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 25 January 2008
Written Answers to Questions
Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
Corrigenda
OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
Foreign Nationals
Mrs I Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the responsibility it has in relation to monitoring the number of foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 2310/08)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): Immigration and related issues are excepted matters [under the Northern Ireland Act 1998] and responsibility rests with the Home Office. OFMDFM has no formal responsibility for monitoring the numbers of foreign nationals that reside here.
The Office recognises, however, the importance of figures for the number of people coming to live and work here for planning and policy making. Accordingly the Office works closely with the DE, DEL, DHSSPS, DETI and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (and the Home Office among others) to ensure that we consider all of the relevant statistical information available.
Backlog of Planning Appeals
Mr C Boylan asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to deal with the backlog of planning appeals.
(AQW 2856/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Planning appeals are decided by the Planning Appeals Commission, a Non Departmental Public Body which is sponsored by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Your question has therefore been re-directed from Department of Environment to OFMDFM for response. Given the independent tribunal status of the Planning Appeals Commission, it is appropriate for its Chief Commissioner to provide a response directly to you, and we understand she has written to you in the following terms:
"The Commission deals with the backlog of appeals on an ongoing basis. At 31 December 2007 the backlog was 3,208 and our projected output for the current financial year is 1,117. Future clearance rates will depend on Commissioner complement and the level of referred work from Planning Service, particularly in relation to Area Plans. The above figures do not make allowances for the future intake of appeals, which is approximately 140 per month.
The Commission made a bid for additional resources in December 2006 and provision has been made in the Draft Budget 2008-2011 for extra funding. Once confirmed the Commission aims to be in a position to secure additional Commissioner resources to further address the backlog.
I would be happy to provide any further information you require arising out of this response or to meet with you to discuss the matter if that would be more suitable."
OFMDFM is fully committed to providing the Commission with the resources required to address the appeals backlog. The additional funding allocations for PAC in the Draft Budget 2008-2011 will provide the Chief Commissioner with the funding certainty to enable her to recruit additional commissioners. This additional funding has the potential to fund a significant number of additional commissioners, although the actual number to be appointed will be for the Chief Commissioner to determine, taking account of the Commission’s capacity to manage a greatly increased complement and also subject to the availability of suitable people from within a limited and specialised market. Arrangements are already under way to deliver a competition for commissioners.
We have recently made a number of appointments to the Commission
Bill of Rights
Mr D McNarry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to clarify its position on a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights.
(AQO 1294/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Human Rights Commission will report directly to the Secretary of State in the development of proposals on a Bill of Rights. We look forward to considering these proposals once they become known.
Investment Conference
Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm whether or not areas such as Ballymoney, Ballymena and Ballycastle will benefit economically, following the recent visit to the United States of America, and as a result of the proposed investment conference in May 2008.
(AQO 1447/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: One of the key aims of this Executive is to promote and facilitate economic growth, across all areas, including of course Ballymoney, Ballymena and Ballycastle. In particular, we are determined that the investment in our networks and roads infrastructure will increase the attractiveness of the wider region as a destination for business investment and will enhance the competitiveness of businesses based outside the Greater Belfast area. The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment will also take the lead in encouraging economic growth through a range of policies supported by other Ministers.
Our visit to the US at the invitation of President Bush before Christmas received a very positive reaction. As well as an extensive range of meetings with politicians and the media, we met with over 150 Chief Executives of companies in the financial services, information technology and manufacturing sectors. They were all very supportive of our new message that we are open for business and good for business. We made many new friends and potential business partners during the visit and we look forward to them visiting us and investing with us, for the benefit of all our constituencies.
Further follow up with a targeted group of US companies is now taking place with a view to confirming their attendance at the Investment Conference planned for May.
Central Consultation Register
Mr P Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what monitoring measures are in place to ensure that all consultations by Northern Ireland departments are listed on the central consultation register.
(AQO 1448/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The original purpose of the Central Consultation website was to create a central register for the public to access consultations carried out by public authorities. The reality is that NICS departments use their own web-sites to convey such information, and the register is rarely used by other public authorities outside the departmental network. Consequently, we intend to cease the use of the database with effect from 1 April 2008.
Our Department will develop a consultation zone as part of our website to ensure that the public is aware of proposed OFMDFM consultations. This is in line with the arrangements other departments have put in place.
Victims' Commissioner
Mr A Maginness asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the recruitment of a Victims' Commissioner.
(AQO 1378/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The appointments process is now reaching completion and we hope to make an announcement shortly.
Budget and Aministration of the Children's Fund
Mr T Burns asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline how the budget for the Children's Fund will proceed; and to detail how the Fund will be administered post 8 May 2008.
(AQO 1451/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: As we have stated in our earlier answers to the questions from Ms Hanna and Mrs Bradley, all allocations in respect of the Priority Funding Packages initiated by Direct Rule Ministers and other ring-fenced items have been removed from departmental baselines.
This was on the basis that if the individual projects supported are considered to be of significant value then the funding stream should be in the departments’ programmes, rather than continuing to be managed through central funds.
The Children and Young People’s Funding Package was announced in March 2006 and was for a period of 2 years. This package therefore no longer exists beyond March 2008.
Over the last number of months the Junior Ministers have been undertaking a series of meetings to make the case for significant funding for children’s services in pre-budget discussions and have succeeded in securing an allocation of £26 million to the departments of Education, Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Culture, Arts and Leisure to facilitate the continuation of projects previously funded by the Children and Young People’s funding package in addition to a range of mainstream programmes.
Junior Ministers will continue to urge ministerial colleagues to mainstream and protect funding for children and young people within their departmental budgets.
Community Confidence Building Measures Pre-Devolution
Mr D Burnside asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to provide community confidence building measures, prior to the devolution of justice and policing powers.
(AQO 1264/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: It will be a matter for the political parties to decide when the circumstances exist for the Assembly to request the devolution of justice and policing.
Programme for Government
Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the outcomes and baselines to be used to measure the effectiveness of the programme to improve societal relations, as mentioned in PSA 7, Objective 5 in Annex 1 to the draft Programme for Government 2008-11.
(AQO 1445/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: A robust monitoring tool – the Good Relations Indicators Baseline Report published in January 2007 – provides the core measurements against a range of indicators to assess the impact of work being undertaken at central and local level to improve societal relations. The indicators referred to above will support monitoring progress against targets and outcomes and this process will be an integral part of detailed proposals for a programme of cohesion and integration which will be brought forward by OFMDFM shortly.
Gender Equality Unit
Ms J McCann asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what steps it will take to ensure that the Gender Equality Unit will be appropriately resourced and financed in order to carry out its aims and objectives.
(AQO 1446/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: This Unit is part of the Equality, Rights and Social Need Division of OFMDFM. In November 2007 the capacity of the Unit was increased at middle management level to specifically address Gender Equality issues. OFMDFM are committed to ensuring sufficient resources to work towards our agreed aim of eliminating remaining gender inequalities.
Victims' Commissioner
Mr D Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to make a statement on the appointment of a Victims' Commissioner.
(AQO 1357/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We hope to make an announcement shortly.
Commissioner for Older People
Mr M Brady asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the terms of reference and employment criteria for the new Commissioner for Older People; and to provide a timetable for this appointment.
(AQO 1454/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: On 18th December 2007 we announced our intention in principle to establish an Office of a Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland. The terms of reference and employment criteria have not yet been finalised.
The establishment of an Older People’s Commissioner will require appropriate legislation to specify the powers and duties of the office. We intend to consult further before bringing forward such legislation.
Only after the legislation is in place can we proceed to make an appointment with criteria which will reflect the agreed statutory remit.
The appointment is a key priority for OFMDFM. The legislative process will take some time to complete and we are currently looking at proposals for an interim arrangement.
Commissioner for Older People
Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the timetable for the appointment of an Older People's Commissioner.
(AQO 1293/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: On 18th December 2007 we announced our intention to establish an Office of a Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland.
The establishment of an Older Peoples Commissioner will require appropriate legislation to specify the powers and duties of the office. We intend to consult further before bringing forward such legislation.
Only after the legislation is in place can we proceed to make an appointment with criteria which will reflect the agreed statutory remit.
The appointment is a key priority for OFMDFM. The legislative process will take some time to complete and we are currently looking at proposals for an interim arrangement.
Programme for Government
Ms A Lo asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the methodology behind the production of the draft Programme for Government.
(AQO 1442/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: On 25 May the Executive agreed the focus and overall approach to the development of the Programme for Government for 2008-2011. The Executive decided that the PfG should be a more strategically focused document, identifying the key high level priorities for the Executive and supported by a framework of cross-cutting, rather than departmental, Public Service Agreements (PSAs). To further ensure a strategic focus and a clear direction, the Executive agreed that the PfG should operate on a three-year timeframe to be reviewed annually, with closer integration across the PfG, Budget and Investment Strategy.
In line with the Executive’s decision, officials in OFMDFM and DFP engaged with departments over the summer to clarify thinking on priorities and identify areas where associated Public Service Agreements might be appropriately developed.
Informed by that work, on 6 September, Executive Ministers met to discuss and agree the key strategic priorities and actions for inclusion in the Programme for Government. Work was then taken forward, as agreed by all Executive Ministers, to develop a draft Programme for Government and Public Service Agreement Framework for formal consideration by the Executive.
On 27 September, the Executive considered a draft text of the Programme for Government which had been developed in consultation with departments. On 8 October, the Executive also considered the draft Public Service Agreement Framework, which had been developed following extensive engagement with departments.
Both documents were subsequently refined and developed in consultation with departments and Ministers. On 23 October, the Executive unanimously agreed the final text of the draft Programme for Government and the associated Public Service Agreement Framework, which forms an Annex to it, for publication. The draft Programme for Government was subsequently launched on 25 October in conjunction with the draft Budget and draft Investment Strategy.
Creation of a Shared Future
Mr D Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what its assessment is of the creation of a shared future in relation to the draft Public Service Agreements of the draft Programme for Government.
(AQO 1441/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The draft Programme for Government states that we must continue to address the divisions within our society and has been developed with a focus on addressing the key challenges and seizing the opportunities to deliver a shared and better future. Progress has been made but sectarianism, racism and intolerance are still too evident. They mar our reputation, blight our economic prospects and have a corrosive effect on our society.
As stated previously we are currently working on detailed proposals for a programme of cohesion and integration to promote the interests of the whole community towards the goal of a shared and better future and a prosperous, peaceful and settled society. It is a key priority of the Executive to dramatically increase budgets to resource work to achieve these objectives.
We will bring forward these proposals for consideration to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in the immediate future. Key objectives, actions and targets will be developed in the context of these proposals.
Endorsement of Shared Future Policy
Mr J Dallat asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm whether or not it endorses the Shared Future policy.
(AQO 1453/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: A Shared Future policy and strategic framework for good relations for Northern Ireland is an inherited policy from the previous administration. However, as stated previously, we are fully committed to promoting the interests of the whole community towards the goal of a shared and better future and a prosperous, peaceful and settled society.
Therefore, it is a key priority of the Executive to dramatically increase budgets in order to resource these objectives. Having considered progress made, we are currently working on detailed proposals for a programme of cohesion and integration, which we will bring forward to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for consideration. Key objectives, actions and targets will be developed in the context of these proposals.
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Rural Development Fund
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide the figures, in percentage terms, of the financial input to the Rural Development Fund by (i) the Treasury; (ii) the European Union; and (iii) the Northern Ireland farming industry.
(AQW 2693/08)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew):
The expected financial input to the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is as follows:
Northern Ireland Executive (Treasury) |
52.3% |
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EU) |
11.5% |
Compulsory and Voluntary Modulation (NI Farming Industry) |
36.2% |
Financial input is subject to the finalisation of the Comprehensive Spending Review and exchange rate fluctuations.
Rural Development Fund 2007-2013
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the level of funding that will be made available, under the Rural Development Fund 2007-2013, to assist the development of rural businesses.
(AQW 2695/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 contains several measures intended to target rural business. Axis 1 of the programme is aimed at improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry through support for restructuring, development and innovation, while Axis 3 is designed to improve the quality of life in rural areas and encourage diversification in economic activity.
There are four measures in Axis 1 to assist the development of the rural business sector. Their main target groups are the farmer and farm family together with micro-, small, medium and intermediate enterprises. The total budget for the four measures in Axis 1 is £45.7 million. The measures are: vocational training and information actions; adding value to agricultural and forestry products; the modernisation of agricultural holdings; and the supply chain development programme.
Axis 3 of the programme includes measures to promote diversification into non-agricultural activities, and support for business creation and development. The former aims to help farm households diversify into non-agricultural activities and, as a consequence, maintain or increase their income and create employment opportunities, while the latter is designed to create employment opportunities through promoting entrepreneurship and developing economic infrastructure in rural areas by providing support to existing micro-enterprises or to persons wishing to set up a new micro-enterprise in a non-agricultural sector. A further relevant measure focuses on the encouragement of tourism activities in rural areas, including tourism-related businesses.
A financial overview of the measures is contained in the appended table. In the case of the Axis 3 funding, the exact breakdown will be decided by the local action groups constituted to deliver the programme, and the figures are estimates.
Measure |
Title |
Available funds in millions of pounds |
1.1 |
Vocational Training and Information Actions |
8.4 |
1.2 |
Adding Value to Agricultural and Forestry Products and Improving Marketing Capability |
23.6 |
1.3 |
Modernisation of Agricultural Holdings |
10.9 |
1.4 |
Supply Chain Development Programme |
2.8 |
3.1 |
Diversification into Non-agricultural Activities |
20 |
3.2 |
Support for Business Creation and Development |
20 |
3.3 |
Encouragement of Tourism Activities |
12 |
Total |
97.7 |
|
Removal of Hedges
Mr J Wells asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of applications that have been (a) received ; and (b) approved, in relation to the removal of hedges under the cross-compliance regulations.
(AQW 2729/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Since January 2005 Countryside Management Branch, DARD have carried out 728 farm visits to assess field boundaries as required as part of Cross Compliance.
982 field boundaries (predominately hedges but also stone walls, rows of trees and open sheughs) have been assessed.
743 field boundary removal approvals have been issued.
Use of Battery Cages for Hens
Mr J Wells asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline her plans to phase out the use of battery cages for hens.
(AQW 2731/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Under the Welfare of Farmed Animals (NI) Regulations 2002, ‘unenriched’ or ‘battery’ cages will be banned from 2012. From January 2003, it has been illegal for producers to bring such cage systems into use for the first time.
All poultry keepers should be acquainted with the DARD Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Laying Hens, which sets out that hens should not be kept in such cages from 1 January 2012. The Code was sent to all flock keepers in 2005 and is available on the DARD internet site. Further publicity is planned.
I welcome the recent publication of the EU Commission’s long-awaited Report on the welfare of laying hens, which recommends that this deadline should be maintained. I am committed to meeting this deadline, which has received significant public support and will clearly improve animal welfare.
I have asked my officials to give careful consideration to the EU Report, and its likely impact on local egg industry. My Department will of course, work closely with industry to ensure compliance of the legislation.
Dangerous Dogs Legislation
Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in relation to her review of the dangerous dogs legislation, whether or not she has requested and secured a meeteing with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
(AQW 2754/08)
Ms M Gildernew: In my statement to the Assembly on 20 November, I announced a review of dangerous dogs and dog fighting legislation.
As enforcement of the legislation is crucial to this review and many of the issues that have been raised to date are about public safety, there have been calls for the PSNI to have a greater role in enforcement of dog control legislation.
I therefore wrote to the Chief Constable on 31 October 2007 to request a meeting to discuss the role of the PSNI in enforcement of dog control and dangerous dogs legislation. As a result, I met senior PSNI representatives on Tuesday 22 January. I will now take time to consider the outcome of this meeting as part of my wide-ranging review.
Biodiversity Action Plan 2010
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether or not her department will meet the targets of the Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 in relation to (i) maintaining the extent of 8380 hectares of native woodland; (ii) the restoration of 180 hectares of planted ancient woodland; and (iii) the expansion of woodland by 460 hectares.
(AQW 2801/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The targets to which you refer correspond to targets in Habitat Action Plans (HAP) for Upland Oakwoods, Mixed Ashwoods and Wet Woodland published by the Department of Environment in 2003. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has shared responsibility for delivering HAP targets in conjunction with other Government Departments under the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy. Significant contributions to targets in relation to woodland biodiversity are delivered by DARD through the activities of Countryside Management Branch and the Forest Service agency.
The target to maintain 8380 hectares of native woodland was reported at UK level as having been achieved in 2005, based on a partial survey by the Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of Environment. Results of the current Northern Ireland Countryside Survey will assist in providing an estimate of the extent to which the target will be achieved in 2010. However I am confident that this target will be achieved.
The target to restore 180 hectares of planted ancient woodland by 2010 is likely to be met through the Forest Service’s Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites Restoration Strategy. By 2006, restoration had commenced on a number sites with a total area of 146 hectares. The strategy has identified a number of candidate restoration areas and it is likely that the target of 180 hectares will be achieved by 2010.
The target to expand the area of native woodland by 460 hectares has already been exceeded. Since the launch of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy in September 2002, up to 2006, Forest Service has contributed to an estimated increase in the area of native woodland of 755 hectares, through Forest Service planting and by supporting private landowners to plant native woodland under the Woodland Grant Scheme.
Knock-Na-Moe Bungalows Area of Killyclogher
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that she is giving immediate priority to major drainage improvement works in the Knock-Na-Moe bungalows area of Killyclogher, Co. Tyrone in order to avoid future flooding of property at this site.
(AQW 2804/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The culverted section of the watercourse known as the Killyclogher Burn Branch B affecting the Knock-Na-Moe Bungalows is to be surveyed to determine the extent of any defects. The survey is expected to be complete by mid February 2008. Any remedial works identified from the survey will be assessed and prioritised in the Rivers Agency works programme.
Tuberculosis; Brucellosis and Johne's Disease in Cattle
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of cases of (i) tuberculosis; (ii) brucellosis; and (iii) Johne's Disease in cattle, by parliamentary constituency, in each of the last 4 years.
(AQW 2819/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Department does not hold this information on the basis of parliamentary constituency but on the basis of Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO) areas. This information can be found below.
Number of cases 2004 |
|||
Division |
Brucellosis |
TB |
Johnes |
Armagh |
17 |
186 |
5 |
Ballymena |
1 |
143 |
3 |
Coleraine |
1 |
339 |
2 |
Dungannon |
6 |
296 |
1 |
Enniskillen |
49 |
319 |
1 |
Larne |
8 |
113 |
4 |
Londonderry |
1 |
36 |
0 |
Newry |
18 |
285 |
6 |
Newtownards |
10 |
270 |
2 |
Omagh |
14 |
337 |
0 |
125 |
2324 |
24 |
|
Number of cases 2005 |
|||
Division |
Brucellosis |
TB |
Johnes |
Armagh |
6 |
155 |
2 |
Ballymena |
3 |
105 |
3 |
Coleraine |
5 |
258 |
2 |
Dungannon |
7 |
256 |
2 |
Enniskillen |
28 |
217 |
4 |
Larne |
6 |
83 |
2 |
Londonderry |
2 |
53 |
0 |
Newry |
18 |
241 |
5 |
Newtownards |
3 |
205 |
7 |
Omagh |
10 |
219 |
0 |
88 |
1792 |
31** |
|
Number of cases 2006 |
|||
Division |
Brucellosis |
TB |
Johnes |
Armagh |
44 |
164 |
5 |
Ballymena |
1 |
82 |
1 |
Coleraine |
8 |
172 |
6 |
Dungannon |
3 |
172 |
3 |
Enniskillen |
19 |
199 |
2 |
Larne |
4 |
76 |
3 |
Londonderry |
0 |
60 |
0 |
Newry |
26 |
244 |
7 |
Newtownards |
8 |
189 |
5 |
Omagh |
5 |
155 |
2 |
118 |
1513 |
38** |
|
Number of cases 2007 (*to end November) |
|||
Division |
Brucellosis* |
TB* |
Johnes |
Armagh |
39 |
128 |
4 |
Ballymena |
3 |
65 |
1 |
Coleraine |
7 |
123 |
4 |
Dungannon |
9 |
138 |
6 |
Enniskillen |
15 |
152 |
4 |
Larne |
7 |
39 |
1 |
Londonderry |
2 |
28 |
5 |
Newry |
36 |
191 |
8 |
Newtownards |
5 |
147 |
3 |
Omagh |
4 |
129 |
14 |
127 |
1140 |
56** |
|
Note: ** in the Johnes total indicates that there are cases where the information submitted is not sufficient to be certain that they have been allocated to the correct DVO.
For Tuberculosis and Brucellosis the number of cases reflects the number of herds that have had at least one reactor (animal) in an official test and no other reactors in the previous 12 months. The number of Johnes cases is based on the number confirmed laboratory submissions.
Single Farm Payments
Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether or not the movement from Single Farm Payments to area payments will take place before 2013, following the proposals regarding the Common Agricultural Policy 'Health Check'.
(AQW 2858/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Health Check process is at a very early stage. The EU Commission’s communication document of 20 November 2007 contains a suggestion that Member States may be allowed to move towards a flatter rate of SFP during the period 2009-2013. I would stress that this is simply an option that is being mooted and is not being proposed as a requirement.
If such an option was provided in the final agreement on the CAP Health Check, which is not anticipated until late 2008, I would need to consult widely with stakeholders thereafter before making any decision.
Closure of Local Departmental Offices
Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in light of the proposals to close 23 of the existing 33 local Departmental offices, (i) to confirm the locations of the 23 offices that are being considered for closure; (ii) to detail her reasons for considering such proposals.
(AQW 2863/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Currently no decisions have been taken on the location of DARD Direct offices and which local Departmental offices will close. My officials have recently completed a pre-consultation exercise with key stakeholders and section 75 groups. They are currently preparing a report on the outcome for the Agriculture Committee. Following this, a full EQIA/public consultation on the DARD Direct roll out proposals will be undertaken. It is only when this process has been completed that I will be in a position to confirm the location of DARD Direct offices and which local Departmental offices will then close. The only exception to this is Inishkeen House, Enniskillen, as it has already been modified to test the new DARD Direct service delivery model, and the Lisnaskea and Irvinestown sub offices have already closed.
The reasons for considering such proposals follow the successful piloting and positive evaluation of DARD Direct. Independent feedback on the Inishkeen House pilot was very good with farmers welcoming the new approach to customer service. DARD Direct is a new way of working that aims to provide a ‘one stop shop’ service to our customers and it is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our services. It also aims to provide more choice in how, when and where customers access our services and it will provide a better service to our customers.
'Chicken Litter' Power Plant in Glenavy
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any discussions her department has had with (i) Rose Energy; (ii) Moy Park; and (iii) O'Kane's Poultry, in relation to the proposed 'Chicken Litter' power plant in Glenavy.
(AQW 3066/08)
Ms M Gildernew: An Expert Group on Alternative Uses of Manures (EGAUM) was established by DARD in March 2005 to examine alternatives to landspreading of manures. The Northern Ireland Poultry Federation was represented on this group.
In March 2006 the Group concluded its work and made recommendations to the DARD Minister. In respect of the poultry industry, the group reviewed and endorsed the technical approach proposed by Rose Energy to develop a single poultry-litter fired generator.
In November 2007, DARD officials attended a meeting with a delegation from Rose Energy hosted by Ministers Dodds and Foster. Officials from DETI, InvestNI, DOE, DARD, EHS and Planning Service also attended. Representatives from Rose Energy outlined their project proposal and progress to date
CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
National Sports Stadium
Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to give a timescale within which he will make public his recommendations on the venue for the new National Sports Stadium.
(AQW 2826/08)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): My Department is currently reviewing the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the proposed Multi-Sports Stadium. I expect this to be completed within the next week, after which the OBC will be passed to the Department of Finance and Personnel for the normal scrutiny and approval process. I would expect to bring the OBC to the CAL Committee when my colleague, Minister Robinson has had an opportunity to review it.
Gaelicising the Names of Members
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether or not the practice by Sinn Fein of gaelicising the names of Members from a Unionist background, during exchanges in the Assembly, contributed to his conclusion that an Irish Language Act could prove divisive.
(AQW 2857/08)
Mr E Poots: Gaelicising the names of members from a unionist background during exchanges in the Assembly did not influence my approach to handling the issue of an Irish Language Act. This is a matter for the Speaker and Standing Orders. However such incidents do not assist in developing the language in a depoliticised manner.
Edwin Poots MLA
Public Money Paid to the Ulster Branch of the IRFU
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to the answer to AQW 2483/08, to detail (i) the amount of public money paid to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union for building projects at Ravenhill; (ii) the date each project was undertaken; (iii) the companies involved, and the amount of money each received; and (iv) any conditions that were attached to these projects, for the financial years (a) 2000-2001; and (b) 2001-2002.
(AQW 2928/08)
Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. The table below details the public money provided to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) for building projects at Ravenhill over the financial years 1999/00, 2000/01 and 2002/02, and the main contractors in each case:-
Year |
Amount |
Date of SNI Offer |
Main Contractor |
1999/00 |
£100,784 Lottery funding |
9/7/99 |
HJ O’Boyle Ltd |
2000/01 |
£25,000 Exchequer funding |
27/11/00 |
Pulse AV & Design & Construction |
2001/02 |
- |
All of these projects were required to satisfy accountability and value for money requirements of public funding.
Edwin Poots MLA
Motocross Events
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2651/08, to confirm (i) the date of the Board meeting at which the decision was taken to go to contract for the Motocross events; (ii) if the minutes of the Board's discussion of this decision are available; (iii) the date on which the acting CEO signed the contract with Youthstream; (iv) the date on which the acting CEO finalised contracts with Guiseppe Luongo of Motocross; and (v) if his department was aware that the Northern Ireland Events Company was entering into these contracts.
(AQW 2947/08)
Mr E Poots: I have been informed by the Northern Ireland Events Company that the decision to go to contract for the Motocross events was not put to a Board meeting, but that a Paper was circulated to Board Members for verbal comment.
I have further been informed by the Company that its Acting Chief Executive signed the contracts with Youthstream on 12 September 2007 and that Youthstream then signed the contracts on 28 October 2007.
The Department was not aware that the Northern Ireland Events Company had entered into these contracts, but was aware that the Company had been negotiating to bring the Motocross of Nations to Northern Ireland.
Internal governance and control arrangements with the Company and between the Company and the Department is subject to review, as are a number of related matters surrounding the deficit accumulated by the Northern Ireland Events Company.
In my statement to the Assembly on 26 November 2007 I said that I would report back to the House at the earliest opportunity on the findings of this review. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further in detail until his review is completed.
Edwin Poots MLA
Northern Ireland Events Company
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the number of suppliers of the Northern Ireland Events Company that are currently taking legal action against the company over unpaid debts; (ii) the number of debtors that have not been paid since he announced that all outstanding monies would be covered by his department; and (iii) the total sum of money owed by the Northern Ireland Events Company.
(AQW 2948/08)
Mr E Poots: I have been informed by the Northern Ireland Events Company that one supplier is currently taking legal action against the Company over unpaid debts.
In my statement to the Assembly on 26 November 2007, I said that I was commissioning an independent review of all the circumstances surrounding the deficit accumulated by the Northern Ireland Events Company and that I would report back to the House at the earliest opportunity on the findings of this review. This review will include an assessment of the number of creditors and the amount of money owed by the Company.
I am sure the Member will agree that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further in detail until this review is complete.
Edwin Poots MLA
N.I. Events Company
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm whether or not his department received monthly accounts from the Northern Ireland Events Company, on the date they were due, for (i) September 2006; (ii) October 2006; (iii) November 2006; (iv) December 2006; and (v) January 2007; and, if they were not received by the due dates, what action did his department take to obtain the relevant accounts.
(AQW 2949/08)
Mr E Poots: The Department did not receive monthly accounts from the Northern Ireland Events Company.
Accountability arrangements between the Department and the Northern Ireland Events Company is one of the subjects being considered in the independent review of all the circumstances surrounding the deficit accumulated by the Northern Ireland Events Company.
In my statement to the Assembly on 26 November 2007 I said that I would report back to the House at the earliest opportunity on the findings of this review. I am sure the Member will agree that it would be
inappropriate for me to comment further in detail until this review is complete
Edwin Poots MLA
Tennis Legends Event
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2411/08, to (i) detail the amount of money the Northern Ireland Events Company invested in the Tennis Legends event, which was contracted into after 20 September 2007; (ii) confirm whether or not his department was aware of this contract; and (iii) confirm whether or not his department gave approval to the event.
(AQW 3055/08)
Mr E Poots: The Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) invested up to £40,000 in the Tennis Legends event under the NIEC Branding scheme. NIEC had issued a letter of offer to Tennis Legends on 20th June 2007 which was accepted. NIEC sought approval from the Department in October 2007 to officially sign the contract. This approval was given on the basis that there was a legal obligation on NIEC to honour its agreement with Tennis Legends. The Department reiterated to NIEC that no further funding commitments should be undertaken without prior Departmental approval.
EDUCATION
Special Schools
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Education to provide a list of special schools that cater for the needs of children who have severe and profound hearing impairment.
(AQW 2768/08)
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Special schools that currently cater for the needs of children who have severe and profound hearing impairment are as follows:-
Belfast Education and Library Board
Fleming Fulton
Glenveagh
Greenwood House
Harberton
Mitchell House
Oakwood
North Eastern Education and Library Board
Jordanstown
Kilronan
Riverside
Roddensvale
Rosstulla
Sandelford
Hillcroft
Castle Tower
South Eastern Education and Library Board
Clifton
Knockevin
Parkview
Tor Bank
Southern Education and Library Board
Rathore
Ceara
Donard
Lisanally
Sperrinview
Western Education and Library Board
Foyleview
Arvalee
Elmbrook
Public Private Partnership in Schools
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Education to detail the (i) names; and (ii) locations, of all schools, where a Public Private Partnership is being considered.
(AQW 2777/08)
Ms C Ruane: Details of schools which were announced in previous years to be taken forward through a Public Private Partnership and are currently at a PPP procurement stage are shown in the following table.
SCHOOLS |
LOCATION |
St Mary’s College St Cecilia’s College |
Derry Derry |
Lagan College Tor Bank Special School |
Castlereagh Dundonald |
St Patrick’s Grammar School Our Lady and St Patrick’s College St Mary’s Primary School St Joseph’s Primary School |
Downpatrick Knock, Belfast Portglenone Carryduff |
Ashfield Girls’ High School Belfast Boys’ Model School Belfast Model School for Girls Grosvenor Grammar School Orangefield Primary School |
Belfast Belfast Belfast Belfast Belfast |
Ballymoney High School Rainey Endowed School |
Ballymoney Magherafelt |
Holy Trinity College Loreto Grammar |
Cookstown Omagh |
Coleraine College had also been announced previously to be taken forward through a PPP project though the scheme was put on hold last year pending a further assessment of the project.
Details of schools which have been built and operated under Public Private Partnerships or are currently in the construction phase are shown in the table below.
SCHOOLS |
LOCATIONS |
Balmoral High School |
Belfast |
Wellington College |
Belfast |
Drumglass High School |
Dungannon |
St Genevieve’s High School |
Belfast |
Holy Cross College ( estimated completion autumn 2008 ) |
Strabane |
Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College (estimated completion spring 2008) Nendrum College (estimated completion date spring 2008 ) |
Bangor Comber |
Schools Built and Operated Under PPP
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Education to detail the (i) names; and (ii) locations, of all schools built and operated under Public Private Partnerships.
(AQW 2778/08)
Ms C Ruane: Details of schools which were announced in previous years to be taken forward through a Public Private Partnership and are currently at a PPP procurement stage are shown in the following table.
SCHOOLS |
LOCATION |
St Mary’s College St Cecilia’s College |
Derry Derry |
Lagan College Tor Bank Special School |
Castlereagh Dundonald |
St Patrick’s Grammar School Our Lady and St Patrick’s College St Mary’s Primary School St Joseph’s Primary School |
Downpatrick Knock, Belfast Portglenone Carryduff |
Ashfield Girls’ High School Belfast Boys’ Model School Belfast Model School for Girls Grosvenor Grammar School Orangefield Primary School |
Belfast Belfast Belfast Belfast Belfast |
Ballymoney High School Rainey Endowed School |
Ballymoney Magherafelt |
Holy Trinity College Loreto Grammar |
Cookstown Omagh |
Coleraine College had also been announced previously to be taken forward through a PPP project though the scheme was put on hold last year pending a further assessment of the project.
Details of schools which have been built and operated under Public Private Partnerships or are currently in the construction phase are shown in the table below.
SCHOOLS |
LOCATIONS |
Balmoral High School |
Belfast |
Wellington College |
Belfast |
Drumglass High School |
Dungannon |
St Genevieve’s High School |
Belfast |
Holy Cross College ( estimated completion autumn 2008 ) |
Strabane |
Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College (estimated completion spring 2008) Nendrum College (estimated completion date spring 2008 ) |
Bangor Comber |
Cost of Restructuring the School System
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education to detail the cost of restructuring the school system to accommodate transfer at 14 years, in terms of (i) capital investment; (ii) staff retraining and transfers; and (iii) transport and other ancillary costs; and whether or not she intends to publish these figures.
(AQW 2784/08)
Ms C Ruane: Implementation of the vision for new post-primary arrangements outlined on 4 December 2007 will require a certain amount of structural change, though the exact nature, and therefore cost, of that change can not be accurately predicted until area planning mechanisms are operational. The important point is that structural reform is required in any case due to the number of surplus places that exist across the schools’ estate, and it makes sense to design flexible new transfer arrangements that make full use of spare capacity in the first instance, and which are in harmony with curriculum reform and delivery of the Entitlement Framework.
Strategic Plan for Transfer at Age 14
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education whether or not she will immediately publish her detailed strategic plan for transfer at age 14.
(AQW 2785/08)
Ms C Ruane: Further detail on my proposals for new transfer arrangements will be made available once discussions with key education stakeholders are completed, and I have engaged with the Executive Committee and Education Committee.
Schools in Strangford that are Under Threat of Closure
Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Education to list the schools in the Strangford constituency that are under threat of closure.
(AQW 2794/08)
Ms C Ruane: There are currently no proposals with my Department for the closure of a school in the Strangford constituency.
Irish Medium Schools
Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of Irish medium schools that are (i) to open; and (ii) under consideration for opening, in the Strangford constituency.
(AQW 2796/08)
Ms C Ruane: There are no grant-aided Irish-medium schools opening, or proposals for new Irish-medium schools under consideration for opening, in the Strangford constituency.
Strangford Schools Applying for Integrated Status
Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Education to list the schools in the Strangford constituency that are currently applying for integrated status.
(AQW 2797/08)
Ms C Ruane: There are currently no proposals either to establish a new grant-maintained integrated school, or for transformation of an existing grant-aided school to integrated status, in the Strangford constituency.
Drugs and Alcohol Awareness in Schools
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Education to detail the resources she is directing towards drugs and alcohol awareness in schools and youth clubs.
(AQW 2837/08)
Ms C Ruane: Education and Library Boards receive funding as part of their overall block grant to enable them to employ drugs and alcohol education officers to provide training and support to teachers in delivering drugs and alcohol education as part of the Personal Development strand of the revised curriculum in schools. Additional funds have been provided to support the curriculum roll out which includes teacher training and guidance materials for the delivery of drugs and alcohol education. Funding is also provided to each of the five Education and Library Boards and the Youth Council to support youth provision which includes addressing drugs and alcohol awareness sessions for young people.
Ministerial Meetings
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education whether or not she has met with her counterpart in the Scottish Executive; and to detail what issues were discussed.
(AQW 2865/08)
Ms C Ruane: I travelled to Edinburgh on 12 December and met with Fiona Hyslop, the Education Minister for Scotland. We discussed the following issues –
- OECD Peer Review;
- Family Resilience/Disadvantage;
- Teacher Recruitment and Induction including funding for this;
- Gaelic Medium Education; and
Parental Involvement in Education
Procurement of Local Produce
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Education to detail the outcome of her meeting with Ministerial colleagues in relation to the issue of procurement of local produce.
(AQW 2892/08)
Ms C Ruane: I had a useful meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to discuss the possibility of increased procurement of local foods. Although Education and Library Boards already procure much of their requirements locally, especially fresh produce, we acknowledged the benefits to be gained from sourcing more food locally. It was agreed that officials would continue working together to progress this issue.
Neo-Natal Hearing Screening Programme
Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Education what action she is taking to prioritise inter-departmental and inter-agency work to provide wraparound services, for children assessed as deaf through the Neo-Natal Hearing Screening Programme.
(AQW 2899/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education (DE) has continued involvement with the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) Steering Group. Under the auspices of this group DE commissioned an Audit of existing provision in relation to the impact of the NHSP on Educational Services for the Hearing Impaired. Some of the key findings of the DE Audit, which was completed in March 2006, indicate that existing Education and Library Boards Hearing Impaired Services can cope with an increased demand and are already dealing with young children and their families. Extensive networks of multi-disciplinary contacts and working arrangements are in place and existing response times to new referrals are extremely rapid.
In addition, DE provided funding to the Education and Library Boards to enable a training package to be delivered, in December 2007, to enhance the skills of the peripatetic teachers of the deaf so that they will be better prepared to contribute to the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme.
The December Monitoring Round
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the reasons why £0.6m for school projects was returned to the Department of Finance and Personnel, in the December monitoring round.
(AQW 2912/08)
Ms C Ruane: In accordance with DFP guidance all reduced requirements above £500k must be returned to DFP for reallocation. This reduced requirement from the Children and Young People Funding Package was made up of 3 components:
An in-year delay in the independent counselling service operating to full capacity in post-primary schools across the North of Ireland; a lower than anticipated claim for substitute teaching costs to allow designated teachers to attend child protection training; and falling pupil enrolment numbers resulting in reduced costs in the Extended Schools project.
Underspend
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the reasons why £16.7m of the Education and Library Boards' capital funding was returned in the December monitoring round; and to provide a breakdown of the amount returned by each Education and Library Board.
(AQW 2913/08)
Ms C Ruane: An examination of progress on major capital schemes in 2007-08 identified where progress on schemes had slipped. As a result, the schemes’ funding needs were recalculated and £16.7m was declared as a reduced requirement in the December monitoring round as this funding could not be spent in the 2007-08 financial year. However, this funding will be available in future years as the schemes progress and this has been taken account of in finalising the Investment Strategy.
The breakdown for each Education and Library Board is as follows:-
Belfast Education and Library Board £3.3m
North-Eastern Education and Library Board £3.0m
South-Eastern Education and Library Board £9.9m
Southern Education and Library Board £0.1m
Western Education and Library Board £0.4m
TOTAL £16.7m
Priorities for Money Returned
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail her priorities for the money allocated to her department as a result of the December monitoring round.
(AQW 2914/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education was allocated £15.3m resource and £1.3m capital in the December monitoring round. The capital allocation of £1.3m is to correctly align the Department’s capital profile in the schools sector. This was offset by a corresponding transfer of £1.3m from the youth sector.
The £15.3m resource received will be utilised in the following ways:-
£12.0m – This will be allocated to Education and Library Boards to enable them to meet the in-year pressure arising from the resolution of the Classroom Assistants Job Evaluation dispute.
£0.8m – This will be allocated to Education and Library Boards to enable them to meet the increased non-teaching staff redundancy costs associated with the rationalisation of the schools estate.
£0.5m – This also will be allocated to Education and Library Boards to allow them to continue the work they commenced last year to further develop potential rationalisations, amalgamations and identification of surplus accommodation.
£2.0m – This will be used to meet the costs of implementing teacher redundancies as a result of rationalisation measures to address declining pupil numbers. From this allocation, £1.2m will be allocated to Education and Library Boards, with the balance of £0.8m being allocated to and Voluntary Grammar Schools.
Meetings in Scotland and Republic of Ireland
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to her answer to AQW 2549/08, to detail the meetings that she has attended in (i) Scotland; and (ii) the Republic of Ireland, since assuming office.
(AQW 2920/08)
Ms C Ruane: Since assuming office, I have attended one meeting in Scotland and three meetings in the South of Ireland.
Specialised School for Children with Autism
Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to detail whether or not she has any plans to build a specialised school that will cater exclusively for children with autism.
(AQW 2937/08)
Ms C Ruane: It is for the Education and Library Boards or the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools to consider the special educational needs of children in their area and develop an infrastructure that will meet those needs. The Department will then consider any proposals submitted by Education and Library Boards in accordance with the normal Development Proposal process. At present no Development Proposal with regard to a school catering exclusively for children with autism has been submitted to the Department.
Literacy and Numeracy Strategy at Key Stage 3
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to confirm (i) whether or not one-to-one intervention will be part of the revised literacy and numeracy strategy at Key Stage 3; and (ii) if this intervention will be in the form of reading recovery.
(AQW 2951/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Department is in the process of finalising the review of the literacy and numeracy strategy which will be designed to ensure that, long before Key Stage 3, children will have developed their reading, writing and number skills to the appropriate levels. When completed the strategy will outline how we propose to support a number of approaches, including in post-primary schools and the role of interventions such as Reading Recovery and the teaching of reading through phonics. It will also highlight the particular role that teachers of English and Mathematics can play in post-primary schools as champions of literacy and numeracy. We do need, of course, to recognise that teachers will continue to need flexibility in determining which approaches best meet the needs of their pupils and the strategy will not therefore prescribe particular approaches but will rather give teachers more scope to use their own professional judgement. It is intended that this review and proposals for the way forward will issue for consultation very shortly.
Schools in West Tyrone
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education to list the funding allocation to each primary and post-primary school in West Tyrone, in each of the last three years.
(AQW 2988/08)
Ms C Ruane: The funding allocation delegated to each primary and post primary school in West Tyrone in each of the last three financial years is set out in the following table:
School Type |
School Name |
Delegated Funding Allocation 2004/05 £ |
Delegated Funding Allocation 2005/06 £ |
Delegated Funding Allocation 2006/07 £ |
Nursery |
Ballycolman |
£113,899 |
£123,908 |
£167,831 |
Nursery |
Academy |
£151,027 |
£173,726 |
£204,010 |
Nursery |
Omagh North |
£134,373 |
£162,377 |
£175,517 |
Primary |
Ardstraw |
£173,832 |
£192,974 |
£208,530 |
Primary |
Artigarvan |
£373,128 |
£405,585 |
£445,945 |
Primary |
Bready |
£238,016 |
£237,815 |
£251,437 |
Primary |
Bridgehill |
£163,437 |
£174,310 |
£197,001 |
Primary |
Denamona |
£199,545 |
£221,010 |
£252,177 |
Primary |
Donemana |
£261,024 |
£281,645 |
£321,427 |
Primary |
Dromore |
£169,669 |
£186,281 |
£176,834 |
Primary |
Drumlegagh |
£161,797 |
£161,610 |
£163,560 |
Primary |
Dunmullan |
£143,880 |
£181,320 |
£203,031 |
Primary |
Edwards |
£464,440 |
£515,604 |
£595,317 |
Primary |
Erganagh |
£187,816 |
£203,890 |
£208,406 |
Primary |
Gibson |
£842,369 |
£888,780 |
£886,901 |
Primary |
Gillygooley |
£174,472 |
£187,791 |
£185,348 |
Primary |
Gortin |
£199,206 |
£196,972 |
£193,220 |
Primary |
Killen |
£222,268 |
£260,733 |
£296,848 |
Primary |
Langfield |
£142,019 |
£145,302 |
£154,204 |
Primary |
McClintock |
£238,222 |
£275,165 |
£292,444 |
Primary |
Newtownstewart Model |
£213,847 |
£221,059 |
£249,231 |
Primary |
Omagh County |
£842,658 |
£903,176 |
£940,934 |
Primary |
Queen Elizabeth II |
£112,429 |
£110,294 |
£133,901 |
Primary |
Sion Mills |
£604,640 |
£677,689 |
£709,159 |
Primary |
Strabane |
£451,580 |
£488,102 |
£571,134 |
Primary |
Trillick |
£105,655 |
£122,223 |
£124,599 |
Primary |
Cooley |
N/A |
£379,586 |
£396,340 |
Primary |
All Saints, Tattysallagh |
£152,226 |
£132,593 |
£147,875 |
Primary |
Altishane |
£134,109 |
£137,263 |
£152,170 |
Primary |
Barrack Street Boys', Strabane |
£491,279 |
£575,788 |
£606,737 |
Primary |
Christ The King |
£413,879 |
£460,227 |
£485,263 |
Primary |
Drumduff |
£179,627 |
£196,962 |
£214,752 |
Primary |
Drumlish |
£135,341 |
£155,224 |
£176,943 |
Primary |
Drumnabey |
£160,334 |
£169,322 |
£196,792 |
Primary |
Envagh |
£102,828 |
£116,219 |
£118,013 |
Primary |
Evish |
£160,286 |
£186,628 |
£207,178 |
Primary |
St Joseph's, Glenmornan |
£126,043 |
£127,541 |
£138,048 |
Primary |
Gortnagarn |
£168,178 |
£196,613 |
£202,521 |
Primary |
St Mary's, Killyclogher |
£816,347 |
£895,641 |
£913,642 |
Primary |
Magheralough PS, Kilskeery |
£111,700 |
£116,588 |
£129,263 |
Primary |
Knocknagor |
£146,074 |
£163,481 |
£181,401 |
Primary |
Loughash |
£110,581 |
£116,919 |
£133,049 |
Primary |
Loreto Convent |
£476,200 |
£552,759 |
£570,545 |
Primary |
Our Lady of Lourdes |
£271,433 |
£296,185 |
£313,051 |
Primary |
Recarson |
£304,194 |
£326,461 |
£321,569 |
Primary |
Roscavey |
£140,773 |
£133,186 |
£135,966 |
Primary |
Sacred Heart, Tattyreagh |
£181,580 |
£212,612 |
£222,861 |
Primary |
St Davog's, Castlederg |
£87,620 |
£109,160 |
£108,648 |
Primary |
St Anne's Strabane |
£625,417 |
£676,374 |
£705,215 |
Primary |
St Brigid's, Altamuskin |
£195,546 |
£228,078 |
£224,230 |
Primary |
St Brigid's, Cranagh |
£124,374 |
£133,344 |
£147,499 |
Primary |
St Brigid's, Mountfield |
£144,202 |
£135,518 |
£145,109 |
Primary |
St Caireall's, Castlederg |
£254,966 |
£286,625 |
£299,869 |
Primary |
St Colmcille's, Omagh |
£473,333 |
£469,700 |
£521,117 |
Primary |
St Columba's, Clady |
£230,877 |
£281,153 |
£319,250 |
Primary |
St Columba's, Dromore |
£110,705 |
£115,300 |
£100,053 |
Primary |
St Columbkille's Carrickmore |
£630,631 |
£691,406 |
£722,291 |
Primary |
St Conor's, Omagh |
£879,108 |
£990,085 |
£1,024,245 |
Primary |
St Dympna's, Dromore, |
£226,883 |
£232,115 |
£245,539 |
Primary |
St Eugene's, Tyrcur |
£122,914 |
£143,209 |
£145,557 |
Primary |
St Eugene's, Victoria Bridge |
£142,529 |
£159,376 |
£165,196 |
Primary |
St Joseph's, Drumquin |
£233,661 |
£239,486 |
£278,508 |
Primary |
St Lawrence's, Fintona |
£550,913 |
£612,008 |
£656,535 |
Primary |
St Macartan's, Dromore |
£119,059 |
£118,111 |
£137,706 |
Primary |
St Mary's Boys',Strabane |
£941,383 |
£976,949 |
£1,011,167 |
Primary |
St Mary's Girls', Strabane |
£890,878 |
£948,847 |
£914,045 |
Primary |
St Mary's, Cloughcor |
£390,100 |
£433,782 |
£490,193 |
Primary |
St Mary's, Laught |
£99,170 |
£72,603 |
Closed August 2005 |
Primary |
St Matthew's, Garvaghey |
£106,858 |
£117,660 |
£124,816 |
Primary |
St Oliver Plunkett, Beragh |
£312,284 |
£337,196 |
£330,172 |
Primary |
St Patrick's, Creggan |
£142,883 |
£130,866 |
£124,196 |
Primary |
St Patrick's, Castlederg |
£523,793 |
£567,860 |
£599,687 |
Primary |
St Patrick's, Donemana |
£168,818 |
£177,859 |
£196,757 |
Primary |
St Patrick's, Eskra |
£188,958 |
£197,998 |
£209,602 |
Primary |
St Patrick's, Gortin |
£276,990 |
£302,697 |
£343,055 |
Primary |
St Patrick's, Newtownstewart |
£348,661 |
£372,776 |
£431,569 |
Primary |
St Patrick's, Seskinore |
£109,153 |
£121,700 |
£95,196 |
Primary |
St Peter's, Plumbridge |
£245,486 |
£259,459 |
£282,771 |
Primary |
St Scire's, Trillick |
£193,667 |
£221,046 |
£260,649 |
Primary |
St Teresa', Loughmacrory |
£269,056 |
£308,991 |
£323,627 |
Primary |
St Theresa's, Glebe |
£337,884 |
£358,454 |
£440,624 |
Primary |
Tummery |
£177,858 |
£199,452 |
£212,606 |
Primary |
Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh |
£254,434 |
£305,128 |
£333,589 |
Primary |
Gaelscoil na gCrann |
N/A |
N/A |
£82,826 |
Primary |
Omagh Integrated |
£553,886 |
£635,147 |
£720,843 |
Secondary |
Castlederg High School |
£1,304,190 |
£1,470,079 |
£1,639,820 |
Secondary |
Omagh High School |
£1,332,204 |
£1,535,949 |
£1,761,815 |
Secondary |
Strabane High School |
£1,042,275 |
£1,106,581 |
£1,113,513 |
Secondary |
Dean Brian Maguirc College |
£1,513,586 |
£1,657,690 |
£1,693,687 |
Secondary |
Our Lady Of Mercy High School |
£1,323,552 |
£554,378 |
Closed August 2005 |
Secondary |
St Colman's High School |
£2,827,860 |
£1,179,468 |
Closed August 2005 |
Secondary |
St Eugene's High School |
£683,514 |
£710,875 |
£754,699 |
Secondary |
St. John’s Business & Enterprise College |
£879,799 |
£885,559 |
£862,990 |
Secondary |
St Joseph's High Plumbridge |
£743,649 |
£747,369 |
£741,209 |
Secondary |
Sacred Heart College |
£3,005,596 |
£3,347,454 |
£3,620,339 |
Secondary |
Holy Cross |
N/A |
£3,426,769 |
£5,712,425 |
Secondary |
Drumragh Integrated College |
£2,124,284 |
£2,160,459 |
£2,129,750 |
Grammar |
Omagh Academy |
£2,096,972 |
£2,329,829 |
£2,379,684 |
Grammar |
Strabane Grammar |
£1,307,130 |
£1,438,577 |
£1,599,761 |
Grammar |
Christian Brothers’ Grammar Omagh |
£3,422,417 |
£3,641,315 |
£3,648,538 |
Grammar |
Loreto Grammar Omagh |
£3,426,453 |
£3,600,426 |
£3,643,310 |
Notes: |
N/A = school opened after this financial year |
|||
IT Support to Pupils with Dyslexia
Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Education to confirm whether or not she will provide additional funding to the 5 Education and Library Boards, to help them provide increased specialised IT support to pupils with dyslexia.
(AQW 3004/08)
Ms C Ruane: In September 2007, the Department advised the 5 Education and Library Boards (ELBs) that additional funding for initiatives involving children with dyslexia had been secured. The Department invited them to submit business cases outlining their priorities for how best to utilise this additional funding to support pupils with dyslexia.
Following receipt of all the business cases and subsequent consideration by the Department approval to expenditure of an additional £89,000 per ELB, in the 2007/08 financial year, was issued in December 2007. The Belfast, Southern and Western Education and Library Boards’ business cases identified the provision of specialised IT support for dyslexic pupils as a priority and the North Eastern Education and Library Board business case referred to the provision of "appropriate resources" for dyslexic pupils, which may include specialised IT support. The South Eastern Education and Library Board’s business case made no specific reference to IT support.
Youth Service Provision in the Colin Area
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Education to detail what measures her department is taking to maintain and develop youth service provision in the Colin area of West Belfast.
(AQW 3048/08)
Ms C Ruane: The South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) has responsibility for securing the provision of adequate youth service activities in the Colin area of West Belfast.
In 2007/08, the SEELB allocated some £400,000 from a budget of nearly £4 million for youth services in the greater Colin area. I have been advised by the Chief Executive of the SEELB that this funding was spent on maintaining existing youth centre provision and running youth projects targeting identified needs in partnership with the voluntary/community sector and other statutory bodies. The funding was also used to develop non-centre-based provision through detached outreach work, targeting the more hard to reach young people; to deliver summer intervention programmes; and fund small voluntary/community groups.
To ensure its resources were effectively targeted in the area, the South Eastern Board developed a Colin Area Strategy for 2007 to 2010 which aims to improve the range, quality and accessibility of youth provision in the area. This strategy was informed by a body of research into need and deprivation in the area. The Board worked with a range of fora and agencies to identify and assess need, including the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership, the Colin Youth Worker's Council, the South Eastern Board Practitioners Forum and the Colin Youth Forum. To address the identified needs, youth services are delivered in a number of ways-through direct Board delivery mechanisms, through service level agreements with the voluntary/community sectors; and through partnerships between the voluntary, community and statutory sectors. To ensure effective monitoring of youth activities, quality assurance and/or self assessment arrangements have been put in place to assess performance, and to inform and drive forward further development.
The Department has commenced a review of youth services, and will be developing ‘Priorities for Youth’ over the next year. Key stakeholders including those in the Greater Colin area will be given an opportunity to engage with policy makers in the development of these priorities.
EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
New Deal for Musicians Programme
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether or not students on the New Deal for Musicians Programme, domiciled in the North West region, are required to travel to North Down to undertake 'Pro-tools' training as part of their course.
(AQW 2744/08)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The South Eastern Regional College, who currently deliver the New Deal for Musicians programme throughout Northern Ireland, offers participants the opportunity to undertake a voluntary 40 hour Electronic Music Production course. This was previously known as PRO-tools training, which is delivered in the Bangor college campus.
I am advised that the course will be delivered twice yearly dependent on participant uptake, with the time and delivery model for the programme tailored to accommodate participants preferred model of attendance i.e. evenings, day release or block delivery. Assistance towards the cost of travel/lodgings expenses will be paid to all participants who attend this course.
Job Losses in the Building Trade
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of job losses in the building trade over the last 6 months; and to outline what support he is providing to those who have lost their jobs in finding new employment.
(AQW 2836/08)
Sir Reg Empey: It is not possible to provide an exact measure of the number of jobs lost in the building trade in the last 6 months. Figures from the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) can, however, be used to estimate the net change in employee job levels in Construction during this period. Latest figures from the QES show that in September 2007 there were 45,090 employee jobs in Construction in NI. This represents an increase of 1,820 (4.2%) from the March 2007 figure of 43,270. All figures have been seasonally adjusted. Updated figures will be available in March 2008.
Through its network of thirty-five offices the Department provides information, advice and guidance on employment, education and training opportunities to assist individuals gain employment.
Staff Illness
Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to the answer to AQW 2328/08, to outline what measures he has put in place to prevent staff becoming ill; and to provide an analysis of their effectiveness.
(AQW 2851/08)
Sir Reg Empey: The Department for Employment and Learning has utilised a range of programmes aimed at promoting health and well-being for all staff, for example the Health Works programme; the Employee Assistance Programme; the Condition Management Programme; Pre-maternity seminars; Managing Attendance, Relationships and Stress courses, pilot- Fast Track physiotherapy, as well as the Occupational Health Service and a dedicated Welfare Officer. In addition to these programmes and services, flexible working arrangements and special leave arrangements are also available to promote work-life balance. It is difficult to measure the specific impact of these programmes and services because of the varied range of determining factors involved in an individual’s health and well-being. However, the Health Works interventions are evaluated on a regular basis to measure their impact on health and lifestyle choices. High level and regular reports, as appropriate, are also drawn up to provide information on the take-up levels of other programmes and services. This information is used to influence the development and implementation of policies and initiatives on an ongoing basis.
Student Places at Magee Campus
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to confirm whether or not it remains a strategic intention of the University of Ulster to increase the number of student places at Magee campus to 10,000.
(AQW 3020/08)
Sir Reg Empey: I am advised by the University that this remains a key objective for the institution. However, you will be aware that the number of full-time undergraduate places in each institution in Northern Ireland is subject to a cap as a means of controlling the cost to Government of higher education. This cap is known as the Maximum Student Number (MaSN).
My Department will continue to engage with the University on options such as targeted expansion in areas of strategic importance to the future growth of the local economy, within the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Christian Heritage of North Down
Mr L Cree asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the decision by Tourism Ireland not to include the Christian heritage of North Down in its marketing campaign.
(AQW 2746/08)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): Tourism Ireland includes Christian Heritage, including that of North Down, in many of its publications and websites, which are available to potential visitors from overseas. North Down Christian Heritage sights are detailed on Tourism Ireland’s website in the "Co. Down highlights", "Places to go" and East Border Region highlights sections, among others. Bangor Abbey and Grey Abbey are also sites featured.
Tourism Ireland’s 2008 Market Book publication, which is distributed across all markets, highlights Christian Heritage in particular in the Northern Ireland section where it mentions St Patrick and his legacy in counties Armagh and Down.
In 2008, Tourism Ireland is producing a new Car Touring Guide for use by overseas visitors which will feature a tour on the Christian Heritage theme including several sites in Northern Ireland.
Christian Heritage is also well represented in Tourism Ireland’s suite of 36 websites in 15 languages where it is referenced in various sections (Northern Ireland; Places to Go; Things to do and see; The Story of St Patrick etc), while information is also available through links to the Armagh Down website (armaghanddown.com)
Broadband Access
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the percentage of homes and businesses in Northern Ireland that are able to access broadband internet via their telephone line.
(AQW 2818/08)
Mr N Dodds: Over 99% of broadband services in Northern Ireland are delivered by telephone wires. Broadband access with speeds of no less than 512 kilo bits per second have been available to all of Northern Ireland since December 2005. This includes every household and every business in Northern Ireland and is delivered via telephone lines, wireless or satellite services. Less than 1% of broadband services are delivered by wireless systems including satellite. Customers can often choose from more than one provider.
Lough Neagh
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action he is taking to promote Lough Neagh as a tourist destination for the Irish, British and international markets.
(AQW 2835/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has responsibility for marketing within Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. NITB employs websites, publications and targeted campaigns to promote tourism growth in Northern Ireland. Lough Neagh and its attractions are included in these marketing strategies.
Lough Neagh’s main strengths are recognised in activity products and these are comprehensively included in a number of related activity websites that form part of NITB’s activity marketing campaigns.
It is the remit of Tourism Ireland Ltd (TIL) to promote the Northern Ireland tourism product within Great Britain and internationally. In conjunction with TIL, NITB will be conducting two major campaigns in Great Britain and the Irish Republic focusing on all there is to see and do on a break in Northern Ireland. The first of these campaigns launched in January 2008.
TIL features information on Lough Neagh and its hinterland in its suite of publications, and websites, which are available to potential visitors throughout the world.
The area features in a number of sections of TIL’s 36 international websites as a centre for watersports, coarse and game fishing, birdwatching, equestrian activities, golf and cycling as well as for more general leisure pursuits such as walking on loughshore trails, boating and cruising and for accommodation, restaurants and things to do and see.
The TIL Coarse Angling guide, produced in cooperation with the NITB, shows the fishery at Portglenone on its cover. The guide is currently being updated, with assistance from the Loughs Agency, and will feature fisheries around Lough Neagh. It is published in four language versions for overseas distribution.
Lough Neagh also features in TIL’s Walking and Cycling Guides.
Lough Neagh features in TIL’s Food Guide which was launched by Paul Rankin at the recent BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Lough Neagh eels are among the highlights included in the guide.
Power Stations
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what financial support has been made available to power stations in (i) 2004; (ii) 2005; and (iii) 2006.
(AQW 2844/08)
Mr N Dodds: There has been no financial support provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to power stations in Northern Ireland during 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Promotion Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his department's role in promoting renewable energy and alternative land use; and to detail what joint working measures there are with other Government departments, in relation to this matter.
(AQW 2845/08)
Mr N Dodds: My Department has the lead responsibility for promoting renewable energy generally and this involves regular contact with a number of other Departments where there are cross –cutting issues.
"Renewable energy and alternative land use" is a key area for DARD and is the subject of an inquiry commissioned by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. It is also one aspect of the broader bioenergy sector.
In taking forward this particular aspect of renewable energy, DETI established a Bioenergy Interdepartmental Group (IDG) last year to coordinate a more integrated and strategic approach to the development of bioenergy in Northern Ireland. The IDG comprises representatives from DARD, DOE, Invest NI, DRD and DFP. This co-ordinated approach will enable Northern Ireland to optimise potential benefits of bioenergy across energy, agriculture, enterprise, transport and environmental sectors and contribute to renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions targets.
On behalf of the IDG, DETI has appointed consultants to assess the potential for the sustainable development of the bioenergy sector in Northern Ireland. The results of this study are intended to inform the development in 2008-9 of a cross-departmental strategy for the sector.
The outcome of the current Agriculture and Rural Development Committee’s inquiry will also be considered by the Bioenergy IDG.
Hotel Accomdation
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of hotel beds in the Moyle District Council area.
(AQW 2933/08)
Mr N Dodds: The certification process by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board does not record hotel bed stock. Instead the certification process records information on the number of rooms and bed spaces.
There are currently four hotels in Moyle District Council with an associated 103 bedrooms and 260 bed-spaces. Given that one double bed is counted as two bed-spaces this would equate to 130 double beds.
The breakdown of bed spaces in four hotels in the Moyle District Council is as follows:
Hotels within Moyle District Council |
|||
Hotel Name: |
Grade: |
Number of Bedrooms: |
Number of Bed spaces: |
Bushmills Inn Hotel |
3 Star |
32 |
64 |
Causeway Hotel |
2 Star |
28 |
79 |
Marine Hotel |
3 Star |
31 |
87 |
The Glens Hotel |
1 Star |
12 |
30 |
Irish Language Promotion
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail how the Irish language is promoted by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
(AQW 2934/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is responsible for the promotion and marketing of Northern Ireland in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. Tourism Ireland is responsible for the promotion and marketing of Northern Ireland in Great Britain and overseas.
NITB continues to work with the government appointed agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency, where there is an appropriate opportunity to do so regarding cultural tourism in Northern Ireland.
Cultural Tourism in the Glens
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans he has to promote and develop cultural tourism in the Glens of Antrim.
(AQW 2935/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is acutely aware of the opportunities that cultural tourism presents to Northern Ireland as a whole and is working in partnership with many organisations to ensure that these benefits are capitalised upon. The development and promotion of the Causeway Coastal Route is one of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s five Signature Projects and is strategically and geographically relevant to the Glens of Antrim. It offers an exceptional opportunity to develop cultural tourism in this region.
Causeway Coast & Antrim Glens Regional Tourism Partnership, in partnership with NITB, are progressing a major visitor site and tourism infrastructure development study of the top visitor attractions along the Causeway Coastal Route, including sites in the Glens of Antrim, in order to develop a world class visitor experience.
NITB is also progressing a major interpretation study of several visitor sites along the Causeway Coastal Route, including sites in the Glens of Antrim. The study aims to identify interpretation and cultural animation requirements of these visitor sites and cultural offerings, again to ensure the development of a world class visitor experience.
Tourist Numbers
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of tourists that visited Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.
(AQW 2995/08)
Mr N Dodds: Final figures are not yet available for 2007. However the preliminary estimates are that 2,051,000 visitors came to Northern Ireland in 2007 an increase of 4% (+72,000) on the previous year.
Whilst there was a 1% decline in visitors from Great Britain, visitors from overseas increased by 16% and visitors from The Irish Republic increased by 9%. The number of holiday/leisure/recreation visitors increased by 25% to 480,000.
Final visitor figures for 2007 will not be available until May 2008.
EU's Seventh Framework Programme
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what actions were taken by his department to promote the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) among academia and industry.
(AQW 3000/08)
Mr N Dodds: The seven-year, 7th Framework Programme (launched by the European Commission on 1 January 2007) is principally promoted by Invest NI’s specialist European Directorate. This work, a continuation from FP6, commenced in May 2006 and has included leading or assisting in:
- 26 seminars/workshops to Northern Ireland companies, academe and organizations;
- Distribution of 22 editions of its electronic "Focus on 7" newsletter, each to circa 600 recipients;
- Distribution of 43 specialist electronic bulletins to a selected group of circa 280 interested individual researchers based in industry and academia;
- 58 one-to-one meetings with industry/academe; and,
- 5 all-island Information Days in partnership with Enterprise Ireland (recognising the land border with a fellow Member State and the potential advantages of collaboration between organizations in the two jurisdictions joining / forming European research consortia).
Social Economy Enterprises
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps he is taking to ensure that Social Economy Enterprises are seen as a priority, and included in Invest NI's Draft Corporate Plan 2008-2011, and his department's Draft Corporate Plan 2008-2011.
(AQW 3002/08)
Mr N Dodds: Government remains committed to developing the Social Economy and Social Economy/Community Enterprises.
DETI’s draft Corporate Plan includes references to the Department’s role in the development and implementation of Social Economy policy in Northern Ireland. The draft will be enhanced to ensure we reflect the priority attached to this work within DETI.
The Invest NI draft Corporate Plan 2008/11 also includes reference to its commitment to assist in the growth of the Social Economy through a new Enterprise Strategy. The strategy will see a continuance of Invest NI’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme, which offers a range of assistance to help new and existing social enterprises to develop and grow into sustainable and viable businesses. The programme has been used to assist 65 new social enterprises since its launch in September 2006.
At this early stage in the planning process, Invest NI is minded to set aside an indicative budget allocation of £400,000 per annum in each of the next three years to continue to fund the programme
Industrial Properties in Limavady
Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail how much (i) Seagate Technology; and (ii) Huco Lightronic (NI) Ltd, paid annually for the leaseholds of their industrial properties in Limavady.
(AQW 3003/08)
Mr N Dodds: Invest NI property is sold by means of a 999 Year Lease for a single premium. Under the terms of the lease, Invest NI has the right to demand a nominal ground rent. Both Seagate Technologies Ltd and Huco Lightronic (NI) Ltd premises are held by way of 999 year Leases. Invest NI retains the freehold interest to both properties which ensures that the property is preserved for industrial / commercial use only
Chicken Litter Power Plant in Glenavy
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail any discussions his department has had with (i) Rose Energy; (ii) Moy Park; and (iii) O'Kane's Poultry, in relation to the proposed 'Chicken Litter' power plant in Glenavy.
(AQW 3065/08)
Mr N Dodds: During the last two years a number of meetings with my Department and Invest Northern Ireland, have taken place with Rose Energy representatives, including O’Kane Poultry, and Moypark in relation to the proposed "Chicken Litter" power plant at Glenavy. On three occasions, at their request, Rose Energy has presented their outline proposals for a chicken litter power plant to both my Department and also at a joint Ministerial meeting with the Department of the Environment. Meetings have taken place between representatives of Rose Energy and Invest NI to discuss the technical and financial detail of the project.
ENVIRONMENT
Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside
Mr J Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of (i) planning appeal hearings; (ii) public inquiries; and (iii) other similar events, in which the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside has been officially represented, in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2687/08)
The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): The Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside has not been officially represented at any planning appeal hearings, public inquiries or other similar events in the last five years.
Areas of Special Scientific Interest
Mr J Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of Areas of Special Scientific Interest declared during 2007.
(AQW 2689/08)
Mrs A Foster: Twenty-three Areas of Special Scientific Interest were declared during 2007.
Christmas Anti-Drink/Drug Driving Campaign
Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of the Environment to (i) comment on the success of the anti-drink/drug driving campaign over the Christmas period; and (ii) outline her strategy in relation to reinforcing the anti-drink/drug driving message throughout 2008.
(AQW 2732/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Christmas anti drink driving campaign was ‘on air’ from 20 November 2007 until 12 January 2008 and the anti drug driving campaign from 1 December 2007 until 13 January 2008. In addition to television advertisements, the campaign involved washroom posters in pubs, clubs and restaurants and advertisements on radio and on the electronic messaging system on motorways.
Independent research into the effectiveness of both campaigns is currently being carried out, but the results will not be available until the end of February 2008.
Throughout 2008 road safety advertising will be used to reinforce both the anti drink driving and anti drug driving messages, concentrating on the summer holiday months and the Christmas/ New Year period. Research indicates that there are increased dangers resulting from drink and drug driving at these times. The key messages will also be reinforced throughout key bank and public holidays starting with Mother’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and the Easter weekend.
Planning Service in West Belfast 2007
Mr F McCann asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the activities of the Planning Service in West Belfast during 2007.
(AQW 2739/08)
Mrs A Foster: Planning Service activities in West Belfast focus on the determination of planning applications submitted within the area and enforcement – both processed mostly through the Belfast Divisional Planning Office – as well as development plan functions carried out as part of the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (dBMAP).
While in 2007, some 1,300 applications for a variety of proposals were submitted for the combined north, west and central Belfast, no information is available for applications submitted for West Belfast only. With regard to dBMAP, activities in 2007 focussed mainly on the on-going Public Inquiry.
Private Hire Taxi Licenses
Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of applications for renewals of private hire taxi licenses, in each of the last 12 months, broken down by postcode.
(AQW 2760/08)
Mrs A Foster: A taxi driver licence issued by the Department, be it renewal or first time application, entitles the licensee to drive all forms of taxi vehicle, either public or private hire. The detail of the number of applicants is set out in the attached table.
POSTCODE |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Grand Total |
BT10 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
1 |
15 |
|||||
BT11 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
11 |
2 |
67 |
|
BT12 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
38 |
BT13 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
51 |
BT13 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||||
BT14 |
3 |
4 |
11 |
9 |
4 |
6 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
9 |
2 |
63 |
|
BT14 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||||
BT15 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
30 |
|
BT15 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||||
BT16 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
16 |
|||
BT17 |
7 |
7 |
11 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
71 |
BT18 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|||||
BT19 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
28 |
||||
BT20 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
||||
BT21 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|||||||
BT22 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
15 |
||||
BT23 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
43 |
BT24 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
||||||
BT25 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
BT26 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
||||||
BT27 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
|||
BT28 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
30 |
||
BT29 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
23 |
|||
BT30 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
29 |
||
BT31 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|||||||||
BT32 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
36 |
|
BT33 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
BT34 |
10 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
1 |
60 |
BT35 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
52 |
|
BT36 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
9 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
57 |
|
BT36 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||||
BT37 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
43 |
|
BT38 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
43 |
BT39 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
|||
BT4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
22 |
||
BT40 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
|||
BT41 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
47 |
BT42 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
||||
BT43 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
||||
BT44 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
||||
BT45 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
17 |
|
BT46 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
||||||||
BT47 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
62 |
BT48 |
9 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
16 |
9 |
10 |
13 |
11 |
20 |
10 |
6 |
136 |
BT49 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
23 |
BT5 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
44 |
BT51 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
19 |
|||
BT52 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
21 |
|||
BT53 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
|||||||||
BT54 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
11 |
|||||
BT55 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|||||||||
BT56 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
|||||||
BT57 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||||
BT58 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||||
BT6 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
25 |
BT60 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
||||
BT61 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
||||||
BT62 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
24 |
||
BT63 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
||||||
BT64 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||||||
BT65 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
16 |
|||
BT66 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
20 |
||
BT67 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
|||||
BT69 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||||||
BT7 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
13 |
||||
BT70 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
16 |
|||
BT71 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
21 |
||
BT74 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
13 |
||||
BT76 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||||||
BT77 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||||||
BT78 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
18 |
|
BT79 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
||||
BT8 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
13 |
||||
BT80 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
||||||||
BT81 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|||||||||
BT82 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
30 |
|
BT9 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
||||||
BT92 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
16 |
|||
BT93 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|||||||||
BT94 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
||||||
Grand Total |
187 |
156 |
149 |
151 |
143 |
112 |
128 |
141 |
165 |
164 |
138 |
64 |
1698 |
Sustainable Development in the Countryside
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment what provision will be given to businesses in rural areas in the amended Policy Planning Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside.
(AQW 2771/08)
Mrs A Foster: My aim is to develop a policy based on sustainable development principles that protect the countryside from unnecessary development and support rural communities, allowing them to flourish, socially and economically. That is why the Executive Sub Committee includes Ministers with a policy interest in the rural economy. These are the Ministers for agriculture, economic development and regional development. It is still early in the process to provide details on the new draft PPS 14.
Redevelopment of Maze Site
Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of the Environment what discussions she has had with potential developers of the Maze site.
(AQW 2795/08)
Mrs A Foster: I have not had any discussions with potential developers of the Maze site
Delays in Planning Applications
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of the Environment what steps she is taking to address the delays in planning applications; and to detail the number of additional staff that will be employed to reduce these delays.
(AQW 2868/08)
Mrs A Foster:
On the 29th November 2007, I announced my intention to bring forward proposals for a wide ranging reform of the planning system in the form of a White Paper, to be published in Summer 2008. This reform will include proposals to provide a more effective development control system, improved efficiency of processing and greater certainty about timescales. In the interim I, with my officials, have already taken action to address delays in the planning process.
My officials are currently working on the implementation of a short-term change programme, through a series of projects and pilots relating to work areas within the responsibility of the Planning Service, which will have an immediate impact on handling planning applications. This includes a streamlined consultation arrangement with the City Council in Londonderry which was introduced last December. Formal guidance on pre-application discussions for Strategic Projects and Major Housing, Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Proposals was also launched in December.
Other steps my Department has taken in relation to reducing the delays in dealing with applications include the re-deployment of 10 additional staff to a Divisional Support Team currently based in Craigavon Divisional Planning Office. I also intend to strengthen the Strategic Project Team at Planning Service Headquarters to help with processing applications which have significant economic benefits to Northern Ireland.
Foreign Nationals
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what responsibility her department has in relation to monitoring the number of foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 2888/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Department of the Environment has no responsibility for foreign nationals residing in Northern Ireland.
Illegal Waste
Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an update on her negotiations with Dublin City Council in relation to the removal of illegal waste from Northern Ireland that originated in the Republic of Ireland.
(AQW 2918/08)
Mrs A Foster: On 7 August and 31 August 2007, EHS issued Dublin City Council with two requests to repatriate waste from 2 sites, (one in Slattinagh, Co Fermanagh and one in Trillick, Co Tyrone respectively) intending that these should be used as precedents for how others are dealt with.
Dublin City Council has not yet agreed to repatriate the waste from these sites. EHS has written again to the Dublin City Council on 19 December 2007 and is currently awaiting a response.
Cavan-Tyrone Electricity Interconnector
Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to raise public concerns in relation to the Cavan-Tyrone electricity interconnector at the North-South Ministerial Council.
(AQO 1461/08)
Mrs A Foster: I have no plans to raise the issue at the NSMC. As yet no planning application for this proposal has been received, but we are informed by Northern Ireland Electricity that a submission will be made in March of this year. The application will be advertised in the normal way and appropriate neighbourhood notification will be carried out. If, as seems likely, the application is dealt with under Article 31 of the 1991 Planning (Northern Ireland) Order, then the facility to call a public inquiry will also be available. I consider that the planning process provides the appropriate forum for addressing public concerns in relation to the proposed interconnector.
Giant's Causeway Planning Applications
Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm that no planning application for development at the Giant's Causeway will be approved that could threaten the UNESCO 'world heritage' status of the site.
(AQO 1472/08)
Mrs A Foster: I am well aware of the importance of the World Heritage Site status of the Giant’s Causeway and the possible implications for this status of development in the vicinity.
In consideration of the only application for the visitor centre, currently in the system I asked Planning Service to further investigate a number of major concerns that I had about the proposal, one of which was its impact on the World Heritage Site.
I can assure you that, as I have stated before, I am committed to retaining the World Heritage Site status for the Giant’s Causeway.
Environmental Protection Agency
Mr D Ford asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking in relation to the possible creation of an independent Environmental Protection Agency.
(AQO 1455/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Report of the Review of Environmental Governance was commissioned, and largely completed, under direct rule and presented to me in June. That report made 38 cross cutting recommendations on a range of issues relating to Environmental Governance, including for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. I am carefully considering my approach to environmental governance, including whether or not there should be an independent Environmental Protection Agency. In so doing I am considering the recommendations in the report of the Review of Environmental Governance, the recent Criminal Justice Inspectorate Report of resource and wider policy considerations. I am also taking full account of the mixed views of which have been expressed by stakeholders in the business, agricultural and Environmental sectors. I will make a public statement on the way forward following discussion with my colleagues on the Executive.Planning Policy Statement 12
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail when she will issue Policy Planning Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks for consultation.
(AQO 1468/08)
Mrs A Foster: Responsibility for Planning Policy Statement 12 (entitled ‘Housing in Settlements’) transferred from the Department for Regional Development to my Department on January 15. The Affordable/Social Housing element in this PPS is under review; this is associated with cross-Departmental work on affordable housing lead by the Minister for Social Development to which my Department already contributes. Having assumed responsibility for PPS 12 I will carefully consider this policy, including the need for any revision and the prospective timescale for this work, taking full account of the ongoing cross-Departmental work on affordable housing and other priorities such as the review of draft PPS14.
Promotion of Ulster-Scots heritage
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of events held by the Environment and Heritage Service in order to promote Ulster-Scots heritage, in the last three years.
(AQO 1334/08)
Mrs A Foster: One of the aims of the Environment and Heritage Service is to protect and promote the historic heritage of Northern Ireland; this is done primarily through the protection and promotion of our historic buildings and monuments.
The Agency’s sites and facilities are also used, often by outside bodies, to celebrate historic events. For example, in June 2007, EHS organised a 17th Century week at Tully Castle, Co Fermanagh, which included music, storytelling, and demonstrations of domestic life and military equipment at that time in our history. Over 400 schoolchildren, attended along with 250 other visitors.
Also in that month, I attended an event at Carrickfergus Castle organised by the Ulster Scots Heritage Council, to celebrate the strong links between Belfast and Nashville. The Mayor of Nashville attended this event.
In 2006 and 2007, Hillsborough fort was used for the Military Mayhem event, which depicted aspects of 17th Century Military Life from the Plantation through to the Williamite Wars. And in 2006, the Montgomery family, whose family can be traced back to the Plantation and who were the original owners of Grey Abbey, held a series of events at this site to commemorate its history.
In 2005, EHS organised a 17th century military display at Dunluce Castle portraying soldiers of the Scottish Garrison which occupied the Castle following the arrest of the Earl of Antrim during the 1641 rebellion.
Planning Policy Statement
Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of the Environment what is her assessment of the potential of Policy Planning Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks to boost the provision of social and affordable housing; and to state what priority she will give this matter.
(AQO 1469/08)
Mrs A Foster: Responsibility for PPS 12 (entitled ‘Housing in Settlements’) transferred from the Department for Regional Development to my Department on January 15. The Affordable/Social Housing element of this planning policy statement is under review; this is associated with cross-Departmental work on affordable housing lead by the Minister for Social Development to which my Department already contributes. PPS 12 has an important role in relation to the future provision of social and affordable housing and I will ensure it is prioritised accordingly in the context of other work on planning policy, including the review of draft PPS14.
Local Government Reform
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking to ensure that power-sharing is mandatory as part of her proposals for local government reform.
(AQO 1477/08)
Mrs A Foster: As I said in response to a similar question from Gregory Campbell on 19 November, I and my ministerial colleagues on the Executive Sub Committee taking forward the review of the Review of Public Administration decisions as they relate to local government are committed to the development of a system of council governance, with appropriate checks and balances that would be placed on statute. This commitment was also highlighted in paragraph 49 of the Emerging Findings report that I published on 19 October 2007 and during the Take Note debate in this House on 13 November 2007.
If everyone is to have confidence in the new councils, there must be a statutory system of safeguards. Equality — if it is to mean anything in governance — is for everyone in Northern Ireland. It should not be seen as a threat to anyone. I hope that it will not be a controversial issue in the RPA.
The proposals for the system of governance in the new councils will best be informed by the decisions on the number of councils and the functions to be transferred to local government flowing from the current review. The development and testing of detailed governance models will, therefore, be taken forward, as part of the implementation programme to deliver the changes to local government.
Climate Change
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the climate change impact advice she has given to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in relation to changes that need to take place in agricultural activity.
(AQO 1291/08)
Mrs A Foster: My department has provided advice to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on the impact of climate change on agricultural activity. The advice is contained in chapter 6 of the "Preparing for a changing climate in Northern Ireland" report. This report was published in January 2007 and is available on the department’s website.
The report considers the potential impacts of climate change across all government departments in Northern Ireland. On agriculture it provides an assessment of how climate change may affect its future and it details some of the likely impacts from climate change. The report analyses the threats and opportunities facing the agriculture sector and it provides recommendations for future adaptation strategies.
Protection of Belfast Hills
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an update on the activities of her department in the conservation and environmental protection of the Belfast Hills since taking up her post.
(AQO 1466/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department is continuing to carry out a great deal of work to support the protection and management of the Belfast Hills and the provision of access to enable people to enjoy them. Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) provides core funding to the Belfast Hills Partnership which works with public, private and voluntary bodies to co-ordinate the management of the Belfast Hills.
Support is also being provided for projects led by the Partnership and Belfast City Council to promote appreciation of biodiversity in the Belfast Hills. The management of the Slievenacloy Area of Special Scientific Interest is being supported through management agreements with landowners and grant support to the Ulster Wildlife Trust.
In October 2007 EHS committed to contribute to the purchase costs of an additional 192 hectares of land by the National Trust on Black Mountain. Along with further projects EHS is supporting at Colin Glen Forest Park and Cavehill Country Park, this has enhanced access to and enjoyment of the Belfast Hills.
In terms of Waste Management, EHS has undertaken three recent successful prosecutions within the Belfast Hills region including a case against an illegal dumper that generated a record fine of £89,000.
Planning policies intended to conserve and protect the Belfast Hills are set out in the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (BMAP). The draft Plan recognises that the Hills are a striking landscape feature providing Belfast with its unique natural setting. These policies include the description of the Hills as a Green Belt as well as an Area of High Scenic Value. Development proposals, including mineral working, that would adversely affect the area’s landscape quality and character would not be acceptable. The draft Plan also includes proposals for managed access to the area with accompanying small scale interpretation/visitor facilities.
Ministerial Meetings
Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of the Environment to provide details of her meeting with the Minister of State for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism in December 2007; and to outline the outcomes from this meeting.
(AQO 1287/08)
Mrs A Foster: My meeting with Margaret Hodge MP, Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, took place in London on 13 December 2007. The meeting was held at my request. Its purpose was to clarify arrangements between the two Departments for reporting to UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre in connection with proposals for a visitor centre at the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site.
I have agreed with Mrs Hodge that my officials will provide DCMS with sufficient information to enable it, as the State Party in World Heritage matters, to report to UNESCO on recent developments.
Environment & Heritage Service Activities in West Belfast
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an update on the activities of the Environment and Heritage Service in West Belfast during 2007.
(AQO 1465/08)
Mrs A Foster: During 2007, the Environment and Heritage Service of my Department:
(1) investigated 41 reports of water pollution in West Belfast. Pollution was confirmed in 27 of these cases, with 23 assessed as being of low severity and 4 of medium severity.
(2) monitored water quality in the Lagan River and Canal and also in a number of small streams in West Belfast.
(3) undertook an assessment of the impact of sewerage system overflows to the Ladybrook stream, Woodlands River and Blackstaff river. This work is helping to inform the proposals by Northern Ireland Water for the upgrade of the sewerage system in the Upper Falls Drainage Area.
(4) received reports of 11 incidences of alleged illegal controlled waste activity in the west Belfast area. Reports are being followed up on an ongoing basis.
(5) provided funding of some £ 175K to the Colin Glen Trust for the management of Colin Glen Forest Park, where paths have been significantly upgraded during 2007.
(6) liaised with Colin Glen Trust, the Belfast Development Office and with Belfast and Lisburn City Councils over the possible development for public amenity of DOE owned lands at Black’s Road through which access is obtained to the Colin Valley Golf Course.
(7) through Colin Glen Trust, has attempted to contribute to the control of antisocial behaviour on DOE owned land flanking Creighton Road and Old Golf Course Road pending consideration of planning appeals over the use of these lands for social housing.
(8) included 4 buildings located in west Belfast in the European Heritage Open Day, held annually to permit the public to visit buildings of significant architectural and historical interest.
Planning Approvals in Coleraine
Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning applications approved for apartments, in the Coleraine Borough Council area, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQO 1480/08)
Mrs A Foster: As I explained in my letter of 10 December 2007 to all Assembly Members, the Planning Service is no longer providing ad hoc responses to requests for statistical information. The Agency has introduced new statistical publication arrangements to improve the quality and consistency of statistics which are released into the public domain. In future, annual and quarterly statistics will be published on the Planning Service’s website.
The first statistical publication containing data for the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 will be published on 25 January 2008. The Agency intends publishing further historical data later this year.
Environmental Protection Agency
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of the Environment for her assessment of the costings for an independent Environmental Protection Agency.
(AQO 1460/08)
Mrs A Foster: Our assessment is that an Environmental Protection Agency based solely on the current Environment and Heritage Service, which is not what REGNI recommended, would cost in the region of £2.5m over 4 years to establish.
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
Railway Line between Coleraine and Derry/Londonderry
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline what discussions have taken place between his department and the Department for Regional Development, in relation to the plans for, and funding of, the relaying of the railway line between Coleraine and Derry/Londonderry in 2011/2012.
(AQW 2655/08)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): During the period October 2006 to April 2007, DFP Officials engaged with DRD officials on a number of occasions as part of an Inter-departmental Steering Group which considered future investment in the railway network in Northern Ireland. The Coleraine and Londonderry Relay Project was one of a number of projects considered.
Pension Credit
Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of households, qualifying for pension credit, who have had to wait for repayment of rates already paid; (ii) the average and longest delays, respectively; (iii) the average amounts involved; and (iv) the current numbers awaiting repayment, broken down by Land and Property Service district office.
(AQW 2727/08)
Mr P Robinson: Information on the average numbers, average times and amounts of refunds involved in these cases, and the current numbers awaiting repayment, broken down by local office, is not routinely maintained and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
However, in normal circumstances (and if the customer has provided all the necessary information) applications are processed within 14 working days. At the moment, because of preparations for the go live of a new HB system, the average processing time is 38 working days. Land and Property Services are working to reduce this turnaround time and expect to see an improvement very soon.
If housing benefit is then granted and the ratepayer has already paid their account, Land and Property Services will refund the ratepayer within 14 working days of the credit appearing on the rate account.
This means that currently, in general terms, a ratepayer should not have to wait any longer than 52 working days for a housing benefit-generated refund.
Civil Servants
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of civil servants employed by each Government department, by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 2821/08)
Mr P Robinson: The number of civil servants (permanent and temporary), based on headcount, employed in each of the 11 Government Departments and their agencies, by Parliamentary constituency, at 1 December 2007 is set out in the attached table.
Table 1: NICS Staff (Headcount) in the eleven Government Departments at 1 December 2007 by Parliamentary Constituency
DARD |
DCAL |
DE |
DETI |
DFP |
DEL |
|
Belfast East |
987 |
0 |
0 |
406 |
895 |
70 |
Belfast North |
68 |
169 |
0 |
1 |
179 |
93 |
Belfast South |
70 |
231 |
0 |
223 |
1322 |
745 |
Belfast West |
0 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
3 |
59 |
East Antrim |
41 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
53 |
East Londonderry |
261 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
74 |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
304 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
70 |
Foyle |
181 |
0 |
118 |
4 |
161 |
122 |
Lagan Valley |
114 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
49 |
Mid Ulster |
137 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
47 |
Newry & Armagh |
262 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
92 |
North Antrim |
90 |
21 |
0 |
5 |
49 |
56 |
North Down |
0 |
0 |
560 |
1 |
303 |
25 |
South Antrim |
255 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
72 |
South Down |
88 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
Strangford |
45 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
Upper Bann |
89 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
63 |
91 |
West Tyrone |
180 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
51 |
59 |
Outside NI/Location not defined |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
3183 |
449 |
678 |
694 |
3066 |
1835 |
Table 1 (continued): NICS Staff (Headcount) in the eleven Government Departments at 1 December 2007 by Parliamentary Constituency
DHSSPS |
DOE |
DRD |
DSD |
OFMDFM |
Total |
|
Belfast East |
726 |
0 |
87 |
303 |
329 |
3803 |
Belfast North |
0 |
233 |
48 |
620 |
0 |
1411 |
Belfast South |
177 |
1015 |
833 |
3541 |
65 |
8222 |
Belfast West |
0 |
3 |
48 |
1127 |
0 |
1280 |
East Antrim |
0 |
26 |
25 |
60 |
0 |
205 |
East Londonderry |
0 |
476 |
174 |
142 |
0 |
1128 |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
0 |
93 |
157 |
121 |
0 |
754 |
Foyle |
33 |
88 |
75 |
758 |
0 |
1540 |
Lagan Valley |
0 |
266 |
59 |
49 |
0 |
577 |
Mid Ulster |
0 |
32 |
53 |
69 |
0 |
340 |
Newry & Armagh |
0 |
56 |
118 |
147 |
16 |
698 |
North Antrim |
0 |
137 |
218 |
91 |
0 |
667 |
North Down |
0 |
6 |
41 |
44 |
0 |
980 |
South Antrim |
0 |
31 |
76 |
100 |
0 |
534 |
South Down |
0 |
125 |
191 |
101 |
0 |
552 |
Strangford |
0 |
49 |
11 |
44 |
0 |
166 |
Upper Bann |
0 |
149 |
199 |
161 |
0 |
761 |
West Tyrone |
0 |
111 |
236 |
169 |
0 |
814 |
Outside NI/Location not defined |
3 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
26 |
Total |
939 |
2896 |
2651 |
7649 |
418 |
24458 |
Notes
Staff on career break are excluded.
Staff on secondment within the NICS are included within the Department to which they are seconded.
Staff on secondment outside the NICS are included within the Department from which they are seconded.
Both permanent and casual staff are included.
Both industrial and non-industrial staff are included.
Staff in executive Agencies are included in the figures for their parent Department.
Personnel Policy
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline his department's policy in relation to staff appraisals and, in particular, how staff absence levels can be reduced as part of this process.
(AQW 2866/08)
Mr P Robinson: A common performance management framework operates across the Northern Ireland Departments and includes annual staff appraisals and in-year reviews. While there is no direct correlation between the NICS performance management framework and staff absences, arrangements are currently being put in place that will ensure that all staff with line management responsibilities will have the management of sickness absence as an objective within their personal performance agreement. This will allow for individual performance in this area to be assessed through the performance management system
Frontline Services
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he is taking to ensure that departments have adequate resources to sustain essential frontline services, which are delivered by the community and voluntary sectors who may face funding difficulties after June 2008, when Peace 2 programmes are due to end.
(AQW 3001/08)
Mr P Robinson: The PEACE III Programme is now in place and will be available to offer some €300 million of support to projects aiming to promote peace and reconciliation until 2013. It is anticipated that many such projects will be delivered by the community and voluntary sector.
It should be noted that PEACE III is not a straightforward continuation of PEACE II but is a new programme, agreed after a significant public consultation process, with its own specific aims and objectives and projects seeking support will be scored against the selection criteria agreed by the Executive and the Programme Monitoring Committee with the highest scoring projects awarded funding. This will ensure that the projects that best meet the Programmes important peace and reconciliation objectives receive funding.
All projects supported under the EU PEACE II Programme were expected to move towards sustainability. Projects had formal end dates, and were required to indicate how they would be sustained after the conclusion of their PEACE II funding.
Former PEACE II projects may also seek assistance under Northern Ireland’s other EU Programmes, or from mainstream sources, but would need to satisfy all relevant selection criteria. The Budget for 2008/09 to 2011/12, which has also been subject to widespread consultation, sets out departmental spending limits for this period. For many departments these include significant provision for projects operated by the community and voluntary sectors.
Budget Consultation
Mr G Campbell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel when he intends to make a statement on the responses to the budget consultation.
(AQO 1305/08)
Mr P Robinson: The Executive’s draft Budget document was launched for public consultation on 25 October 2007 for a 10 week period closing on 4 January 2008.
On behalf of the Executive, I will tomorrow present the Executive’s revised spending proposals for the next three years. This will include details of the points made in the course of the public consultation process, and the Executive’s proposed response.
In summary, the public consultation process took a variety of forms with four public consultation events held across Northern Ireland as well as consultation meetings with key stakeholder groups such as the Northern Ireland Local Government Association. In addition, members of the public were invited to put forward written comments whilst there was a "Take Note" debate in the Assembly on 27 November 2007.
Overall, around 9,500 written responses have been received on the draft Programme for Government, Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland and Budget documents. I am also grateful for the Finance and Personnel Committee’s Report on the Draft Budget which was published on 8 January 2008 and includes the responses from the other Statutory Committee’s.
There were a broad range of issues raised during the public consultation process. The main themes included concern at the level of funding for the Arts, Mental Health, Sport, Youth Services, Libraries and Social Housing amongst many others. In addition, representations were made in respect of the need for additional funding to address issues with respect to Victims.
In response, the Executive has agreed a set of revised Budget allocations which will be set out in the revised Budget document, due to be published tomorrow. The Assembly is then scheduled to debate the Executive’s revised spending plans for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 on Tuesday 29 January 2008.
Rating System
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an estimate of the percentage take-up of the various reliefs in the rating system in the year 2006-07; and what plans he has to improve these take-ups.
(AQO 1489/08)
Mr P Robinson: The only reliefs available during 2006-2007 were Housing Benefit, commonly, known as rate rebate in this context and the Disabled Person’s Allowance scheme. The figures for awards made are as follows:
As of 31 March 2007 there were -
- approximately 52,000 awards of rate rebate through housing benefit to the owner-occupier sector.
- approximately 9,528 awards of DPA, of which 200 relate to the tenanted sector.
However, the first part of the question refers to take-up, which of course is not an easy figure to provide because it requires an assessment to be made of the number of ratepayers likely to be eligible, including those not claiming. No estimates were made for the year in question and the low income relief scheme was not in place until April 2007.
It might be helpful if I refer to the Outcomes paper for the Executive Review of Rating, where the take-up levels for rate rebates made through the Housing Benefit system and the new rate relief scheme was estimated to be around 42% of those eligible in the owner-occupied sector. The analysis focused on owner occupiers because it was known that this was where the main problem of low take-up lies. Furthermore, the analysis was not extended to rate rebate or disabled person’s allowance.
It was in light of our concerns around take-up, that the Executive agreed to commission an urgent study led by the voluntary/community sector, to identify ways of improving awareness and take-up, for the full range of reliefs available within the rating system, including disabled person’s allowance, by next year and I expect to see emerging findings shortly after Easter this year.
I also outlined to the Assembly on 27 November last year that the possibility of new legislation providing increased data sharing powers to relevant agencies will also be examined as a matter of urgency, to allow better targeting of take-up initiatives and open up the prospect of greater automation in the award of the various rebates, relief and allowances on offer. Great care needs to be taken, however, in any extension of data sharing powers, as recent experience has shown. Before any such moves are taken they will be the subject of a privacy impact assessment in order to protect the interests of the public and ensure the safeguarding of data.
Gross Value Added
Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the latest position in relation to Northern Ireland's Gross Value Added, in comparison to the United Kingdom as a whole.
(AQO 1497/08)
Mr P Robinson: The latest economic data shows that Northern Ireland’s GVA per capita figure is 81 per cent of the UK average for 2006. This differential has persisted over the last decade.
Domestic Rates Bills
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of domestic rates bills for 2006-07 that remain unsettled due to disputed valuations; and (ii) any other backlog issues from the 2006-07 rating round.
(AQO 1505/08)
Mr P Robinson:
(i) No domestic rate bills for 2006/2007 remain unsettled due to disputed valuations. Ratepayers are billed in accordance with the appropriate valuation list.
(ii) With regard to backlog issues for the 2006/2007 rating year, it was not possible to start legal recovery action for rate arrears due to difficulties with the IT system and the need to prepare for the issue of domestic rate bills based on capital values from April 07. As a result, rate arrears for that period increased from £48M at 31 March 2006 to £88M at 31 March 2007. New IT functionality now enables Land and Property Services to start legal proceedings for the recovery of unpaid rates. The £88M has been reduced to £49M, with plans to recover the remaining arrears.
Giant's Causeway Development
Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what discussions he has held individually with the developer, or bilaterally, with (i) the Minister of the Environment; (ii) the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment; and (iii) the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in relation to the proposed private sector development at the Giant's Causeway.
(AQO 1503/08)
Mr P Robinson: I can confirm that I have had no discussions with the developer in relation to this matter nor has the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, nor the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister sought or held any meeting with me on the development of the Giant’s Causeway bilaterally or in any other format.
Regional Economic Strategy
Mr S Neeson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what progress has been made on preparing a Regional Economic Strategy for Northern Ireland.
(AQO 1486/08)
Mr P Robinson: The current draft Regional Economic Strategy is very much a ‘Direct Rule’ document. Officials are revisiting the draft Regional Economic Strategy to reflect the Executive’s priorities as set out in the draft Budget and Programme for Government (PfG).
Following the disappointing outcome for the Executive of the Varney Review, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and I have agreed to a further review which will be conducted over the next three months. This study will assess the extent to which economic policy instruments need to be refocused to deliver real and enduring improvement in our economic growth rate.
In light of this, the Regional Economic Strategy will be developed in parallel with the second Varney Review.
Natural Gas
Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, given the targets set by the Executive to reduce carbon emissions, what steps are being taken to encourage public service buildings to convert to natural gas.
(AQO 1269/08)
Mr P Robinson: Natural gas is the fossil fuel of choice for public service buildings, where it is available and when suitable cost effective renewable technologies are not applicable. My department will continue to convert its buildings to natural gas when opportunities arise and it is cost effective to do so.
Around 140 buildings in the Government Office estate (and in other public bodies) have been converted to natural gas since it became available in Northern Ireland some 10 years ago.
In addition, for some years, my Department has been investing upwards of £2 million annually in projects to reduce energy costs and emissions in buildings occupied by public sector bodies through the Central Energy Efficiency Fund.
Rates
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail any plans he has to levy additional costs on those who chose to pay their rates bill by cash or cheque, rather than by direct debit.
(AQO 1282/08)
Mr P Robinson: I have no plans to levy additional costs on those who choose to pay their rates bill by cash or cheque rather than by direct debit.
Under current legislation, a discount of 4% is awarded in respect of domestic properties to those ratepayers who pay their rates in full within 28 days. The discount date is shown on the bill. This would include those who pay in full by cash, cheque, single direct debit payment or by other electronic payment methods. During the recent review of the domestic rating system, some respondents to the consultation argued that this discount should be retargeted only at those who pay by direct debit. This would, however, require primary legislation and could adversely impact on pensioners who, based on analysis carried out during the Executive’s review, seem to avail of the existing discount more than other groups. The Executive, therefore, decided not to pursue any retargeting at this stage and to retain the existing discount for the time being.
Draft Budget
Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an update on the consultation process on the draft Budget 2008-11.
(AQO 1484/08)
Mr P Robinson: The Executive’s draft Budget document was launched for public consultation on 25 October 2007 for a 10 week period closing on 4 January 2008.
On behalf of the Executive, I will tomorrow present the Executive’s revised spending proposals for the next three years. This will include details of the points made in the course of the public consultation process, and the Executive’s proposed response.
In summary, the public consultation process took a variety of forms with four public consultation events held across Northern Ireland as well as consultation meetings with key stakeholder groups such as the Northern Ireland Local Government Association. In addition, members of the public were invited to put forward written comments whilst there was a "Take Note" debate in the Assembly on 27 November 2007.
Overall, around 9,500 written responses have been received on the draft Programme for Government, Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland and Budget documents. I am also grateful for the Finance and Personnel Committee’s Report on the Draft Budget which was published on 8 January 2008 and includes the responses from the other Statutory Committee’s.
There were a broad range of issues raised during the public consultation process. The main themes included concern at the level of funding for the Arts, Mental Health, Youth Services, Sport, Libraries and Social Housing amongst many others. In addition, representations were made in respect of the need for additional funding to address issues with respect to Victims.
In response, the Executive has agreed a set of revised Budget allocations which will be set out in the revised Budget document, due to be published tomorrow. The Assembly is then scheduled to debate the Executive’s revised spending plans for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 on Tuesday 29 January 2008.
Underspend
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what action he is taking to ensure that future underspends by departments will not be lost to the Northern Ireland budget; and to detail what mechanisms he has put in place to eliminate underspends.
(AQO 1488/08)
Mr P Robinson: Under the Treasury’s End Year Flexibility (EYF) mechanism, underspend in any financial year is carried forward for use in subsequent years and is thus not lost to Northern Ireland.
While the Treasury has implemented measures to restrict access to EYF across the UK, as part of my discussion with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury I have secured full access to our existing EYF stock across the three years of the Budget period.
In terms of reducing levels of underspend, in recent years the approach has been to overallocate the level of available resources (referred to as planned overcommitment). Alongside continued, but reducing, use of this mechanism, my department is currently working with other departments to improve the overall level of financial management and hence level of underspend. This work will include implementation of the recommendations of the recent Financial Management Review, and the PKF Review of Forecasting and Monitoring.
HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Administration in the Health Service
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total cost of administration in the Health Service in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2635/08)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The table below shows administrative costs for the latest five years available.
Year |
Trusts |
Boards |
Central Services Agency |
Total |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
2001/02 |
171.7 |
15.6 |
14.2 |
201.5 |
2002/03 |
191.5 |
16.9 |
14.7 |
223.1 |
2003/04 |
206.7 |
19.9 |
15.9 |
242.5 |
2004/05 |
224.1 |
23.0 |
17.2 |
264.3 |
2005/06 |
238.2 |
21.7 |
18.5 |
278.4 |
Expenditure includes staff costs and administrative expenses such as printing and stationery, telephones, postage and office equipment. General expenses such as premises are excluded.
Services for Disabled Children
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of consequential funding that has been allocated to the Executive, as part of the increased settlement for education and children's services in England under 'Aiming High for Disabled Children', as announced in the HM Treasury Budget; and whether or not he can give assurances that this money will be used to improve services for disabled children in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 2715/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The allocation for disabled children in England was funded from within the broader 3.1% real terms settlement for the Department for Children, Schools and Families which was announced as part of Budget 2007.
The Northern Ireland Executive received Barnett Consequentials on these monies in the normal way. However, any and all allocations received under the Barnett Formula are not ring fenced, and are available to the NI Executive to spend on local needs and priorities.
As part of final budget agreed by the Executive, I plan to make significant investments in children’s services to improve the quality of life for children in care and reduce the number of children going into care. I also intend to invest in mental health and learning disability for both adults and children and reduce the waiting times for specialist wheelchairs. I will also be focussing resources on additional respite care, to provide additional support for carers of those with disabilities.
Response Times for Ambulances
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the response times for ambulances reaching scenes in the Moyle district council area, from 1 January 2007 to 7 January 2008.
(AQW 2765/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.
Fluoridation of Drinking Water
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assessment he has given to research by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, in relation to the overall potential benefits and harms deriving from fluoridation of drinking water; and to detail what conclusions he has reached in his assessment; and what plans he has to review his policy on the issue.
(AQW 2786/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I have not made an assessment of the report ‘Public Health: Ethical Issues’ published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. There are no plans to introduce the fluoridation of Northern Ireland's drinking water.
Mental Health Hospital Beds for Children
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of mental health hospital beds that exist for children.
(AQW 2810/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The number of beds currently available in Northern Ireland Hospitals for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry specialty is 27. This includes 15 beds for children up to the age of 13 years, and 12 beds for adolescents, aged 14 -17 years.
Suicide Prevention Training
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of GPs that (i) have been given suicide prevention training; and (ii) have yet to receive suicide prevention training.
(AQW 2811/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: To date 508 GPs have participated in the new training programme, and a further 71 Practice Managers/Practice Nurses have received related training.
A breakdown of the numbers of GPs trained by HSS Board area is set out in the following table:
Summary of Practice attendance |
Summary of GP attendance |
|||||
GP Practices attended |
Total practices in HSSB area |
% practices covered |
GPs attended |
Total GPs in HSSB area |
% GPs covered |
|
EHSSB |
71 |
149 |
47.6% |
120 |
468 |
25.6% |
NHSSB |
67 |
83 |
80.7% |
93 |
283 |
32.9% |
SHSSB |
64 |
77 |
83.1% |
101 |
210 |
13.8% |
WHSSB |
61 |
61 |
100% |
194 |
196 |
99% |
NI TOTAL |
263 |
370 |
71% |
508 |
1157 |
43.9% |
Response Times for Ambulances
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the response times for ambulances reaching scenes in the Ballymena Borough Council area, from 1 January 2007 to 7 January 2008.
(AQW 2813/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.
Response Times for Ambulances
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the response times for ambulances reaching scenes in the Ballymoney Borough Council area, from 1 January 2007 to 7 January 2008.
(AQW 2816/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.
Promotion of Abstinence to Improve Sexual Health
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what priority he has given to the promotion of abstinence as a means of improving sexual health.
(AQW 2852/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Sexual health is an important part of physical and mental health, as well as emotional and social wellbeing. A Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan which is in its final stages of development, aims to improve, protect and promote the sexual health and wellbeing of the population. The Strategy highlights that abstinence or delayed sexual activity in young people are healthy and positive choices and are socially acceptable. One of its key objectives is to promote opportunities to enable young people to make informed choices before engaging in sexual activity, especially empowering them to delay first intercourse until an appropriate time of their choosing. In addition, it has set an important target to increase the number of teenagers delaying sexual activity.
Risk Assessments for Staff
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure that the five new Health and Social Services Trusts (i) will carry out frequent and robust risk assessments for all staff who work on their own; and (ii) have a fully implemented policy on lone-working.
(AQW 2875/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Each Health and Social Care Trust has policies and procedures in place for risk assessments, which include staff who work on their own. Risk assessments are completed on a regular basis and include control measures and action plans to address any areas of shortfall.
As part of the on-going Zero Tolerance campaign on abuse of staff, all Trusts have polices in place which address lone working. These policies are reviewed periodically to allow for any necessary improvements.
Abstinence Before Marriage
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to the answer to AQW 2137/08, to detail the amount of (i) core funding; and (ii) project funding that his department will make available to (a) organisations who provide advice on abstinence before marriage as a preferred method of sexual health; and (b) organisations providing a pro-life approach to family planning, in each of the next 3 years.
(AQW 2879/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Currently my Department has no plans to make available core or project funding to any organisations who provide advice on abstinence before marriage as a preferred method of sexual health in each of the next 3 years.
Subject to the availability of resources and the assessment procedures it is anticipated that my Department will offer the following amounts of core funding to one voluntary organisation providing a pro-life approach to family planning in each of the next 3 years. There are no plans to provide project funding.
2008/09 |
2009/10 |
2010/11 |
|
*Core Funding |
£26,285 |
£26,285 |
£26,285 |
*Does not take account of the annual pay and prices uplift.
Banbridge Community Health Village
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to the answer to AQW 238/08, if the Project Business Case for the final phase of Banbridge community health village has been completed; and to provide a timescale for an announcement on his decision on the future development of the Banbridge health facility.
(AQW 2880/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The new Health and Care Centre and Learning Disability Day Centre, on the Banbridge community health village site is a high priority within the Primary and Community Care Infrastructure (PCCI) Programme. The business case for the project is currently being appraised and further input is being sought from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust before a decision on approval can be taken. It is expected that a decision will be made within the first quarter of 2008. This will not mean delays in the overall development or construction as other PCCI programme work streams are progressing to a similar schedule.
Crane at the Ulster Hospital
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure that safety lights are added to the top of the crane at the Ulster Hospital.
(AQW 2885/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Following discussions between the contractor at the Ulster Hospital (Gilbert-Ash Ltd) and Air Traffic Control at Belfast City Airport it has been decided to install a safety beacon to the tallest tower crane operating on the Critical Care Complex project, currently being constructed.
Belfast City Airport acknowledged that the crane is overshadowed by the high ground to the north of the site, but suggested it would be appropriate to fit a steady red medium intensity obstacle light as close to the highest point as is practical. Two warning beacon lights have been installed on the tallest crane.
Procurement of Local Produce
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the outcome of his meeting with Ministerial colleagues in relation to the issue of the procurement of local produce.
(AQW 2893/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I had a useful meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of Education to discuss the possibility of increased procurement of local foods. It was acknowledged that there are possible benefits to be gained from greater cross departmental encouragement of local producers to engage in the procurement process for Health and Education bodies. It was agreed that officials would continue to work together to progress this issue.
Organ Donation
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of (i) the effectiveness of the current arrangements for organ donation in Northern Ireland; and (ii) the implications of the recent report by the Chief Medical Officer, which recommends an 'opt-out system'; and to detail what percentage of patients who are put on the transplant list receive a transplant.
(AQW 2903/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Northern Ireland’s current arrangements for organ donation are comparable to the rest of the UK. It is however recognised that the UK has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in Europe. A recent report by the Organ Donation Taskforce contains fourteen recommendations, which, when implemented, will contribute to a 50 per cent increase in organ donation in the UK within five years - resulting in an additional 1,200 transplants a year and saving thousands of lives. Northern Ireland was involved in the development of this report and is fully committed to its implementation.
The Organ Donation Taskforce has been asked, as a separate piece of work, to look at the issue of presumed consent for organ donation and its implications. Northern Ireland will be closely involved in this work and a report is expected to be published later this year.
The proportion of those awaiting a transplant who receive one is affected by a wide range of variables including a patient’s clinical condition and the availability of a suitably matched donor organ. During 2007, approximately 327 Northern Ireland residents were waiting for an organ transplant, 69 Northern Ireland residents received a transplant and 13 died while waiting.
Acute Beds Blocking at Altnagelvin Hospital
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of acute beds that were blocked in Altnagelvin Hospital in 2007; and (ii) the average number of days a bed was blocked.
(AQW 2904/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information on the number of acute beds that were blocked in Altnagelvin Hospital in 2007 and the average number of days a bed was blocked is not available centrally.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust were able to provide figures on the average number of patients delayed in acute beds in Altnagelvin Area Hospital each month over the period 1st April 2007 to 31st December 2007 and the average number of days patients were delayed in acute beds in Altnagelvin Area Hospital in each month over this period. This information is presented in the table below.
Month |
Average Number of Patients Delayed |
Average Number of Days that Patients were Delayed |
Apr-07 |
14 |
24 |
May-07 |
14 |
31 |
Jun-07 |
11 |
49 |
Jul-07 |
13 |
42 |
Aug-07 |
15 |
48 |
Sep-07 |
13 |
40 |
Oct-07 |
12 |
38 |
Nov-07 |
9 |
39 |
Dec-07 |
14 |
34 |
Source: Western Health and Social Care Trust
Domiciliary Carers
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make a statement on the availability of domiciliary carers in the Western Health and Social Services Board area, particularly in rural areas.
(AQW 2905/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: All Trusts have arrangements for the recruitment and retention of staff to secure continuity of access to high quality services in the community. Where recruitment difficulties do arise, Trusts have flexibility to respond to specific circumstances.
The Western HSC Trust, however, has advised that it currently has no unfilled domiciliary care staff vacancies.
Acute Bed Blocking at Altnagelvin Hospital
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is his assessment of the primary reasons for acute bed blocking at Altnagelvin Hospital.
(AQW 2906/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The majority of hospital discharges at Altnagelvin are non complex and are completed within 6 hours of the patient being declared medically fit.
The discharge process for those requiring more intensive community support after leaving hospital is more complex. The Western Health and Social Care Trust reports a number of reasons for delays in these cases, the primary ones being: the agreement of a plan for the patient’s post discharge care; the arrangement of care in the patient’s own home; and the availability of suitable nursing home or residential care places.
Trusts are required by March 2008 to achieve 100% of all non complex discharges within 6 hours and 100% of complex discharges within 72 hours.
My Department continues to have regular performance management meetings with Trusts and progress towards the delayed discharge targets is being closely monitored.
Bed Occupancy Rate
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the average bed occupancy rate; (ii) the bed occupancy rate for December 2007; and (iii) the target bed occupancy rate, broken down by each acute hospital.
(AQW 2907/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: (i) Information on the average bed occupancy rates for specialties within the acute programme of care for the financial year 2006/07, broken down by hospital, is provided in the following table.
Hospital |
(%) Occupancy rates for 2006/2007 1,2 |
Altnagelvin area |
83.0 |
Antrim |
80.0 |
Ards |
86.3 |
Bangor |
91.7 |
Belfast City |
84.4 |
Belvoir Park |
80.6 |
Braid Valley |
89.0 |
Causeway |
86.1 |
Craigavon Area |
79.1 |
Daisy Hill |
77.6 |
Dalriada |
85.9 |
Downe |
90.1 |
Erne |
70.0 |
Foster Green |
81.6 |
Lagan Valley |
80.8 |
Lurgan |
87.8 |
Mater Infirmorum |
88.7 |
Mid Ulster |
84.0 |
Moyle |
91.0 |
Musgrave Park |
69.9 |
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children |
72.1 |
Robinson Memorial |
90.4 |
Royal Maternity |
65.0 |
Royal Victoria |
85.1 |
Thompson House |
89.7 |
Tyrone County |
76.3 |
Ulster |
87.3 |
Whiteabbey |
84.0 |
NI Total |
83.2 |
Source: Departmental Information Return KH03A
1 Occupancy rates are a measurement of the percentage of time that beds are occupied during the year in wards that are open overnight, measured at midnight. The hospital may also have a number of beds in wards, which are open during the day; beds reserved for day case admission or regular day admission are not included in the calculation
2 Occupancy rates provided in the answer are based on hospital specialties within the Acute programme of care.
(ii) Information on the average bed occupancy rates for specialties within the acute programme of care for the quarter ending 30 September 2007, the latest quarter for which figures are available, broken down by hospital, are provided in the following table.
Hospital |
(%) Occupancy Rates for Quarter Ending September 20071,2 |
Altnagelvin area |
80.1 |
Antrim |
77.0 |
Ards |
88.4 |
Bangor |
85.7 |
Belfast City |
81.3 |
Belvoir Park |
88.8 |
Braid Valley |
92.9 |
Causeway |
80.0 |
Craigavon Area |
72.7 |
Daisy Hill |
73.6 |
Dalriada |
86.0 |
Downe |
81.7 |
Erne |
66.5 |
Foster Green |
86.5 |
Lagan Valley |
75.6 |
Lurgan |
79.7 |
Mater Infirmorum |
89.9 |
Mid Ulster |
83.7 |
Moyle |
91.8 |
Musgrave Park |
64.1 |
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children |
66.9 |
Robinson Memorial |
81.7 |
Royal Maternity |
58.7 |
Royal Victoria |
80.6 |
Thompson House |
92.9 |
Tyrone County |
71.0 |
Ulster |
80.1 |
Whiteabbey |
77.4 |
NI Total |
81.9 |
Source: Departmental Information Return KH03A
1 Occupancy rates are a measurement of the percentage of time that beds are occupied during the year in wards that are open overnight, measured at midnight. The hospital may also have a number of beds in wards, which are open during the day; beds reserved for day case admission or regular day admission are not included in the calculation
2 Occupancy rates provided in the answer are based on hospital specialties within the Acute programme of care.
(iii) There is currently no official target relating to bed occupancy rates in hospitals in Northern Ireland. The current guidance for business cases in Developing Better Services within the National Health Service in Northern Ireland includes planning assumptions on occupancy levels. These identify target occupancy levels for planning purposes of 83% for Acute, 75% for Obstetrics and Critical Care (i.e. Intensive Care Units), 65% for Paediatrics and 95% for Geriatrics and Rehabilitation.
Services for People with Learning Disabilities
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people with a learning disability who require (i) day care services; and (ii) day care in Intensive Support Units, by (a) parliamentary constituency; and (b) Health and Social Care Trust area.
(AQW 2908/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information on the number of people with a learning disability who require day care services or day care in Intensive Support Units is not collected centrally. Information is, however, collected on the number of persons with a learning disability registered at statutory day care facilities by former Health and Social Services Trusts.
At 31 March 2007, 3,553 people with a learning disability were registered at statutory day care facilities. Across HSS Trusts, this ranged from 673 in Homefirst Trust to 180 in Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust.
Persons with a Learning Disability Registered at Statutory Day Care Facilities
Trust |
Number |
North & West Belfast |
360 |
South & East Belfast |
382 |
Ulster Community & Hosp |
180 |
Down Lisburn |
262 |
Causeway |
232 |
Homefirst |
673 |
Armagh & Dungannon |
240 |
Craigavon & Banbridge |
214 |
Newry & Mourne |
232 |
Foyle |
445 |
Sperrin Lakeland |
333 |
Northern Ireland |
3,553 |
Source: Community Information Branch return KDC2(ii)
Funding Allocation for People with Learning Disabilities
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the funding allocation for people with learning disabilities by (i) parliamentary constituency; and (ii) Health and Social Care Trust area, for each of the last 4 years.
(AQW 2909/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The table below shows expenditure, excluding client contributions, incurred by each of the relevant Health & Social Services legacy Trusts for the last four years for which information is held.
Trust |
2005/06 |
2004/05 |
2003/04 |
2002/03 |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
Armagh & Dungannon |
18.2 |
17.6 |
16.5 |
15.6 |
Causeway |
7.4 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.3 |
Craigavon & Banbridge |
7.9 |
7.4 |
6.8 |
6.0 |
Down & Lisburn |
15.1 |
15.0 |
13.0 |
11.4 |
Foyle |
14.5 |
13.1 |
12.1 |
11.3 |
Green Park |
0.7 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
0.7 |
Homefirst |
25.8 |
23.7 |
21.1 |
17.3 |
Newry & Mourne |
8.5 |
7.9 |
7.1 |
6.0 |
North & West Belfast |
40.1 |
37.4 |
35.8 |
32.4 |
South & East Belfast |
12.0 |
11.3 |
10.6 |
10.3 |
Sperrin Lakeland |
9.4 |
7.9 |
7.1 |
6.4 |
Ulster |
11.0 |
10.0 |
9.1 |
7.9 |
United |
- |
- |
- |
0.1 |
Total |
170.6 |
157.9 |
145.7 |
130.6 |
Note the figures may not add due to rounding.
Information is not available by parliamentary constituency.
4th Capitation Formula Review
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide a timescale within which the 4th capitation formula review will be fully implemented, so that there will greater equality in health funding between each Health and Social Care Trust area.
(AQW 2915/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Since the phased implementation of the 4th Review of the Capitation Formula began in April 2005, £29 million has been skewed towards those Boards assessed as being under funded by the Regional Capitation Formula. However, the changing demographic picture in Northern Ireland offsets some of the improvements made. The target fair shares of resources are updated annually and progress is being made towards achieving an equitable position.
The 5th Review of the Regional Capitation Formula will be issued for consultation in 2008. It proposes changes to the way in which the need for Health and Social Care is measured in Acute Services and Elderly Care and, if endorsed, its recommendations will supersede those of the Fourth Review. It is too early to comment on the timeframe for full implementation of the 5th review.
Cardiac Ambulance Cover in Omagh
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the measures put in place to ensure that people in Omagh are never again left without cardiac ambulance cover, as occurred over the recent holiday period.
(AQW 2927/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The people of Tyrone and Fermanagh have access to a mobile coronary care service, which outreaches from the Erne and Tyrone County Hospitals and to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) rapid response cardiac service, Both services provide Thrombolysis (clot busting drug treatment).
When the mobile coronary care service is not available from Tyrone County Hospital, as was the case over the holiday period, the NIAS Rapid Response Team provides this service
Delay of Operations at Ulster Hospital
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to address the delay of operations, scheduled to take place between 17 December and 28 December 2007, at the Ulster Hospital.
(AQW 2938/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is assumed this question relates to trauma and orthopaedic (fracture) operations. To address the delay in operations at the Ulster Hospital between 17 and 28 December 2007, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust ensured that in the two weeks commencing 15 December and 22 December 2007 all scheduled fracture sessions were fully utilised and two extra lists were added in each week. All the patients affected by the delay have now had their surgery.
I have set a target for the Health and Social Care sector that by 31 March 2008, at least 75% of patients should, where clinically appropriate, wait no longer than 48 hours for inpatient fracture treatment.
Orthopaedic Operations at Ulster Hospital
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide an explanation as to why there was a delay for orthopaedic operations, scheduled between 17 December and 28 December 2007, at the Ulster Hospital.
(AQW 2939/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is assumed this question relates to trauma and orthopaedic (fracture) operations. The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, who are responsible for managing the Ulster Hospital, have advised that the reason for the delay in trauma and orthopaedic (fracture) operations in the period 17-28 December 2007 was due to a backlog of operations from the period preceding 17 December caused by a combination of factors, including some major trauma cases reducing the number of operations that could be carried out on a daily basis; and admission of a further 51 patients during the period 17-28 December.
Ambulance Service
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the level of accountability that the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has for meeting target times when called to emergency call-outs in rural areas.
(AQW 2953/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) target for responding to emergency calls applies uniformly throughout Northern Ireland and does not differentiate between rural and urban areas. The NIAS Trust Board is accountable for achieving the Trust’s performance targets to the four Health and Social Services Boards, which are responsible for commissioning ambulance services in Northern Ireland, and to me as the Minister responsible for health and social care. My Department, along with the four Boards’ Commissioning Group for Ambulance Services, monitors NIAS's performance closely against the required standard.
Out-of-Hours Services
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not he has plans to transfer out-of-hours services from (i) Strabane; and (ii) Limavady, to Altnagelvin.
(AQW 2966/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The decision by the Western Health and Social Services Board to co-locate GMS Out of Hours (OOH) Services on the Altnagelvin site will not affect the current provision of out of hours general medical services in Strabane or Limavady. However all services are kept under continuous review to ensure they remain effective and are provided efficiently.
Efficiency Savings
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail those areas and departments that he expects will make efficiency savings of close to £500 million over a six year period.
(AQW 2970/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: For the Spending Review 2004 period from 2005/06 to 2007/08 my Department is on track to deliver £146m of resource releasing efficiencies. These efficiencies have been delivered through a wide range of workstreams which operated in hospitals, community services, personal social services, the community drugs budget, family health services, the Fire Service and through capping the Departmental budget.
My Department is planning to achieve additional efficiencies of £344m on top of this, as assigned by DFP, for the next CSR period 2008/09 to 2010/11. Given the extent of the savings required, I am looking for efficiency across the whole of the Departmental baseline. I anticipate making savings from RPA, from further pharmaceutical savings and from increased productivity. Details proposals are still being developed.
Future Funding Plans
Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the funding his department has provided to the Southern Investing for Health Partnership, in the last 3 years; and (ii) the future funding planned for the 'Know the Score Drug and Alcohol Project', based in St John Bosco Youth Centre, Newry.
(AQW 2972/08)
- Mr M McGimpsey: Funding allocated from my Department to the Southern Investing for Health Partnership to support the implementation of locally agreed Health Improvement Plans in each year of the last three years is set out in the table below.
- The Southern Investing for Health Partnership has provided the following funding to the "Know the Score Drug and Alcohol Project" over the last 4 years:
Year |
Funding |
05/06 |
£308k |
06/07 |
£323k |
07/08 |
£333k |
Year |
Funding |
04/05 |
£15k |
05/06 |
£30k |
06/07 |
£30k |
07/08 |
£30k |
The Project also received the following funding from the Southern Drug and Alcohol Co-Ordination Team (SDACT):
Year |
Funding |
04/05 |
£2,000 |
05/06 |
£3,200 |
06/07 |
£675 |
As of 2007/08, the SDACT commissioned a range of local services, though a tendering process, to enable it to deliver on its locally developed action plan. The "Know the Score Drug and Alcohol Project" did not submit a bid to this process.
Agenda for Change
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether or not he will ensure that staff who sit on matching panels are released from their normal duties to complete the 2nd panel for Agenda for Change; and if not, to detail what action he is taking to achieve this objective.
(AQW 2973/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I have instructed all Health and Social Care employers that I expect all staff to be in receipt of the Agenda for Change rates of pay by the end of March 2008. Health and Social Care employers have produced action plans to achieve the March target for assimilation; which includes prioritising of 2nd panels and the release of staff for that purpose.
Fertility Treatment
Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) any feedback he has received following his agreement to review the criteria for patients accessing fertility treatment; and (ii) what is his assessment of the key areas of the review.
(AQW 2974/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Since announcing my intention to review the access criteria for specialised fertility services, my Department has received a report on the impact of the current criteria on service provision and is currently undertaking further work to assess the systems and processes relevant to waiting list management at the Regional Fertility Centre. Key stakeholders will be invited to provide feedback on their experience of the current access criteria and the provision of fertility services at a workshop on 1 February. The outcome of this workshop will help inform the consultation paper I intend to issue in the spring.
The review will assess the impact of each of the access criteria, the evidence base supporting the criteria, and the impact of the criteria on service provision.
Fertility Treatment
Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of patients in receipt of fertility treatment; and (ii) the numbers of patients receiving each type of treatment, broken down by Health and Social Services Board area, in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2975/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The number of couples who received fertility treatment, by type of treatment and Health and Social Services Board of residence, for each of the last five years is shown in the table below.
2003/2004:
Health and Social Services Board |
DI (Donor Insemination) |
FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) |
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) |
IVF (Invitro Fertilisation) |
SIUI (Stimulated Intral Uterine Insemination) |
Eastern |
29 |
19 |
77 |
90 |
75 |
Northern |
16 |
14 |
35 |
90 |
30 |
Southern |
8 |
8 |
28 |
46 |
<5 |
Western |
8 |
6 |
33 |
39 |
11 |
Source: Regional Fertility Centre
2004/2005:
Health and Social Services Board |
DI (Donor Insemination) |
FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) |
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) |
IVF (Invitro Fertilisation) |
SIUI (Stimulated Intral Uterine Insemination) |
Eastern |
5 |
5 |
75 |
85 |
35 |
Northern |
5 |
<5 |
54 |
42 |
24 |
Southern |
<5 |
5 |
59 |
38 |
<5 |
Western |
<5 |
<5 |
41 |
27 |
<5 |
Source: Regional Fertility Centre
2005/2006:
Health and Social Services Board |
DI (Donor Insemination) |
FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) |
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) |
IVF (Invitro Fertilisation) |
SIUI (Stimulated Intral Uterine Insemination) |
Eastern |
0 |
12 |
76 |
79 |
69 |
Northern |
0 |
8 |
38 |
54 |
31 |
Southern |
0 |
5 |
34 |
37 |
<5 |
Western |
0 |
<5 |
24 |
34 |
<5 |
Source: Regional Fertility Centre
2006/2007:
Health and Social Services Board |
DI (Donor Insemination) |
FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) |
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) |
IVF (Invitro Fertilisation) |
SIUI (Stimulated Intral Uterine Insemination) |
Eastern |
0 |
12 |
63 |
100 |
60 |
Northern |
0 |
8 |
46 |
63 |
24 |
Southern |
0 |
5 |
35 |
60 |
<5 |
Western |
0 |
<5 |
29 |
51 |
<5 |
Source: Regional Fertility Centre
2007/2008*
Health and Social Services Board |
DI (Donor Insemination) |
FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) |
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) |
IVF (Invitro Fertilisation) |
SIUI (Stimulated Intral Uterine Insemination) |
Eastern |
0 |
5 |
76 |
90 |
60 |
Northern |
0 |
6 |
50 |
64 |
21 |
Southern |
0 |
5 |
33 |
74 |
<5 |
Western |
0 |
5 |
29 |
51 |
10 |
Source: Regional Fertility Centre
*As the financial year 07/08 is not complete, the numbers of patients quoted above is the number of couples who will be treated by the end of the financial year 07/08
Funding Provided for Fertility Treatment
Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the funding provided to each of the Health and Social Services Boards for fertility treatment.
(AQW 2976/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: In 2007/08 an amount of £1.587m was allocated to Boards for specialised fertility services. This was divided on a capitation basis as follows:
Northern Board – 24.32%
Southern Board – 18.83%
Eastern Board – 39.68%
Western Board – 17.17%
Fertility Treatment
Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people on waiting lists for fertility treatment in each of the Health and Social Services Board areas.
(AQW 2977/08)
Mr M McGimpsey:
The number of couples on waiting lists for specialist fertility treatment at the Regional Fertility Centre at 21 January 2008 was as follows:
FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) |
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) |
IVF (Invitro Fertilisation) |
SIUI (Stimulated Intra Uterine Insemination) |
|
EHSSB |
1 |
88 |
151 |
0 |
NHSSB |
0 |
55 |
95 |
12 |
SHSSB |
0 |
48 |
102 |
0 |
WHSSB |
0 |
31 |
26 |
0 |
Agenda for Change
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the reasons why there is no cost of living uplift at 2.5% for staff not assimilated under the Agenda for Change process.
(AQW 2979/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Health and Social Care staff who are not yet assimilated to Agenda for Change pay continue to be paid on either Whitley or the National Joint Council pay scales. In some instances these scales are higher than the equivalent Agenda for Change pay points. To continue to apply the uplift to the Whitley or National Joint Council pay scales could result in some individuals being overpaid. All staff should be moved to Agenda for Change pay by the end of March 2008 and those entitled to arrears as a result of the 2.5% cost of living uplift will receive them.
Private Finance Initiative Hospital Project at Enniskillen
Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide a timescale within which the successful tender for the Private Finance Initiative hospital project at Enniskillen will be announced; and to confirm the departmental representative who will be signing the contract for this project.
(AQW 2981/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is expected that the Preferred Bidder for the New Acute Hospital for the South West will be announced in May 2008. Following further clarification of the project agreement and subject to planning approval the contract will be awarded in November 2008.
Subject to final business case approvals by my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel, it would be for the Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust to sign the contract for this project with the private company.
Private Finance Initiatives
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not he intends to meet HM Treasury value for money tests for private finance initiatives, in the outline business cases, by privatising and seconding staff.
(AQW 2991/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is the policy of my Department to adhere to relevant HM Treasury Guidance on Value for Money and Affordability assessment of Business Cases in making a decision on the procurement route, PFI or conventional, for all health capital investment projects.
Where PFI is chosen as the preferred procurement route for a project, clinical services in a healthcare project remain the responsibility of the Health and Social Care Trust. Supporting facilities management services (known as hard and soft FM services) can be transferred to the PFI operating company. In the case of soft FM services (catering, portering, etc) the inclusion of these services within the scope of the procurement and later the final contract must be subject to a rigorous value for money test in accordance with HMT Treasury Guidance. Cleaning services and staff are excluded from the scope of such project contracts.
Where hard FM services and staff (e.g. buildings maintenance staff) are transferred to the private sector, their terms and conditions of employment are protected by TUPE regulations (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, 1981) and, in accordance with HM Treasury Guidance, they are to be provided with pensions schemes broadly comparable to those provided by the public sector employer.
Where soft FM services are to be transferred to a PFI operating company the associated staff are seconded to the PFI company from the public sector rather than transferred to support the transfer of services. They are retained within Trust employment for the lifetime of the project. This is in accordance with the Retention of Employment (RoE) model adopted by DHSSPS in 2006 for soft FM services in PFI projects.
Agenda for Change
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not the deadline of 31 December to conclude on the Agenda for Change matching process is still achievable; and what action he is taking to resource this process within the Health and Social Care Trusts.
(AQW 2992/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: All 65,000 HSC posts were subjected to the Agenda for Change matching process within the 31 December 2007 deadline. In instances where the panel failed to agree on a grading, these particular jobs were referred to a 2nd matching panel. This process was given priority by all HSC employers.
New Build for the Ulster Hospital
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not the new build for the Ulster Hospital is on target for the planned completion date.
(AQW 2999/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The major new build project currently on site at the Ulster Hospital is the Critical Care Complex. Pre-contract Enabling Works commenced in February 2007 and the construction contract in May 2007. The contract, including commissioning, is due to complete by the end of April 2010. The works are currently on programme to achieve this planned target date.
Regional Pay Bargaining
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not there is regional pay bargaining in relation to staff on pay bands 1-4, given that they are paid less than their counterparts in England; and what is his assessment of the equality implications, given that staff in these bands are low-paid.
(AQW 3009/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: In Northern Ireland we have honoured the Pay Review Body recommendation of 2.5% uplift for 2007/08 in full, unlike the NHS in England where the award was staged. The NHS Staff Council have now agreed a revised pay deal for staff on Agenda for Change Bands 1 to 4 for England only; this was on the basis that the 2.5% staged increase was unreasonable when applied to the lower paid staff. I recognise that by not implementing the lower pay award similar to the NHS in England that the Northern Ireland rates are now out of line with the rest of the NHS. I will continue to work with my Executive colleagues to address this issue.
Emergency Calls
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of emergency calls received by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in each of the last five years; and (ii) the number of these calls that were found to be malicious.
(AQW 3012/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The number of emergency calls and identified malicious calls over the last five years are detailed in the table below.
Year |
Emergency Calls Received |
Malicious Calls Received |
2003 |
60908 |
5873 |
2004 |
54056 |
5952 |
2005 |
52430 |
5079 |
2006 |
54322 |
4777 |
2007 |
52490 |
4228 |
Free Dental Care
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure that free dental care is available, through the Health Service, to all who are entitled; and to detail the dental practices in (i) Omagh; and (ii) Strabane, that accept new Health Service patients without requiring them to pay fees.
(AQW 3044/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Each Health and Social Services Board is responsible for making arrangements with local dentists for general dental services in its own area. Currently there is no obligation on dentists to accept a patient for health service treatment, nor do current contractual arrangements permit Health and Social Services Boards to compel dentists to provide HS dental services.
I am committed to securing a robust and accessible health service dental service for everyone in Northern Ireland and, as a means of achieving this, discussions are currently ongoing between my officials and representatives of the Dental Practice Committee of the British Dental Association on a new contract for Northern Ireland. This contract, when implemented, will introduce local commissioning which will give Health and Social Services Boards greater control over patient access to health service dentistry. The new contract will also deliver a revised remuneration system, which rewards dentists fairly for operating the new arrangements, thus addressing the dental profession’s current concerns with the present remuneration system.
There is at present, a lack of dental practices in the Omagh and Strabane areas willing to actively accept new Health Service patients to their practice lists. This has caused major dental access difficulties and in the short term, patients encountering such access problems in these areas are being asked to travel outside their local area to avail of HS dental services.
The Western Health and Social Services Board are very much aware of the shortage of Health Service dentists in their area and are currently addressing these access problems through the continued advertising for the recruitment of salaried dentists which, if successful, should help to reduce the difficulties in getting access to a Health Service dentist in the Omagh and Strabane areas.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
N.I. Water
Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the role of PriceWaterhouseCooper staff in relation to the selection procedure for posts in Northern Ireland Water.
(AQW 2656/08)
The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that PriceWaterhouseCoopers are the main provider but not exclusive provider of advice and support in relation to strategies to select and recruit the best possible staff to enable the company to meet its corporate objectives. This has included value for money advice on how to attract suitable applicants, support in designing and developing recruitment documents and assistance with recruitment exercises.
The advice and support provided by PriceWaterhouseCoopers complies fully with equality legislation and supports Northern Ireland Water in being an equal opportunities employer.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Northern Ireland Water
Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the number of staff from PriceWaterhouseCoopers working with, or for, Northern Ireland Water in the past six months; and (b) the tasks performed by these staff.
(AQW 2657/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that, in the past six months, 62 staff from PriceWaterhouseCoopers have been working with, or for, the company. Not all have been engaged on a full time basis.
During this period, PriceWaterhouseCoopers staff have covered vacancies in Northern Ireland Water’s staff structure and have also provided:
- advice on change management, programme governance, process mapping, mobile work management, economic regulation and financial modelling; and
- support on customer billing, payroll implementation, staff recruitment, staff reduction programme and documentation of financial control procedures.
They have also been involved in reviews relating to the delivery of the capital programme, pay and grading, performance management, contract management and the procurement of goods and services.
Sewage Works in West Tyrone
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide a list of sewage works in the West Tyrone constituency on which his department plans to carry out improvement works and upgrades, in the next 2 years.
(AQW 2694/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it plans to upgrade and improve a number of wastewater treatment works in the West Tyrone constituency over the next two years. This work, which will cost in the region of £5.2 million, aims to meet regulatory standards, safeguard public health and protect the environment. The wastewater treatment works involved are at Killen, Mountfield, Plumbridge, Ballymagory and Tattyreagh.
Resurfacing Work, Lisbeeghan Road
Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give a timescale within which resurfacing work will be carried out on the Lisbeeghan road, Ballymoney.
(AQW 2698/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that Lisheeghan Road is on a reserve list of resurfacing schemes, where, depending on priorities and available funding, it will continue to compete for inclusion on future works programmes.
Northern Ireland Water will shortly commence works to place a new water main within part of the Lisheeghan Road. As a consequence any large scale resurfacing will be postponed for approximately a year to allow for post work settlement. However, Roads Service will continue with temporary patching to meet maintenance standards in the interim.
New Railway Stop at Dunloy
Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration he will give to opening a new railway stop at Station road, Dunloy, for the Derry/Londonderry to Belfast railway service.
(AQW 2699/08)
Mr C Murphy: No consideration is currently being given to opening a new railway stop at Dunloy. The likely patronage would not be sufficient to justify a stop in Donloy in addition to the current stops in Ballymoney (7 miles to the north) and Cullybackey (10 miles to the south).
Snow Ploughs and Gritting Machines
Mr J Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide details on the use of snow ploughs and gritting machines on the A24 from Carryduff to Clough, during the 24 hour period commencing at 2pm on Thursday, 3 January 2008.
(AQW 2730/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service advises that, on the basis of a weather forecast predicting widespread frost and light snow flurries from approximately 16.00 hrs on 3 January, its Eastern and Southern Divisions, in which the A24 is located, commenced the salting of all roads within the salted network, between 15.30 hrs and 17.20 hrs, with each run taking between 2½ to 3½ hours to complete. Following the prediction of heavy snowfall, snow ploughs were fitted to some gritters, as circumstances permitted, from approximately 19.00 hrs.
These operations continued throughout the evening, finishing around midnight.
Following reports of heavy snow in the Ballynahinch area, a gritter with snowplough attached, accompanied by a further gritter, was dispatched at approximately 20.00hrs, and the A24 Ballynahinch to Newcastle road was ploughed between 22.30 and midnight.
Salting operations recommenced at approximately 02.00 on 4 January and continued throughout the day in order to keep all main roads passable.
North Antrim Sewerage Infrastructure
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the locations, in the North Antrim constituency, that Northern Ireland Water has identified as having sewerage infrastructure problems; and to detail the nature of these problems.
(AQW 2750/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it is currently undertaking a comprehensive exercise to reassess the availability of headroom at wastewater treatment works across the North, based on the most up to date demographic information and planning projections. This work is scheduled for completion during 2008. In addition, an out of sewer flooding register is being developed to further refine the information available on system performance and deficiencies.
The Chief Executive of NIW will write to you about locations with sewerage infrastructure problems, when the full assessment of wastewater treatment works in the North Antrim constituency is complete.
Roads with Steep Drops
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what safety measures he has put in place, in relation to roads with steep drops at either side, to avoid the risk of serious accidents and loss of life.
(AQW 2766/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is directed by the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Standard TD 19 – Requirements for Road Restraint Systems, which came into effect in July 2007. Included in this Standard is the mandatory Road Restraint Risk Assessment Process, which enables designers of new capital schemes to determine, at specific sites, the need for road restraint systems and their performance requirements. Indeed, separate Road Safety Audits must be carried out on all highway schemes involving removal, provision or improvement of any road restraint system.
Standard TD 19 must be applied to all new or improvement works to roads with designated speeds over 50mph and on those roads with a speed limit of less that 50mph, where the "overseeing organisation" (Roads Service) considers that such provision is required.
In general, where a road has steep drops at either side, depending on the risk to road users and others, Roads Service may consider installing a road restraint system. The criteria used for design of road restraint systems include:
- Likelihood of risk, which takes account of the:
- probability of a vehicle leaving the road;
- road type, road alignment, traffic flow and type, and accident history; and,
- probability of an errant vehicle reaching the area to be protected.
Consequences of risk, which takes account of:
- the speed of an errant vehicle;
- the aggressiveness of the hazard; and,
- whether others may be involved, eg. houses or railways.
Total risk, which takes account of the risk to occupants and risk to others.
All of the above factors are considered in the selection and implementation of measures at any particular site.
Sewerage Infrastructure
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide details of projected investment in sewerage infrastructure for Cookstown and Magherafelt district council areas for (i) 2008/09; (ii) 2009/10; and (iii) 2010/11.
(AQW 2769/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that over the three financial years to 2010/11, over £5.8 million has been allocated in its Strategic Business Plan for investment in the sewerage infrastructure for the Cookstown and Magherafelt District Council areas. The annual breakdown is as follows:
YEAR |
COOKSTOWN DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA |
MAGHERAFELT DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA |
£000s |
£000s |
|
2008/09 |
167 |
1,644 |
2009/10 |
0 |
1,869 |
2010/11 |
324 |
1,800 |
Proposed Schemes on Farmhill Road, Killyclogher
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development what actions he is taking to expedite the two proposed schemes on Farmhill Road, Killyclogher, in the interests of the health and safety of road users, particularly young children, who walk this road to access both school and recreation facilities at Ballinamullan.
(AQW 2772/08)
Mr C Murphy: In relation to AQW 2772/08, my Department’s Roads Service has confirmed that agreement has recently been reached with landowners affected by the culvert replacement scheme at the Cookstown Road end of Farmhill Road. This will allow this scheme to be delivered over the next few months.
Unfortunately, Roads Service has encountered difficulties in progressing the scheme in the vicinity of Ballinamullan Bridge and may need to vest land, which would result in a minimum delay of 12 months.
Replacement of Glenlark Bridge, Gortin, Co. Tyrone
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give a timescale within which the Glenlark bridge, Gortin, Co. Tyrone, will be replaced.
(AQW 2774/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Glenlark Bridge is programmed for replacement during this financial year. Although the design work is complete, work has not commenced as the land necessary to deliver the scheme has not been secured. While negotiations with the landowner are ongoing, Roads Service has not yet obtained ‘Permission to Enter’ to start the scheme. If this permission is received, the scheme will commence within a matter of weeks. However if negotiations are unsuccessful, then the necessary land will have to be vested, thus delaying the scheme by at least 12 months.
Upgrade of Glencam Road, Killyclogher
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to implement the upgrade of Glencam Road, Killyclogher, as recommended in the Omagh Area Plan 1987-2002.
(AQW 2775/08)
Mr C Murphy: A 140 metre stretch of the Glencam Road between Gortin Road and Killybrack Road has recently been upgraded as part of Roads Service’s Development Control requirements for a residential development. This ‘developer led’ approach will be an essential element of any future improvements to the Glencam Road.
Although the Glencam Road was considered for inclusion in the Sub Regional Transport Plan 2015, it was ultimately not included, due to its lesser priority (in comparative terms) when considered alongside other competing schemes.
I understand that the Department of the Environment’s Planning Service is currently developing the West Tyrone Area Plan 2019 (which includes Omagh). It remains the longer term intention of Roads Service to support the inclusion of the Glencam Road in the Plan as part of the transport network for this part of Omagh.
Fluoride in Drinking Water
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) what percentage of the population is supplied with drinking water that is treated with fluoride; and (ii) what areas are currently exempt from fluoridation in the drinking water supply.
(AQW 2787/08)
Mr C Murphy: Fluoridation of the public water supply is a dental health issue and is therefore a matter for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). DHSSPS has confirmed that it currently has no plans to introduce fluoridation in the North.
Under current legislation, DHSSPS may request Northern Ireland Water (NIW) to increase the fluoride content of the water supply in some or all areas of the North. I have been advised by NIW that it has not received any such requests. Consequently the public water supply is not presently fluoridated anywhere in the North.
Traffic Attendants
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of traffic attendants that have patrolled the Moyle District Council area, from 1 July 2007 to 7 January 2008.
(AQW 2814/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service advises that parking enforcement in the Moyle District Council area is undertaken by Traffic Attendants deployed as mobile patrols from bases in Coleraine and Ballymena.
I can confirm that 25 such mobile patrols have been deployed in the Moyle District Council area during the period from 1 July 2007 to 7 January 2008.
N.I. Water
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps Northern Ireland Water plan to take to improve communications and service to elected representatives, in view of ongoing concerns about a range of matters, including (i) communication with elected representatives acting on behalf of constituents; (ii) communication between the call centre and contractors on the ground; and (iii) ensuring that problems on the ground are dealt with in a joined-up manner.
(AQW 2838/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it has a dedicated telephone line exclusively for use by elected representatives. This service was introduced in August 2007 to improve communication with elected representatives and ensure that any issues raised by them on behalf of constituents are dealt with promptly and effectively. The telephone number for elected representatives is 08453 006461 and it is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Northern Ireland Water is also introducing a new computerised mobile work management system to improve communication between its Customer Relations Centre and staff or contractors undertaking work on the ground. The system uses the latest technology to update the Customer Relations Centre on the status of work, thereby ensuring that elected representatives and customers are provided with up to date and accurate information. This system will be extended across Northern Ireland Water by the Summer of 2009.
N.I. Water as an Equal Opportunities Employer
Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm that Northern Ireland Water is an equal opportunities employer, given that a job is being advertised at different salary levels for internal and external recruitment competitions; and to comment on the recruitment approach being taken.
(AQW 2840/08)
Mr C Murphy: Northern Ireland Water has advised me that it is an equal opportunities employer and that it has in place robust recruitment and selection policies and procedures to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and equally in line with best practice and the relevant equality legislation.
Both internal and external recruitment competitions are advertised based on the same grade and salary scales which were transferred from the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and are protected by the Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment (TUPE) legislation and a collective pay agreement. Northern Ireland Water employees who are successful in an internal or external competition receive a salary increase based on a promotion pay policy which is a legacy from the Northern Ireland Civil Service which Northern Ireland Water has continued to apply. As this policy does not apply to external candidates, Northern Ireland Water recognises that there is potential for variations in salary between successful existing employees and other external candidates. It has therefore initiated a policy review to address this issue and will consult with the appropriate Trade Unions about its findings when the review is completed.
Northern Ireland Water
Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the religious background; and (ii) the gender, of senior members of staff within the executive team of Northern Ireland Water.
(AQW 2842/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that the release of information on the religious background of members of staff on its Executive Team would be in breach of Section 1 of the Data Protection Act 1998. The religious background of staff is considered to be sensitive personal information and due to the relatively small size of the Executive Team this information, along with other information already in the public domain, could be used to identify specific individuals.
The gender breakdown of Northern Ireland Water’s Executive Team is 7 males and 2 females.
Ballystockhart Road Gritting Schedules
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development what action is he taking to ensure that the Ballystockhart Road, Comber, will be included in gritting schedules.
(AQW 2884/08)
Mr C Murphy: Ballystockart Road is an unclassified road which runs between the B178 Hillsborough Road and the A22 Comber to Dundonald Road, both of which are included on the winter salting schedule. Whilst Ballystockart Road has not previously met the criteria for inclusion on the schedule, I have asked my Department’s Roads Service to arrange for an assessment (including a traffic survey) to be carried out to ascertain whether this route now meets the criteria and can be added to the schedule for routine salting.
This will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity and I have asked that officials contact you when the results of the assessment are known.
Upgrading of the A26 Frosses Road
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what plans he has to submit a bid for additional funding for the upgrading of the A26 Frosses Road, in light of additional funds being made available by the Minister of Finance and Personnel, in his statement to the Assembly on 15 January 2008.
(AQW 2898/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is currently developing a Major Works Scheme to provide a dual carriageway on the A26 Frosses Road between the northern end of the Crankill dual carriageway at Glarryford crossroads to the junction of the Frosses Road and Drones Road (the Ballycastle fork).
Consultants were appointed in April 2006 and they have recently completed a Stage 1 assessment to review the options for a route improvement corridor. Following a number of public consultation days, alignments within the route improvement corridors are now being developed during Stage 2 of the assessment process. These will be assessed against the Government’s five key objectives for transport: environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration. I anticipate that this stage will conclude in the announcement of a 'preferred route' in mid-2008.
The delivery of the major works programme will be consistent with the level of funding proposed under the Budget 2008-2011 and the draft Investment Strategy 2008-2018(ISNI). You will appreciate that Roads Service is constrained by the levels of funding over the Budget and ISNI periods and must plan and programme the delivery of projects in line with the available funding. Within the programme the timing of individual schemes will be dependent on the outcome of the normal statutory procedures and the availability of funding.
The funding announced by the Minister for Finance and Personnel on 15 January 2008 to which you refer was allocated to Roads Service within the current financial year (March 2008).
Police Officers at Harbours
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of personnel employed as police officers at harbours.
(AQW 2959/08)
Mr C Murphy: There are currently 39 Harbour Police officers employed at Belfast Harbour and 6 Harbour Police officers employed at Larne Harbour.
Rural Road Safety
Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any new measures his department has introduced to improve safety on rural roads.
(AQW 2980/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service carries out safety improvements on rural roads mainly through its Local Transport Safety Measures programme (LTSM). The annual budget for schemes undertaken within the LTSM is approximately £20million, and include the following activities:
- Network Development Schemes;
- Safer Routes to Schools;
- Collision Remedial Schemes; and
- Footway Construction.
The majority of the LTSM budget is spent on the local road network. Additional Information on LTSM schemes can be found on Roads Service’s website at www.roadsni.gov.uk/minor_works
In addition, Roads Service is in the process of reviewing their speed management policy. This policy covers how speed limits are set on roads right across North, including rural roads, and is currently with the Regional Development Committee for scrutiny.
Another road safety measure, which is due to be piloted shortly, is the provision of part-time variable speed limits at rural primary schools. Once the necessary preparation work has been completed for the two pilot locations, the sites will be monitored and assessed to determine their effectiveness at reducing traffic speeds, with a view to rolling out similar initiatives at other rural schools.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Community and Voluntary Groups
Mr M Brady asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the funding her department has provided to each community or voluntary group, in the Newry and Armagh constituency, in each of the last five years.
(AQW 2733/08)
The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): The Department for Social Development provides funding to a wide range of voluntary and community sector organisations in Northern Ireland through a number of targeted programmes. I have placed in the Library details of all funding provided to organisations in the Newry and Armagh constituency from 2003/04 to 2007/08. This funding was provided by the Department’s Voluntary and Community Unit (VCU), Regional Development Office and by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
My Department also makes a contribution to delivery of local community support plans through VCU’s Community Support Programme. District Councils are responsible for the allocation of this funding to local voluntary and community sector organisations. The contributions made to Newry & Mourne and Armagh City and District Councils in the relevant financial years are as follows:-
Financial Year |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
Armagh |
£64,019 |
£64,019 |
£85,167 |
£79,119 |
£169,351 |
Newry & Mourne |
£160,435 |
£160,435 |
£219,915 |
£ 225,502 |
£230,264 |
Assests Owned by DSD
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the amount of excess land that is owned by her department; (ii) the approximate value of these assets; and (iii) what plans she has to dispose of these assets.
(AQW 2802/08)
Ms M Ritchie: My Department holds land most recently valued at approximately £543 million. This comprises 244 separate sites, which range from large areas of new town lands to smaller plots of land, individual buildings and areas of public or amenity space.
I am presently considering which of these lands could be used for social or affordable housing. None are regarded as surplus or excess
Housing Executive Accommodation
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people on the waiting list for Housing Executive accommodation in the (i) the Ballymena Borough Council area; (ii) the Ballymoney Borough Council area ; and (iii) Moyle District Council area, as of 8 January 2008.
(AQW 2803/08)
Ms M Ritchie: This information is not readily available in the format requested. However, the numbers of people on the waiting lists for accommodation in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s administrative districts of Ballymena, Ballymoney and Ballycastle are 1452, 541 and 375 respectively.
Pension Age
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development whether or not there is monetary compensation available for women now reaching pension age who, as a result of bringing up a family, have not paid adequate National Insurance contributions towards a State pension.
(AQW 2806/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The pension position of women is protected in a number of ways. Home Responsibilities Protection, which has been available since 1978, reduces the number of qualifying years needed to qualify for a full basic State Pension. It is available to people who care for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week, those who receive Child Benefit for a child aged under 16 and foster parents.
A woman who does not have the required number of qualifying years may use her husband’s National Insurance contributions to claim a Category B pension, which is paid at 60% of the full basic State Pension rate. Currently this option becomes available to a woman when her husband reaches age 65 and claims his Category A pension.
In addition, Pension Credit guarantees that no pensioner need live on less than £119.05 a week (£181.70 for couples; rising to £124.05 and £189.35 respectively from April 2008).
The Pensions Bill recently passed by the Assembly provides for a more simple and generous State Pension system, within which working and caring will be rewarded equally. It contains measures to make it easier for people to qualify for a full basic State Pension - the number of qualifying years will be reduced to 30, a new National Insurance credit will be introduced to replace Home Responsibilities Protection and the link between a man claiming his Category A pension and a woman claiming her Category B pension will be broken.
Redevelopment of Forkhill Army Base
Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development to outline her position on the redevelopment of the former police and army base in Forkhill by the local community.
(AQW 2853/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Responsibility for the redevelopment of the former police and army base in Forkhill by the local community is a matter for the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Department. My Department is facilitating the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) by acquiring the site on its behalf. My officials are engaging with their counterparts in DARD, local community representatives and the relevant statutory bodies to progress the matter.
Number of Travellers Sites
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of travellers sites located in each council area of Northern Ireland.
(AQW 2874/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The table below provides details of the number of Housing Executive owned sites available to Travellers, by council area.
Council Area |
Number of sites |
Belfast |
2 (1 Serviced, 1 Emergency Halt) |
Derry |
4 (2 Serviced, 1 Emergency Halt, 1 Transit) |
Strabane |
1 (1 Transit) |
Omagh |
1 (1 Serviced) |
Craigavon |
2 (1 Serviced, 1 Emergency Halt) |
Dungannon (Coalisland) |
1 (1 Serviced) |
Social Housing
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of units of social housing that have been built in South Belfast, in each of the last 2 years.
(AQW 2902/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The number of units of social housing that have been completed in South Belfast was 145 in the financial year 2005/06 and 112 in the financial year 2006/07.
Renewing the Routes Initiative
Mr N McCausland asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm when her department will approve the 'renewing the routes' initiative at Glenbank, Crumlin Road, Belfast.
(AQW 2978/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Renewing the Routes initiative is an over-arching strategic initiative aimed at regenerating the arterial routes leading to and from Belfast City Centre. The works planned for the Crumlin Road are being carried out, under the Integrated Development Fund supported arterial routes programme in the West Belfast and Greater Shankill areas of the city. The necessary approvals should be in place in the near future to allow the Crumlin Road plan to proceed.
Housing Executive Improvement Schemes
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an update on the current progress of all Housing Executive Improvement Schemes in the Lenadoon area of West Belfast; and to confirm if any (i) current; or (ii) upcoming schemes, are being postponed or discontinued.
(AQW 3007/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Information on schemes under way and schemes currently programmed is as follows:
Capital Schemes
Multi Element Improvement
Upper Lenadoon commenced on 13 February 2006 and is 75% complete.
Falcarragh/Kerrykeel Ph3 commenced on 11 September 2006. The original contract was terminated. A new contractor has been appointed and will commence on 28 January 2008
Creeslough commenced on 22 October 2007, and is currently on site.
Suffolk Road Flats is currently programmed for April 2009.
Health & Safety Works
Lenadoon 4/Dungloe is currently programmed for November 2008.
Doon Road Flats is currently programmed for January 2009.
Environmental Improvement Schemes
Liverpool Houses Phase 1 commenced on 7 February 2005 and work to Housing Executive properties is complete. A letter confirming funding by Belfast Regeneration Office for privately owned property issued on 21 January 2008.
Liverpool Houses Phase 2 commenced on 2 October 2006 and work to Housing Executive properties is almost complete. . A letter confirming funding by Belfast Regeneration Office for privately owned property issued on 21 January 2008.
Heating Installation
Lenadoon Flats is currently programmed for April 2011.
Revenue Schemes
External Cyclical Maintenancee
Suffolk/ Doon and Lenadoon Flats commenced on 30 April 2007 and is currently on site.
Rinalea/Lower Lenadoon is currently programmed for June 2009.
Creeslough/Falcarragh is currently programmed for April 2010.
Liverpool is currently programmed for June 2010.
Revenue Replacement Schemes (Kitchens)
Liverpool commenced on 5 February 2007, and is almost complete (ahead of schedule).
Rinnalea/Shaws/Rosnareen commenced on 4 June 2007 and is almost complete (ahead of schedule).
Doon Road/Lenadoon/Dungloe is currently programmed for June 2009.
Carrigart/Corrib is currently programmed for June 2010.
Until the budget for future years is firmed up all current target programme dates will be at risk
CORRIGENDA
Written Answer Booklet of 11 January 2008
(Volume 26, No WA3)
From page WA140, col 1, to page WA141, col 2, replace the answers to questions (AQW 2347/08, AQW 2349/08, AQW 2350/08, AQW 2351/08 and AQW 2352/08) with;
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development does not maintain this information centrally. Information does exist in relation to imports from a Third Country direct to here. However, information does not exist in relation to indirect importations. This is due to the fact that once imports from countries outside the European Union enter through the Border Inspection Post (BIP) in any Member State, they can complete their onward journey on a Common Veterinary Entry Document provided by the BIP of entry. Under EU Trade rules, these products are permitted to move freely within the EU.
Annex A details the imports direct from Third Countries and Annex B provides further details on the number of consignments from each country and by product type.
The Livestock and Meat Commission does monitor and maintain figures of beef imports to here. The composite figures are detailed in Annex C. There is no statutory reason for DARD to calculate the actual tonnages imported direct from each Third Country and this limited information could only be calculated at disproportionate cost.
Owing to reasons of commercial confidentiality information cannot be provided in relation to those organisations or individuals importing meat here.
DARD does not maintain statistics to provide a complete picture of the amount of product imported, that is subject to further packaging or processing, or of the amount that is subsequently re-exported. There is no statutory requirement for DARD to collect this information.
ANNEX A
Imported direct from Third Countries into Northern Ireland
2005 |
2006 |
2007* |
|
Lamb (in Tonnes) |
2391.2 |
550.1 |
785.2 |
Beef(in Tonnes) |
0.0 |
49.6 |
99.9 |
Pig (in Tonnes) |
23.9 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Chicken Meat (in Tonnes) |
152.8 |
302.0 |
1253.9 |
*1st 6 months only
ANNEX B
2005
27 consignments of lamb from Argentina
19 turkey consignments from Brazil
3 chicken consignments from Brazil
3 chicken consignments from Thailand
2 turkey consignments from Chile
32 lamb consignments from New Zealand
1 pork consignment from Korea (re import)
2006
2 consignments of Beef from Brazil
13 consignments of chicken from Thailand
2 consignments of venison from New Zealand
28 consignments of lamb from New Zealand
2 consignments of lamb from Uruguay
4 consignments of lamb from Australia
2007
6 consignments of Beef from Brazil
62 consignments of chicken from Brazil
13 consignments of chicken from Thailand
62 consignments of lamb from New Zealand
4 consignments of lamb from Chile
14 consignments of lamb from Australia
ANNEX C
UK BEEF IMPORTS
(‘000 tonnes) |
2005 |
2006 |
Jan-Jun 2007 |
Total imports |
239.9 |
232.9 |
117.7 |
from EU-25 |
176.4 |
177.3 |
*88.3 |
from non EU-25 |
63.5 |
55.5 |
*29.4 |
Main Sources |
|||
ROI |
136.5 |
142.7 |
67.0 |
Brazil |
32.2 |
28.6 |
15.8 |
Other Sources |
|||
Germany |
9.2 |
11.0 |
8.3 |
The Netherlands |
12.7 |
12.8 |
7.8 |
Uruguay |
7.0 |
7.6 |
4.9 |
Australia |
4.7 |
6.2 |
** |
Namibia |
5.9 |
3.5 |
2.1 |
Botswana |
3.5 |
2.4 |
2.4 |
Argentina |
9.1 |
5.0 |
1.7 |
France |
3.8 |
2.7 |
1.5 |
Italy |
3.9 |
2.4 |
0.7 |
Source: Meat and Livestock Commission
* Figures are for EU -27
** No figures available