International Airport, is provided on all main approach roads in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Signs Regulations (NI) 1997 and designed in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual.

I can also advise that in 2008/09, Roads Service is planning to review the existing signage to the International Airport from the A1 at Sprucefield, to make greater use of the M1 Motorway and the A26 Glenavy Road from Moira. I have asked the Divisional Roads Manager, in Roads Service’s Eastern Division, to inform you of the outcomes of this review.

Gender Imbalance in Managerial Posts

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 1559/08, what steps he is taking to address the gender imbalance of staff holding senior management posts in each division within his department.

(AQW 2222/08)

Mr C Murphy: The Department for Regional Development is fully committed to promoting equality of opportunity in the recruitment and promotion of senior staff. Every effort is made to encourage women to apply for vacancies at all levels within the Department with positive action measures being undertaken particularly in work areas usually regarded as non traditional areas of employment for women. The Northern Ireland Senior Civil Service is managed by the Department of Finance & Personnel who at corporate level undertake outreach and positive action measures to encourage applications from under represented groups including women.

Corporate outreach measures include extensive use of open recruitment to fill senior posts. Recruitment advertisements for senior posts include a statement welcoming applications from under-represented groups, including females. Appointments are however based on merit.

Across the NICS, as a whole, the number of female staff at Grade 5 and above has steadily increased from just 9.5% in 1997 to 25.4% in 2007. At Grade 7 level, female representation has increased from 20.6% in 2001 to 34.5% in 2007.

Planning Applications

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the reasons for the delay by the Roads Service in considering planning application N55/2006/1230/F in relation to Colin Valley Golf Driving Range.

(AQW 2225/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service acts as a consultee of Planning Service, providing advice and recommendations on roads matters associated with development proposals. Planning applications, such as this, have to fit into the workload prevailing at the time and all applications are dealt with in order.

Roads Service often requires additional information to that submitted before making recommendations. In this particular case Roads Service has liaised with the applicant’s agents to ensure that all the necessary information and design details to assess the application are made available.

In order to accelerate the consultation process, Roads Service officials have been in direct contact with the schemes design engineer and I expect that, with the cooperation of the applicant and his designers, the matter will be resolved shortly.

M2 Lane Restictions

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the reasons why the M2 Belfast bound traffic was reduced to one lane, in relation to works involved in bridge strengthening, during the peak period on the morning of 4 December 2007; and to outline what guidance is in place to ensure that two lanes of traffic flow are maintained on this key route during peak periods.

(AQW 2384/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is presently undertaking improvement works on the M2 Motorway, between Sandyknowes and Greencastle junctions. These works involve widening the Belfast-bound carriageway to 3 lanes between these junctions, widening the country-bound carriageway over the Greencastle Interchange and replacing the Longlands, Hightown and Collin Bridges over this section of the M2.

During the period of construction, the contractor, HMC, is required to maintain two lanes in each direction on the M2 between 6 am and 10 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 11 am on Sundays. In order to maintain two lanes on the Belfast-bound carriageway during the current phase of the road works, traffic is running on the existing hard shoulder.

On 4 December, a manhole cover located in the hard shoulder of the Belfast-bound carriageway collapsed without warning. This required a lane to be closed, so that an emergency repair could be carried out. The lane was closed at 9:30 am and following the repair work, it was reopened at 12:00 noon.

As soon as my Department’s Roads Service became aware of the collapsed manhole, officials from its Traffic Information and Control Centre immediately publicised the lane closure through the normal channels, including hourly radio bulletins on the BBC and U105, and web-site updates.

I can also confirm that prior to traffic transferring onto the existing hard shoulder of the M2, an inspection of the road condition was undertaken by HMC. As a result of the recent collapse of the manhole cover, a further inspection and any necessary remedial works will be carried out during a planned night time closure of the M2 this weekend.

Penalty Charge Notices

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2041/08, to detail the number of people in Lisburn city who have received penalty charge notices for not parking wholly within the markings of the bay/space in his department's car parks, since National Car Parks have been responsible for issuing penalty charge notices.

(AQW 2385/08)

Mr C Murphy: Pursuant to my answer to AQW 2041/08, from 30 October 2006 to 26 November 2007, a total of 830 Penalty Charge Notices have been issued to vehicles "not parked wholly within the markings of the bay/space" in Roads Service car-parks in Lisburn.

A26 Between Glarryford and Coleraine

Mr G Campbell asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the progress being made on the dualling of the A26, between Glarryford and Coleraine.

(AQO 1028/08)

Mr C Murphy: I can advise that my Department’s Roads Service is progressing plans for the provision of a 7km stretch of dual carriageway on the A26 between Glarryford crossroads and the junction with the A44 Drones Road.

A detailed assessment of the five routes under consideration is currently underway and the second stage of the three-stage assessment process is expected by May 2008. This process will conclude with the selection of a preferred route, which I will publicly announce. Commencement of the proposed scheme will be subject to timely and successful completion of the necessary statutory procedures, detailed economic appraisal and the availability of funding at the time.

Extension of Fuel Rebate

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to extend the fuel rebate afforded to Translink to other public hire transport, such as the West Belfast Taxi Association.

(AQO 1115/08)

Mr C Murphy: Rebate on the duty paid on fuel is a key support for road operators to help them provide affordable public transport services. I am keen to help ensure that the Fuel Duty Rebate Scheme is open to all eligible Roads Service Operators including West Belfast Taxis. There are however various conditions to be met before allowing an operator on to the Fuel Duty Rebate Scheme. These include a trial operating period before the operator qualifies for grant payment and a system of scrutiny and assessment against a set audit and record keeping standard.

West Belfast Taxi (Transport) LTD has a current Roads Service Operators License awarded by DOE and thus is eligible to apply. Representatives from West Belfast Taxis have met officials from my Department and supplied documentation and proposals which show that they have the potential ability to meet the terms and conditions of the Fuel Duty Rebate scheme. This includes the ability to produce published timetables, proof of purchases from an authorised fuel supplier and various audit conditions including access to their drivers’ accounts.

West Belfast Taxis is also currently trying out a new recording system to produce evidence of trips which is one of the important controls for the scheme.

Taking all the factors into account and assuming future positive assessments of their recording systems, it is my intention that West Belfast Taxis enter into a trial operating period early next year with the possibility of it fully entering the scheme from next April.

Train Punctuality

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline what discussions he has had with Translink relating to improved punctuality for trains.

(AQO 1129/08)

Mr C Murphy: At my most recent meeting with the Chairman of NITHC on 29 November, which covered a range of issues relating to the performance of NITHC and Translink, we discussed train punctuality. The Chairman updated me on the measures taken by Translink to improve punctuality and to sustain this improvement into the future.

Road Maintenance Expenditure

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his department expenditure, per kilometer, on road maintenance, and the equivalent figures for England and Wales.

(AQO 1058/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has confirmed that its spend on structural maintenance during 2006/07 was equivalent to approximately £2,600 per kilometre. This compares to approximately £13,000 and £7,600 per kilometre in England and Wales respectively during 2005/06. These are the latest figures available.

Water and Sewerage Infrastructure

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps Northern Ireland Water is taking to ensure that water and sewerage infrastructure will meet European Union quality and environmental standards by 2014.

(AQO 1003/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that in the three-year period up to 2006/07, an unprecedented £629 million was invested on improvements to the water and sewerage infrastructure. Northern Ireland Water’s Strategic Business Plan for the period 2007/2010, provides for a further £900 million of investment, including £230 million of Public, Private Partnership funding. This sustained investment will enable Northern Ireland Water to comply with increasingly stringent EU quality and environmental standards, protect public health, enhance services to customers and provide for growth in demand.

Investment in water treatment, storage and mains improvement will increase compliance with EU drinking water standards to 99.77% by 2009 and investment in improvements to wastewater treatment and collection systems (sewers) will also increase compliance with EU wastewater treatment works to 92.4% by 2009.

Northern Ireland Water’s post-2010 budget will depend on the outcome of the regulatory periodic review in 2009 and it is difficult to predict the actual quality and environmental standards that will apply in 2014. Nevertheless, I have been assured by Northern Ireland Water that it aims to match or exceed the performance of similar GB water companies by 2015.

Ulster - Connaught Road Corridor

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an update on the development of the Ulster - Connaught Road corridor.

(AQO 1068/08)

Mr C Murphy: The A4 from Dungannon to the border at Belcoo/Blacklion is part of the North’s Strategic Road Network and has been designated as a Key Transport Corridor in the Regional Development Strategy, referred to as the South Western Corridor. The Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015 (RSTN TP) identifies schemes to develop the South Western Corridor up to the end of 2015.

Works are due to commence early in 2008 on the £102m dualling of 20.5km of the A4 between Dungannon and Ballygawley. This is scheduled for completion by 2010 and will upgrade this portion of the route to high standard dual carriageway with no central reserve crossings and 6 fly-over type junctions. Works on the A4 at Annaghilla are also due to commence in early 2008, with 3.8km of single carriageway realignment at a cost of £16m. This will include an eastbound 2+1 lane that will provide guaranteed overtaking opportunities.

The RSTN TP also includes an improvement scheme at the A4 Henry Street / Sligo Road junction in Enniskillen. This £2m scheme will provide Henry Street with an additional traffic lane on the approach to the junction. The procurement process, for selecting a contractor to undertake the works, is ongoing.

The consultation document ‘Expanding the Strategic Road Improvement (SRI) Programme 2015’ highlighted additional schemes that were proposed for inclusion within the current programme. These included Bypasses of Enniskillen and Fivemiletown.

Work on the reassessment of the Strategic Road Improvement Programme is at an advanced stage. The outcome, which will take into account the responses to the consultation document, will align with Budget 2008-2011 and the investment envisaged under the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2008-2018. These documents have been published in draft format for consultation with the final outcome expected to be known early next year.

I am aware that the Irish Government is considering an East-West link and I anticipate that discussions will take place at the North south Ministerial Council in the future.

Roads Maintenance Budget

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the proposed budget allocation for roads maintenance, in relation to road safety issues.

(AQO 1069/08)

Mr C Murphy: The safety of the travelling public is, and will always be, the top priority for my Department’s Roads Service.

The proposed budget allocation for structural maintenance would allow Roads Service to give priority to the maintenance of the strategic road network, which carries the greatest volume of traffic and would ensure the overall quality of the network is maintained. Other roads, including rural roads, would receive resurfacing treatments as far as the budget allocation permits.

A system of regular safety inspections is in place to ensure that essential response maintenance is identified and completed as necessary.

In addition to the structural maintenance budget Roads Service also allocates funding to other activities, such as, winter gritting and routine maintenance, keeping sightlines and drainage systems clear and maintaining traffic signals, all of which is targeted to improve road safety.

A1 from Loughbrickland to South of Newry

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm that the announcement, in the Draft Investment Strategy 2008-18, of the dualling of the A1 from Loughbrickland to south of Newry, is identical to commitments contained in Investment Strategies already published under direct rule.

(AQO 1067/08)

Mr C Murphy: I can confirm that the dualling scheme from A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue, south of Newry, was contained within the original Investment Strategy published in 2005. The scheme forms part of Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) Package 2 on which advance works have already commenced on site.

The dual carriageway section from Loughbrickland to Beech Hill was opened to traffic in November 2006, and the section from Cloghogue to the Border and on to Dundalk was officially opened on 2 August 2007.

Funding for the City of Derry/Londonderry Airport

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an indicative time for the proposed funding for the City of Derry/Londonderry Airport.

(AQO 1113/08)

Mr C Murphy: Now that Derry City Council has adopted a programme for reform of the governance of the airport, I hope that a decision will be taken shortly to release grant aid for the runway safety improvement scheme. The offer of grant funding was made jointly by the British and Irish Governments with a pre-condition on governance. Acceptance of the Council’s proposals for reform will require the agreement of other Ministers, north and south. I have set this process in train.

Social Development

Antisocial Behaviour

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of complaints to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive about antisocial behaviour, broken down by district office area, in the last three years.

(AQW 1796/08)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): The number of cases of anti social behaviour reported to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive by district office area, for the last three financial years is as follows:

District Office	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Belfast East	64	72	80
Belfast West	175	170	316
Belfast North	100	102	71
Belfast Shankill	152	21	11
South	56	72	55
Bangor	241	411	204
Newtownards	156	182	147
Castlereagh	35	93	121
Lisburn	364	444	508
Dairyfarm	241	181	84
Downpatrick	91	77	47
Banbridge	70	92	64
Newry	80	352	314
Armagh	65	68	75
Lurgan	90	53	57
Portadown	53	87	63
Dungannon	61	114	73
Fermanagh	432	223	208
Ballymena	264	215	307
Antrim	202	256	215
Newtownabbey 1	128	158	79
Newtownabbey 2	112	38	40
Carrickfergus	182	67	60
Larne	83	95	64
Ballycastle	4	7	28
Ballymoney	93	113	106
Coleraine	143	193	153
Waterloo	133	18	26
Waterside	92	140	76
Collon Terrace	272	160	158
Limavady	37	41	45
Magherafelt	54	88	24
Strabane	121	114	93
Omagh	104	88	54
Cookstown	44	27	32
Total	4,594	4,632	4,058

Housing Executive Properties

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of properties owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in (i) Larne; (ii) Carrickfergus; and (iii) Newtownabbey.

(AQW 1800/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The total number of properties owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive at 31 March 2007 in these areas is as follows:

Larne 1,575
Carrickfergus 1,969
Newtownabbey 4,514

Housing Executive Properties

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties allocated in (i) Larne; (ii) Carrickfergus; and (iii) Newtownabbey, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1801/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The table below details the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Housing Association allocations within the administrative areas covered by the Housing Executive’s Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey District offices.

Year Annual Allocations*

Larne District Carrickfergus District Newtownabbey District

March 2003 208 262 418

March 2004 213 236 423

March 2005 180 218 359

March 2006 154 191 289

March 2007 155 166 313

Review of Town Centre Regeneration

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development, in view of the fact that a number of local authorities already have Town Centre Strategies or Action Plans in place, to clarify whether or not the review of Town Centre Regeneration will consider how her Department can financially support the implementation, content and actions of such plans.

(AQW 1816/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The main objective of Town Centre Regeneration is to maximise investment potential and encourage greater use of town centres by attracting more people back to work, shop and socialise in them. In accordance with its good practice guide, Vital and Viable, my Department will aid only those projects identified in locally-planned and supported city and town centre strategies, subject to tests and the availability of resources.

The review referred to has been instigated by the Assembly Committee for Social Development which is conducting an Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration in Northern Ireland. Officials from my Department recently provided the Commitee with written and oral evidence. The Committee intends to report to the Assembly on the matter by March 2008.

Review of Town Centre Regeneration

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development to advise whether or not the review of Town Centre Regeneration will ensure that future support and subvention measures are designed and targeted towards supporting town centre competitiveness and business performance, as well as addressing social issues through the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme.

(AQW 1817/08)

Review of Town Centre Regeneration

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm that the review of Town Centre Regeneration will consider current efforts being made by Town Centre Partnerships towards supporting the economic performance of retailers located specifically within town centres.

(AQW 1818/08)

Benefit Fraud

Rt Hon J Donaldson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how much money has been fraudulently claimed in Social Security Benefits in Northern Ireland, in each of the past five years; and how many claimants have been convicted of fraud in each of those years.

(AQW 1841/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is set out in the attached tables. Table 1 shows the estimated cost, since 2002/2003, of fraud in benefits administered by the Social Security Agency. Table 2 shows the estimated cost of Housing Benefit fraud. Costs are also expressed as a percentage of the relevant benefit expenditure. Table 3 shows the total number of people who have been convicted of fraud in Northern Ireland in each of the last 5 years. The data quoted in Tables 1 and 2 was produced on a financial year basis until 2004/2005. The survey period moved to a calendar year from 2005.

Table 1

Social Security Benefits (SSA): - estimated cost of Benefit Fraud

Year	Estimated Benefit Fraud (m)	Benefit Expenditure (m)	% of Benefit Expenditure lost
2002-03	£34.5	£3347	1.03
2003-04	£38.8	£3179	1.22
2004-05	£28.8	£3320	0.87
2005	£28.6	£3406	0.84
2006	£18.1	£3501	0.5

Table 2

Housing Benefit: - estimated cost of Benefit Fraud

Year	Estimated Benefit Fraud (m)	Benefit Expenditure (m)	% of Benefit Expenditure lost
2002-03	£6.7	£352.6	2.2
2003-04	£0.0*	£365.0	0.0
2004-05	£2.3	£392.2	0.6
2005	£4.0	£403.0	1.0
2006	£3.3	£438.9	0.8

* In this year while error was detected none was attributable to fraud.

Table 3

The total number of people who have been convicted of fraud in Northern Ireland in each of the last 5 years is:

Year	Number
2002-03	310
2003-04	234
2004-05	235
2005-06	234
2006-07	292

Housing Executive Grants Budget

Mr M Brady asked the Minister for Social Development if, in view of the proposed cuts in the housing executive grants budget for 2008/2009, she can provide reassurance that the scheme planned for the Ard Cairn area of Newry will go ahead.

(AQW 1881/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are two schemes for Ardcarne Park, Newry but as the properties involved are in Housing Executive ownership they are not funded by grants.

The first scheme involves the replacement of kitchens in 37 homes and is currently programmed for March 2009. This will be funded through revenue expenditure and the timescale should not therefore be affected.

The second scheme involves capital environmental improvements such as road works and car parking. This is also currently programmed for April 2009. Since the capital funding allocation falls significantly short of what is needed, all capital programmes are at risk.

Social Housing Projects

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development to list the location, number of units and the Housing Association providing all new social housing projects that the Northern Ireland Housing executive are presently aware of in (i) Newtownards; (ii) Comber; (iii) Ballygowan; (iv) Saintfield; (v) Killyleagh; (vi) Killinchy; and (vii) Moneyreagh.

(AQW 1884/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have placed the requested information in the Assembly Library.

Jobs and Benefits Office, Newtownards

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development what sites in Newtownards are being considered for the proposed new Jobs and Benefits office.

(AQW 1885/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Social Security Agency remains committed to the roll-out of a Jobs and Benefits service in Newtownards to ensure that clients benefit from the same enhanced work focused service which is available elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Two sites, the existing Social Security Office at East Street, Newtownards and a site within the Castlebawn development are currently being considered. However, the Agency is also carrying out a Strategic Business Review to examine how best to deliver services to the public in the future. The outcome of this Review will determine whether the Newtownards office will provide a Jobs and Benefits service only or if it will also include a (back-office) benefits processing centre. This will also impact on decisions around the location of the office.

Integrated Development Funding Bodies

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the safeguards her department has put in place to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived, in her department's funding of integrated development funding bodies.

(AQW 1918/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Ilex was given the responsibility for marshalling and overseeing a package of bids for the North West area under Integrated Development Funding. My Department and OFMDFM as the sponsor Departments for Ilex monitor governance issues on a regular basis. Ilex under their Management Statement and Financial Memorandum must ensure that a Code of Practice for Board Members is in place. This commits the Chairman and other Board Members to the Nolan seven principles of public life, and includes a requirement for a comprehensive and publicly available register of Board Members’ interests. Ilex board members are asked to declare conflicts of interest at each monthly board meeting. Northern Ireland Audit Office recommendations on Good Governance - Effective Relationships between Departments and their Arm's Length Bodies is being applied.

Integrated Development Fund

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development if he will initiate a review of the Integrated Development Fund's delivery mechanism, given that there were no project bids for the fund.

(AQW 1919/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department is administering grant from the Integrated Development Fund through the North West Development Office, Regional Development Office and Belfast Regeneration Office for project bids of over £21.7 million. Further project bids of over £21.5 million are at present being developed or are going through the approvals process. There are currently no plans to carry out a formal review of the delivery mechanism.

Conflicts of Interest

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the safeguards her department has put in place to ensure that conflicts of interest, perceived or otherwise, are risk managed in the delivery of funding.

(AQW 1920/08)

Ms M Ritchie: All Civil Servants are required to declare any conflicts of interest arising in relation to their duties. Also as part of my Department’s Governance arrangements a register of interests of Departmental Management Board Members is held and reviewed regularly. In addition, Board Members are required to provide the secretariat of the Board with details of any potential new interests, which would include those relating to funding to be included in the register as and when they should arise. Similar arrangements exist with our Department’s Non- Departmental Public Bodies which are also required to maintain an up-to-date register of interests.

Pension Credit Advisers

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of pension credit advisers employed by social security offices in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1952/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The number of Pension Advisers employed by the Social Security Agency in the last five years is detailed in the table below.

2003/04 – 35 (commencing October 2003)

2004/05 – 35

2005/06 – 35

2006/07 - 35

2007/08 – 35 reduced to 20 from 1 October 2007

In addition to the complement of 35, a further 11 Pension Advisers were employed during the period 1 February 2004 to 31 July 2005 as a short-term measure to meet urgent business needs in improving Pension Credit performance.

Social Security Advisors

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of advisers in social security offices that (i) are currently employed; and (ii) have been employed in each of the last five years, to provide advice on benefits to potential claimants under the age of 60.

(AQW 1953/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information is not available in the format requested as Social Security Offices/Jobs & Benefits offices do not have dedicated information and advice staff. However, all frontline/processing staff provide information and advice on the benefits administered directly from these offices; Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Social Fund. In addition they also provide general information and advice about a range of other social security benefits to both existing and potential customers regardless of age. The number of frontline/processing staff working in Social Security Offices/Jobs & Benefits offices currently and in each of the last five years is shown in the table below.

Year	No. of Frontline/Processing Staff in Social Security/ Jobs & Benefits Offices
Current	1402
2006	1506
2005	1645
2004	1539
2003	1694
2002	1874

Article 4 Audits

Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Article 4 audits that have been carried out by her department, in relation to European programmes, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1963/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The table below shows the number of Article 4 audits carried out by the Department within the timescales requested:-

Year	Total
2003	5
2004	22
2005	12
2006	43
2007	20
Total	102

Advertising Expenditure

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the amount spent by her department on advertising in each of the last five years.

(AQW 1965/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The following amounts were spent on advertising in the last four years:

2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006	2006-2007
£107,793	£98,766	£99,354	£172,466

Figures for 2002/2003 have not been recorded in this format and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

The figures provided are compiled using the total media spend for all forms of advertising.

Christmas Benefit Bonus

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to increase the Christmas bonus of £10 to qualifying benefit recipients.

(AQW 1981/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The amount of the Christmas bonus has remained unchanged since it was introduced in 1972. Social security benefits are paid at the same rates in Britain and Northern Ireland, and it is estimated that to restore the value of the Christmas bonus to its original level would cost well in excess of £1bn per year. Successive administrations have taken the view that the available resources could be better used in other ways. For example, the majority of those receiving the Christmas bonus are pensioners, and a range of measures have been introduced to secure their incomes levels including Pension Credit which ensures that no pensioner has to get by on less than £119.05 per week (£181.70 for a couple) and the Winter Fuel Payment (currently £200 or £300 for over age 80).

The Pensions Bill currently before the Assembly proposes measures to improve the coverage and generosity of basic State Pension by providing for it to be uprated annually in line with earnings and by making it easier to qualify for a full basic pension. The measures in the Bill are expected to increase spending on pensioner benefits in Northern Ireland to £4.6bn per year by 2020. There are currently therefore no plans to increase the Christmas bonus.

Gambling Laws

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 1588/08, what consideration she will give to undertaking an urgent review of the gambling laws.

(AQW 2045/08)

Ms M Ritchie: While there are no plans at present for a wider review of the gambling laws, I am currently considering the policy issues surrounding betting and gaming and will be setting out how I wish to proceed shortly. Any future consideration of the need for a wider review would be fully explored with the Social Development Committee and the Executive.

Disability Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit Appeals

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 1515/08, to explain her department's policy in determining whether or not a person is entitled to an appeals hearing either in, or near, their home.

(AQW 2047/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Entitlement to an appeal hearing in a customer’s home is determinant on the customer being totally housebound and unable to attend doctor or hospital appointments. The suitability of the customer’s home to accommodate a full Tribunal Hearing must also be considered.

A hearing nearer to a customer’s home will be facilitated where there are accepted medical reasons why the person cannot travel to the designated venue and remain for the duration of the hearing.

Incapacity Benefit and Disabled Living Allowance Appeals

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answers to AQW 1517/08 and AQW 1545/08, to detail her reasons for requiring Incapacity Benefit and Disabled Living Allowance appeals, by people living in the Strangford constituency, to be heard in Belfast; and to provide her assessment of the impact of this new arrangement on those who already have health problems.

(AQW 2072/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I would refer the Honourable Member for Strangford to the replies I gave in AQW 1515/08 and AQW 1516/08 on 18 November 2007

Disabled Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit Appeals

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development, in relation to attendance at Disabled Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit appeals' hearings in Belfast, to detail the arrangements for, and amounts payable, in relation to (i) compensation for loss of earnings of carers accompanying the appellant; and (ii) reimbursement of travel costs, including parking.

(AQW 2073/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The arrangements for compensation for loss of earnings of carers accompanying an appellant to an appeal hearing are that evidence of loss of employed earnings must be provided in the form of a detailed letter from the employer. A statement from a self-employed carer to the effect that they have lost money by being absent from their business will normally be accepted.

Current rates of compensation are £31.00 for up to 4 hours loss of earnings and £60.50 for loss of earnings of 4 hours or more.

Travel costs, including parking, can be claimed and reimbursed on provision of proof of expenditure incurred. Travel to a Tribunal Venue by private motor vehicle is reimbursed at a set rate of 12p per mile.

Bookmakers' Opening Hours

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Social Development to detail her plans to introduce legislation that will allow bookmakers' offices to open seven days per week.

(AQW 2182/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I am at present carefully considering the arguments for and against a change in the law to allow bookmaking offices to open for business seven days per week, other than Christmas Day and Good Friday. I intend to seek the views of the Social Development Committee before taking a decision on the way forward.

Winter Fuel Payments

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the total amount paid out by her department in winter fuel payments in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2196/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Expenditure on Winter Fuel payments was as follows:

Financial Year	Expenditure
2002/2003	£42.6m
2003/2004	£48.1m
2004/2005	£49.9m
2005/2006	£50.2m
2006/2007	£50.6m

Fuel Poverty

Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what additional action she plans to take to tackle fuel poverty.

(AQW 2239/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Much has been achieved on alleviating fuel poverty, 97% of properties in Northern Ireland now have some form of central heating. Research published by my Department last month in its report ‘Fuel Poverty, Climate and Mortality’, also indicated a considerable drop in deaths linked to cold in recent years. I remain committed to alleviating fuel poverty in Northern Ireland and will find ways to ensure that whatever funding is available continues to help those in greatest need. I am determined to act as a champion for those who are elderly or vulnerable by continuing to seek additional resources, and I would appreciate the support of all my ministerial colleagues in achieving that.

Public Housing Units

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the number of public housing units constructed within the last five years in (a) Monkstown, Ballyduff, Rathfern and New Mossley; (b) Greenisland, Carrickfergus and Whitehead; and (c) Larne and Islandmagee; and (ii) the number of public housing units to be constructed in these areas in the next five years.

(AQW 2285/08)

Ms M Ritchie: (i) the information requested is contained in the following table:

Year	Housing Association	Scheme	Units
2002/03	Fold	Eden Orlits Ph1 Carrickfergus	30
2003/04	Fold	Eden Orlits Ph2Carrickfergus	31
	Homeless provision by NIHE	Marine Court, Carrickfergus	25
2004/05	Homeless provision by NIHE	Marine Court, Carrickfergus	5
	Trinity	Bridewell, Carrickfergus	12
	Trinity	Hawthorne Grove, Carrickfergus	2
	Trinity	Gardenmore Place, Larne	14
	Triangle	Carn Way, New Mossley	5
2005/06	Fold	Barn Halt Cottages, Carrickfergus	26
2006/07	BIH	1-3 Victoria Street, Carrickfergus	5

(ii) Provision has been made in the current 5 year Social Housing Development Programme for the following schemes:

20 units for the elderly in 2011/12 at Cashel Drive and Devenish Road Monkstown

22 units in 2007/08 at Green Walk, in the Rathcoole/Rushpark/Rathfern area of Newtownabbey

18 units in 2010/11 at Rathcoole Gardens, Rathcoole.

No schemes are currently programmed for New Mossley over the next five years. The position will be reviewed annually.

Three general needs schemes containing a total of 34 units are currently programmed for Carrickfergus over the next five years.

No schemes are currently programmed for Whitehead and Larne. Should sites become available additional schemes will be added to the later years of the programme provided sufficient funding is available.

Should sites become available in the Rathcoole/Rushpark/Rathfern area, Carrickfergus Whitehead or Larne additional schemes will be added to the later years of the programme, provided sufficient funding is available.

Housing Executive Development Programme

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to encourage the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to earmark sites in Monkstown as suitable locations for dwellings to enable senior citizens to remain within that community and release current housing stock so as to reduce the waiting list.

(AQW 2291/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Two schemes for the elderly at Cashel Drive and Devenish Road are included in the current development programme for 2011/12. The Housing Executive is also investigating the potential for developing sites within New Mossley and Monkstown estates, but these sites will be subject to PPS8 Planning Policy.

Review of Public Administration

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Development to give her assessment of the functions of her department that will be transferred to local government under current proposals on the Review of Public Administration.

(AQO 1088/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Under the current RPA proposals, my Department will transfer delivery of urban regeneration and local community development functions to local government. This amounts to almost three quarters of what is transferring to local government and carries a sizeable budget. Furthermore, these functions will contribute significantly to the development and implementation of the community planning process, playing a central role in fulfilling the shared vision for strong local government.

Shared Future Housing Schemes

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an update on the introduction of shared future housing schemes.

(AQO 1072/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The residents of the first Shared Future social housing project at Carran Crescent in Enniskillen have settled in and are developing a Shared Neighbourhood Programme and I intend to visit this project in the near future.

The second scheme will be located in Loughbrickland on land currently owned by the Housing Executive and Ulidia Housing Association is progressing design options. The scheme is currently programmed to go on site in 2008/09.

Two further potential sites have been identified in Banbridge and Magherafelt and further opportunities will continue to be explored.

Social Housing

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the system used for the registration of potential social housing opportunities on behalf of Housing Associations, including the criteria that is applied; and to confirm whether or not land can be registered for social housing without the agreement of developers or owners of the site.

(AQO 1006/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In order to progress a potential social housing opportunity a Housing Association must first register the site with the Housing Executive. To do so, it must have prior confirmation from the Housing Executive’s Area Planner that there is a specific housing need in the area and provide a timetable for development. It is a requirement of registration that the Housing Association must have the agreement of the vendor and is required to certify to that effect. A second request for registration of the same site would not be permitted unless for whatever reason the first registration was withdrawn. This system prevents Associations competing against each other for the same site.

Social Housing

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to address the chronic social housing shortage in North Lurgan.

(AQO 1136/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The current five year Social Housing Development Programme makes provision for five schemes totalling 66 units in North Lurgan. The programme is in the process of being rolled forward and the new five year Development Programme will issue in January 2008.

Homelessness

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister for Social Development to give her assessment of the provisions of the draft Budget in relation to addressing homelessness.

(AQO 1080/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department faces a shortfall in funding for the Social Housing Development Programme over the next three years under the proposed allocations in the draft Investment Strategy. Existing commitments carried forward to next year could mean the proposed capital allocations may not allow for any new starts next year. The fact is that the aspiration of providing up to 10,000 new homes over the next five years cannot be delivered within the proposed allocation. This could lead to significant increases in the number of people accepted as homeless on the waiting list.

As I have often said I need the support of my Ministerial colleagues to ensure a sufficient budget is provided to tackle the scourge of homelessness. I for my part will be addressing the question of additional land sales but I must have a guarantee of retention of these receipts for the Housing Budget from the Minister for Finance and Personnel.

Sale of Potential Housing Development Sites

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how many potential housing development sites have been sold by NIHE in the Carrickfergus Borough Council area, in the last five years.

(AQO 1082/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has sold no sites in the Carrickfergus Borough Council area in the last five years, however one at Oakfield Drive has just been placed on the market for sale.

Meetings with Private Developers

Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Social Development to report on any meetings held with private developers in relation to land owned by the department in the West Belfast constituency, in the last twelve months.

(AQO 1140/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Since taking up appointment as Minister for Social Development, I have had one meeting with a private sector developer in relation to their interest in redeveloping the site of the former Andersonstown Barracks in West Belfast.

My officials in Belfast City Centre Regeneration Directorate and the Belfast Regeneration Office together with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive meet regularly with private sector developers, property developers and representatives of development companies in respect of land owned by the Department and privately owned land scheduled for development in the line of their everyday work.

Co-Ownership Housing

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development for an assessment of how the Executive's draft budget will provide the resources to meet the demand for co-ownership housing.

(AQO 1084/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have already highlighted to the Social Development Committee the very significant shortfall in Capital funding over the next 3 years. The draft budget creates a huge deficit across all Housing areas and some hard choices will have to be made on how best to use the money available.

Social Security Agency Workforce

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Social Development what is her assessment of the impact on the delivery of services by her Department in relation to proposals to make 40% cuts to the current workforce in the Social Security Agency.

(AQO 1145/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Social Security Agency does not have to make cuts of 40% to the current workforce. This figure was based on the headcount reductions required by Budget 2004 of 13 % coupled with an initial response to Budget 2007 equating to a further 27% reduction. However indications are that the Agency will be able to reduce the impact in the current budget to around 14% as a result of indicative allocations.

The Agency faces a very challenging period but is committed to maintaining the quality of its frontline services and driving out efficiencies that will not detriment its customers.

Enterprise Park at Pomeroy

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Social Development to provide details of the proposed development of an Enterprise Park at Pomeroy, led by Pomeroy Community Developments.

(AQO 1078/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The proposed Enterprise Park at Pomeroy is the Core Project of a CRISP scheme. The park will provide over 13,000 square feet of workspace on a site being purchased from the Forest Service. With a total cost of approximately £1.2 million, it is being funded by DSD, IFI, DETI and Pomeroy Development Projects Ltd. My Department has recently issued its Contract for Funding and it is hoped that the development will be under way early in the new year.

Economy 7 Tariff

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development for her views on the 14% increase in the Economy 7 tariff recently imposed by NIE.

(AQO 1089/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I am very disappointed at the recent price increase announced by Northern Ireland Electricity. This will affect around 5% of households who use Economy 7 as their main form of heating. I recently met Northern Ireland Electricity and urged them to do more to minimise the impact of this increase on the fuel poor.

Social Housing

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development to outline her plans to make available land owned by her department for the purpose of social housing, or affordable housing, developments.

(AQO 1079/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The issue of the disposal of surplus land is under consideration and no decisions have been made at this stage. As you will be aware from previous statements that I have made, I have commissioned a review to see how my Department can maximise the value of existing land we hold, how to ensure the receipts from our sold assets go back into housing and generally how to provide for future needs. The Review will also explore how to maximise opportunities for private sector developers to plan, deliver and fund projects for housing and regeneration and how a more holistic approach to planning can be achieved.

Markets Development Agency

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the level of funding allocated to the Markets Development Agency for each of the last three years.

(AQO 1024/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Over the past three years the Belfast Regeneration Office has funded the posts of Community Development Officer and Administrator/Development Support Worker in the Markets Development Association through its Neighbourhood Renewal (NR) and Making Belfast Work (MBW) programmes. In the financial year 2004/2005 this totalled £27,978.75, in the financial year 2005/2006 it totalled £44,700.44, and in the financial year 2006/2007 funding of £46,025.54 was provided.

Assembly Commission

Paper Used in the Assembly

Mr W Clarke asked the Assembly Commission to detail the amount of paper that has been used in the running of the Assembly since the restoration of devolution on 8 May 2007.

(AQW 1797/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): Since 8 May 2007 the amount of paper which has been used in the running of the Assembly is as follows :

7,525 Reams of white plain paper
370 Reams of Assembly crested and continuation cream coloured paper
2,546 Reams on Assembly publications such as the Official Report, Written Answers Booklet, Committee reports, draft Equality Scheme.
56 ad hoc jobs such as passes, business cards, Christmas cards, Speaker’s invitation cards, education programme materials. Figures are not available for the quantity of paper used.

There are 500 A4 sized sheets per ream of paper.

You may be interested to know that the contract for Printing, Publishing and Related Services expires in March 2009 and that a root and branch review of printing requirements will be carried out early next year to inform the tender specification.

Year	Annual Allocations*
	Larne District	Carrickfergus District	Newtownabbey District
March 2003	208	262	418
March 2004	213	236	423
March 2005	180	218	359
March 2006	154	191	289
March 2007	155	166	313