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 01 February 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
Assembly Commission

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Strategic Investment Board

Mr A Attwood asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the role of the Strategic Investment Board in the preparation of the Executive's spending plans.

(AQO 1492/08)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): The Strategic Investment Board (SIB) has made a significant contribution towards the preparation of the Executive’s spending plans through its work in developing the Investment Strategy. Working in conjunction with departments on their capital investment plans the SIB has advised the Executive on the most appropriate programmes of capital investment needed over the longer-term to support the priorities set out within the Programme for Government, making best use of available resources.

The SIB’s advice has been informed by a programme of detailed research and analysis, including engagement with key stakeholders, to help ensure the strategy meets the needs of the region.

This work of the SIB has enabled the Executive to take a holistic view of infrastructure needs enabling more joined up thinking in the planning and delivery of projects and move beyond the traditional three-year budget planning process.

Expenditure Pressures

Mr D McNarry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what representations it has received from the Minister of Finance and Personnel in relation to securing additional money from HM Treasury to ease expenditure pressures arising from the draft Budget.

(AQW 2791/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We held a number of meetings and discussions with the Finance Minister in relation to easing budgetary pressures for the NI Executive and given the importance of the matter the meetings continue on a regular basis.

A number of budgetary issues have been resolved including securing access to our full stock of "End Year Flexibility" over the next 3 years. In terms of resource this represents £190 million over the next period. We also obtained an improved Comprehensive Spending Review resulting in £440 million more being made available than reached in the context of the Chancellor’s Package in 2007.

A particular focus for our meetings was the Varney Report. Ministers made a robust case for reform of the corporation tax but were disappointed at the outcome. We have pressed the Chief Secretary that a further review is required over the next few months, involving and including direct input from our officials.

In addition, as is normal practice, on behalf of the Executive and following discussion and agreement with us, the Finance Minister and his officials continue to directly press the case for additional resources for Northern Ireland from HM Treasury on a range of issues.

Irish Language

Mr D McNarry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the proportion of time that is set aside at Executive meetings, for translations of the Irish language into English.

(AQW 2828/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: No time is set aside at Executive meetings for translations of the Irish language into English

Maze Prison

Mr N McCausland asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number of visits to the former prison buildings at the Maze that took place in (i) 2005; (ii) 2006; and (iii) 2007; and to detail the dates on which such visits took place.

(AQW 2916/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Limited access by elected officials, the media, key stakeholders, potential developers and those with an interest in the regeneration of the Maze/Long Kesh site, which includes a number of former prison buildings which are listed and the World War II aircraft hangars which are scheduled as historic monuments, has been available since the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister took ownership in 2004.

The number of visits during the calendar years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was as follows:

2005: 164 2006: 549 2007: 639

Details of the dates on which these visits took place have been placed in the library.

EU Gender Directive

Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the discussions that took place within the Executive in relation to the decision to leave action on the EU Gender Directive on Goods and Services to Westminster.

(AQW 2921/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: When we were advised that UK Ministers had decided to legislate to implement the EU Gender Directive on a UK-wide basis, we wrote to Ministerial colleagues on 19 December 2007 to advise them of this decision. To date, there has been no discussion within the Executive on this matter.

EU Gender Directive

Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail at what level of government the decision was taken to refer the EU Gender Directive on Goods and Services to Westminster.

(AQW 2922/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Once it had been confirmed that the First Minister had concerns about the content of the Regulations and, in particular, the explicit inclusion of reference to transgender or gender reassignment, we agreed that officials should inform the Government Equalities Office and the Northern Ireland Office that there was high risk that Northern Ireland would not being able to meet the Directive’s deadline for implementation by 21 December 2007. When UK Ministers were made aware of this, they decided to legislate to implement the Directive on a UK-wide basis.

Sexual Orientation Strategy

Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it will give a timescale within which a final Sexual Orientation Strategy and Action Plan will be produced.

(AQW 2923/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Work on the Sexual Orientation Strategy and Action Plan was undertaken in line with commitments by previous Direct Rule Ministers. It will be a matter for the Executive to consider and decide on the future direction of policy.

Programme of Cohesion and Integration

Dr S Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to its answer to AQW 2306/08, to provide an update on the timetable for producing detailed proposals for a programme of cohesion and integration.

(AQW 2925/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: OFMDFM are fully committed to building a shared and better future. As previously stated, we will bring forward proposals in the immediate future for a programme of cohesion and integration for a shared and better future to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

In the meantime, work is currently ongoing funding a wide range of projects aimed at increasing cohesion and integration.

Commissioner for Victims

Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number of applicants, for the post of Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, that had also submitted applications for this post when previously advertised earlier in the year.

(AQW 2940/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Four people submitted applications in response to both the original advertisement of the post in January 2007 and the extended process announced in October 2007. There were therefore 38 new applicants in the second process in October 2007.

Commissioner for Victims

Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail, in relation to the first recruitment campaign, the dates on which candidates were interviewed for the post of Commissioner for Victims and Survivors.

(AQW 2944/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Those called to interview following the original advertisement for the post of Commissioner for Victims and Survivors were interviewed on 12,13 and 20 March 2007.

Sustainability Development Strategy

Mr D Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 2499/08, and in relation to Sustainability Development Strategy targets, to detail (i) the targets that were met on time by the end of 2007; (ii) the targets expected to be met during 2008 and their completion dates; (iii) the targets that are subject to a longer timescale, stating the original target date for completion and the current expected completion date; (iv) the targets that are the subject of delays, and by how long; and (v) the targets that have measurement difficulties.

(AQW 2962/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: A review of progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Strategy targets was completed in October 2007. Based on information gathered during the progress review, this written answer encloses details of:

Table 1 - targets that were achieved/are on track to be achieved by the end of 2007;

Table 2 - targets expected to be achieved during 2008;

Table 3 - targets that are subject to a longer timescale, outlining the original target date for completion and the current expected completion date;
Table 4 - targets that are the subject of delays and by how long (where new dates are known); and

Table 5 - targets that have measurement difficulties.

Table 1: Targets achieved/on track to be achieved by end 2007

No	Target
13	Develop a policy and legislative framework for protecting the marine environment by 2007.
42	Prepare an Northern Ireland specific Climate Change Impacts report by February 2007 and update every 5 years.
44	SD to be formally incorporated into the Northern Ireland school curriculum from 2007.
45	Trainee Educators to be trained in SD by 2007.
46	Promote the use of the ESD Good Practice Guidance to schools by 2006.
48	To support by 2007 the implementation of agreed action points as defined by the HEFCE SD publication across the Higher Education Sector.
51	Develop a SD Communications Strategy by 2007.
54	By 2007 introduce a statutory duty on relevant public bodies to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
55	By 2007 ensure that all policy development actively considers sustainable development.
56	By 2007 link sustainable development objectives to the Priorities and Budgets and CSR Processes.
57	By 2007 ensure all Departments have a sustainable development Action Plan in place.
62	Agree the way forward on the review of environmental governance in respect of sustainable development by Summer 2007.

Table 2: Targets expected to be achieved during 2008

No	Target
3	By 2008 ensure that all public sector procurement is channelled through recognised Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPE’s).
4	By 2008 ensure that SD principles guide capital investment decisions on all major publicly funded building and infrastructure projects.
5	By 2008 produce a Sustainable Procurement Action Plan for NI.
6	By 2008 produce a Sustainable Consumption Action Plan for NI.
7	By 2008 put in place measures which optimise the flexibility of retained and refurbished public buildings.
37	By 2008 establish a renewables centre of excellence (Agri Food and Biosciences Institute) at Hillsborough.
38	By 2008 provide an exemplar of biomass Combined Heat and Power in Stormont estate.
39	By 2008 complete research into grid constraints and investment needs to support 2020 vision for renewables.
40	By 2008 research potential of NI geology to store energy / underpin renewables.
47	By 2008 school development plans should incorporate the promotion of ESD.
49	By 2008 implement revised guidance for the restructured FE Sector that embraces all aspects of Sustainable Development including the estate and curriculum.
59	By 2008 strengthen and modernise environmental regulation.

Table 3: Long term targets (outlining original target completion date and current expected completion date)

Target	Original Target Date	Expected Completion Date
Target 2 - Stabilise Northern Ireland ecological footprint by 2015 and reduce it thereafter.	2015	2015
Target 8 - Complete the review of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and programme of designation by 2016.	2016	2016 - Those designated closer to the 2016 deadline are likely to have implementation periods that extend the 2016 deadline.
Target 11 - Meet the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive by 2015	2015	2015
Target 12 - 90% compliance with Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 consent standards.	N/a	2009
Target 14 - Minimise the number of properties at risk from flooding.	N/a	N/a
Target 15 - Complete permitting of existing installations subject to the current Northern Ireland Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations.	N/a	N/a
Target 16 - Meet the health based objectives for the seven key pollutants in the Air Quality Strategy by 2010.	2010	2010
Target 17 - Advance the Second Survey of Buildings of Architectural and Historic Interest: to increase our knowledge of the built environment and to identify structures worthy of protection by listing by 2016.	2016	2016
Target 18 - Rescue at least 200 structures on the Built Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland Register by 2016.	2016	2016
Target 19 - Complete survey records of 1500 historic monuments by 2010.	2010	2010
Target 20 - Significantly reduce biodiversity loss by 2010.	2010	2010
Target 21 - Halt biodiversity loss by 2016.	2016	2016
Target 24 - Invest in modern infrastructure to support the needs of the people of Northern Ireland.	N/a	N/a
Target 25 - By 2009 ensure planning policy and guidance fully reflects the sustainable communities approach, integrates health objectives, incorporates greater consideration of crime prevention and permits development only within local environmental capacity.	2009	2009
Target 26 - By 2010 implement the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy – People and Place.	2010	2010
Target 27 - By 2020 all major towns and cities in Northern Ireland to have developed regeneration master plans based on sustainable development principles.	2020	2020
Target 28 - Address the demand for housing in line with the Regional Development Strategy targets to 2015.	2015	2015
Target 29 - Ensure that all social housing meets the Decent Homes Standard by 2009.	2009	2009
Target 30 - Improve health and life expectancy of the population overall, and reduce health inequalities.	N/a	N/a
Target 31 - Work in partnership to achieve improvements in health and reduction in neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour by developing and implementing a "Cleaner, Safer, Greener Communities" agenda.	N/a	N/a
Target 32 - By 2009 strengthen the involvement of communities and better reflect local views through community planning powers.	2009	2009
Target 33 - Modernise the voluntary and community sector to strengthen the service delivery role of organisations.	N/a	N/a
Target 34 - Build capacity in disadvantaged communities to develop the active participation of local people in achieving positive change.	N/a	N/a
Target 35 - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2025.	2025	2025
Target 36 - Make the Government estate carbon neutral by 2015.	2015	2015
Target 43 - Develop and implement changes to Government policies and strategies to address adaptation issues.	N/a	N/a
Target 50 - By 2009 25% of NI schools to achieve Eco-Schools accreditation.	2009	2009
Target 52 - Use current research into behavioural change to identify short and long-term behavioural targets and appropriate indicators by 2009.	2009	2009
Target 53 - Determine the barriers to behavioural change for sustainability and identify opportunities for appropriate drivers for change by 2009.	2009	2009
Target 58 - By 2009 ensure that community planning is implanted within the revised local authority system.	2009	2009
Target 63 - By 2009 build capacity to enable meaningful civic participation and identify participatory mechanisms for decision-making.	2009	2009

Table 4: Targets that are subject to delays

No.	Target	Status	Revised Target Date
9	Introduce enabling legislation for the designation of national parks by 2009.	2009 target for introducing enabling legislation is no longer achievable.	To be determined



41	By 2008 complete a pilot assessment of tidal stream turbines in Strangford Lough.	2008 target date for competing pilot assessment is no longer achievable.	To be determined - work ongoing




60	By 2006 finalise appropriate monitoring and reporting arrangements for sustainable development and establish an implementation role for the Ministerial- Led Group.	2006 target date has not been met.	2008






61	Agree the role of a Sustainable Development Forum by 2006.	2006 target date has not been met.	To be determined

Table 5: Targets that have measurement difficulties

No	Target
1	Northern Ireland economy will achieve 85% resource efficiency by 2025.





10	Increase Northern Ireland’s forested area by at least 500 hectares per annum in line with Northern Ireland Forestry Strategy – A Strategy for Sustainability and Growth.





22	Reduce the productivity gap (I) between Northern Ireland and other UK regions; and (2) between the Northern Ireland average and the most deprived communities.




23	Reduce the skills gap between Northern Ireland and other UK regions and between the Northern Ireland average and the most deprived communities.

Bill of Rights

Mr I McCrea asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what consideration it has given to moving the deadline for community engagement on the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland from March 2008 to 2009, to ensure effective engagement and consultation with the Protestant community.

(AQW 3095/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Responsibility for the Bill of Rights rests with the NIO. The Bill of Rights Forum will make recommendations on a Bill of Rights to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and it in turn will make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has no direct role in the development of proposals on a Bill of Rights.

Assets Transferred

Mr R Beggs asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the estimated value of additional assets transferred from the Northern Ireland Office to the Executive in each year since 1998.

(AQW 3164/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The following table sets out the value of additional assets transferred from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to the Executive in each financial year of transfer since 1998. The figures provided relate to the value of the asset at the time of transfer to OFMDFM.

Description	2003/04 (£m)	2004/05 (£m)	2006/07 (£m)
Crumlin Road Gaol	1.3
Maze Prison		6.2
Crisis Management Centre			0.2

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Red Meat Taskforce Report

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what progress has been made by her department in responding to the Red Meat Taskforce report.

(AQW 2817/08)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): Implementing the strategy will have major implications for the industry as a whole, requiring the main players to take on increasingly important roles for the industry. The Report identified actions for each of the main players and DARD is actively playing its part in implementing the Report’s recommendations.

I recently met with Commissioner Fischer Boel and took the opportunity to bring the findings of the Red Meat Task Force report to her attention. The difficulties facing the North’s red meat industry make it all the more important that we have a level playing field when it comes to competition by ensuring full decoupling of support across the EU and by ensuring that imports meet the same high standards as domestic production.

I have met with the three of the major retailers with plans to meet another very soon, and wrote to them about the issue of rising costs for producers. I have no direct influence over retail prices, however I believe that lower prices for consumers should not mean lower prices for local producers.

The Report identifies models of production that could form the basis of sustainable production. The Task Force recently established two Working Groups, both led by DARD officials to consider (a) how best to target efforts to develop commercially viable models of beef production and (b) to scope practical options, linked to broader social and environmental considerations, which might support suckler beef and hill sheep farmers.

My Department is also looking at ways of assisting processors in identifying new and niche markets and working with them to identify and secure efficiency savings which can be passed along the supply chain to benefit all involved, including producers.

We will continue to play an active role in the work of the Task Force in developing more constructive relationships within the supply chain and I will continue to engage fully with all parts of that chain. The continuation of the Task Force work is vital in developing a cohesive plan for the future sustainability of our industry.

Consultants Employed

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the number of consultants employed by her department; (ii) the names of consultants employed; (iii) the purpose of the employment of consultants; and (iv) the fees charged by consultants, in each of the last 4 years.

(AQW 2820/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The information requested has been placed in the Assembly library.

Staff Illness

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 2325/08, what comparison she has made of (i) the totality of disciplinary cases resulting from unacceptable sickness records across all Government departments, including Executive agencies; and (ii) the percentages of total staff across all departments, including Executive agencies, who fall within the scope of her reply.

(AQW 2850/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development does not routinely make comparisons across all Government Departments in respect of either (i) the totality of disciplinary cases resulting from unacceptable sickness absence records, including Executive agencies or (ii) the percentages of total staff across all departments including Executive agencies. However, the Department does closely monitor its own level of disciplinary action.

Advertising Spend

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the amount her department has spent on advertising in each of the last five years.

(AQW 2854/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The following table details the amount spent on advertising by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in each of the last five years

2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
£121,907	£223,820	£352,974	£226,541	£198,766

APHIS Database

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to comment on the APHIS database; and to explain how the database benefits the Northern Ireland agriculture industry.

(AQW 2860/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS) is a computerised system for recording cattle movements, disease and post mortem data and has been in operation since November 1998. It replaced the earlier Animal Health computer system that operated for the previous ten years.

APHIS delivers a wide range of support to many sections of the agricultural community. Cattle traceability, a major component of APHIS, enables the industry to meet its EU responsibilities on animal identification and movement and provides marketing support for the meat industry and an invaluable customer assurance to purchasers of the North’s products. It is used to determine animals eligible for the export trade such as calves to the continent. Cattle in the North do not require passports because APHIS is recognised by the EC Commission as an ‘operational database’,

APHIS provides the structure for all of DARD’s disease control programmes, including direct access by private vets for tuberculosis (TB) testing.

APHIS assists DARD’s Grants and Subsidies Division in paying the LFA Compensatory Allowance payments and for CAFRE’s Beef and Suckler Quality Initiatives.

In addition to meeting this wide range of current needs, APHIS has been designed to provide a springboard for future developments. For example, over 7,500 farmers are already able to access the system directly from a computer in their own farm office, can register cattle births and deaths, and obtain up to the minute herd lists and authorisations for new or replacement ear tags.

They can also electronically notify cattle movements to markets or meat plants, obtain details of herd tests and post mortem data on slaughtered cattle. Industry staff in markets and beef processing plants have recently begun to use APHIS to record and confirm cattle movements onto their premises.

Overall this will lead to a considerable increase in information availability and flexibility, improved data validation, and a reduction in paper and bureaucracy.

Aphis on-Line also allows farmers to update their annual Sheep Inventory on line; and the compilation of herd and flock data through this and other channels has reduced significantly the amount of information farmers had to submit by other means for Farm Census purposes.

There is every expectation that APHIS’ capabilities will increase still further as the system and industry demands on it continue to evolve.

Rural Development Programme

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give a timescale within which funding from the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme will be available to rural groups; and to detail whether or not agreement has been reached between Councils, in relation to clustering, to deliver Rural Development funds.

(AQW 2867/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Clustering work is progressing well. Of the 7 proposed Clusters 5 have now been approved by their respective Councils to form Joint Clusters and the other two are to be agreed at full council meetings before the end of January. The 5 agreed clusters are:

Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey
Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle
Ards, Banbridge, Down and North Down
Armagh, Craigavon, and Newry & Mourne
Magherafelt, Cookstown, Dungannon and Enniskillen

The remaining two clusters (already passed by sub committee) are:

Belfast, Castlereagh and Lisburn (Castlereagh not agreed yet – Lisburn Lead); and
Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady (Derry not agreed yet – Omagh will Lead).

Programme funding (called ‘animation’ funding) for the express purposes of the competitive selection of Local Action Groups and for the development of Local Development Strategies is available now to Joint Clusters agreed by full Council. The Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey cluster will shortly receive animation funding and an invitation to submit an application for the animation funding will issue this week to Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne, Moyle and the Ards, Down, North Down and Banbridge clusters.

Farming Penalities

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what is her assessment of the penalties imposed on farmers who had duplicate fields on their Integrated Administration and Control System forms in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 2869/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Under the 2005 Single Farm Payment scheme, financial penalty was applied in 1,163 cases. The total value of the penalties applied to 2005 payments was 3.073 million euro. In 531 cases, a further 0.415 million euro is recoverable from payments due over the following three scheme years.

For the 2006 scheme year, financial penalty was applied in 59 cases. The total value of the penalties applied to 2006 payments was 95,000 euro. In 18 cases, a further 19,000 euro is recoverable from payments due over the following three scheme years.

Information in respect of relevant penalties under the 2007 SFP scheme is not yet available.

Dairy Farmers

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of advisors, employed by her department, who offer advice to dairy farmers in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2889/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My Department currently employs 90 front line staff to provide advice / support, albeit not exclusively, to dairy farmers.

In addition, Veterinary Service employ 283 staff who may on occasions provide advice to dairy farmers. However this is not their sole role or function.

Rural Development Fund

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what percentage of the Rural Development Fund 2007-2013 will be used for technical aid by the Local Action Groups.

(AQW 2890/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is two-pronged, aiming to improve rural areas’ economic competitiveness while strengthening them socially, objectives dealt with in Axes 1 and 3 of the programme, respectively. Axis 4 deals with the local action groups to be constituted to deliver Axis 3.

A total of £145 million will be available for Axes 1, 3 and 4, with funds provided on an equal basis by the European Union and the British Exchequer. Some £45 million, including administration costs, will go on the Axis 1 measures to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector. Axis 3 quality-of-life measures will receive £80 million, with funding of up to £20 million — 20% of the total — for the local delivery mechanisms stipulated under Axis 4.

The Axis 4 implementation structures are intended to maximise the programme’s social and economic benefit through effectively targeted local delivery and the nurturing of a local skills base. The 20% figure is an upper limit, and the local action groups may also be used to deliver certain Axis 1 measures.

It is important to stress that the inclusive local structures envisaged for delivery of the RDP are themselves an integral aim of the programme and as such are compulsory from an EU perspective.

Rural Development Programme

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the progress that has been made in establishing Local Action Groups to deliver Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

(AQW 2891/08)

Ms M Gildernew: This work has progressed well and of the 7 proposed Clusters 5 have now been approved by their respective Councils to form Joint Clusters and it is expected the other two to be agreed at full council meetings this month. The 5 agreed clusters are:

Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey
Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle
Ards, Banbridge, Down and North Down;
Armagh, Craigavon, and Newry & Mourne;
Magherafelt, Cookstown, Dungannon and Enniskillen;

The remaining two clusters (already passed by sub committee) are:

Belfast, Castlereagh and Lisburn; and
Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady.

The next step is for Clusters to work with all the representative groups in their areas as a precursor to competitively selecting a Local Action Group (LAG) and funding is being made available to Joint Clusters for the express purposes of doing this, and also for drawing up of Local Action Groups; and for the development of Local Development Strategies.

The Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey cluster (now called GROW) is now in receipt of animation funding and an invitation has issue to the Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle cluster to submit an application for animation funding.

Climate Change

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what plans she has to integrate climate change into agricultural policies; and to detail the funds that will be allocated for this purpose.

(AQW 2926/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Climate change is integrated into my Department’s policy-making at the highest level. The DARD Strategic Plan 2006-2011 has, among its strategic objectives, the adoption by the agri-food sector of environmentally sustainable farming methods, further conversion of farmland to woodland and forest, and the increased exploitation of renewable energy opportunities.

Under this overarching concern with climate change, a wide range of DARD-led policies can be expected to mitigate the impact of climate change, or to help local agriculture adapt to those impacts.

These include the agri-environment measure under the Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (with a total budget of £219 million), the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (some £140m), and the Forest Service schemes (£16.5m.)

Other policies seek more specifically to address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change in the farming and food processing sectors. The proposed £10m Energy from Agri-Food Waste Challenge Fund will encourage the adoption of sustainable energy technologies.

My Department has also secured £4.2m from the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund. This supports a range of research initiatives by AFBI, including the new Environment and Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence at Hillsborough, as well as CAFRE technology transfer programmes that will help reduce the carbon footprint of the local farming and food processing sectors.

Rivers Agency

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to explain why the Rivers Agency, who are responsible for the Newtownards Canal, do not cut the grass at the lip of the canal bank.

(AQW 2946/08)

Ms M Gildernew: A major section of the Newtownards Canal is designated within the terms of the Drainage (NI) Order 1973 and as such is subject to routine inspection and subsequent maintenance as required to maintain free flow of water, ensure adequate outfall for discharge of storm drainage and limit the risk of flooding. Cutting the grass at the "lip of the canal" is not necessary to achieve these objectives.

Maintenance Work

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm when maintenance work will be carried out on the roads and drainage infrastructure of Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle.

(AQW 2950/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I can confirm that maintenance work on roads and drainage infrastructure within Tollymore Forest Park is planned in conjunction with significant forestry operations, such as the harvesting and haulage of timber. Currently, there are approximately 3 hectares of forest which have been recently harvested and will be replanted this Spring. Maintenance work to drains is planned to take place within the next few weeks. Any further requirements for maintenance of the roads and associated drainage will be undertaken following completion of the planned replanting work, expected to be later in the Spring.

Forest Service has an ongoing approach to remedial work on drainage and road infrastructure to deal with issues such as damage caused by severe weather conditions.

Newtownards Divisional Veterinary Office

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the reason for the closure of the Newtownards Divisional Veterinary Office.

(AQW 3085/08)

Ms M Gildernew: As the closure of Newtownards Divisional Veterinary Office and its relocation is a property related matter, this is a matter for DFP and not DARD.

Forestry Renewal

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the schemes that (i) are currently in place; and (ii) are planned, for forestry renewal.

(AQW 3107/08)

Ms M Gildernew: (i) Under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, my Department’s Forest Service can provide grant aid and advice to help farmers and other landowners create new woodland and manage existing woodland.

The Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) supports the creation of conventional woodland and support is also available for establishment of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow for an energy end use.

In addition, some farmers may be eligible for annual payments to compensate for agricultural income forgone by creating woodland under the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS). Payments are made for 15 years for broadleaf woodland and 10 years for conifer woodland. Non-farmers may also be eligible for the FWPS, however the payment rates are less than those for farmers.

Support is also available for those with existing woodlands in the form of a Woodland Environment Grant which assists significant enhancement of biodiversity and a Sustainable Forestry Operations Grant which assists environmental improvements over a five year period.

(ii) The Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme have only recently been revised under the new Rural Development Programme and there are no immediate plans to introduce new forestry grant schemes.

Bluetongue Disease

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what actions she has agreed with her counterpart in the Republic of Ireland, to deal with any outbreak of bluetongue on the island of Ireland; and if she will undertake, in conjunction with her counterpart in the Republic of Ireland, to put in place an acceptable east to west zone arrangement on the island, to encourage flock and herd owners to vaccinate against the disease.

(AQW 3355/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My staff and I have been working closely with our counterparts in Dublin in relation to keeping Bluetongue out of the island of Ireland and about contingency arrangements should Bluetongue enter.

DARD and DAFF are employing similar preventative controls. Each jurisdiction has introduced post-import testing for all susceptible animals arriving on the island, with those animals being restricted until negative test results are received.

Staff in both Departments have also been working closely to consider the range of actions to be taken should Bluetongue arrive on the island. The precise method of dealing with any such disease incursion will depend on where the disease appears, its likely means of entry, the vector activity at that time, the availability of vaccine, etc. Various scenarios have been considered and discussions are continuing. Our Bluetongue Working Group, on which major local stakeholders are represented, have also been consulted on these issues.

Until disease is present in an area, the EU legislation does not allow vaccination for Bluetongue. However, we continue to work closely with colleagues in Dublin in relation to resolving the practicalities of any vaccination programme and updating our contingency plans

CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Fishing

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the 14 Northern Ireland Water Company reservoirs whose fishing rights leases are managed by his department; (ii) the names of the respective fishing clubs/representative bodies, with whom his department has agreements to manage the fishing rights at any of these sights; (iii) the date upon which the most recent lease agreements expired; (iv) the date upon which the most recent leases were signed; (v) the names of the individuals who signed each respective lease agreement; and (vi) the length of the current lease agreement.

(AQW 2917/08)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): The Department lease the fishing rights at the following 14 reservoirs from Northern Ireland Water Limited under a Service Level Agreement.

Name of Reservoir
1	Copeland (Marshallstown)
2	Dungonnell
3	Killylane
4	Lough Bradan
5	Lough Cowey
6	Lough Lee
7	Lough Mourne
8	Portavo
9	Spelga
10	Stoneyford
11	Woodburn North
12	Woodburn Upper South
13	Woodburn Middle South
14	Woodburn Lower South

(ii) Under a Management Agreement with the Department, Ards District Fly Fishing Club manages the fishing rights at Lough Cowey. The Department manage the fishing rights at the other reservoirs.

(iii) The current Service Level Agreement between the Department and Northern Ireland Water Limited and the current Management Agreement between the Department and Ards District Fly Fishing Club both expire on 31^st March 2008.

The current Service Level Agreement between the Department and Northern Ireland Water Limited was signed on 29^th March 2007.

The current Management Agreement between the Department and Ards District Fly Fishing Club was originally signed retrospectively on 17^th November 2005 and then due to a change of personnel in the Club was revised and signed on 17^th November 2006.

The current Service Level Agreement between the Department and Northern Ireland Water Limited was signed by Mr M J Cory, on behalf of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and by Mr Philip Barker on behalf of the Department of Regional Development Water Service.

The current Management Agreement between the Department and Ards District Fly Fishing Club was signed by Mr M J Cory on behalf of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. As you are aware the Data Protection Act restricts the disclosure of personal details in certain circumstances and the Department has in this instance withheld the personal details of the representatives who signed the Management Agreement on behalf of Ards District Fly Fishing Club.

(vi) The current Service Level Agreement between the Department and Northern Ireland Water Limited is for a period of one year. The current Management Agreement between the Department and Ards District Fly Fishing Club is for a period of five years expiring on 31^st March 2008.

Infrastructure Costs

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail whether or not his department has responsibility for infrastructure costs, including roads and transport facilities, for a new National Sports Stadium, or if these costs are incorporated into other departmental budgets.

(AQW 2930/08)

Mr E Poots: While my Department has lead responsibility for progressing the development of the Multi-Sports Stadium it does not have responsibility for the infrastructure costs, which rest primarily with OFMDFM.

NI Events Company

Lord Browne asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm whether or not a business case was made for each event sponsored by the Northern Ireland Events Company.

(AQW 3103/08)

Mr E Poots: The Northern Ireland Events Company’s assessment of applications to its funding programmes 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.

Recording Studios Association

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the financial assistance provided by his department to the Northern Ireland Recording Studios Association, in the past three years.

(AQW 3144/08)

Mr E Poots: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has not provided any financial assistance to the Northern Ireland Recording Studio Association.

EDUCATION

Integrated Children's Services

Ms D Purvis asked the Minister of Education to detail, by constituency, the distribution of the Renewing Communities monies for Integrated Children's Services; and to confirm if any annual allocation or capital monies remain to be allocated, and the relevant amounts outstanding.[R]

(AQW 2087/08)

The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): The funding under Renewing Communities for Integrated Children’s Services was not distributed on a constituency basis. All recurrent and capital funds have been allocated.

School Admission

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education to confirm whether or not grammar schools will be entitled to use academic criteria for admission purposes, following the implementation of the new transfer procedures.

(AQW 2755/08)

Ms C Ruane: It is my firm belief that academic criteria, central to a system of academic selection, are unnecessary to the achievement of academic excellence in our post-primary schools and unjust to the 10 and 11 year olds who must be put through the tests academic criteria necessitate. I am therefore committed to achieving consensus for a new system of post-primary transfer which ensures children have access to both academic and vocational education but does not involve either academic or vocational selection. I am committed to achieving the support of the Executive and Assembly to place my proposals on a statutory basis.

Aghavilly Primary School

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of Education to confirm whether or not Aghavilly primary school, Milford, Co Armagh, will be receiving funding for the implementation of the P1 curriculum for the 2008/2009 school year.

(AQW 2834/08)

Ms C Ruane: Census data for the school, as verified by the Education & Library Board for the area, show that there are no pupils enrolled in the primary 1 class for Aghavilly primary school for funding in the incoming year. The school, therefore, did not qualify to receive a share of the £3m allocated in the current school year to support the statutory implementation of the Foundation Stage in Year 1 classes in that year.

The school will continue to receive its share of delegated formula funding under the Common Funding arrangement for all schools covered by the Scheme. The Department is also looking, in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review outcomes once finalised, at providing support to all schools for the implementation of the Foundation Stage curriculum for Years 1 and 2 in 2008/09.

Neo-Natal Hearing Screening Programme

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Education what action she is taking to prioritise services for children assessed as deaf through the Neo-Natal Hearing Screening Programme, in recognition of the importance of early intervention, and continuing communications support, for deaf children.

(AQW 2901/08)

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 hearing impaired children. 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. The following figures have been supplied by the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards in relation to 2007.

	BELB	SEELB	NEELB	SELB	WELB
Average age of referral	4 days (Only one child was referred during 2007)	3-4 months	7-8 weeks	4 months	1yr
Number of 0-3yrs regularly seen	10	22	21	19	5
Time between referral and contact with family	Initial contact within 1 week and visit within 1 week after referral	Initial contact within 48 hrs and initial visit within 4 days	Initial contact within 48 hrs and initial visit within 1 week	Initial contact within 48 hrs	Initial contact within 48 hrs

All the Boards recognise the importance of early intervention for babies and young children and the need to avail of relevant training to help develop skills and knowledge in this area to lead to improved delivery of Support Services. As a result of the audit, DE also provided funding to the five 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. Further training on the audiological needs of young children is due to take place in February 2008.

School Amalgamation

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education if she will give an update on the review of the amalgamation of St Joseph's and St Patrick's Primary Schools.

(AQW 2919/08)

Ms C Ruane: My department continues to have contact with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools on issues relating to the proposed amalgamation so that the position can be confirmed shortly.

Sudden Cardiac Death

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what discussions she has had with the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in relation to introducing a form of screening to help detect symptoms which might lead to sudden cardiac death in the young.

(AQW 2983/08)

Ms C Ruane: I have talked with Minister McGimpsey about this matter and as a result officials from Department of Education have been engaged with colleagues in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in planning a workshop on the issue of Heart Defect Screening. Officials from both departments have attended an initial planning meeting led by the Senior Medical Officer to examine research evidence on heart screening. The proposed workshop will be held on 10 March 2008 at the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn and will bring together leading health experts, government departments, Public Health Bodies, some schools and Sport NI and Voluntary Organisations.

My Department will cooperate fully with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in the planning of any new health checks and programmes for schools.

Post-Primary Transfer

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail how her proposed arrangements for post-primary transfer will apply to the situation in Newry, where there are four grammar schools, two secondary schools, a high school, and where some catchment areas have an average radius of twenty miles.

(AQW 2984/08)

Ms C Ruane: It would be entirely inappropriate for me to speculate on the future structure of post-primary provision within a particular area. I am committed to making a further statement in February on progress towards achieving consensus on new transfer arrangements. That statement will include comment on the establishment of area based planning arrangements, which will ultimately determine the best way of arranging provision within the Newry area.

Reading Recovery Co-Ordinators

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of reading recovery co-ordinators that have been trained in Northern Ireland; and (ii) how many are currently working in that role outside of whole class teaching.

(AQW 2985/08)

Ms C Ruane: I have been advised by the Chief Executives of the five Education and Library Boards that between 1998/99 and 2007/08, 650 teachers have been trained in Reading Recovery in the North of Ireland. Of these, 160 are currently working in a Reading Recovery capacity outside of whole class teaching.

In addition a total of 11 Reading Recovery tutors were trained and 8 remain in position across the Education and Library Boards.

Access to Schools

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what action she is taking to ensure equality of access to schools, under her proposals for transfer at ages 11 and 14.

(AQW 2986/08)

Ms C Ruane: Equality considerations will underpin all the component parts of my proposals. I am committed to fulfilling my obligation to assess the equality implications of my policy on transfer to ensure that the overall effect is compatible with the promotion of equality and social inclusion. It is incontrovertible that only when educational pathways are genuinely chosen (as under my proposals), will social and economic background no longer compromise equality of access.

Modern Languages

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education (i) how many teachers will be involved when modern languages are introduced into primary schools; (ii) the length of their contracts; (iii) whether or not preference will be given to teachers who are on the substitute teachers' roll, and who have not yet been in full time employment in education; and (iv) what financial resources will be allocated to the project.

(AQW 2987/08)

Ms C Ruane: I believe that introducing children to a second language at an early stage can have huge benefits which is why I am putting a new programme in place for primary schools who wish to opt-in.

I am providing up to £330,000 for the programme in the current school year and am considering what further support can be provided in 2008-09. This will provide for the employment of a network of 50 peripatetic tutors to work alongside teachers, delivering the programme in around 500 schools and focusing on Spanish and Irish. The Boards are managing the recruitment of peripatetic tutors and will set up a call-off list to match them to participating schools. Tutors will be fluent linguists and therefore the programme will provide additional opportunities for unemployed newly-qualified teachers who are fluent in one of the featured languages. Contractual terms will be a matter for the Boards, as the employers, to determine as they work with the participating schools.

Pupil Enrolment

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education to detail, in relation to each primary and post-primary school in West Tyrone, (i) their enrolment capacity; (ii) the current pupil enrolment; and (iii) the enrolment forecast for the next 2 years.

(AQW 2989/08)

Ms C Ruane: The following table relates actual enrolments, taken from the latest school census, to enrolment capacity, expressed in terms of approved enrolment numbers which the Department of Education sets for each school.

Schools are legally obliged to remain within their approved enrolment number, however, the table includes a number of examples where this is not the case. This is explained by the fact that the census figures include pupils enrolled who have a statement of special educational need. The approved enrolment number may legitimately be exceeded if the excess relates to such pupils, due to the fact that they lie outside the open enrolment process, their placement being determined by the content of the statement.

The Department of Education does not routinely forecast school enrolments. Forecasts do form part of the consideration of specific proposals involving capital expenditure, but such forecasts are long-term in nature, spanning 6-7 years from the date of calculation.

Primary and post primary schools in West Tyrone constituency 2007/08
Post Primary
School Reference	School Name	Enrolment at October 2007	Approved Enrolment 2007/08
2230111	ST EUGENE'S HIGH SCHOOL	147	310
2210065	CASTLEDERG HIGH SCHOOL	434	450
2210164	STRABANE HIGH SCHOOL	271	550
2230301	HOLY CROSS COLLEGE	1369	1830
2230148	ST JOHN'S HIGH SCHOOL	157	450
2410096	STRABANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL	398	400
2420065	LORETO GRAMMAR SCHOOL	917	914
2230298	SACRED HEART COLLEGE	968	950
2420064	CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL	941	950
2410066	OMAGH ACADEMY	664	660
2260283	DRUMRAGH COLLEGE	607	580
2210125	OMAGH HIGH SCHOOL	443	530
2230138	DEAN BRIAN MAGUIRC COLLEGE	458	440
Primary
2012344	McCLINTOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL	104	109
2012378	DUNMULLAN PRIMARY SCHOOL	68	78
2012392	DRUMLEGAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL	44	69
2012617	ERGANAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL	59	107
2012638	EDWARDS PRIMARY SCHOOL	165	203
2012641	KILLEN PRIMARY SCHOOL	102	106
2012648	GILLYGOOLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	64	98
2012660	DENAMONA PRIMARY SCHOOL	88	131
2012669	QUEEN ELIZABETH II PRIMARY SCHOOL	38	61
2012671	LANGFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL	43	83
2012674	BRIDGEHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL	49	105
2012691	OMAGH COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL	302	393
2012707	DROMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL	44	91
2012708	STRABANE CONTROLLED PRIMARY SCHOOL	232	231
2012709	TRILLICK PRIMARY SCHOOL	35	41
2012711	DONEMANA PRIMARY SCHOOL	106	162
2016068	ARTIGARVAN PRIMARY SCHOOL	146	175
2016089	GIBSON PRIMARY SCHOOL	280	436
2016127	MAGUIRESBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL	83	104
2016262	NEWTOWNSTEWART MODEL PRIMARY SCHOOL	81	145
2016376	ARDSTRAW PRIMARY SCHOOL	64	108
2016395	GORTIN PRIMARY SCHOOL	48	106
2016442	SION MILLS PRIMARY SCHOOL	258	333
2016645	BREADY JUBILEE PRIMARY SCHOOL	86	145
2016663	COOLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	124	174
2032473	MAGHERALOUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL	27	51
2032510	BARRACK STREET BOYS' PRIMARY SCHOOL	137	285
2032537	LORETO CONVENT PRIMARY SCHOOL	215	448
2032573	ST BRIGID'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	68	80
2032600	DRUMNABEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	48	104
2032603	TUMMERY PRIMARY SCHOOL	72	95
2032607	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	378	406
2032612	ST MATTHEW'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	32	81
2032628	KNOCKNAGOR PRIMARY SCHOOL	58	65
2032631	ENVAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL	24	75
2032639	DRUMDUFF PRIMARY SCHOOL	51	74
2032662	ST BRIGID'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	40	94
2032664	ST DAVOG'S SCRAGHEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	19	57
2032676	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	80	142
2032677	DRUMLISH PRIMARY SCHOOL	55	52
2032679	ST COLUMBA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	17	69
2032681	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	31	95
2032682	ST EUGENE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	54	97
2032683	ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	33	72
2032684	ST LAWRENCE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	208	243
2032685	ST BRIGID'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	31	58
2032687	ST MACARTAN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	31	70
2032688	ST EUGENE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	40	48
2032689	ST MARY'S BOYS' PRIMARY SCHOOL	403	552
2032694	ST CAIREALL'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	86	190
2032700	ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	92	175
2032702	EVISH PRIMARY SCHOOL	63	69
2032704	RECARSON PRIMARY SCHOOL	127	131
2032705	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	62	86
2032712	GORTNAGARN PRIMARY SCHOOL	68	66
2032716	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	17	90
2032721	SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL	84	92
2032722	ALTISHANE PRIMARY SCHOOL	41	48
2032723	ROSCAVEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	34	91
2032724	LOUGHASH PRIMARY SCHOOL	36	56
2032730	ST COLUMBA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	104	142
2032731	ST TERESA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	133	176
2032737	ST COLUMBKILLE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	257	273
2036008	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	160	159
2036053	ST COLMCILLE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	185	523
2036094	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	203	259
2036095	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	194	197
2036096	ST MARY'S GIRLS' PRIMARY SCHOOL	296	645
2036097	ST PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	97	140
2036116	ST CONOR'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	397	408
2036153	ST SCIRE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	87	143
2036186	ST DYMPNA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	88	145
2036291	ST OLIVER PLUNKETT PRIMARY SCHOOL	96	145
2036387	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	50	106
2036389	ST ANNE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	266	295
2036415	OUR LADY OF LOURDES PRIMARY SCHOOL	108	134
2036449	CHRIST THE KING PRIMARY SCHOOL	122	337
2036459	ST THERESA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	143	165
2036557	ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL	32	111
2046638	GAELSCOIL UI DHOCARTAIGH	130	130
2046677	GAELSCOIL NA GCRANN	45	58
2066552	OMAGH INTEGRATED PRIMARY SCHOOL	274	276
Source: School census Note: Figures for Primary schools include children in reception and Year 1 - 7 classes only.

Common Funding Formula

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Education to (a) state the amount of money available in the Common Funding Formula for each school to support children whose first language is not English; and (b) detail the basic level of support that he would expect to be provided to each child for whom schools claim this allowance.

(AQW 2990/08)

Ms C Ruane: It is not possible to confirm allocations for these pupils for the 2008/09 financial year as final Budget allocations for schools have yet to be determined.

Under Common Funding Formula arrangements each full-time pupil, whose first language is not English, generates an additional allocation for the school; equivalent to 0.5 of the basic Age Weighted Pupil Unit cash value. Part-time pupils are weighted at 0.25.

In 2007/08 schools were allocated £942.64 for each qualifying full-time pupil, and the total amount distributed to all schools under this factor within the common formula amounted to £3,602,785.

In addition to receiving funding as part of their Common Funding Formula allocation, schools can ask for the assistance of the Inclusion & Diversity Service, operated by the Education and Library Boards.

The Inclusion & Diversity Service offers the following:

Diversity Co-ordinators who facilitate capacity building by working with the schools on whole school and classroom issues;
Interpreters and translators that schools can use when speaking to the children, and their parents;
A North/South toolkit for primary school teachers, with plans to produce toolkits for nursery and post-primary schools in the future; and
A multi-lingual website to help newcomer parents with EAL children and young people.

Furthermore, teacher training programmes are also being organised. No charge is levied for these services. Schools can therefore use their Common Funding Formula allocation to support EAL children directly.

Post-Primary Transfer

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to outline the alternative options in relation to post-primary transfer, if current proposals fail to achieve consensus in the Asssembly.

(AQW 3033/08)

Ms C Ruane: I have made clear my desire to achieve consensus on my proposals, and I remain of the view that this is possible. My focus is on that goal and I am therefore working tirelessly with educational stakeholders and political representatives to try and achieve a consensual way forward.

Sustainable Schools Policy

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail the viability quotas for (i) primary schools; and (ii) secondary schools, under the new Sustainable Schools Policy.

(AQW 3034/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Sustainable Schools Policy consultation document proposed six criteria to be used in replying to assess a school’s viability, including enrolments. The enrolment thresholds proposed were 105 and 140 pupils for rural and urban primaries respectively, 500 for post-primary schools (11-16) and 100 for sixth forms. I am currently considering the detail of the policy approach, including the issue of enrolment thresholds, in light of the consultation.

Increase Funding

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail what action she is taking to increase funding for primary schools in the 2008-11 period.

(AQW 3035/08)

Ms C Ruane: I am currently considering the detailed distribution of the budget allocation for Education Services, including the level of funding for primary schools. I will be making an announcement on this shortly.

Pension Contributions

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Education (i) what arrangements are in place for the transfer of pension contributions, for teachers who reside in Northern Ireland but work in the Republic of Ireland, when they commence teaching in Northern Ireland; and (ii) to confirm whether or not this issue has been raised at a meeting of the North-South Mnisterial Council.

(AQW 3077/08)

Ms C Ruane: There are currently no arrangements in place for the transfer of teacher pension contributions between the North and South of Ireland.

However, at the North-South Ministerial Council (NMSC) Institutional format meeting on 30 October 2007 Ministers agreed that the NSMC Joint Secretariat should convene a working group of relevant Departmental officials to explore options for the transfer of pension rights on a cross border basis (for public sector pensions). The first meeting of the Working Group was held on 10 January 2008 when options were discussed and a further meeting is due to be held during February 2008.

Educational Psychologist

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education for her assessment of the impact that delays in children being assessed by an educational psychologist is having on their future educational potential.

(AQW 3097/08)

Ms C Ruane: A review of special educational needs (SEN) and inclusion is addressing a range of issues associated with the current SEN framework. The review has been focusing on a number of key themes including the nature, quality and extent of provision and support relating to needs. In broad terms, proposals emerging from the review will aim to ensure that all children who face barriers to learning will receive the right support at the right time to allow them to develop their skills and abilities to their fullest potential.

The Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards have informed me that while there have been no systematic studies that have looked specifically at this issue, delays can have a negative impact on children’s educational potential. This will vary depending on the child’s age, the nature and degree of their disability, the quality of teaching and parental support and the availability of community support. Each child’s individual education plan should be reviewed and revised, in consultation with the parents, on a regular basis to ensure that, pending any assessment by an educational psychologist; appropriate interventions can be identified and implemented to meet the child’s special educational needs.

Educational Psychologist

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of children waiting to see an educational psychologist, in each of the Education Board areas; and what action she is taking to reduce these waiting lists.

(AQW 3098/08)

Ms C Ruane: With regard to the number of children waiting to see an educational psychologist, I would refer the Member to my reply to AQW 1308/08, tabled by the Member for Strangford, Michelle McIlveen, and published in the Official Report on 23 November 2007.

As part of Budget 2004 Spending Review, the Department provided additional resources to support 24 students training to be educational psychologists at any one time as opposed to the 12 students under the former arrangements.

A review of special educational needs (SEN) and inclusion has addressed a range of issues associated with the current SEN framework, including the effective use of educational psychology services, in meeting the needs of pupils with SEN. Proposals emerging from the review will be subject to public consultation later in the year.

I have been advised by the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) that all boards continually review procedures to try to maintain an effective service. For example most ELBs use the time allocation model of service delivery, whereby schools receive a guaranteed minimum number of annual visits from an educational psychologist on a pre-planned basis, which keeps waiting lists to a minimum. All boards also make determined efforts to recruit additional educational psychologists.

Development Proposal

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Education to provide a timescale for the approval of the development proposal for St Joseph's Grammar School, Donaghmore.

(AQW 3102/08)

Ms C Ruane: There is no Development Proposal for St Joseph’s Grammar School, Donaghmore. The Department has been in discussion with the Trustees about the long-term enrolment for the proposed new school and the Trustees have recently submitted a paper to the Department which is being considered.

Funding Allocation

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Education to detail the funding allocation to each (i) primary; and (ii) post-primary school in the Mid-Ulster constituency, in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3109/08)

Ms C Ruane: The funding allocation delegated to each primary and post primary school in Mid Ulster in each of the last three financial years is set out in the table below:

School Name	Delegated Resources 2004/05 excluding carry over £	Delegated Resources 2005/06 excluding carry over £	Delegated Resources 2006/07 excluding carry over £
Altayeskey Primary	£ 108,596	£ 116,946	£ 129,866
Ampertaine Primary	£ 178,528	£ 205,036	£ 225,191
Anahorish Primary	£ 450,509	£ 454,921	£ 465,245
Aughamullan Primary	£ 144,492	£ 174,218	£ 186,802
Ballylifford Primary	£ 168,479	£ 185,271	£ 190,369
Ballytrea Primary	£ 219,175	£ 251,247	£ 277,104
Bellaghy Primary	£ 124,923	£ 129,955	£ 138,067
Castledawson Primary	£ 252,647	£ 284,976	£ 318,681
Churchtown Primary	£ 120,808	£ 130,123	£ 133,619
Coagh Primary	£ 206,460	£ 203,320	£ 220,873
Cookstown High	£ 3,441,965	£ 3,572,994	£ 3,630,830
Cookstown Primary	£ 1,124,762	£ 1,132,443	£ 1,128,311
Crievagh Primary	£ 113,156	£ 125,325	£ 133,122
Crossroads Primary	£ 222,704	£ 267,799	£ 295,738
Culnady Primary	£ 142,839	£ 161,559	£ 167,001
Derrychrin Primary	£ 279,261	£ 313,620	£ 327,374
Desertmartin Primary	£ 142,321	£ 155,178	£ 167,052
Donaghey Primary	£ 281,240	£ 281,485	£ 294,355
Donaghmore Primary	£ 136,962	£ 144,476	£ 158,169
Drumard Primary	£ 153,650	£ 177,787	£ 186,428
Edendork Primary	£ 599,783	£ 595,608	£ 617,817
Gaelscoil na Speirini	£ -	£ -	£ 61,660
Gaelscoil Ui Neill	£ 229,197	£ 278,287	£ 317,452
Glen Primary	£ 308,161	£ 350,092	£ 378,905
Holy Family Primary, Magherafelt	£ 1,094,445	£ 1,162,053	£ 1,244,355
Holy Trinity College	£ 2,748,526	£ 2,957,316	£ 3,101,581
Holy Trinity Primary, Cookstown	£ 1,518,914	£ 1,682,249	£ 1,767,950
Kilross Primary	£ 161,289	£ 177,197	£ 194,852
Knockloughrim Primary	£ 160,176	£ 164,506	£ 178,149
Knocknagin Primary	£ 154,277	£ 164,220	£ 171,921
Lissan Primary	£ 208,352	£ 248,831	£ 249,930
Maghera High School	£ 742,240	£ 821,741	£ 850,245
Maghera Primary	£ 247,430	£ 263,662	£ 291,316
Magherafelt High School	£ 1,689,676	£ 1,873,943	£ 1,866,437
Magherafelt Primary	£ 707,341	£ 751,195	£ 801,897
Moneymore Primary	£ 373,139	£ 407,058	£ 422,645
New Row Primary	£ 334,796	£ 377,944	£ 398,952
Newmills Primary	£ 156,860	£ 169,195	£ 182,306
Orritor Primary	£ 395,527	£ 456,934	£ 490,887
Phoenix Integrated Primary	£ 48,801	£ 120,692	£ 174,701
Primate Dixon Memorial Primary	£ 1,178,070	£ 1,305,986	£ 1,397,838
Queen Elizabeth II Primary, Pomeroy	£ 141,770	£ 136,074	£ 152,659
Rainey Endowed	£ 2,532,566	£ 2,714,337	£ 2,808,664
Sacred Heart Primary, Rock	£ 251,867	£ 267,670	£ 282,546
Sperrin Integrated College	£ 497,492	£ 792,567	£ 1,160,140
Spires Integrated Primary	£ 416,311	£ 444,384	£ 484,796
St Brigid's Primary Knockloughrim	£ 354,595	£ 380,024	£ 423,428
St Brigid's Primary Tirkane	£ 329,602	£ 349,972	£ 366,176
St Brigid's Primary, Mountjoy	£ 297,355	£ 312,144	£ 329,194
St Colm's High School	£ 1,151,294	£ 1,294,053	£ 1,393,431
St Columba's Primary Straw	£ 251,780	£ 278,620	£ 319,376
St Columb's Primary Magherafelt	£ 197,052	£ 274,672	£ 252,630
St Eoghan's Primary	£ 179,896	£ 202,824	£ 216,744
St John Bosco Primary , Ballynease	£ 228,908	£ 243,469	£ 271,169
St John's Primary Swatragh	£ 349,711	£ 412,074	£ 407,772
St John's Primary, Kingisland	£ 248,179	£ 262,413	£ 260,208
St Joseph's College, Coalisland	£ 1,690,281	£ 1,830,793	£ 2,011,307
St Joseph's Primary, Galbally	£ 361,117	£ 410,496	£ 453,481
St Joseph's Primary, Killeenan	£ 217,907	£ 220,330	£ 229,021
St Joseph's, Donaghmore	£ 1,791,955	£ 1,900,873	£ 1,967,835
St Malachy's Primary, Drumullan	£ 148,282	£ 131,233	£ 143,262
St Mary's College	£ 1,032,665	£ 1,152,668	£ 1,154,735
St Mary's Primary Bellaghy	£ 418,709	£ 446,009	£ 477,850
St Mary's Primary Draperstown	£ 475,353	£ 477,230	£ 551,671
St Mary's Primary Glenview	£ 724,994	£ 764,497	£ 764,574
St Mary's Primary Greenlough	£ 347,997	£ 406,462	£ 401,007
St Mary's Primary, Dunamore	£ 332,063	£ 375,488	£ 413,888
St Mary's Primary, Lisbuoy	£ 172,647	£ 199,200	£ 212,258
St Mary's Primary, Pomeroy	£ 440,188	£ 496,603	£ 559,451
St Mary's Primary, Stewartstown	£ 277,846	£ 295,246	£ 359,371
St Mary's, Magherafelt	£ 3,922,039	£ 4,222,219	£ 4,344,348
St Patrick's College Maghera	£ 4,447,173	£ 4,701,397	£ 4,828,218
St Patrick's Primary, Annaghmore	£ 487,046	£ 549,027	£ 583,810
St Patrick's Primary, Donaghmore	£ 372,335	£ 388,371	£ 450,995
St Patrick's Primary, Loup	£ 304,850	£ 318,986	£ 317,209
St Patrick's Primary, Moneymore	£ 248,301	£ 260,413	£ 270,823
St Patrick's Primary, Mullinahoe	£ 440,298	£ 450,588	£ 451,512
St Peters' Primary, Moortown	£ 389,649	£ 444,818	£ 520,158
St Pius X College	£ 2,779,211	£ 3,160,516	£ 3,347,721
St Trea's Primary	£ 209,883	£ 231,046	£ 259,004
Stewartstown Primary	£ 124,945	£ 133,445	£ 155,247
Tobermore Primary	£ 151,099	£ 177,189	£ 197,670
Woods Primary	£ 220,820	£ 257,862	£ 282,484

School Enrolment

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Education to detail the (i) enrolment capacity; (ii) current pupil enrolment; and (iii) enrolment forecast for the next 2 years, for (a) primary; and (b) post-primary schools in the Mid-Ulster constituency.

(AQW 3110/08)

Schools in the Mid Ulster Constituency 2007/08
Post Primary
School Reference	School name	Enrolment at October 2007	Approved Enrolment 2007/08
3210035	MAGHERAFELT HIGH SCHOOL	478	580
3210090	MAGHERA HIGH SCHOOL	154	350
3230132	ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL	377	367
3230142	ST MARY'S COLLEGE	282	350
3230168	ST PIUS X COLLEGE	894	868
3230234	ST PATRICK'S CO-ED COMP COLLEGE	1284	1355
3260303	SPERRIN INTEGRATED COLLEGE	403	450
3420058	RAINEY ENDOWED SCHOOL	706	701
3420080	ST MARY'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL	1077	1074
5210230	COOKSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL	980	1100
5230192	ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL	454	680
5230278	HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE	744	800
5420073	ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT GRAMMAR SCHOOL	514	500
Primary
3012233	TOBERMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL	83	130
3012234	AMPERTAINE PRIMARY SCHOOL	86	138
3012255	DRUMARD PRIMARY SCHOOL	57	116
3012267	MAGHERAFELT CONTROLLED PRIMARY SCHOOL	325	479
3012282	CULNADY PRIMARY SCHOOL	46	63
3012290	BELLAGHY PRIMARY SCHOOL	32	115
3012291	MAGHERA PRIMARY SCHOOL	90	163
3013703	KILROSS PRIMARY SCHOOL	67	112
3013704	CASTLEDAWSON PRIMARY SCHOOL	101	145
3016283	KNOCKLOUGHRIM PRIMARY SCHOOL	63	85
3032011	ALTAYESKEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	33	46
3032018	ST BRIGID'S PRIMARY SCHOOL TIRKANE	133	203
3032109	NEW ROW PRIMARY SCHOOL	165	170
3032185	ST TREA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	92	107
3032197	KNOCKNAGIN PRIMARY SCHOOL	36	75
3032205	ST COLUMB'S PRIMARY SCHOOL (CULLION)	84	113
3032218	CROSSROADS PRIMARY SCHOOL	128	145
3032246	BALLYNEASE PRIMARY SCHOOL	90	106
3032257	ANAHORISH PRIMARY SCHOOL	191	193
3032268	ST COLUMBA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	128	126
3032271	ST EOGHAN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	76	127
3032273	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	218	260
3032274	ST JOHN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	171	195
3032275	GREENLOUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL (ST MARY'S)	142	196
3032281	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	180	222
3036039	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL (GLENVIEW)	304	446
3036103	ST BRIGID'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	187	182
3036292	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL (GLEN)	160	175
3036562	HOLY FAMILY PRIMARY SCHOOL	497	622
3042162	DESERTMARTIN PRIMARY SCHOOL	36	48
3046678	GAELSCOIL NA SPÉIRÍNÍ	23	36
3066613	SPIRES INTEGRATED PRIMARY SCHOOL	201	203
5012280	MONEYMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL	155	223
5012615	BALLYTREA PRIMARY SCHOOL	102	143
5012632	DONAGHMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL	52	87
5012643	STEWARTSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL	35	98
5012649	COAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL	51	106
5012719	NEWMILLS PRIMARY SCHOOL	57	113
5012726	COOKSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL	419	719
5013702	WOODS PRIMARY SCHOOL	117	138
5016141	CHURCHTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL	43	82
5016200	QUEEN ELIZABETH II (POMEROY) PRIMARY SCHOOL	31	104
5016221	ORRITOR PRIMARY SCHOOL	183	203
5016224	DONAGHEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	105	142
5032208	BALLYLIFFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL	56	93
5032262	LISSAN (1) PRIMARY SCHOOL	92	127
5032585	EDENDORK PRIMARY SCHOOL	247	310
5032592	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	62	77
5032678	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	176	232
5032692	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	112	140
5032693	CRIEVAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL	34	58
5032698	ST BRIGID'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	135	161
5032699	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	167	189
5032703	ST PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	158	175
5032713	DERRYCHRIN PRIMARY SCHOOL	107	206
5032714	AUGHAMULLAN PRIMARY SCHOOL	78	92
5032717	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	172	284
5032729	ST JOHN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	66	191
5036031	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOUP	120	157
5036033	ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	179	213
5036047	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	216	259
5036057	ST MALACHY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	34	109
5036108	ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	81	170
5036118	ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	172	220
5036120	ST PATRICK'S PRIMARY SCHOOL	92	136
5036136	SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL, ROCK	99	140
5036567	HOLY TRINITY PRIMARY SCHOOL	638	794
5036590	PRIMATE DIXON PRIMARY SCHOOL	444	610
5046637	GAELSCOIL UI NEILL	113	116
5066657	PHOENIX INTEGRATED PRIMARY SCHOOL	79	79
Source: School census.Note: Figures for primary schools include reception & Years 1 - 7 classes only

Caitríona Ruane MLA

School Attendance

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Education to detail her department's analysis of the levels of school attendance by children from a Traveller background.

(AQW 3150/08)

Ms C Ruane: There is insufficient data available at this time to analyse particular group’s school attendance. The Department is currently developing processes to enable more comprehensive data collection on Traveller children’s attendance. A pilot exercise has been commissioned and future roll-out is planned for September 2008 subject to the satisfactory resolution of data protection considerations.

EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

European Globalisation Adjustment Fund

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, in relation to accessing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, in order to assist the workers in Seagate, Limavady, who are soon to lose their jobs.

(AQW 2897/08)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The Minister has had no discussion with the Sec of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulation Reform on this issue. Officials have had discussions with officials in the Department for Work and Pensions which deals with UK applications to the European Commission about the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. In addition, a senior official from the Department has met with officials from the European Commission to explore the relevance of the Fund to Seagate.

Undergraduate Places

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the numbers of full time equivalent undergraduate places at (i) Queen's University, Belfast; and (ii) each campus of the University of Ulster, for each of the last five years.

(AQW 3018/08)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department has responsibility for the control of full-time undergraduate places. Part-time places are the responsibility of the universities themselves. The number of full-time undergraduate places is subject to a cap as a means of controlling the cost to Government of higher education. The cap, which is known as the Maximum Student Number (MaSN), does not apply to full - time undergraduate students from outside the European Union, to part - time undergraduates or to postgraduate students.

The MaSN allocation for each university in each of the last five academic years is shown below:

Queen’s University Belfast

The University of Ulster

Total

2003/04

10,406

12,522

22,928

2004/05

10,676

12,608

23,284

2005/06

10,902

12,628

23,530

2006/07

11,052

12,702

23,754

2007/08

11,134

12,688

23,822

Source: Department for Employment and Learning - Maximum Student Number (MaSN) allocations 2003/04 – 2007/08

The distribution of places across individual campuses is entirely a matter for each university and so my Department does not hold details of the number of places at each campus of UU.

Information on the number of Full-Time Equivalent undergraduate enrolments (including part-time and non-EU students) at QUB and UU is however available through data supplied by the universities to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Figures for the last five academic years are shown below.

Full-time equivalent undergraduate enrolments at Queen's University Belfast and University of Ulster 2002/03 - 2006/07

		2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Queen's University Belfast		13,780	14,055	14,225	14,540	14,610
University of Ulster	Belfast	930	1,060	1,025	990	990
	Coleraine	3,630	3,800	3,635	3,720	3,775
	Jordanstown	8,755	9,435	9,450	9,170	8,650
	Magee	2,500	2,755	3,005	2,995	2,790
	Total UU	15,810	17,050	17,120	16,870	16,200
Total	QUB and UU	29,590	31,105	31,345	31,410	30,810
Notes
Figures in the table are rounded to the nearest five and so the sum of numbers may not match the totals shown. HESA data for the 2007/08 Academic Year will not be available until January 2009.

Source: HESA

Participation of Women

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the projects in which his department is currently involved, that promote greater participation of women in North Belfast in further education and training courses.

(AQW 3105/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department is encouraging participation in Further Education and training by all sectors of society, through various initiatives and activities.

The Belfast Metropolitan College, offers a wide range of courses to meet local demand in its community outreach facilities. In 2005/06 women accounted for 65% of enrolments in further education.

In terms of North Belfast, discrete FE provision is currently being provided to women’s groups in Duncairn Gardens, White City and Ardoyne.

Other Departmental initiatives which encourage the participation of women are:

Essential Skills courses to improve literacy and numeracy skills: - to date 2,226 women in North Belfast have enrolled for Essential Skills provision, representing 52% of the total enrolments in the area.
New Deal, which offers a range of education and training provision; and
Training for Success, which offers qualifications, tailored training and employability skills for 16 – 24 year olds.

ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Tourism Promotion

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what discussions his department has had with the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, about a potential tourism promotion package in relation to a terrorist shrine at the former Maze Prison site.

(AQW 2929/08)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): No discussions have taken place between OFMDFM and DETI regarding any potential tourism promotion package in relation to a terrorist shrine at the former Maze prison site.

Tourism Funding

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the tourism funding his department has provided in the East Antrim constituency in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 2936/08)

Mr N Dodds: Figures are still being collated and I will have a substantive answer to you by Wednesday, 6 February 2008 at the latest.

Vacant Industrial Properties

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his policy on the future development and usage of vacant Government-owned industrial sites/properties.

(AQW 3006/08)

Mr N Dodds: Within my Department all industrial sites and properties are owned and managed by Invest NI.

Invest NI’s industrial sites and properties are held exclusively for the use of its clients. Property will only be provided in support of projects that are compliant with Invest NI’s business intervention principles and have an immediate demonstrable business need.

The 2007/08 financial year is forecast to be a record year for property sales, with over 100 acres likely to be sold. There is evidence that land that has remained vacant for some time is now attracting healthy interest.

In line with its property policy, and following guidelines set out by the Department of Finance and Personnel, Invest NI regularly reviews its land holding to establish whether any properties can be classified as ‘surplus’; land that shows no reasonable prospect of sale to client companies. The most recent review identified that Invest NI held no surplus land.

On an ongoing basis Invest NI undertakes programmes of infrastructure work right across its property portfolio in order to develop sites for future economic development purposes.

In line with both its enabling legislation and government policy as set out in the Regional Development Strategy, Invest NI will continue to both provide, and develop, land for economic purposes.

Renewable and Efficient Energy

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the government and non governmental or community/voluntary organisations that are working to promote the use of (a) renewable energy; and (b) energy efficiency, in the following sectors (i) household; (ii) community and voluntary sector; (iii) farming; (iv) local government; (v) central government; (vi) small and medium sized enterprises; and (vii) large businesses.

(AQW 3022/08)

Mr N Dodds:

Organisation	Work Area	Sectors
Action Renewables	Action Renewables provides general advice and information on Renewable Energy. It is primarily funded by DETI.	All Sectors
Carbon Trust	The Carbon Trust is a UK wide organisation that provides Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advice primarily to the Industrial and Commercial sector.	Small and medium sized enterprises and large businesses, including the farming industry.
Department for Social Development	DSD promotes the use of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency in owner occupied and privately rented housing through the Warm Homes Scheme.	Community and voluntaryHousehold
Northern Ireland Housing Executive	The Northern Ireland Housing Executive promotes the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency through various Heating Replacement Schemes.	Household
Department of Finance and Personnel	DFP’s Public Sector Energy Campaign (PSEC) promotes energy efficiency across both Local and Central Government. DFP also administers the Central Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF) which provides financial assistance to local and central government capital projects.	Local GovernmentCentral Government
Energy Savings Trust	The Energy Savings Trust is a UK wide organisation that promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and low carbon transport to householders and the small commercial sector.	HouseholdSmall and medium enterprisesFarming
Northern Ireland Energy Agency	NIEA promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and low carbon transport to householders and not-for-profit organisations. It is primarily funded by DSD.	HouseholdCommunity and voluntary.

Intelligent Energy

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions he has had with organisations to ensure that applications are made for Intelligent Energy - Europe funding in order to promote energy efficiency and sustainable energy.

(AQW 3026/08)

Mr N Dodds: Applications for funding for the Intelligent Energy Europe programme can only be made in response to a Call for Proposals from the EU Commission; the 2008 call has not yet been announced. DETI maintains a watching brief and when appropriate will signpost interested parties to the appropriate national contact point.

Granville Industrial Estate

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the total number of businesses currently operating at the Granville Industrial Estate, Dungannon; (ii) the number of those businesses that have resulted from foreign inward investment; and (iii) the amount of land owned by Invest NI, at the Granville Industrial Estate, that is as yet undeveloped.

(AQW 3088/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI holds approximately 50 acres of developed land and 44 of undeveloped land at Granville. The remainder was sold to the private sector in 1994.

There are 2 companies currently on the Invest NI land at Granville Industrial Estate and a third is in the process of developing a site. All of these companies are locally owned. Invest NI is currently negotiating with a company on a major Foreign Direct Investment for the site which is currently at contract stage.

Invest NI plans to have site works completed on the undeveloped land by the end of summer 2009. When complete, this project will release a maximum of 26 acres of land usable as sites for sale to Client companies. The remaining lands will be taken up with roads, landscaping, environmental protection works, etc.

Currently Invest NI has expressions of interests from 16 Client companies for the land to be developed amounting to over 65 acres. This level of interest reflects the overall level of interest in Invest NI land in recent years.

Seagoe Technologies

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the action his department is taking to secure the remaining 300 jobs at Seagoe Technologies; and what actions is he taking to secure further jobs and investment in the Portadown area.

(AQW 3112/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI is working with the Seagoe Technologies senior management on a number of issues directly related to the future of the plant. These include enhancing manufacturing efficiency through lean manufacturing and business improvement techniques together with investigation and development of new products, to widen the company’s product range with a focus on high energy efficiency and renewable technologies. Invest NI has an excellent working relationship with Seagoe Technologies’ ultimate parent management team the Glen Dimplex group.

Invest NI will continue to sell the benefits of doing business in Northern Ireland to this Group and will be supportive of any investment proposals brought forward which offer sustainable, long term and high calibre employment for all of Northern Ireland.

Focusing on the Upper Bann Parliamentary Constituency area, over the 5-year period 2002-03 to 2006-07, Invest NI Clients in Upper Bann were offered assistance of over £57.4m in support of projects which plan to invest almost £253.5m in the area. Some £17m of this assistance was provided in support of 10 inward investment projects promoting 188 new jobs and safeguarding over 2,100 jobs in the area. During the same time period, 933 offers were made in support of locally owned business start-ups within Upper Bann.

In the Upper Bann area, as is the case in NI in general, Invest NI’s assistance is targeted at innovative, high tech, companies such as the Almac Group and ACSNI, both of whom have the skills and expertise to compete and succeed globally. At a local level, Invest NI also continues to work with key stakeholders in the area to introduce initiatives to promote and stimulate economic development.

Irish Language and Culture

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail how the promotion of Irish language and culture has contributed to tourism in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3287/08)

Mr N Dodds: Visitors tend to want to experience the diversity of Northern Ireland’s culture of which the Irish language and Ulster Scots are a part. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (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 to develop product and experiences suitable for visitors in accordance with market demands. When there is a specific request from visitors or the travel industry regarding the Irish language, NITB liaise directly with Foras na Gaeilge.

The Irish language itself is not a tourism product. However, where it impacts upon the development of tourism opportunities the NIITB uses www.discovernorthernireland.com as a tool to provide consumers with access to the relevant information.

ENVIRONMENT

Planning Service

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of legal cases that have been taken against her Department in relation to Planning Service matters in the years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008; and to detail (i) the fee paid per legal case; (ii) the number of cases that have been (a) won; (b) lost; and (c) settled out of court; and (iii) the total cost to the taxpayer.

(AQW 2704/08)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): For the purposes of this reply, legal cases have been taken as Judicial Reviews (JR). Details of the number of JRs taken against my Department in relation to Planning Service matters over the 2 years are shown in the attached table.

2006/2007

JR	Fees paid (i)	Outcome (ii)
Magherafelt/Northern Area Plans	£43,000#	On-going
Draft Banbridge, Newry & Mourne Area Plan	£0.00	On-going
Allied Bakeries – Orby Road, Belfast	£0.00	On-going
Peter Woods – Mealough Road, Belfast	£0.00	On-going

2007/08

JR	Fees paid (i)	Outcome (ii)
Sprucefield	£3,000	Application withdrawn
George Best Belfast City Airport	£0.00*	Won
John Hill – Ballywalter Bowling Club	£0.00	Won
Kim Massey	£4,000	Lost
Sperrin Galvanisers	£6,000	Withdrawn
Hetherington	£0.00	Postponed

# Interim payment

* The costs of this case were awarded to the Department

The figures for fees paid are the costs to the Department of employing its own legal representation. Costs have been awarded against the Department in a number of cases, but invoices have yet to be received. The total costs to the taxpayer are for the moment therefore the same as the fees paid.

Planning Service

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the level of liaison between the Enforcement Section and the Applications Section of the Planning Service.

(AQW 2764/08)

Mrs A Foster: Divisional Planning Managers are responsible for both development control and enforcement functions. Each Divisional Planning Office and Headquarters Strategic Project Division has dedicated district development control and enforcement teams. These teams are headed up by Principal Planning Officers who work directly to the Divisional Planning Managers.

There is already existing close and ongoing liaison between these two functions within each Divisional Planning Office on a daily basis. Both in cases when officers are investigating potential breaches of planning control, and when planning applications stemming from enforcement cases are submitted, the relevant case officers from the development control and enforcement sections liaise closely in order to ensure that all relevant issues are fully considered. In addition the enforcement team will proactively monitor certain developments following the grant of planning permission to ensure the development is carried out as approved or conditions have been complied with.

Planning Applications

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning applications that remain undetermined or have been refused due to inadequate sewerage infrastructure, in the Cookstown and Magherafelt district council areas, in the last 3 years.

(AQW 2770/08)

Mrs A Foster: As this information is not readily available electronically, a limited manual search of the current applications has been carried out for both areas. Although a new treatment works has been provided in Cookstown, seven applications in the Cookstown area remain undetermined because of inadequate sewerage infrastructure. In the Magherafelt area, 36 applications remain undetermined. In some of these cases, other additional planning issues also need to be resolved. No recent refusals have been issued in either District solely because of inadequate sewerage infrastructure.

Northern Area Plan

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an update on the draft Northern Area Plan.

(AQW 2807/08)

Mrs A Foster: While the draft Northern Area Plan was published in May 2005, progress on taking it forward to an Independent Examination was delayed because of a judicial challenge from Seaport Investments Ltd in relation to its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The final judgement on this challenge, which was handed down on 13 November 2007, did not quash either the draft Plan or the related SEA Regulations. However, my Department is actively considering the implications of the judgement, including preparation for an appeal.

In these circumstances, my Department is not yet in a position to indicate when it would be able to progress the draft Plan to the next Independent Examination stage.

In addition, progress will be influenced by whether or not a recent retrospective decision that it was not feasible to carry out a SEA is also challenged.

Planning Service

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail Planning Service policy in relation to a dwelling that has been built and approved for retirement purposes, when the person or persons who are granted the dwelling subsequently pass away.

(AQW 2815/08)

Mrs A Foster: Where planning permission is granted for a dwelling house for a retiring farmer or a surviving partner, the occupancy of the dwelling is restricted by condition to a person last employed in agriculture, forestry or fishery including any dependents of such a person residing with him/her.

Article 28 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 provides for an application to develop land without compliance with conditions previously attached to a planning permission. It is therefore possible to apply for planning conditions to be discharged and in the circumstances referred to above, the Department is likely to discharge such a condition.

Fly Tipping

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration she has given to transferring power to local councils to enforce regulations in relation to fly tipping offences.

(AQW 2824/08)

Mrs A Foster: I am fully aware of the need to establish effective enforcement arrangements to deal with fly tipping offences, and have asked my officials to consider policy options for dealing with fly tipping in Northern Ireland. Thereafter, I will assess the need for legislative change to provide councils with greater powers.

Northern Area Plan

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give a timescale within which the draft Northern Area Plan 2016 will be finalised and adopted.

(AQW 2833/08)

In these circumstances, my Department is not yet in a position to indicate when it would be able to progress the draft Plan to the next Independent Examination stage.

In addition, progress will be influenced by whether or not a recent retrospective decision that it was not feasible to carry out a SEA is also challenged.

Carrickfergus Castle

Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to explain why the banquet hall in Carrickfergus Castle cannot be hired for events outside opening hours.

(AQW 2848/08)

Mrs A Foster: The primary functions of Environment and Heritage Service in relation to Carrickfergus Castle are its conservation and its interpretation to the public and school groups. The hiring of the Castle as a venue for private events has always been at the discretion of local management. EHS has experienced difficulties in providing staff to open and close the building in the evenings and staff have, at times, had problems late at night with the behaviour of guests departing from functions. Cleaning up on the following morning in time for opening presents further difficulties, potentially affecting the visitor experience and enjoyment of the property.

As a result EHS is no longer able to offer the hire of the premises for private functions in the evenings, though this service will still be available during normal opening times to the extent that resources and education priorities allow.

Irish Government Building

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, in relation to the planning application for the new Irish Government building at Notting Hill, Malone Road, Belfast; (i) the use; and (ii) the size of the building.

(AQW 2870/08)

Mrs A Foster: While no precise address has been specified my Department assumes that the question relates to a planning application for the erection of a replacement dwelling at 29 Notting Hill, Belfast that was granted permission on

12 February 2003. The application was submitted by Dunarden Properties Ltd, High Street, Belfast and the building is to be used as a dwelling.

The dwelling measures 1200 square metres in total providing accommodation on three levels: basement; ground floor and first floor.

Grouse Moors

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration she has given to the introduction of an initiative to revitalise grouse moors.

(AQW 2882/08)

Mrs A Foster: In March 2008 my department will publish a Species Action Plan for the Red Grouse in Northern Ireland. This Plan will include a number of actions to benefit Red Grouse habitat. I will ask my officials in EHS to send you a copy of the Action Plan as soon as it is published.

Carbon Emissions

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the amount of carbon emitted per annum, as a result of domestic energy use, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 2894/08)

Mrs A Foster: The table below shows the levels of carbon dioxide and carbon from residential combustion which includes home and garden machinery for 2003, 2004 and 2005. Figures for 2006 and 2007 are not yet available. It is not possible to attribute indirect emissions resulting from the production of electricity for domestic energy use at power stations.

Year	Kilo tonnes of Carbon dioxide	Kilo tonnes of Carbon equivalent
2003	2905.1	792.3
2004	2879.1	785.2
2005	2729.4	744.4

Source of Figures: The Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compiled by AEA Technology

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) what action local authorities can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (ii) what funding is available to local authorities to take such action.

(AQW 2895/08)

Mrs A Foster: In a previous answer (AQW 2403/08), you were informed of actions and funding available to assist councils in reducing emissions in relation to biodegradable waste and the Community ECO-Challenge Project.

In general, District Councils, like the rest of society, need to be conscious of the climate change agenda by reducing energy consumption and promoting the use of renewable technologies when discharging their functions. Some of this can be by way of self-help whilst government regulation can also play a role.

In terms of self-help my officials are working with the local government sector to consider how a commitment to tackle climate change can be galvanised through for example, Climate Change Declarations, similar to the commitment in England by Councils to what is known as the "Nottingham Declaration". The intention is that by councils publicly committing to reducing emissions it becomes a real agenda item within councils and all efforts are deployed on achievement.

In terms of government regulation, from 31 March 2007 Northern Ireland Departments and District Councils have a statutory duty to "act in the way it considers best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in Northern Ireland". Climate Change is one of the key elements of the sustainable development agenda.

In terms of future government support, councils with an electricity bill of around £500k per annum are likely to be included in a new carbon cap and trade scheme known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment. My officials are currently working with UK officials to develop this scheme which could be implemented from 2010. The principle by which it will work is that if an organisation is more energy efficient than expected, it can sell surplus allowances to the less efficient. Hence, the overall objective of reducing emissions will be achieved.

National Park

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment what discussions she has had with her Ministerial colleagues in relation to the proposed National Park designation for the Mournes/Slieve Croob area of South Down.

(AQW 2896/08)

Mrs A Foster: I have already stated that I would consult with Assembly colleagues, other Departmental Committees and the Council for Nature and Conservation of the Countryside (CNCC) before making any decision regarding a possible National Park in the Mournes/Slieve Croob area.

I recently received the views of the CNCC and I look forward to receiving the responses of the two Committees that I have consulted on the report of the Mourne National Park Working Party. I also met recently with a delegation from the Mourne area, including Slieve Croob, to hear the views of some groups who are opposed to the designation of a National Park in that area. I will shortly meet with a range of organisations that see benefits in the designation of a Mourne National Park.

I will progress my consideration of this matter as soon as I have heard the views of those whose opinions I have sought. Should I decide to proceed towards the establishment of a National Park in the Mournes/Slieve Croob area, I will of course refer the matter to my Ministerial colleagues, through the Executive Committee, for consideration.

Retirement Dwellings

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the criteria used when assessing all aspects of an application for a retirement dwelling, including the specifications regarding the design and size of the dwelling.

(AQW 2952/08)

Mrs A Foster: Under current policy planning permission will be granted for a dwelling-house on a farm for a farmer retiring from agriculture, forestry or fishing or for the surviving partner of a farmer including any dependents residing with him/her, where the applicant can demonstrate all the following;

The applicant last worked mainly as a farmer, or is the surviving partner of someone who last worked mainly as a farmer;
The applicant is of retirement age and has recently retired or is about to retire, or has to retire prematurely from farming because of ill-health or is a surviving partner as in the above criterion;
The site for the new dwelling-house is on the land which the applicant or, in the case of a surviving partner, her/his partner farmed until retirement;
The farm is viable and therefore capable of supporting a farmer in full-time employment;
The farm retirement dwelling is required to facilitate the orderly sale or transfer of the farm holding as a going concern;
The existing farmhouse will continue to be used as the farmhouse on the farm;
There are no alternative development opportunities available on the farm; and
No dwellings or development opportunities have been sold off from the farm holding.

In terms of size, current policy requires that the dwelling can be visually integrated into the rural landscape and the detailed design reflects the traditional pattern of development in the locality.

Thomas Mountain Quarry

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration she has given to the reinstatement of the Thomas Mountain quarry, Newcastle.

(AQW 2957/08)

Mrs A Foster: There is a history of extraction of stone on this site dating back to the 1970s. The Department is currently processing a planning application for an amendment of a previous time restricted proposal which expired in 2004 to allow further extraction. This planning application contains a restoration plan which presents an excellent opportunity to highlight the association of Mourne granite itself with the wider Mournes. This is especially relevant given the site’s location as part of/adjoining the Mourne Granite Trail. The site restoration plan views the Eastern Mournes Special Area of Conservation as its context with an emphasis on natural recolonisation of the site by dry heath elements as it is already occurring.

Should planning permission be granted for the proposal then any approval which may issue would be conditioned to require the implementation of the restoration plan.

Planning Policy Statement 14

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm whether or not the revised Planning Policy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside will maintain the withdrawal of Countryside Policy Area designation, in existing statutory and published draft development plans, specifically in relation to the draft Magherafelt Area Plan.

(AQW 2958/08)

Mrs A Foster: My aim is to develop a policy that protects the countryside from unnecessary development and supports rural communities. It is still too early in the process to provide details on the new draft PPS 14.

Conservation Area

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the criteria used when assessing an application for a detached dwelling in a large garden, situated within a Conservation Area.

(AQW 2960/08)

Mrs A Foster: In a Conservation Area development proposals for new a detached dwelling in a large garden will only be permitted where all of the following criteria are met:

The development preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the area;
The development is in sympathy with the characteristic built form of the area;
The scale, form, materials and detailing of the development respects the characteristics of adjoining buildings in the area;
The development does not result in environmental problems such as noise, nuisance or disturbance which would be detrimental to the particular character of the area;
Important views within, into and out of the area are protected;
Trees and other landscape features contributing to the character or appearance of the area are protected; and
The development conforms with the guidance set out in conservation area documents.

Other material planning considerations include the need to ensure that there is an adequate means of access to the site and that all necessary water and sewerage services can be provided. Additionally there must be no threat to the amenity of occupiers of adjoining dwellings, including the existing dwelling in whose garden the building will be constructed.

Tourist Accommodation

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the criteria used by the Planning Service when assessing an application for tourist accommodation in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

(AQW 2961/08)

Mrs A Foster: Proposals for tourist development, either new build or conversion of existing buildings, are judged on their contribution to the needs of the tourism industry and the benefit to the local economy balanced against the objective of protecting the countryside from unnecessary or excessive development. In AONBs in particular there is a delicate balance between exploitation of the exceptional quality of the landscape and over development which would destroy its intrinsic character and quality.

Specific policy relating to AONBs acknowledges while their designation is one of protection and enhancement of these special landscapes, account must be taken of the need to sustain the economic and social well-being of those living in these areas. Tourist related development will be acceptable where it meets tourist needs and supports the local economy and it is not detrimental to environmental quality. It is expected that the conversion of existing buildings will be carried out in a sympathetic manner and new buildings will respect the traditional architectural styles and settlement patterns of the locality.

Tourist Accommodation

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of successful planning applications for tourist accommodation, in the Moyle District Council area, in the last three years.

(AQW 3023/08)

Mrs A Foster: The current system of electronic data retrieval – 20/20 – does not contain any single classification for this type of application. Accurate and comprehensive figures could be obtained only through a manual exercise which could not be done in the time available and would incur disproportionate costs.

The database has nevertheless been interrogated using the key words tourism, holiday, self-catering, guest house, hotel and bed and breakfast. This has identified the following 16 applications as having been issued with planning approval between January 2005 and January 2008.

(i) Three applications were granted approval for tourist accommodation.

(ii) Eight applications were granted approval for holiday accommodation.

(iii) Two applications were granted approval for self catering accommodation.

(iv) One application was granted approval for a guest house.

(v) Two applications were granted approval for a hotel and ancillary accommodation.

Tourist Accommodation

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of unsuccessful planning applications for tourist accommodation, in the Moyle District Council area, in the last three years.

(AQW 3024/08)

The database has nevertheless been interrogated using the key words tourism, holiday, self-catering, guest house, hotel and bed and breakfast. This has identified the following 14 applications as having been refused planning permission between January 2005 and January 2008.

(i) Two applications were refused permission for tourist accommodation.

(ii) Nine applications were refused permission for holiday accommodation.

(iii) Three applications were refused permission for self catering accommodation.

Planning Applications

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking to meet the target, in the draft Programme for Government, of a six month turnaround in planning applications.

(AQW 3029/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Programme for Government refers to a six month target being applied to large scale planning proposals. These are proposals which are considered to have significant economic or social implications for the whole or a substantial part of Northern Ireland. They will be handled by the Strategic Projects Division of Planning Service and the six month target will apply provided there have been pre-application discussions with an agreed outcome.

Within the Strategic Projects Division I have recently agreed to the creation of two multi-disciplinary teams –teams which are comprised of planning staff as well as professionals from other relevant disciplines – to help to further enhance the efficiency of the service that is provided. I am hopeful these multi-disciplinary teams will be in place by Spring of this year.

My officials have also published guidance for prospective developers/applicants on pre-application discussions. This will assist in the development of procedures for meaningful pre-application engagement between the Planning Service, our key consultees – some of whom will be represented in our multi-disciplinary teams – and applicants. As part of the pre-application discussions, an indicative timescale for processing the application will be provided. Clearly, if this is to be a success in terms of speeding up the process there will be obligations on everyone involved in the planning process, including agents, through a mutual commitment to improve the quality of applications and maximise the prospects of getting through the statutory process quickly.

Ards and Down Area Plan

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the reasons for a 3 month delay in the announcement of the Ards and Down Area Plan.

(AQW 3036/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department is currently waiting for the report of the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) into the public inquiry into the draft Ards and Down Area Plan. The PAC has confirmed that, while work on the report is well advanced, it will now be available no later than 31 March 2008. It had previously indicated that it would be available by the end of 2007.

As the PAC is an appellate body, totally independent of my Department, I am not in a position to detail the reasons for the delay. This is a matter for the PAC.

Road Deaths

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking to reduce the rising death toll on roads.

(AQW 3037/08)

Mrs A Foster: Provisional figures indicate that 112 people died on our roads in 2007. That equals the total for the year 1947 and is also the lowest number of road deaths ever recorded. Five children died in 2007, again the lowest on record.

Although the improving figures provide some encouragement, I believe we can do much better in reducing road casualties. I am particularly concerned, for example, that the number of motorcyclists killed last year increased from 14 to 25. That is why I have instigated a review of the road safety strategy, and why I am seeking new measures to complement those that we already know are working.

However, I have no intention of waiting for the outcome of the review before taking action. I have already:

announced tougher new penalties for using hand-held mobile phones while driving; for not using seat belts or allowing children to travel without belts; for ignoring temporary speed limits; for careless driving and for driving unroadworthy vehicles;
consulted on compulsory basic training for motorcyclists and on the introduction of a mandatory register for motorcycle trainers;
announced the introduction of changes to the motorcycle test later this year;
announced my intention to publish a significantly revised version of the Highway Code in the Spring.

Also on the way are further improvements to school bus safety and changes to the training and testing regime for professional bus and lorry drivers.

In addition, I have announced my intention to consult shortly on proposals for:

changes to the arrangements for driver training, testing and licensing;
the introduction of a graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme, aimed at improving compliance for all classes of drivers and vehicles including those of foreign origin;
graduated penalty points for speeding; and
addressing drink driving issues, including lowering blood alcohol limits and introducing random breath testing.

High Hedges

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm what priority she is giving to the introduction of legislation in relation to the nuisance of high hedges; and to provide (i) a timescale for; and (ii) details of, such legislation.

(AQW 3041/08)

Mrs A Foster: I am aware that there is widespread concern about nuisance high hedges and I am keen to bring forward legislation as soon as possible starting with a policy consultation on the detailed operation of the legislation. However, the timing will be subject to consideration of other competing priorities facing my Department.

Plastic Carrier Bags

Mr J Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the powers available to her to impose a levy on plastic carrier bags.

(AQW 3062/08)

Mrs A Foster: Section 63 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 envisages that Acts of the Assembly could, among other things, impose a tax. Paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to that Act, which lists fiscal matters the Northern Ireland Assembly cannot deal with, also needs to be considered. Legal interpretation of these provisions supports the view that, in the absence of a plastic bags levy applying to the United Kingdom as a whole or any comparable tax or duty, the Assembly is competent to legislate for such a levy to be introduced in Northern Ireland.

'Chicken Litter' Power Plant

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment 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 3067/08)

Mrs A Foster: Planning Service staff met with agents acting on behalf of Rose Energy on the following dates:

3 August 2006, 31 May 2007 and 13 August 2007 to hear details of the proposal and to discuss the likely content of a planning application and environmental statement.

EHS staff met with representatives of Rose Energy (including personnel from Moy Park Ltd and O Kane’s Poultry Ltd) to discuss the proposal on the following dates:

21 December 2005, 24 January 2006 and 25 January 2007 to be briefed on the outline proposals;

23 April 2007 and 2 May 2007 to discuss the proposed methodology to be used in the project’s Air Quality Impact Assessment;

12 October 2007 to discuss (i) proposed cooling water options associated with the proposal and (ii) requirements for a permit application under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (NI) 2003.

I, along with Minister Dodds and officials, met with Rose Energy to discuss their energy from waste project on 27 November 2007 in Parliament Buildings.

Planning Service and EHS staff met jointly with agents acting on behalf of Rose Energy on the following date:

6 December 2007 to discuss progress in developing the proposal and the planning procedures likely to be adopted in processing the planning application.

EHS staff met with representatives of Rose Energy to discuss the proposal on the following date:

18 December 2007 to discuss and review the cooling water options

'Project Better Place'

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of the Environment what is her assessment of the 'Project Better Place'; and what consideration she has given to proposals to adopt such a plan.

(AQW 3068/08)

Mrs A Foster: You should be clear that direct functional responsibility for transport policy falls to the Department for Regional Development, though other Departments will have an interest. However, I recognise that amongst the actions required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions technological development will be necessary. Hence, "Project Better Place" may be an example of how electric cars and more specifically "recharging networks" might be of value in the future.

Marine Nature Conversation

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister of the Environment if she will seek to have marine nature conversation powers devolved to the Executive.

(AQW 3104/08)

Mrs A Foster: I have no current plans to seek devolution of marine nature conservation to the Executive.

Road Safety Strategy

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of the Environment to detail how she plans to implement the Road Safety Strategy.

(AQW 3106/08)

Mrs A Foster: The current road safety strategy, published in November 2002, includes casualty reduction targets and 164 action measures to be undertaken by DRD’s Roads Service, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and my Department.

The overall strategic target is to reduce fatal and serious injuries by one third, to 1200 or fewer by the year 2012, from the annual average for 1996 to 2000 of 1750. A further target is to halve the numbers of child deaths and serious injuries to 125 or fewer from the average of 250 over the same period.

The current strategy is implemented through cross agency working arrangements. Responsibility for monitoring progress rests with the Road Safety Review Group, which comprises senior officials from DRD, PSNI and DOE. Most action measures in the current strategy have been implemented, and new measures have been progressed since the return of devolution.

Since coming into office I have also instigated a Ministerial road safety group to consider progress and determine the way forward at a strategic level.

Good progress has been made and by the end of 2006 overall deaths and serious injuries had been reduced by 24% and child deaths and serious injuries by 39%. Provisional figures for 2007 indicate that there were 112 deaths, including five child deaths, the lowest totals on record.

At a recent meeting with the Environment Committee, I outlined proposals for actions I intend to take over the next 18 months to address key road safety issues such as speeding and drink driving, and the specific problems of young drivers and motorcyclists. At that meeting I also indicated that work had begun on a fundamental review of the existing arrangements with a view to introducing a new strategy by 2010.

I expect a replacement strategy to include challenging new casualty reduction targets and measures to reduce casualties significantly through education, training, engineering and enforcement. Implementation will be considered in detail during the preparation of the new strategy, but the objective will be a fully integrated, coherent and coordinated approach to delivery.

Road Safety Information

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking to provide road safety information and awareness for schools and youth services.

(AQW 3115/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department’s Road Safety Education Officers (RSEOs) promote and deliver road safety education for children and young people in line with best practice guidelines. The guidelines are based on research which recommends that road safety education of children and young people is best carried out by professional teachers on a regular structured basis with RSEOs providing appropriate teaching resources, expertise, teacher training and support. RSEOs meet regularly with teachers and where appropriate deliver interactive road safety sessions to supplement and reinforce teachers’ work.

RSEOs also work closely with teachers on the delivery of specific initiatives such as practical child pedestrian safety training in 75 primary schools in areas of social need, and cycle proficiency training, with around 9,000 children trained annually. Within post-primary schools, RSEOs actively promote the timetabling of road traffic studies and a GCSE in motor vehicle and road user studies (MVRUS) and provide the necessary teaching materials and resources, teacher training, advice and support to deliver these. In the 2007-08 school year, around 175 schools are timetabling road traffic studies and, of these, 77 are offering MVRUS. A driver training scheme is another initiative delivered in post-primary schools. Each year my Department also provides a five-week road safety theatre-in-education tour for school children aged 5-9 years and two further tours aimed at children and young people in post-primary schools.

Through an annual requisition, infant, primary and post-primary schools can order a selection of free road safety teaching materials and resources from my Department, up to a value determined by the number of full-time teaching staff. A road safety teaching aid calendar is also distributed free of charge to every classroom in every nursery and primary school in Northern Ireland. The calendar contains teaching notes and curriculum links to assist teachers in teaching road safety.

Within the past year, my Department has developed a road safety education website that includes a range of information, animations, interactive games and advice for children and young people. Also included is specific advice and information for teachers and parents. RSEOs actively promote the website within schools both as a source of information and as an education tool. New interactive games are currently being developed.

The delivery of road safety education to children in line with best practice is fully supported by road safety practitioners as the most effective means of ensuring that all children and young people receive road safety education on a regular basis throughout the school year.

Down/Ards Area Plan

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an update on the when the Down/Ards Area Plan is going to be made available.

(AQW 3209/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department is currently awaiting receipt of the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) report into the public inquiry of the draft Ards and Down Area Plan. While the inquiry ended in January 2007 the PAC has confirmed that work on the report is well advanced and it will now be available no later than 31 March 2008. It had previously indicated that it would be available by the end of 2007.

On receipt of the report my Department is committed to progressing towards adopting the final plan as a matter of priority but progress will be dependent on the contents of the report and any additional work required.

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Central Payments System

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to state the number of credit/debit cards held by each department, and to indicate when he expects a central payments system to be complete.

(AQW 2709/08)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): AQW 2709/08

The number of credit/debit cards held by each department is detailed in the table below:

Department	No of credit cards	No of debit cards
DARD	0	0
DCAL	17	0
DE	2	0
DEL	0	0
DETI	1	0
DFP	1	0
DHSSPS	12	0
DOE	1	0
DRD	0	0
DSD	1	0
OFMDFM	3	0
TOTAL	38	0

It is anticipated that all departments will move to Account NI, the central payments system, by 1 April 2009.

Staff Disciplinary Process

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to the answer to AQW 2327/08, what is his assessment of why (i) the Department for Employment and Learning; and (ii) the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, have a significantly higher number of staff who are undergoing a disciplinary process as a result of an unacceptable sickness record, compared to other departments.

(AQW 2846/08)

Mr P Robinson: Given the similar nature of these questions I have addressed both in this joint answer.

Taking AQW 2846/08 first, my original answer on this matter (AQW 1629/08) refers. The figures provided in that answer related only to each Northern Ireland Government Department as requested. Executive Agencies and NDPBs were therefore excluded from the answer.

To a large extent this explains the apparent disparity in the figures with DARD and DEL presenting higher figures than other core departments.

The details requested in AQW 2847/08 are set out in the attached table. It includes the number of staff currently undergoing inefficiency action as a result of an unacceptable sickness absence record. The overall figures presented include NI Government departments, Executive Agencies and NDPB (where such information is available).

For the purpose of answering these questions, the term ‘disciplinary procedures’ has been interpreted as inefficiency in line with the current NICS policy.

Departments(including their Executive Agency and NDPBs (where available)	Overall number of staff with a live warning or under notice of dismissal at January 2008
DE	19
DCAL	18
DFP	135
DSD	917
DHSSPS	17
DETI	49
OFMDFM	10
DRD	134
DOE	180
DEL	155
DARD	204
OVERALL	1838

Staff Disciplinary Process

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of staff in each Government department that are currently going through a disciplinary process as a result of an unacceptable sickness record.

(AQW 2847/08)

Mr P Robinson: Given the similar nature of these questions I have addressed both in this joint answer.

To a large extent this explains the apparent disparity in the figures with DARD and DEL presenting higher figures than other core departments.

For the purpose of answering these questions, the term ‘disciplinary procedures’ has been interpreted as inefficiency in line with the current NICS policy.

Departments(including their Executive Agency and NDPBs (where available)	Overall number of staff with a live warning or under notice of dismissal at January 2008
DE	19
DCAL	18
DFP	135
DSD	917
DHSSPS	17
DETI	49
OFMDFM	10
DRD	134
DOE	180
DEL	155
DARD	204
OVERALL	1838

Building Regulations

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to release the technical and financial evidence, and policy advice, in support of his decision to abandon plans for revised building regulations in relation to the installation of renewable energy technologies in new homes.

(AQW 2859/08)

Mr P Robinson: I am happy to place in the Library a copy of the Regulatory Impact Assessment produced in association with the former Secretary of State’s proposal to amend the building regulations to make microgeneration mandatory in all new buildings. The Regulatory Impact Assessment shows clearly that while it may be technically feasible to require all new buildings to have a renewable energy source, it is not currently cost-effective to do so. I will also provide you with a copy of the policy advice I received on this matter from officials, which raises other issues which I took into consideration when making this decision.

I did not meet with any representatives of the construction industry in the lead-up to making this decision; however my officials met with a group of major stakeholders with an interest in renewable technologies, including the Construction Employers Federation, in order to inform the formulation of policy. In addition, officials consulted regularly with the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC). This statutory Committee is made up of representatives from the construction industry, including designers, suppliers, engineers and building control practitioners. The role of NIBRAC is to advise the Department's proposed amendments to the building regulations. NIBRAC was unanimously of the opinion that it was not appropriate to make microgeneration mandatory at this time and specifically asked that I be advised accordingly.

Finally, you have asked me to provide full details in support of my decision to overturn the former Secretary of State’s proposal for mandatory microgeneration. The Regulatory Impact Assessment and the policy advice contained in the submission accompanying this response provide that information. I support fully the need to reduce our carbon footprint. However I remain unconvinced that amending building regulations to introduce a mandatory requirement for microgeneration in all new buildings is the most appropriate mechanism to achieve this at this time. It is widely recognised, including by many who support renewable technologies, that improving the thermal efficiency of the fabric of buildings is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce carbon emissions from buildings. It is important to note that this proposal related to new buildings only, approximately 1% of the Northern Ireland building stock.

A recent amendment to the Northern Ireland building regulations that came into operation in November 2006 set standards that reduce energy usage in buildings which are subject to these regulations by up to 40% on previous standards. There will be a corresponding 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from these buildings. I trust you will appreciate this significant improvement over previous standards which required good standards of thermal performance. The new standards are fully in line with those in England & Wales and Scotland. It should be noted that there is no requirements for mandatory microgeneration in any part of the UK, nor are there any plans to introduce such a requirement.

The inclusion of low and zero carbon energy sources is facilitated fully in the current building regulations and the "Whole Building Approach" offers designers the flexibility to take any number of routes, including microgeneration, to match, or indeed improve on, the carbon emissions target set for the building.

I have instructed my officials to study the feasibility of further reducing carbon emissions targets for new buildings by an additional 25% by 2010, as a further step towards zero carbon homes.

Building Regulations

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what meetings he held with the construction industry, including the Construction Employers' Federation, in the lead-up to his decision to abandon plans for revised building regulations in relation to the installation of renewable energy technologies in new homes; and to provide details of these meetings.

(AQW 2861/08)

I have instructed my officials to study the feasibility of further reducing carbon emissions targets for new buildings by an additional 25% by 2010, as a further step towards zero carbon homes.

Building Regulations

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide full details in support of his decision to abandon plans for revised building regulations in relation to the installation of renewable energy technologies in new homes.

(AQW 2862/08)

I have instructed my officials to study the feasibility of further reducing carbon emissions targets for new buildings by an additional 25% by 2010, as a further step towards zero carbon homes.

Registration Applications

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the processing time at Land Registers of Northern Ireland for any registration applications relating to Ballyallaght Farmyard Cottages, Bushmills, in October or November 2007; and (ii) any such applications that were fast-tracked.

(AQW 3132/08)

Mr P Robinson: An application for Site 1 Ballyallaght Farmyard Cottages was first lodged in Land Registers on 23 October 2007.

The application was rejected and returned to the lodging solicitor on 30 October advising that same could not be processed. A revised application was relodged on 15 November 2007 with a written request that the transaction should be expedited.

The relodged case was dealt with under the normal day code procedures and as all papers lodged were in order and the Digital Map update required for the property was in place, it was not necessary to expedite. The application was registered on 26 November 2007.

The above application was not fast-tracked.

Domestic Property Registrations

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the average processing time for domestic property registrations at Land Registers of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3133/08)

Mr P Robinson: The average turnaround times for all regular transactions which have been accepted into Land Registry is 19.6 days.

The average turnaround time for a non regular application which has been accepted into Land Registry is 58.48 days.

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Neonatal Hearing Screening

Ms C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of children assessed by the neonatal hearing screening programme, since it was implemented, who were subsequently assessed by audiology services as mild, moderate, severe or profoundly deaf, broken down by (i) Health and Social Services Board; and (ii) Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 2751/08)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The Boards and Trusts do not currently hold this information in this form. The newborn hearing screening programme, which was introduced in October 2005, aims to identify children with a permanent, unilateral or bilateral hearing impairment of 40dB or greater. The regional newborn hearing screening group is in the process of collating and quality-assuring data on all cases referred to audiology from screening. The group will use this information to assess the overall effectiveness of the programme in terms of early diagnosis.

Neonatal Hearing Screening

Ms C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has to publish statistics for the neonatal hearing screening programme.

(AQW 2752/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Data are recorded, collated and quality-assured for the purposes of planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating the programme, rather than with a view to publication. Anonymised information is provided on request, and such data was shared at a hearing screening seminar in May 2007 with key stakeholders including non-government organisations such as the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).

Neonatal Hearing Screening

Ms C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number and percentage of children successfully screened by the neonatal hearing screening programme, since it was implemented, broken down by (i) Health and Social Services Board; and (ii) Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 2753/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: This information in the table below details the number of children screened and this number as a percentage of all babies born, by quarter from 1 October 2005 until 31 March 2007. Data for the year 2007/08 are not yet available.

Take-up of newborn hearing screening, by Health and Social Care Trusts and Boards

Column A: total number of babies screened

Column B: this number as % of all babies screened within 3 months of birth

Trusts	Southern		Northern		Western		South Eastern		Belfast		NI
Boards	Southern		Northern		Western		EasternA B				NI
	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B
1 Oct – 31 Dec 2005	1202	96.6	1309	97.0	929	94.9	884	95.4	979	95.4	5303	96.0
1 Oct – 31 Dec 2005	1202	96.6	1309	97.0	929	94.9	1863 95.4%				5303	96.0
1 Jan – 31 March ‘06	1090	97.0	1338	97.5	968	95.7	949	96.1	971	96.0	5316	96.5
1 Jan – 31 March ‘06	1090	97.0	1338	97.5	968	95.7	1920 96.1%				5316	96.5
1 Apr – 30 June ‘06	1272	97.5	1405	97.7	950	98.0	945	98.0	1051	97.2	5623	97.7
1 Apr – 30 June ‘06	1272	97.5	1405	97.7	950	98.0	1996 97.6%				5623	97.7
1 July – 30 Sept 2006	1288	96.8	1568	98.4	1018	98.5	1077	98.1	1048	94.9	5999	97.4
1 July – 30 Sept 2006	1288	96.8	1568	98.4	1018	98.5	2125 96.5%				5999	97.4
1 Oct – 31 Dec 2006	1233	97.6	1395	98.2	1026	98.2	1041	98.4	1071	97.1	5766	97.9
1 Oct – 31 Dec 2006	1233	97.6	1395	98.2	1026	98.2	2112 97.7%				5766	97.9
1 Jan – 31 March ‘07	1241	98.3	1404	98.9	915	95.6	1055	99.5	1062	98.3	5677	98.2
1 Jan – 31 March ‘07	1241	98.3	1404	98.9	915	95.6	2117 98.9%				5677	98.2

Health Centres

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of new health centres that are (i) planned; (ii) under consideration, in the Strangford constituency in the next 3 years.

(AQW 2931/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Primary & Community Care Infrastructure (PCCI) programme is a modernisation programme to provide for a range of community based projects over the next 10 years for primary care facilities including Health and Care Centres, facilities for Learning Disability, Physical Disability, Mental Health, Elderly Mentally Ill facilities, Adult Centres and Children’s Homes. Within the current Budget there is an allocation of £40 million for these facilities, which allows the first five of these projects to be progressed over these next 3 years. Business Cases for these projects, which have been prioritised in consultation with the Boards and Trusts, are currently with my Department for consideration. These include four Health and Care Centres and an Integrated Community Mental Health Treatment Centre.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has identified as its first priority a new Health and Care Centre for Dunmurry. In addition the Trust is presently reviewing its remaining PCCI plans with a view to confirming a priority list of other schemes across the Trust area, including the Strangford constituency.

As part of this review of investment needs, the Trust is considering options in to address the needs of the Bangor and Ards communities and also the prospect of developing smaller primary care facilities to address the needs of more dispersed communities across the constituency.

The Trust expects to be in a position to confirm its assessed priorities to the Eastern Health & Social Services Board, and subsequently my Department for consideration, in the spring of 2008.

Community Nurses

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the increase in the numbers of community nurses in the Strangford constituency in the next 3 years.

(AQW 2932/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Staffing levels are a matter for individual Trusts, based on service requirements and available resources. I am aware, however, that the South Eastern Trust is currently reviewing the provision of District Nursing services, with a view to providing 24 hour access to the service throughout the entire organisation. The review is not yet sufficiently advanced as to be able to provide details on numbers and the information requested is not specifically available for the Strangford area.

However, in order to ensure that sufficient, suitably qualified staff are available to meet service needs my Department has established on-going regional workforce planning.

The workforce planning cycle comprises a major review approximately every three years, with interim update reviews. These are carried out for each clinical professional group including nurses, both within the acute and community setting.

Published reviews can be found on the Departmental internet site at

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

Ambulance Service

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his strategy for improving the arrival times for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service in reaching isolated rural areas.

(AQW 2963/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department has been actively working for a number of years with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) on a range of developments to help provide a more responsive and speedy service throughout Northern Ireland including rural and sparsely populated areas. These include the introduction of:

additional ambulance deployment points throughout Northern Ireland, particularly in rural areas;
Rapid Response Vehicles which can get potentially life saving treatment to patients quickly until an A&E ambulance arrives;
geographic information systems, including digital mapping, to Ambulance Control;
new computer assisted dispatch systems, telephony systems and digital radio systems; and
automatic vehicle location and satellite navigation systems to ensure the nearest ambulance responds to an emergency and that it is sent by the shortest route;

In addition, my Department is exploring the feasibility of introducing first responder schemes in rural areas to improve response in emergency situations. These schemes train volunteers living in the community who can be tasked by ambulance control to provide life-threatening first aid until an ambulance arrives. First Responders are not a substitute for the ambulance service but are complementary to it.

Personality Disorders

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the support that is available to neighbours of people with a serious personality disorder who have a history of erratic behaviour related to that disorder.

(AQW 2964/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There is no direct support available from the Health and Social Services to neighbours of people with a serious personality disorder who have a history of erratic behaviour related to that disorder. If neighbours have a complaint about a patient’s behaviour they should contact their local Health and Social Services and explain their concerns.

North-South Health Issues

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail all costs incurred by the North-South bodies in relation to health issues.

(AQW 2971/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department, along with the Department of Health and Children, in the Republic of Ireland, are responsible for one North-South Implementation body, the Food Safety Promotion Board (FSPB). The FSPB role focuses on the promotion of food safety and protection of health. The (as yet unaudited) FSPB expenditure for the calendar year 2007 was approximately £6,459,000 broken down as follows:

FSPB Main Programmes	£k
Marketing	2,180
Food Science	511
Human Health and Nutrition	1,442
Salaries, overheads, other non-programmed expenditure	2,326
Total	6,459

Mental Health

Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the current expenditure on mental health; (ii) the percentage of the total health budget that this represents; and to confirm whether the spend on mental health has changed in (a) real terms; or (b) as a proportion of the health budget, in each of the past five years.

(AQW 2982/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: A total of £190.7m was spent by Health & Social Services Boards in commissioning mental health services in 2006/07. This represented 7.5% of total commissioning expenditure. The table below shows mental health expenditure in the period 2002/03 to 2006/07, adjusted to 2006/07 prices. Expenditure, in real terms, increased by 23% over the period. The table also shows how mental health expenditure remains substantively the same percentage of total commissioning expenditure over the same period.

Year	Mental Health Commissioning Expenditure at 2006/07 prices*	Percentage of Total Commissioning Expenditure
	£m	%
2006/07	190.7	7.5
2005/06	182.9	7.5
2004/05	172.5	7.5
2003/04	165.0	7.6
2002/03	154.7	7.8

*Figures were inflated to 2006/07 prices using the HM Treasury measure of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a broad measure of inflation.

Wanless and Appleby Recommendations

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that, in the event of his department implementing the (i) Wanless; and (ii) Appleby recommendations, he will be ensuring that equality consideration will be an 'add-on' within the delivery of health and social care.

(AQW 2993/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Sir Derek Wanless draws attention to similar issues as Appleby concerning productivity but also to the importance of more targeted Public Health initiatives and other initiatives which assist people to engage knowledgeably in regard to their own health and to manage their own conditions. This is crucially important if a free health service is to be sustainable.

Implementing the Appleby recommendations has and will bring about improved efficiency which will enable the HSC to treat more people from its finite resources. Keeping waiting lists low, for example, will improve equity of access to acute services, as people who cannot afford to go private and who therefore stay on the waiting list, will stay on the waiting list for less time.

I therefore see addressing inequity, and indeed the basic sustainability of a free universal health service, as intrinsic parts of the forward course charted by the two reports.

Furthermore, in Northern Ireland, resources are allocated to all areas through a funding formula that takes explicit account of age, poverty, rurality and other indicators of need.

Deprivation and Inequalities in Care

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what arrangements he has put in place for the funding applications that many community and voluntary groups have submitted to address deprivation and inequalities in health and social care delivery.

(AQW 2994/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department currently awards funding to some 76 voluntary and community bodies to assist meeting business objectives in improving the health and well being of the people of Northern Ireland, including tackling deprivation and inequalities in health and social care delivery.

These awards follow a 3 year cycle, with regional bodies submitting applications once every 3 years for core funding in respect of central administration costs. Project Funding Applications for specific business objectives in respect of innovation and development are made available annually.

The Departments grant making procedures are set out in the Departmental Grants Manual and can be accessed on the DHSSPS website www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

In addition and from time to time, other specific programme funding is made available to the voluntary and community sector to assist the Department meet specific priority business objectives.

Private Company Carers

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of carers available through private companies in the (i) Ards Borough Council area; and (ii) Strangford constituency, in the last 3 years.

(AQW 2996/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Information is not available in the form requested or for geographies such as council area or parliamentary constituencies. However, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which is responsible for service provision in these specific areas, currently have 579 domiciliary care staff employed by various private domiciliary providers to work within the Trust area. In the last 3 years it is estimated that there were, on average, between 448 and 472 staff employed by private domiciliary providers to work in the Trust area. Not all of these staff will be full time and many will have a variable working pattern.

Ambulances

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of emergency requests for ambulances made in (i) Newtownards; (ii) Comber; and (iii) Ballygowan, in the last 3 years.

(AQW 2997/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.

Ambulances

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of emergency requests for ambulances that have been made in the Ards Peninsula area in the last 3 years.

(AQW 2998/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information in the table below is based on the BT22 postcode which covers the majority of the Ards Peninsula area. The calls received include duplicate and hoax/malicious calls as well as those where an ambulance was no longer required.

	2005	2006	2007
Calls Received	770	818	858
Calls Responded to	688	746	773

Attacks on the Ambulance Service

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of recorded attacks upon Northern Ireland Ambulance Service vehicles in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3013/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is contained in the table below.

Year	Attacks on Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Vehicles
2003	9
2004	9
2005	14
2006	14
2007	12

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 Ambulance Service in each of the last five years; and (ii) the number of these calls that were found to be malicious.

(AQW 3014/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is contained in the table below.

	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Number of Emergency Calls	83,734	86,893	101,548	111,351	123,545
Number of Malicious Calls*	6,610	8,972	8,808	8,742	8,235

*Includes hoax callers, no case at scene, and caller hung up without details given.

Physical Assaults

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of physical assaults upon Health Service workers in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3015/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of physical attacks against health service workers has been recorded since 1 April 2004. On a six-monthly basis employers report all such incidents to the Department and the table below details the number of attacks since 2004.

	2004-2005	2005-2006	2006-2007	2007-2008 (1 April 2007 – 30 September 2007)
Total Number of Physical attacks recorded	3825	3590	4283	2049

Fire and Rescue Service

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of attacks upon Fire and Rescue Service appliances and vehicles recorded in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3016/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Attacks on appliances are recorded as indicating some level of damage / inflicted on appliances / vehicles. The table below details such recorded incidents over the last five calendar years.

Year	Damage to Appliances
2003	86
2004	73
2005	53
2006	40
2007	41

Private Finance Initiative

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of Private Finance Initiative projects being considered for new build projects within the Health Service and their location.

(AQW 3017/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There are two new build projects currently being procured using the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) methodology. They are the new South West Acute Hospital north of Enniskillen and the new Enhanced Local Hospital Complex at Omagh.

Decisions on the procurement method to be used for future new build projects will be based on a rigorous value for money and affordability assessment for each project.

Health and Care Centres

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what the proposed new Health and Care Centres will cater for.

(AQW 3019/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The new Health and Care Centres will provide a wider range of services in the community, including diagnostic testing and minor surgery, to improve access and responsiveness, and support greater integrated working among health and social care professionals and between primary and secondary care sectors. What each centre will provide will be influenced by factors such as local need, safety, value for money and the assessment of existing services.

Serious Personality Disorders

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the support that is provided to people with a serious personality disorder, who live on their own.

(AQW 3025/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department’s policy is to enable those with disabilities, including serious personality disorder, to achieve the highest standards of living possible and to be fully integrated into society. Anyone with a mental illness, living in the community, will have a package of care pitched at a level specific to their particular needs. This package of care may involve active participation from a community mental health team. This is aimed, inter alia, to minimise any disruption to their lives or others in the community.

Public Car Parking

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the number of public car parking places available at (i) Altnagelvin Hospital; (ii) the Royal Hospital; and (iii) the City Hospital, Belfast; and to detail the car parking charge tariffs, including any overnight rates, in each of these hospitals.

(AQW 3031/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is not possible to distinguish balance dedicated staff and dedicated visitor parking areas at Altnagelvin. The information available, which includes free disabled spaces, is detailed in the table below:

	Altnagelvin	Royal Group of Hospitals	Belfast City
Public Car Parking Places	1500	645	1250
Charges	£	£	£
0-1 hours	0.50	1.00	1.00
1-2 hours	1.00	1.00	1.50
2-3 hours	1.50	1.00	2.00
3-4 hours	2.00	1.00	2.50
4-5 hours	4.00	1.80	4.50
5-6 hours	6.00	1.80	7.50
6-8 hours	8.00	3.60	10.00
8-24 hours	10.00	3.60	10.00

Altnagelvin has 22 car parks in total and of these 2 are ‘pay as you park’. Those parking overnight would tend to use the free car parks. A new ‘pay as you park’ with 43 spaces is opening soon and fees are expected to be 50 pence per hour. Outpatients and day patients have access to a 184 space car park which is free with a code provided on the appointment letter. A permit holder facility for urgent services/community services is also operated for chaplains, community midwives etc.

At the Royal and City hospitals there is not a specific charge for overnight stay. Rather, the charge is based on the length of time in the car park.

Sexual Abuse Cases

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of sexual abuse cases that were referred to social workers in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust during the Christmas and New Year period.

(AQW 3038/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of cases that were referred to social workers in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust during the Christmas and New Year period ie 21 December 2007 to 2 January 2008 were 2.

Sexual Abuse Cases

(AQW 3040/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of sexual abuse cases that were referred to social workers in the South Eastern Trust in each of the last three years were as follows.

The figures provided are not referrals made but cases that were placed on the Child Protection Register in each year under the category of either potential, suspected or confirmed sexual abuse.

Year	Potential	Suspected	Confirmed	Total
2005	29	2	7	38
2006	38	5	1	44
2007	29	5	6	40
Overall Total	96	12	14	122

Anaesthetists at the Ulster Hospital

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what action he is taking to address the shortage of anaesthetists at the Ulster Hospital, which is causing delays for those waiting for non Accident and Emergency surgery.

(AQW 3042/08)

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

The workforce planning cycle comprises a major review approximately every three years, with interim update reviews. The previous review of the medical profession was carried out in 2006 and the published report can be found on-line at

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

Northern Ireland has 12% more consultant anaesthetists per head of population than England and the training programme has the potential to provide for a 30% increase over the next 7 years.

Mental Health Services Unit

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the financial assistance he is providing towards the building of an inpatient unit at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Unit, Templepatrick; and to provide a timescale for the completion of this building.

(AQW 3043/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Department is not providing any financial assistance towards the private inpatient unit being built at Templepatrick by an independent healthcare provider. It will be for Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts to decide if they will purchase services from this unit when completed.

Medical and Dental Students

Ms C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not legislation is being acted upon by his department when providing pre-registration students of medicine and dentistry with bursaries; and to detail (i) the grounds that graduate students of medicine and dentistry are excluded from being recipients of a bursary; and (ii) whether or not this position will be reviewed by his department, so that graduate students of medicine and dentistry can receive a bursary for the academic year 2009/10.

(AQW 3050/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety provide bursaries to pre-registration medical and Dental students under Article 44 of the Health and Personal Social services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.

The Department’s current policy is in line with the longstanding principle that resources should be targeted at undergraduate level, allowing a wider number of students to experience third level study. Eligibility for support for medical and dental students is set out Part 2 Paragraph 3 of the "Financial Support arrangements in the 2007/08 Academic Year for Allied Health Professionals and Medical and Dental students from year five of study" July 2007.
A review of the support arrangements has been completed, which included the cost implications; proposals in relation to changes to the funding arrangements for the 2009/10 academic year are currently being considered within the competing priorities in the Health Service.

Day Care Provision

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to reverse the decision, by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, to withdraw day care provision from some people with learning difficulties, who are currently catered for at (i) Prospects Warrenpoint; and (ii) Prospects Newry, Day Opportunities centres.

(AQW 3057/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I have been informed by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust that it has not made any blanket decision to remove day care provision for some people with a learning disability who are currently attending Prospects Day Opportunities centres in Warrenpoint or Newry. The responsibility for operational matters in the provision of services rests with the Health and Social Care Trusts within Northern Ireland. It would be inappropriate for me to oversee or reverse decisions made by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust in the provision of services for individual people.

Neurologists

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current shortfall in the number of neurologists working in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3059/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There are no vacant posts in neurology therefore there is no shortfall against current investment.

Northern Ireland currently has 12 consultant neurologists in post and a further 6 in training. This will increase the workforce by 50% over the next few years.

New Surgery in Trillick

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give a timescale for the construction of a new surgery in Trillick, Co. Tyrone.

(AQW 3070/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Western Health and Social Services Board have advised that together with the GPs in Trillick potential premises have been identified in the Trillick Enterprise Centre which could be renovated to provide new practice premises.

This project is part of the Western Board’s Capital Development programme and cost rent funding for the new premises has been earmarked by the Board. The premises are currently being assessed from a technical and rental point of view.

The Board have also advised that everything possible will be done to expedite the creation of the new premises and subject to both Board and the Western Health and Social Care Trust approval the building will be operational in early 2009.

Disciplinary Action

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2675/08, to detail (i) whether or not any disciplinary action was taken in this matter; and (ii) the estimated cost to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

(AQW 3081/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: No formal disciplinary action has been taken in respect of this matter. It is not possible to determine if any actual loss is involved in the long term in the misinterpretation of the regulations as commutation calculations are based on tables of life expectancy provided by the Government Actuarial Department (GAD). Costs will therefore depend on the actual life span of each of the individuals affected.

Loyalist Volunteer Force

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what actions were taken by his department to ensure that those affected by the leak of patient files to the Loyalist Volunteer Force from Craigavon Hospital were informed; what investigations were conducted by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to ensure the leaks would not be repeated; and what disciplinary action has been taken against the staff involved.

(AQW 3113/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Matters regarding an alleged breach of patient confidentiality at Craigavon Area Hospital are the subject of an ongoing police inquiry.

As these matters are still under investigation it would not be appropriate for me or the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to give a detailed account of the investigations conducted by the Trust. I can assure you however that the Trust has acted in accordance with police advice in respect of these matters. Similarly it would not be appropriate for the Trust to publicly discuss any disciplinary action taken against individual members of staff as a result of the Trust’s internal investigation into these matters.

Catering Arrangements

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide details of catering arrangements, for each hospital (i) where food is freshly prepared and cooked on the premises; and (ii) where food is provided by an outside source and (iii) to indicate from where the food is procured.

(AQW 3121/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The details are as follows:

SOUTHERN TRUST

Hospital Name	Food Freshly Prepared And Cooked On Premises?	Outside Source Where Applicable
Daisy Hill	Yes
Craigavon	Yes
Lurgan	Yes
St Luke’s	Yes	Cook Chill Prepared at St Luke’s
Mullinure	No	Cook Chill From St Luke’s hospital
Longstone	No	Cook Chill From St Luke’s hospital
South Tyrone	No	Cook Chill From St Luke’s hospital

BELFAST TRUST

Hospital Name	Food Freshly Prepared And Cooked On Premises?	Outside Source Where Applicable
Belfast City	Yes
Mater	Yes
Muckamore Abbey	Yes	Entrée dishes are Cook Chill or Cook Freeze products supplied by Appeetito and Hughes Frozen Foods
Foster Green	Yes
Knockbracken	Yes
Musgrave park	Yes
Royal Hospitals	Yes	The Hospital uses a mixture of traditional and Cook Freeze food production. Cook Freeze products supplied by Tillery Valley

NORTHERN TRUST

Hospital Name	Food Freshly Prepared And Cooked On Premises?	Outside Source Where Applicable
Antrim	Yes	The Hospital uses a mixture of traditional and Cook Freeze food production. Cook Freeze products supplied by Tillery Valley
Causeway	No	Cook Freeze – Tillery Valley
Mid Ulster	Yes
Whiteabbey	No	Cook Chill – Antrim Hospital
Moyle	No	Cook Chill – Knockbracken Foods
Braid Valley	No	Cook Chill – Knockbracken Foods

WESTERN TRUST

Hospital Name	Food Freshly Prepared And Cooked On Premises?	Outside Source Where Applicable
Altnagelvin	Yes
Tyrone County	Yes
Erne	Yes
Gransha	Yes
Lakeview	Yes

SOUTH EASTERN TRUST

Hospital Name	Food Freshly Prepared And Cooked On Premises?	Outside Source Where Applicable
Downshire	Yes
Downe	Yes	The Hospital uses a mixture of traditional and Cook-Chill food production. Cook Chill meat products supplied by Downshire Hospital
Lagan Valley	Yes	The Hospital uses a mixture of traditional and Cook-Chill food production. Cook Chill meat products supplied by Downshire Hospital
Ulster	Yes
Ards	No	Cook Freeze - Appeetito
Bangor	No	Cook Freeze - Appeetito

Waiting Times

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average waiting time for patients in Accident and Emergency Departments in (i) each hospital; and (ii) in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3123/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Information on the average time that patients wait for treatment in Accident and Emergency departments is not collected centrally.

Data extracts providing Accident and Emergency department waiting time information have been requested from Trusts’ electronic data systems and work is ongoing to merge these extracts. The availability of the requested information is dependent on a successful technical solution being developed to merge the datasets.

A target has been set to ensure that 95% of patients are treated and discharged, or admitted to a ward, within four hours of arrival at A&E by March 2008. Progress towards this target is being closely monitored and my Department is supporting Trusts through a programme of reform and modernisation.

Whilst the new system is being developed, aggregate data on waiting times is being collected on a monthly basis from Trusts. Figures for December 2007, the latest month for which data are available, on the total attendances at A&E Departments and Minor Injury Units and the percentage of patients who waited 4 hours and under are presented in the table below.

Hospital	Percentage of Attendances waiting 4 Hours and Under	Total Attendances at A&E during December 2007
Altnagelvin	90%	3,675
Erne	89%	1,783
Tyrone County	99%	1,616
Antrim	89%	5,187
Whiteabbey	100%	1,653
Mid Ulster	92%	1,424
Causeway	95%	3,001
Craigavon	91%	5,516
Daisyhill	95%	2,545
South Tyrone	100%	944
Armagh/Mullinure	100%	534
Belfast City	79%	3,528
Royal	80%	4,069
Mater	93%	3,295
RBHSC	89%	2,754
Ulster	95%	5,606
Ards MIU	100%	775
Bangor MIU	100%	746
Lagan Valley	97%	2,496
Downe	95%	1,835
Northern Ireland	91%	52,982

Source: Monthly Return, EC1

Pro-Anorexia Websites

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has to meet with organisations in relation to the censuring of pro-anorexia websites.

(AQW 3126/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I have already met with leading internet providers on the issue of sites dealing with suicides. I am hoping to meet with them again in the near future. I will use that opportunity to raise the issue of pro-anorexia websites also.

Nationally, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has organised a meeting which will include all reps from both the public sector (including all jurisdictions) and all the main internet providers. The meeting will allow representatives to raise their concerns about harmful internet content, and what action, if any, can be taken to address it.

Eating Disorders

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of individuals, broken down by age and gender, diagnosed with eating disorders in the last three years.

(AQW 3127/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is estimated that each year in Northern Ireland around 50-120 people develop anorexia nervosa and around 170 people develop bulimia nervosa.

It is not possible to detail the number of individuals, broken down by age and gender, diagnosed with eating disorders in the last three years as information on those diagnosed by GPs is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Furthermore, many young people with an eating disorder may be treated under child and adolescent mental health services and not necessarily recorded as having eating disorders.

Referrals to the Regional Eating Disorders Service in Belfast are as follows:

Aug 05 to Dec 05 - 3 males and 36 females

Jan 06 to Dec 06 - 11 males and 89 females

Jan 07 to Dec 07 - 6 males and 107 females

Uninterrupted Mealtimes

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he has given to mandatory 'protected meal times' in hospitals to ensure uninterrupted mealtimes and promote improved nutrition.

(AQW 3128/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: We are currently developing a strategic framework for food and nutrition in hospitals that will ensure that we can provide nutritional hospital food that supports the delivery of high quality health and social care. The recently launched Nursing Care Standards for Patient Food in Hospital acknowledges that we can improve the nutritional care of patients by creating a protected environment that allows patients to eat their meals without disruption. The Department, Health and Social Care Trusts, the Royal College of Nursing and other professional bodies are continuing to work together to progress this initiative.

Sexual Abuse Cases

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of social workers, dealing with sexual abuse cases, currently working for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 3146/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information is not readily available in the format requested. Social Work staff will work with a range of cases were sexual abuse is an issue. In our new Children's Services structure there are 73 Social Workers and 21 Senior Practitioners working in a range of teams, including Gateway, Looked After Children's teams and Family Intervention teams. Any one of these staff may deal with a case where sexual abuse is concerned ie investigation, treatment and care or care planning for a child where abuse has taken place

Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not the additional monies being made available to his department for mental health and learning disabilities are now ring-fenced, to be spent solely on the implementation of the recommendations of the Bamford Review.

(AQW 3165/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The additional monies allocated to this department for Mental Health and Learning Disability will be ring–fenced recurrently solely for the implementation of the Bamford recommendations.

Bamford Review

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps (i) he has taken; and (ii) he will take, to ensure that the recommendations of the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability will be implemented, so that children and adolescents with mental health difficulties will not be treated in adult services.

(AQW 3168/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Where necessary, adolescents requiring inpatient mental health services have, as the least worst option, been placed in adult mental health facilities. In November 2005, the Department issued guidance to address this issue. This guidance distinguishes between admissions to general adult mental health wards (which is prohibited) and separate, side room accommodation in adult facilities which could continue to be utilised for young people under appropriate supervision and with measures in place to keep length of stay to a minimum.

Action is underway to provide an 18 place adolescent facility at Forster Green and replacing the current 15 place children’s unit. This will give a total of 33 inpatient beds which will help to reduce the number of occasions when treatment has to be provided in an adult setting.

Cost of Patient Care

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not care packages for patients treated at home are allocated in budgetary terms, such as a maximum budget for each patient.

(AQW 3169/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Domiciliary care packages are provided on the basis of individual assessment of both the client’s need and the level of risk to the client, family and carers of meeting that need in the client’s own home. The Department has not set a maximum budget for individual domiciliary care packages.

Alzheimer's Sufferers

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the criteria used to determine the treatment of Alzheimer's sufferers, including the allocation for nursing home places; and to confirm whether or not the age of the patient forms any part of the criteria.

(AQW 3176/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The treatment of Alzheimer’s sufferers is determined by need, not age. Everyone who has a form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, will have an individual, multi-disciplinary, assessment of their needs. This assessment is conducted by a range of professionals and involves the physical, mental and social functioning of the person who has dementia. The assessment will determine what medical treatments and support services are to be provided. The assessment will also determine if a person with dementia needs to be placed in a care home, and if so, the type that is best suited to meet their individual needs. The aim is to support the person in their own home for as long as possible.

Translation Services

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what translation services are available to assist non-English speakers with access to health services, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 3178/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Interpreting Service (NIHSCIS) which came into operation in June 2004, provides a regional interpreting service for all Health and Social Care Trusts. It enables Trusts to book the services of professional interpreters to meet the personal communication needs of those members of black and minority ethnic groups who do not speak English as a first or a competent second language. In emergency or other unplanned situations where the NIHSCIS is unable to supply an interpreter, a supplementary list of service providers is available to Trusts for face to face and telephone interpreting services.

In addition, a regional translation service is available to all Trusts which provides quality- assured translations. It was established to help overcome the language barriers faced by some members of the black and minority ethnic groups in relation to written information. On request documents are translated into other languages by providers from an approved list.

Drug Misuse

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the work his department has undertaken to identify the extent of drug misuse in South and East Belfast; (ii) the plans his department has to tackle this issue; and (iii) the consultations his department has had with drug awareness Agencies in South and East Belfast, with a view to increased co-operation in tackling this issue.

(AQW 3194/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (i)The Department commissions a number of prevalence surveys which provide information on the level of drug use across Northern Ireland among both young people and adults. The Department also maintains a number of monitoring systems that provide information on the number of drug users presenting to treatment services. This information is used to help to target resources at both a regional and local level. Such data is available at Health and Social Service Board level.

The Eastern Drug and Alcohol Co-Ordination Team (EDACT), which is funded by the Department, assesses local need when developing initiatives and targeting resources within the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB) area, including South and East Belfast.

(ii) The New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (NSD), which was launched in 2006, seeks to reduce the harm related to alcohol and misuse in Northern Ireland. A total of £6.8 million was allocated to the implementation of the NSD in 07/08. The NSD is outcome based, with actions taken to achieve its aims and objectives at both a regional and local level. Regionally, the Department takes forward a range of actions including research, and regional public information campaigns.

Locally, the four Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Teams (DACTs) are implementing their individual Action Plans, which they developed in response to local need and in support of the overarching outcomes in the NSD. The four DACTs were allocated a total of £4.8 million in 07/08 to implement their Local Actions Plans, including the provision of mentoring and counselling services for young people in each Health and Social Services Board Area. To deliver on these Local Action Plans, the DACTs issued tenders for the services they required in their respective areas, and all local organisations were able to bid to provide these services. Within EDACT a number of programmes, projects and initiatives have been developed which include South and East Belfast.

(iii) The Department hosted a range of workshops, seminars, and meetings during the development of the NSD to engage and consult with key stakeholders from across Northern Ireland. This included establishing of a number of special interest groups, who looked at specific issues such as workforce development, harm reduction, children and young people, etc. These meetings were open to anyone with an interest in attending, and included representation from a number of statutory, voluntary and community organisations who work in South and East Belfast.

In developing its Local Action Plan, EDACT undertook an assessment of need in the EHSSB area and consulted with key local stakeholders. The implementation of EDACT’s action plan is also informed by a range of local subgroups (including the South and East Belfast Substance Abuse Network) and the local independent sector forum which also includes representation from community/voluntary organisations in South and East Belfast.

Dental Service

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he will give to a community led dental service for the Ards Peninsula area, to provide NHS dental treatment for patients who are currently disenfranchised.

(AQW 3204/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Any initiative to set up a community led dental service on the Ards Peninsula can be discussed with the Commissioners of Dental Services for the area i.e. the Eastern Health and Social Services Board. Enquiries in relation to this should be addressed to Mr Will Maxwell, the Dental Director of the Eastern Board. He can be contacted at 028 9055 3780.

I will give due consideration to any such proposal.

General Dental Practitioners

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he intends to take in relation to General Dental Practitioners reducing their commitment within the NHS, resulting in people not having access to NHS care.

(AQW 3214/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I am totally committed to the aim of securing a robust and accessible health service dental service for everyone in Northern Ireland. 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 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.

In the interim, and in an effort to stem the flow of dentists from Health Service dentistry into private work, I announced in the Assembly on the 17th September 2007 an injection of £4.4 million into health service dentistry aimed at addressing the problems of access reported in parts of the province. £2m of this money is allocated directly to health service practices to assist with the overhead costs of running a practice. Following on from my announcement, all Health and Social Services Boards have been actively working to use the additional monies now available to them to commission salaried general dental practitioners in areas where access to dental services is currently problematic. The Northern Health and Social Services Board have already recruited 3 such salaried dentists, based in Ballymena, Cushendall and Magherafelt. If further dentists can be successfully recruited by each of the four Health Boards, the additional dentists provided will go some considerable way towards addressing access problems throughout Northern Ireland.

Bamford Review

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to encourage patients to receive care in their homes and communities as recommended in the Bamford Review.

(AQW 3216/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Caring for patients in their own homes or communities, when possible, has long been recognised as the preferred option. There is a wide range of service developments already underway. Some examples are as follows:

Community mental health services are being developed including Crisis Response, Assertive Outreach and Home Treatment Services.
A 4 –Tier model for child and adolescent mental health services is being implemented. This will mean that only the more seriously ill will be treated in hospital.
A specialist eating disorder team has been established in each board area. This will reduce the number of hospital referrals.

Clostridium Infections

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the clostridium infections that have occurred at Antrim Area Hospital; and to detail the measures that have been introduced to address the problem.

(AQW 3219/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I have asked the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority to carry out an independent review on the Antrim Area Hospital outbreak as soon as the outbreak has been contained.

In the meantime the Trust has put in place a robust action plan which includes: reviewing antibiotic use; containment of infected patients, and an intensive cleaning regime.

My Department already has a number of policies in place to tackle healthcare associated infections. In September 2007 I announced targets for reducing MRSA and Clostridium difficile. This is the first time that such targets have been set. In response to the Antrim outbreak, on 25 January I announced an extensive package of further measures aimed at fighting healthcare associated infections.

Tanning Salons

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he has given to introducing legislation, similar to that proposed in the Scottish Parliament, in relation to the regulation of tanning salons.

(AQW 3221/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) is an independent expert advisory committee, which provides advice to Government Departments and the Devolved Administrations in relation to the health effects of natural and man-made radiation. COMARE has been asked to provide advice to Government on the health effects of sunbed use. Its report to Government is expected by the end of 2008 and is likely to inform future policy development.

In addition, the Sunbed Working Group of the Northern Ireland Melanoma Strategy Implementation Group (NIMSIG) is currently examining the issues relating to sunbeds and their use.

Permanent Care Places

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people waiting for permanent care places in each of the Health and Social Care Trust areas.

(AQW 3223/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Information is not available centrally on the number of people waiting for permanent care places in each of the Health and Social Care Trust areas (AQW 3223/08 & AQW 3224/08). However, information is available on the number of people waiting for community care packages by Health & Social Care Trust, according to specified time bands. The table overleaf presents information on the number of people waiting as at 30 September 2007, the latest date for which such information is available.

All Persons Waiting for the Main Components of their Assessed Continuing Care Needs at 30 September 2007

HSC Trust	Less than 12 Weeks		12 Weeks or More		Total
HSC Trust	Number	%	Number	%	Total
Belfast HSC Trust	116	72%	46	28%	162
Northern HSC Trust	53	41%	75	59%	128
South Eastern HSC Trust	34	36%	61	64%	95
Southern HSC Trust	8	100%	0	-	8
Western HSC Trust	24	71%	10	29%	34
Northern Ireland	235	55%	192	45%	427

Source: Community Information Branch return CC5b

At 30 September 2007, 427 people were waiting for the main components of their assessed continuing care needs to be met in Northern Ireland. Across Trusts, this ranged from 8 people in the Southern HSC Trust to 162 in the Belfast HSC Trust (AQW 3223/08).

Permanent Care Placement

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the longest period of time for which an assessed patient is currently waiting for a permanent care placement, for each Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 3224/08)

All Persons Waiting for the Main Components of their Assessed Continuing Care Needs at 30 September 2007

HSC Trust	Less than 12 Weeks		12 Weeks or More		Total
HSC Trust	Number	%	Number	%	Total
Belfast HSC Trust	116	72%	46	28%	162
Northern HSC Trust	53	41%	75	59%	128
South Eastern HSC Trust	34	36%	61	64%	95
Southern HSC Trust	8	100%	0	-	8
Western HSC Trust	24	71%	10	29%	34
Northern Ireland	235	55%	192	45%	427

Source: Community Information Branch return CC5b

Of the total number of people waiting on this date, 235 were waiting for less than 12 weeks (55%) and 192 (45%) were waiting for 12 weeks or more. Whilst no one in the Southern HSC Trust waited more than 12 weeks for the main components of their assessed continuing care needs to be met, 75 people in the Northern HSC Trust waited 12 weeks or more (AQW 3224/08).

Healthcare Facilities

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the timescale for new healthcare facilities in Ballygowan.

(AQW 3264/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: There are currently no plans for any new healthcare facilities in Ballygowan within the Department’s Capital Development Programme.

I understand the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust is presently reviewing its Primary & Community Care Infrastructure plans with a view to confirming a priority list of schemes across the Trust area. As part of this review of investment needs, the Trust is considering options to address the prospect of developing smaller primary care facilities to address the needs of more dispersed communities.

The Trust expects to be in a position to confirm its assessed priorities to the Eastern Health & Social Services Board, and subsequently my Department for consideration, in the spring of 2008.

Air Ambulance Service

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has to provide for an Air Ambulance Service.

(AQW 3270/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Currently, I have no plans to provide for an air ambulance service. My priority for some years to come must be to invest in modernising ground ambulance services to enable the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to improve its response to emergency life-threatening calls. My budget during the Comprehensive Spending Review period reflects this priority.

Enhanced Hospital in Omagh

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not the costings for a new health centre are included in the £190m for the proposed new enhanced hospital in Omagh.

(AQW 3315/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The costs of a new Health and Care Centre are included in the new Omagh Hospital Complex project, which also includes a new local enhanced hospital and mental health centre, at an estimated total capital cost of £190 million.

Hearing Screening Programme

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the priority he will give to interdepartmental and interagency work to provide wraparound services for children assessed as deaf through the neonatal Hearing Screening Programme.

(AQO 1613/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Wraparound is the Southern Health and Social Services Trust specific scheme for delivering services for disabled children. The other Boards also provide services for children, including those assessed as deaf, using their own development of a multi-disciplinary multi-agency model. It would be inappropriate to give priority to a specific scheme. It is important that services are provided to meet the needs of all disabled children.

Covalent Services and Palliative Care

Mr D Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline how he proposes to ensure the continuance of covalent services and palliative care for residents of the Northern area.

(AQO 1593/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I am committed to the provision of high quality convalescent and palliative care services in the most appropriate setting. The Northern Board plans to continue to develop both hospital and community-based rehabilitative and palliative care services. The new Health and Social Care centres planned for the Northern Board area will provide rehabilitative services. The Board also plans to provide specialist rehabilitation and palliative care services in the Antrim Area Hospital.

My Department has also funded a project to develop a new regional model for supportive and palliative care services in 2008. This project is being delivered and piloted by the Northern Health and Social Services Board in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Cancer Network and the Marie Curie Delivering Choice programme. The overall aim of the project will be to develop a new integrated model for supportive and palliative care services that will be applicable across all care settings and will be able to respond to the needs of patients, their carers and families, regardless of diagnosis.

Mental Health Provision

Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how much funding will be devoted to mental health provision, following the conclusion of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

(AQO 1586/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Following the Budget announcement, I can confirm that there will be an additional £11m allocated to mental health services in 2008/09, £12m in 2009/10, and £23m in 2010/11. This will be on top of an estimated spend of £187million in 2007/08 on mental health services. This means by 2010/2011 there will be an increase of over 12% on current spend.

Mental Health Services

Mr P Maskey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the funding allocation for the Belfast Health Trust for mental health services in the next financial year.

(AQO 1609/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is proposed that an additional £4.39m will be allocated to the Eastern Health and Social Services Board for mental health services development in 2008/09. This is on top of the £78m currently allocated to the Board for mental health service provision in the Board’s area. The Department does not stipulate how this should be split between the Belfast and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trusts. It is the decision of the Eastern HSS Board to assess the needs of its own population and allocate resources to best meet those needs.

Efficiency Savings

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his efficiency savings strategy for the next three years.

(AQO 1517/08)

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

These efficiencies will be attained through a range of workstreams: Pharmaceutical, which will focus on more efficient prescribing and dispensing of medicines; Productivity; which will seek improved productivity, through better ways of working at all levels, and also the RPA, Pay and Administration stream which will reduce administration across the Department and the health and fire services themselves.

My officials are currently working with the services to ensure they develop sufficiently detailed options for the delivery of these efficiencies. Until I have enough information about the options presented to know that they are real efficiencies and not simply cuts by another name, I will not be approving any plans.

Feeding in Hospitals

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the guidelines he has issued to hospitals on the feeding of patients who are unable to feed themselves, due to medical sedation, or because they are suffering from medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease.

(AQO 1513/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: On the 14^th November 2007 I issued the Nursing Care Standards for Patient Food in Hospital. Entitled "Get your 10 a day!" the 10 standards set out ways in which the nutritional care and food experience of patients in hospital can be improved.

When patients are ill, there is more risk of them not eating the right balance of nutrients which will help their recovery. The challenge for all healthcare workers is to encourage and support patients in meeting their nutritional needs. Responsibility for the delivery and presentation of meals and fluids will be clearly defined, and those patients who require help with eating or drinking identified.

These standards developed by my department in collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing, set out a range of actions – from ensuring that all patients are screened for risk of malnutrition, through to ensuring that those patients who require support with eating or drinking receive assistance when required. The guidelines are readily available from the Department’s website.

The standards are written in such a way that they can be audited during the course of 2008.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of nurses that have been trained in suicide awareness and prevention.

(AQO 1605/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I can confirm that there are a range of training programmes (modules and courses) available to help nurses recognise and deal effectively with people who show risk of self-harm.

The Schools of Nursing at Queen’s University and the University of Ulster provide modules for all first year nursing students. This involves 480 students at QUB and 250 students at UU. Some 80 students per annum studying mental health pre-registration programmes receive additional training.

Registered nurses also receive additional training as part of other programmes (e.g. midwifery and health visiting). Registered nurses can also access specific self-harm modules and can undertake an internationally recognised programme called ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Workshop).

However, it has not been possible to provide comprehensive statistics on the numbers of post-registration nurses who have received suicide awareness and prevention training.

In recognition of the role that GPs can play in tackling suicide a training programme has been specifically designed by the Health Promotion Agency (Northern Ireland). This programme, in depression awareness, has been attended by 71 practice managers/nurses to date

Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to indicate the average waiting time for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist.

(AQO 1608/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Average waiting times for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia are not available. However, of the 2,214 people who were waiting for a first outpatient appointment in the rheumatology specialty as at September 2007 81% were waiting less than 3 months and no-one was waiting more than 6 months.

By the end of March 2008, I expect that the Health and Social Care sector will have met its target that no one will be waiting longer than 13 weeks for a first outpatient appointment.

For any individual patient a definitive diagnosis will normally be made following appropriate clinical assessment and investigation. Time taken will depend on a patient’s individual condition, symptoms and experience and any co-morbidities that may exist.

Family Support and Foster Care

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline how family support and foster care are funded, in order to achieve the target of 10% reduction in children who are looked after, by 2011.

(AQO 1612/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The target of a 10% reduction in the number of children in care by 2011 was proposed in the Draft Programme for Government, published for consultation on 25 October 2007 and on which the Assembly has yet to vote. In view of this decisions around funding are yet to be finalised.

Accident and Emergency

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that the accident and emergency department in the Mater Hospital is not under threat of closure.

(AQO 1559/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I can confirm that the Accident and Emergency Department at the Mater Hospital is not under threat of closure.

Nursing Homes

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) the staff-to-resident ratio the department recommends for nursing homes; and (ii) the current average staff-to-resident ratio in nursing homes.

(AQO 1520/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (i) Regulation 20 of the Nursing Homes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 requires that nursing homes have suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the home in such numbers as are appropriate for the health and welfare of patients. Specific staff-to-resident ratios are not laid down.

Staffing ratios must be determined according to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and its residents’ health and care needs. These vary from home to home and from day to day. It is a provider’s obligation under law to ensure that their nursing home is appropriately staffed on a day to day basis.

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority establishes the staffing required to deliver safe and effective in each home at the time of registration, and monitors and enforces this through its regulatory activity including a minimum of two inspections each year.

(ii) Information on the average staff-to-resident ratio in nursing homes is not held by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority and is not therefore readily available.

Health Care Centre

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the timeframe for the commencement of the new Health and Care Centre at the Braid Valley site, Ballymena.

(AQO 1618/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Subject to business case approval and confirmation of funding in the draft budget I expect procurement of the new Health and Care Centre to commence in 2008.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Road Improvements

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the spending plans in the Strangford constituency on (i) new roads schemes, naming the schemes; (ii) major road improvements, naming the roads; and (iii) minor road improvements, naming the roads, in each of the next 5 years.

(AQW 2827/08)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I should advise first that details of all that new road schemes are included within my Department’s Roads Service’s Major Road Improvement Programme.

There are two major road improvement schemes planned for the Strangford Constituency within the next five years:

A20 Newtownards Southern Distributor: A 2km scheme being taken forward in conjunction with Castlebawn Development, to link the Blair Mayne Road South to the Comber Road and the Portaferry Road. Work is due to commence on site in March/April 2008 and the total cost of the scheme is £20.5 million, of which Roads Service will contribute £2.5million.

A20 Newtownards Frederick Street Link: Scheme to provide 0.3km of single carriageway link road that is programmed to commence on site in March/April 2008, at an estimated cost of £2.2million.

As regards minor improvement schemes for the next 3 years within the Strangford Constituency, (schemes for years 4 and 5 have not yet been identified), the table attached contains a list of the indicative schemes. However, I should point out that these schemes are subject to successful land acquisition and the availability of funding.

In addition to the minor improvement schemes listed, a feasibility study has been undertaken into possible improvements to the A23 Moneyreagh Road/Hillsborough Road junction. Roads Service has commissioned an Economic Assessment of the proposed scheme and is currently awaiting a detailed valuation of land before making a decision on the future of the scheme.

Roads Service is also currently considering Road Route Management Study reports on the A23 to Ballygowan, to identify further possible schemes for progression through the Minor Works programme.

	Scheme name	Description of works	Approximate costs
Year 1 2007/08	U310 Quarter Road, Cloughey.	Footway provision	£50,000
	A20 Rowreagh Road/Gransha Road, Kircubbin.	Sightline improvement	£35.000
	C367 Moss Road/Ballykeigle Road, Ballygowan.	Sightline improvement	£45,000
	A21 Saintfield Road/Ravara Road, Ballygowan.	Sightline improvement	£24,000
	C255 Abbey Road/Woburn Road, Carrowdore	Carriageway realignment and improved forward sight distance	£158,000
	C254 Ballyblack Road/Ballyblack Road East, Newtownards.	Sightline improvements	£35,000
	Ballyknockan Road, Ballynahinch	Verge strengthening and localised carriageway widening	£75,000
		Total Spend	£422,000
Year 2 2008/09	U310 Quarter Road, Cloughey.	Footway provision	£100,000
	U126 Old Shore Road, Newtownards.	Footway provision	£80,000
	U126 at 88 Bowtown Road, Newtownards.	Provision of improved forward sight distance	£70,000
	Rowreagh Road/Rubane Road, Kircubbin.	Sightline improvement	£60,000
		Total Spend	£310,000
Year 3 2009/10	A2 Ballyvester Road/Millisle Road, Donaghadee.	Sightline improvements.	£55,000
	C272 Carrickmannon Road/Bog Road, Ballygowan.	Sightline improvements.	£95,000
	C266 at 60 Ballyrainey Road, Newtownards.	Provision of improved forward sight distance.	£105.000
		Total Spend	£255,000

Metering Water

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm that a cost benefit analysis was carried out by Northern Ireland Water in relation to the metering of, for example, Orange Halls; and whether or not the revenue collected will cover the cost of reading the meter.

(AQW 2841/08)

Mr C Murphy: Following the recommendations of the independent review, the Executive has decided that contributions to fund the cost of delivering water and sewerage services to the non-domestic sector should be extended to all non-domestic consumers. Recognising the challenges faced by the non-domestic sector the Executive has decided to phase in the new charges more slowly than would have been the case under Direct Rule proposals with 50% of the full charge being introduced in 2008/09 and 100% in 2009/10.

I am advised that Northern Ireland Water continuously surveys potential chargeable properties, including Orange Halls, to ensure fair application of the charging policy.

The preferred method of charging for the non-domestic sector is through a metered supply with a standing charge and Northern Ireland Water is currently engaged in a universal non-domestic metering programme. The cost of installing, reading and maintaining a meter is included within the standing charge.

Flooding

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an update on the work of his department in relation to delivering a solution to the flooding problem which occurred in the Glens of Antrim in July 2007.

(AQW 2954/08)

Mr C Murphy: Following the flooding that occurred in the Cushendall area on 2 July 2007, my Department’s Roads Service, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, undertook to investigate measures to prevent floodwater building up at Black’s Bridge on the Tromra Road, south of its junction with Gaults Road. While these investigations are still ongoing, it is hoped to carry out works, which are likely to involve extensive reshaping/resurfacing of the existing carriageway, during the next financial year.

Roads Service officials also met with their counterparts in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, to consider how road drainage in the wider area might be improved, to enable large volumes of water to be removed more quickly from the roadway. I can confirm that work on a number of interim measures, including the cleaning and widening of drainage outlets on the Tromra and Glenaan Roads, is due to commence next week and, subject to local landowner’s agreement, additional outlets are planned

Redevelopment of Maze

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what discussions he has had with the Strategic Investment Board in relation to the development of the Maze site.

(AQW 2969/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have had no discussions with the Strategic Investment Board regarding the development of the Maze / Long Kesh site.

Skeog Road Development

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Regional Development to give a timescale within which the Skeog Road, Derry/Londonderry, will be opened; and to confirm whether or not the road was built within the proposed budget and timescale.

(AQW 3030/08)

Mr C Murphy: The construction of the Skeoge Link is progressing well and I intend to perform the opening ceremony in mid-March. Indications are that while the scheme will be built well within budget, it may be delivered three weeks later than originally programmed.

Security Restrictions

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the steps he has taken to advance the proposals to remove the security restrictions on Killead Road, Crumlin Road and Crosshill Road in Crumlin, County Antrim; and (ii) the discussions his department has had with Belfast International Airport and the Royal Air Force in relation to this matter.

(AQW 3063/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is not aware of any steps, or been involved in any discussions, to remove the security restrictions on the Killead, Crumlin and Crosshill Roads in Crumlin. I understand that the review of any such restrictions rests with the Northern Ireland Office.

Independent Water Review Panel

Mr J Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the total cost to date of the Independent Water Review Panel; and (ii) the projected final cost of the review.

(AQW 3064/08)

Mr C Murphy: The Independent Water Review Panel was appointed in June 2007 and since that date it has incurred expenditure of just over £270k. This figure is made up of £114k in respect of the Panel Members’ fees and expenses; £84k in respect of the salaries of the administrative support staff and £74k in respect of general running costs and consultancy support.

The projected final cost of the review is approximately £400k

Sewerage Infrastructure

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the locations in the South Antrim constituency that Northern Ireland Water has identified as having sewerage infrastructure problems; and to detail the nature of these problems.

(AQW 3120/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water 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 Northern Ireland Water will write to you about locations with sewerage infrastructure problems, when the full assessment of wastewater treatment works in the South Antrim constituency is complete.

Altamuskin Road

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will implement (i) safety measures at dangerous bends; and (ii) maintenance and repair works, on the Altamuskin Road; and to confirm whether or not he will include Altamuskin Road on the winter gritting schedule.

(AQW 3130/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has an assessment procedure that compares and prioritises potential network development schemes, taking into account a number of factors, including traffic volumes, pedestrian usage, and the history of accidents. Proposals to improve the alignment of the Altamuskin Road have recently been reviewed. Unfortunately these proposals have not received sufficient priority, when compared with other competing road improvement proposals throughout Omagh district to be included on Roads Service’s work programme. However, I can advise that Roads Service is currently considering the acquisition of land to carry out verge repairs near the Aghnagar Road junction.

As regards the maintenance programme, Altamuskin Road is inspected on a cyclical basis. Any actionable defects found are repaired in compliance with the standards contained in Roads Service’s Road Maintenance Guidelines. I can also advise that Roads Service plans to carry out resurfacing to a 400m section of the road, within the next 2 months.

With regard to Winter Gritting, I would advise that as the volume of traffic using Altamuskin Road is below the threshold of 1500 vehicles per day, it does not currently meet the criteria for inclusion in the gritting schedule

Rail Network

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to extend the rail network.

(AQO 1652/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am keen to support the improvement and development of railway services to the extent that resources permit, and I am pleased that the Budget and Investment Strategy envisage the provision of some £137 million for that purpose. That level of funding will be sufficient to replace the oldest trains still in use on the network, to provide increased frequency and capacity on services in the Belfast area and on the Derry line and to upgrade the railway infrastructure on the Derry line. These are the developments for which the strongest case can be made.

There are no plans to extend the rail network at present, but this is an issue which will be kept under review to assess the case for such extension in the light of the future availability of resources.

Minor Road Maintenance

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the impact the budget will have on minor road maintenance in the (i) Ards; (ii) Peninsula; (iii) Comber; (iv) Saintfield; (v) Killinchy; (vi) Killyleagh; and (vii) Dundonald areas, of the Strangford constituency over the next three years.

(AQO 1528/08)

Mr C Murphy: I should explain that my Department’s Roads Service does not allocate its maintenance budget on a constituency basis. Budget allocations are made on the basis of need, to the four Roads Service Divisions, who in turn allocate it across district council areas. As the Member will be aware the Strangford constituency falls into Eastern and Southern Divisions.

Divisional Roads Managers are currently developing their road maintenance proposals within their respective divisions, for 2008/09 and tentative plans for 2009/10 and 2010/11. These will reflect the availability of finances. The proposals for 2008/09 will be presented to the respective district councils in the Strangford consistency at their spring meetings.

Decentralisation of Jobs

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development to indicate what plans he has to decentralise jobs in his department.

(AQO 1566/08)

Mr C Murphy: Around 65% of DRD staff work in locations outside the Greater Belfast area. The outcome of the timebound review of policy on the location of public service jobs announced by the Executive in November, may well involve proposals for some relocation of Departmental functions and jobs. I understand this review is now under way, with a report expected in the summer.

Randalstown-Toome Project

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to indicate when work will (i) commence; and (ii) be completed, in relation to the Randalstown-Toome project.

(AQO 1641/08)

Mr C Murphy: The A6 Randalstown to Castledawson dual carriageway project has recently been through the public inquiry stage. I am awaiting the outcome of the Inspector’s Report. I am sure you will appreciate that until the outcome of this inquiry is known, it is not possible to give a meaningful timeframe for commencement and, therefore, completion of the project.

Roadside Memorials

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his policy on roadside memorials.

(AQO 1650/08)

Mr C Murphy: I can assure Members that my Department’s Roads Service does not approve of or support the unauthorised use of departmental property for illegally erected roadside memorials. Memorials erected without lawful authority are akin to other unauthorised activities such as kerb and lamppost painting, flying of flags etc, which have local and political sensitivities as well as posing security implications for those tasked with their removal. Roads Service reluctantly tolerates such activities, unless road safety is affected, or there is clear indication that action to remove the offending material would have widespread local support.

A number of memorials have been erected on public roads at various locations throughout the North, without lawful authority but, as they are not obstructing the road and do not constitute a danger to road users, no action has been taken to secure their removal.

Road Construction

Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the estimated cost per mile difference between constructing a motorway and a dual carriageway.

(AQO 1536/08)

Mr C Murphy: Firstly, I should explain that there are different standards of dual carriageway. A standard "category five" dual carriageway, which contains roundabouts and priority junctions, would cost on average £10 million/mile.

A "category six" dual carriageway, which is virtually to motorway standard, with fly-over type junctions, no gaps in the central reserve, a central safety barrier, hard shoulder and no private accesses, would cost on average £14.5 million/mile. These dual carriageways produce journey time savings similar to a motorway and can facilitate non-motorway traffic that may need to use it.

A motorway, on the other hand, would cost in excess of £18.5 million/mile. However, not all traffic is entitled to use a motorway and there may be significant further costs associated with the alternative route for non-motorway users.

The above costs are based on 2007 prices, for a rural situation, but may vary considerably, depending on the local conditions, the number of side roads, topography, ground conditions etc. You will also be aware that recently, inflation of both land and construction costs has had a significant impact on the cost of road schemes.

A37 Road Safety

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to commit further resources to the A37 Coleraine to Derry/Londonderry traffic corridor, to ensure that it is safely operational during winter.

(AQO 1510/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that the A29/A37/A2 Coleraine to Derry traffic corridor is included in the schedule of salted routes and is treated as required, taking account of forecast weather conditions, to help traffic move as safely and freely as possible during wintry conditions.

The Coleraine to Derry traffic corridor is part of the trunk road network and as such, is given priority status in snow conditions. Resources are directed to the trunk road network before dealing with other routes.

The current level of resources is considered to be appropriate and so at present, there are no plans to commit further resources to the A37 route.

Hightown Bridge

Mr D Ford asked the Minister for Regional Development what assessment he has made of whether or not his department's proposals will meet the needs of residents and businesses of the Glengormley area during the closure of the Hightown bridge.

(AQO 1594/08)

Mr C Murphy: The Hightown Bridge is fifty years old and has been assessed as being under strength and in need of replacement for safety reasons. The bridge will close on 27 January 2008 for up to a year to allow for its demolition and reconstruction.

In preparation for the closure my Department’s Roads Service undertook a detailed assessment of a range of temporary traffic management options including the erection of a temporary bridge and maintenance of one lane on the existing bridge. However, I am advised that it is not possible to erect a temporary bridge without demolishing several residential properties. Furthermore, the option of keeping one lane open is not feasible, given the resulting re-programming of work, significant delays, the overall impact on traffic including the 63,000 vehicles that use the M2 motorway and the associated cost implications.

On 7 January 2008, I announced a package of measures to accommodate the travelling public and alleviate disruption to the residents and businesses in the Glengormley area during the closure. These measures include:

provision of a base for Ambulance Service vehicles at Sandyknowes
maintenance of pedestrian access across the bridge during reconstruction;
provision of traffic signals at the Scullions Road/ Sandyknowes junction;
provision of a traffic monitoring camera on Scullions Road;
provision of additional buses for the Hightown and Mayfield areas
provision of an emergency breakdown vehicle recovery service for Sandyknowes Roundabout and Scullions Road
ongoing management of the timings of traffic signals on the diversion route to minimise congestion and delays; and
ongoing liaison with emergency services regarding access arrangements to the Hightown and Mayfield Areas.

While the reconstruction is due to be completed within one year of the closure, following commitments to accelerate the works, the contractor is targeting the re-opening of the road before Christmas 2008.

I appreciate that the temporary closure will mean longer journey times for those using the diversionary route and I fully understand the concerns of local residents and businesses, in the area. However, I trust the Member will accept that all reasonable steps are being taken to mitigate the inconvenience caused.

An Island Policy for Rathlin

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an update on his proposals to create a special island policy for Rathlin; and to outline how this matter is being taken forward.

(AQO 1648/08)

Mr C Murphy: The proposal to develop a central government policy for Rathlin Island was endorsed by the Executive in November. An inter-departmental group, led by DRD, has now been set up to take matters forward. The Rathlin Development and Community Association has provided me with its views on the needs of the Island, and I hope to meet with them shortly to discuss their proposals.

The areas which are being considered are:

access and transport
agriculture
childcare and education
enterprise and employment
tourism
environment
fire and emergency services
health, including social services
housing and planning
marine policy, and
waste management.

Street Lighting

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total cost of providing electricity for street lighting in each of the last five years.

(AQO 1558/08)

Mr C Murphy: The total cost of electricity for street lighting purposes in each of the last five years is as follows (these figures are exclusive of VAT):

Year	Total Cost £M
06 / 07	8.9
05 / 06	8.0
04 / 05	7.5
03 / 04	6.9
02 / 03	6.8

Septic Tanks

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an update on the processing of the backlog in the emptying of septic tanks.

(AQO 1598/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that a backlog of 326 requests for emptying of septic tanks still remains and every effort is being made to complete these outstanding requests as soon as possible. The backlog is now due largely to problems with restricted access to septic tanks during the recent period of exceptionally wet weather.

Customers requesting the septic tank desludging service can now expect their septic tanks to be desludged within 12 working days.

Accessibility for Passengers

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister for Regional Development what measures he is taking to promote accessibility for passengers travelling to Belfast International Airport from (I) outside the greater Belfast area; and (ii) the Republic of Ireland.

(AQO 1649/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) seeks to work towards the vision "to have a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone’s quality of life" Included among the major themes of the RTS is a focus on "developing a Regional Strategic Transport Network, based on Key Transport Corridors (KTCs), to enhance accessibility to regional facilities and services". The Regional Strategic Transport Network (RSTN) comprises 5 KTCS, 4 link corridors and the remainder of the Trunk Road Network, providing links from the whole island of Ireland to the major regional gateways, including Belfast International Airport.

My Department’s plans for improving accessibility to regional facilities and services are contained in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015. This includes proposals for schemes to improve accessibility for passengers travelling to Belfast International Airport from not only outside the greater Belfast area, but also from the South. For example, the scheme under construction between Beech Hill and Cloghogue will complete the dualling of the A1 from Sprucefield to the border and will significantly improve access from the South to Belfast International Airport.

A consultation exercise has been completed on a package of £400m of Strategic Road Improvement schemes. A final decision on which schemes are to be added to the Strategic Road Improvement Programme has been withheld pending the finalising of Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2008-2018. One of the schemes being considered for inclusion is the provision of a number of 2 + 1 carriageway widening schemes on the A26 Nutts Corner to M1 Moira.

Accessibility to the Airport through Belfast will also be significantly improved when Roads Service’s major improvements at the M1/Westlink and M2 are completed. These works are valued at £124 million.

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

With regard to public transport, Ulsterbus operates direct bus services from Lisburn and Antrim to Belfast International Airport. In addition to this, there is a service every ten minutes from Belfast’s Europa Buscentre, which connects with Ulsterbus Goldline services from across the North. An hourly service is also provided between Dublin and Belfast Europa Buscentre; this also links to the high frequency connection to the Airport.

In addition to services provided by Ulsterbus, the privately owned Airporter bus company operates eleven services every weekday between Derry and the Airport. A reduced service operates at weekends.

There are no plans at present to extend rail links to Belfast International Airport. A study of the likely costs of providing a rail service to the Airport was carried out in 2006 and concluded that it would not be economically viable. It is estimated that passenger numbers at the Airport would have to double from their current level for this position to change.

Street Lighting

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to review the criteria which restricts street lighting, to groups of 10 or more houses in rural communities.

(AQO 1574/08)

Mr C Murphy: The main criterion for providing street lighting in rural areas is that there should be at least ten dwellings in a contiguous 200 metres of road length. The policy for provision of road lighting in rural locations was relaxed in 2002, following an extensive review of street lighting provision. The revised criterion means that any public building with significant evening use within a community is counted as two dwellings when considering housing density.

My Department’s Roads Service has to balance the demand for more rural lighting against the unwelcome effects of increased urbanisation of the countryside, the environmental impact of light pollution on people, wildlife and flora and the financial costs of providing and maintaining additional public lighting installations.

I have no plans for a further review of this criteria at this time.

Bypass at Dungiven

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to bring forward the start date for a bypass at Dungiven.

(AQO 1573/08)

Mr C Murphy: In July 2007 I announced the next stage of the upgrade of the A6 from Derry to Dungiven, including the Dungiven Bypass, with the appointment of civil engineering consultants to examine options to enable the selection of a preferred route.

The consultants are currently examining a variety of different route options within this corridor and plan to consult on these options by summer 2008. Following further detailed appraisal, it is planned to announce the ‘preferred route’ for the new dual carriageway in the spring of 2009. My Department’s Roads Service would then be in a position to carry out more detailed work on the selected route and bring forward the Direction Order, Environmental Statement and draft Vesting Order. Subject to the successful completion of the statutory orders, it is proposed that the scheme will be delivered within the lifetime of the proposed Investment Strategy 2008-2018.

It is proposed that the entire Derry to Dungiven scheme will be advanced through the statutory processes and it is not proposed to bring forward the Dungiven Bypass as a separate project.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Rosemount Barracks

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Social Development to ensure that there is proper consultation on the future of Rosemount Barracks, Derry/Londonderry, if the Housing Executive are to be the lead agency.

(AQW 2831/08)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): The Housing Executive has very recently been advised that it may acquire this site via a Housing Association. Any proposed development will proceed only after extensive consultation with the local community.

Housing Accommodation

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the level of housing accommodation available in the Ballymena Borough Council area at 8 January 2008.

(AQW 2955/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In the Ballymena Borough Council area at 31 December 2007 the Northern Ireland Housing Executive had 2,898 properties, Housing Associations had 554 and there were 21,925 in the private sector giving a total of 25,377. This information was obtained from Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Rate Collection Agency sources.

Housing Accommodation

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the level of housing accommodation available in the Ballymoney Borough Council area at 8 January 2008.

(AQW 2956/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In the Ballymoney Borough Council Area at 31 December 2007, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive had 1,489 properties, Housing Association had 161 properties and there were 9,942 in the private sector giving a total of 11,592. This information was obtained from Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Rate Collection Agency sources.

Housing Accommodation

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the level of housing accommodation available in the Moyle District Council area at 8 January 2008.

(AQW 2965/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In the Moyle District Council area at 31 December 2007 the Northern Ireland Housing Executive had 835 properties, Housing Associations had 163 and there were 7,086 in the private sector giving a total of 8,084. This information was obtained from Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Rate Collection Agency sources.

Social Security Agency

Mr G Adams asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of promotions, from Administrative Officer to Executive Officer II grade, within the Social Security Agency, since 1990, by (i) gender; and (ii) district offices.

(AQW 3008/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department does not hold the information requested from 1990. However, the table below contains the number of promotions from Administrative Officer to Executive Officer 2 grade, within the Social Security Agency, since 2003, by (i) gender and (ii) district offices.

DISTRICT	Offices	Male	Female
BELFAST NORTH	CARRICKFERGUS	0	2
	CORP ST	6	10
	LARNE	2	2
	NEWTOWNABBEY	3	3
	SHANKILL	4	2
BELFAST WEST	ANDERSONSTOWN	5	11
	FALLS	3	4
	LISBURN	2	3
	SHAFTESBURY SQ	7	3
EAST DOWN	BALLYNAHINCH	0	1
	BANGOR	1	1
	DOWNPATRICK	0	1
	HOLYWOOD RD	5	8
	KILKEEL	0	0
	KNOCKBREDA	1	2
	NEWCASTLE	0	4
	NEWTOWNARDS	0	4
NORTH	ANTRIM	0	7
	BALLYMENA	1	2
	BALLYMONEY	1	3
	COLERAINE	1	3
	COOKSTOWN	0	1
	LIMAVADY	0	4
	MAGHERAFELT	0	0
SOUTH	ARMAGH	2	4
	BANBRIDGE	0	0
	DUNGANNON	0	3
	LURGAN	3	3
	NEWRY	4	5
	PORTADOWN	1	2
WEST	ENNISKILLEN	5	3
	FOYLE	9	15
	LISNAGELVIN	1	5
	OMAGH	2	5
	STRABANE	3	7
TOTAL		72	133

Housing Executive Grants

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of households that have been awarded a Housing Executive grant for works to their homes, broken down by each district office area, in the Moyle District Council area, in the last three years.

(AQW 3027/08)

Ms M Ritchie: This information is not readily available in the format requested. However the attached table details the information for the Moyle Council area.

NIHE Grant Approvals for Moyle Borough Council Area

	Renovation	Disabled Facilities grant	Replacement	Home Repair Assistance	Repair*	Total
Moyle
2004/05	12	11	2	7	0	32
2005/06	13	16	2	16	0	47
2006/07	9	14	1	14	0	38
Apr – Dec 2007	8	9	0	10	0	27
	42	50	5	47	0	144

* The Repair Grant is only available on the basis of a statutory Public Health Notice or Certificate of Disrepair.

Housing Executive Grants

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of households who have been awarded a Housing Executive grant for works to their homes, broken down by each district office area, in the Ballymena Borough Council area, in the last three years.

(AQW 3028/08)

Ms M Ritchie: This information is not readily available in the format requested, however the following table details the information for the Ballymena Council area.

NIHE Grant Approvals for Ballymena Borough Council Area

Renovation

Disabled Facilities grant

Replacement

Home Repair Assistance

Repair*

Total

Ballymena

2004/05
35

42

3

15

3

98

2005/06
20

23

2

22

0

67

2006/07
21

40

1

32

1

95

Apr – Dec 2007
18

18

1

14

0

51

94

123

7

83

4

311

	Renovation	Disabled Facilities grant	Replacement	Home Repair Assistance	Repair*	Total
Ballymena
2004/05	35	42	3	15	3	98
2005/06	20	23	2	22	0	67
2006/07	21	40	1	32	1	95
Apr – Dec 2007	18	18	1	14	0	51
	94	123	7	83	4	311

* The Repair Grant is only available on the basis of a statutory Public Health Notice or Certificate of Disrepair.

Home Improvement Grants

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of households that have been awarded a Housing Executive home improvement grant, in the Ballymoney Borough Council area, for each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3052/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is as follows:

Grant type	Renovation	Disabled Facilities	Replacement	Minor Works Assistance	Home Repair Assistance	Repair	Total
Ballymoney
2004/05	21	20	0	3	10	1	55
2005/06	13	22	2	0	8	1	46
2006/07	19	17	0	0	17	2	55
Apr–Dec 07	13	14	2	0	10	0	39
TOTAL	66	73	4	3	45	4	195

Home Improvement Grants

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm whether or not her department keep a record of those who may be eligible for Housing Executive home improvement grants; and if so, to detail the number of households in the (i) Moyle District Council area; (ii) Ballymena Borough Council area; and (iii) Ballymoney Borough Council area, that have been identified as eligible for these grants, but have not yet availed of them, in the last 3 years.

(AQW 3053/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive does not collate information on those households which may be eligible for Home Improvement Grants. The Grants scheme is aimed at improving housing conditions in the private sector. The preliminary results of the 2006 House Condition Survey indicate an unfitness rate of around 3% in Northern Ireland which demonstrates the success of the grants scheme to date. The results of the 2006 survey will be available on a district council basis later in the year and will provide a basis for estimating the number of households in the private sector whose homes are unfit or in disrepair.

Home Improvement Grants

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what action her department is taking to encourage more people to apply for Housing Executive home improvement grants.

(AQW 3054/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive already receives considerable numbers of applications for discretionary home improvement grants and considers that it could not justify devoting resources to encourage more people to apply. Applications can only be processed and approvals and payments issued within the financial limits of the available budget.

Pensioner Bungalow Accommodation

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development to give a timescale within which the refurbishment of the pensioner bungalow accommodation, located at Millburn, Coleraine, will be completed.

(AQW 3060/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Currently these properties are included in a Housing Executive Multi Element Improvement scheme which is programmed to start in the 2009/2010 financial year. This estimated start date will be subject to the availability of finance.

Physical Disabilities

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister for Social Development to outline her department's plans for ensuring that a proportion of all new build development is accessible to those with physical disabilities.

(AQW 3071/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Association Guide requires all new build social housing to be designed and built to ‘Lifetime Homes’ criteria. These consist of 17 standards that have been developed to ensure that any home is flexible, adaptable and accessible. Lifetime Homes are designed to easily accommodate people with moderate mobility problems and be adaptable to accommodate the majority of conditions with maximum ease and at minimum cost.

Wheelchair housing is a separate category and is specially designed for people who are totally dependant on wheelchairs and who require larger areas and circulation spaces. Where need is established for wheelchair standard accommodation in particular locations, the Housing Executive will make provision for units to be provided as appropriate by Housing Associations within the social housing development programme.

Housing Needs

Mrs C McGill asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm whether or not the Housing Executive currently has £240 million worth of land which is surplus to requirements; and what plans she has to utilise this land to meet the housing needs in West Tyrone.

(AQW 3073/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive manages an undeveloped land schedule that was last valued at £634m. This schedule comprises:-

1. land for transfer to Housing Associations for the social housing development programme - £133m

2. land to be retained for future housing use, e.g. an estate strategy - £261m (ultimately, if not required, this land can be made available for transfer to Housing Associations or disposal), and

3. surplus land - surplus to social housing need, which may be disposed of - £240m. Consideration is at present being given to the method and timing of disposal of the majority of these sites.

The Housing Executive has a small number of sites that can be developed to provide a small number of homes in West Tyrone it has no surplus sites for sale in the area.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the total expenditure by her department on the Warm Homes scheme; and (ii) the administrative costs of running the scheme, in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3078/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The table set out below details my Department’s expenditure on the Warm Homes Scheme in the last 3 years.

	DSD spend on measures	Administrative costs - fixed fees	Administrative costs - variable fees (based on number of households assisted)	TOTAL DSD SCHEME EXPENDITURE
Year 04/05	£10,567,228	£599,804	£805,128	£11,972,160
Year 05/06	£12,884,482	£875,244	£1,089,120	£14,848,846
Year 06/07	£18,186,971	£875,244	£1,239,877	£20,302,092

Housing Needs

Mrs C McGill asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the reasons why the Housing Executive has accumulated land holdings worth £633 million according to March 2007 Valuation, particularly given the housing need that exists in West Tyrone.

(AQW 3079/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive manages an undeveloped land schedule that was last valued at £634m. This schedule comprises:-

1. land for transfer to Housing Associations for the social housing development programme - £133m

2. land to be retained for future housing use, e.g. an estate strategy - £261m (ultimately, if not required, this land can be made available for transfer to Housing Associations or disposal), and

3. surplus land - surplus to social housing need, which may be disposed of - £240m. Consideration is at present being given to the method and timing of disposal of the majority of these sites.

The Housing Executive has a small number of sites that can be developed to provide a small number of homes in West Tyrone it has no surplus sites for sale in the area.

Regeneration of Armagh

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail progress made in relation to the 'Inspiring Armagh' campaign, particularly in relation to the physical regeneration of Armagh, through the 'City Centre Integrated Development Plan'.

(AQW 3092/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department has allocated £66,992 for Town Centre Promotion and Marketing in Armagh City as part of which the "Inspiring Armagh" campaign was launched on 5 September 2007. This has been used to promote several major events including Interiors Showcase, a Ronan Keating concert and the Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Armagh City and District Council developed the City Centre Integrated Development Plan in September 2004 and has responsibility for its delivery. The City Centre Public Realm Scheme, which is due to start imminently, is as a result of the plan and will address many of the physical regeneration issues facing Armagh. My Department is the primary funder of the scheme contributing over £3m.

Housing Executive Grants

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the steps she is taking to ensure the early reinstatement of new inspections of grant aided works, which are currently suspended until April 2008, in order that the payment of the relevant Housing Executive grants can be made.

(AQW 3124/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Housing Executive grants payment inspections were temporarily suspended for several days in January 2008 because of the uncertainty over funding. They have however been reinstated and there are currently no delays in payments. The payment of grant is kept under continuous review to ensure that budget limits are adhered to in any financial year.

Regeneration of the Village Area, South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development whether or not she will commit to making the regeneration of the Village area in South Belfast a priority in her budget.

(AQW 3134/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Housing conditions in the Village area are mixed with some private sector properties in very poor condition. There have been a number of meetings between my officials and representatives from the area to discuss the means to address these problems. My budget settlement provides me with some room to move forward and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly on the social housing programme.

Redevelopment of the Village Area, South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an update on funding bids relating to the redevelopment of the Village area in South Belfast.

(AQW 3140/08)

Redevelopment of the Village Area, South Belfast

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an assessment of housing conditions in the Village area in South Belfast.

(AQW 3141/08)

Newtownards Masterplan

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm that the Newtownards masterplan, co-ordinated by the council and the local commercial community, will be supported financially, technically and in policy terms by her department to ensure that this plan is effective from June 2008.

(AQW 3142/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Newtownards Masterplan will not be effective from June 2008 as necessary approvals for the consultancy expenditure are not in place and work has consequently not yet started. Even if this was not the case, a comprehensive masterplan reflecting the various issues and potential developments in Newtownards will take some time to be researched, drafted, consulted on and finalised.

Irish Traveller Community Sites

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the steps that she is taking to address the concerns of Craigavon residents over the location of Irish Traveller Community sites in the area.

(AQW 3148/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The provision of Travellers sites is the operational responsibility of the Housing Executive. I have recently asked the Housing Executive to facilitate a meeting with Craigavon Borough Council to clarify the position on the location of sites. I have been invited to visit the Legahory site and intend to do so as soon as it can be arranged. During this visit, I will take the opportunity to meet both Traveller families and local residents.

Irish Traveller Community Sites

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what contact she has had with (i) the Police Service of Northern Ireland; (ii) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and (iii) other agencies, over the damage caused at Irish Traveller Community sites.

(AQW 3149/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The provision and management of Travellers sites falls under the operational responsibility of the Housing Executive. Housing Executive officials liaise with other relevant statutory agencies and local councils where problems arise and where it has responsibility it addresses any repair issues through its response and planned maintenance programmes.

Home Improvement Grants

Mr J Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her comments in the Assembly on 2 July 2007, to confirm whether or not departmental officials met with home owners in the Village area of South Belfast, to discuss concerns in relation to home improvements.

(AQW 3155/08)

Departmental Land

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development to give a timescale within which the land owned by her department at Ballee, Ballymena, is due to be sold; and to confirm whether or not a final price has been agreed for the land.

(AQW 3156/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Matters regarding the sale of land at Ballee are not yet complete. A sale price was agreed in June 2007 and officials are currently in discussions with the interested parties with a view to settling remaining issues quickly. I hope that the sale will still complete before the end of this financial year.

Departmental Land

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the (i) correspondence; and (ii) discussions she and her department have had with Mr Ian Paisley Jnr, in relation to departmental land at Ballee, Ballymena.

(AQW 3157/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Since I took up office in May 2007, Mr Ian Paisley Jnr has written to me on one occasion, on 6 June 2007, on behalf of his constituents regarding the land at Ballee, Ballymena. I replied on 7 June.

Mr Paisley has also raised, on a number of occasions, the issue or queried progress on its resolution, in informal discussions on other matters, with myself and officials.

Departmental Land

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development what actions she is taking to ensure that land owned by her department is not sold for less than the market value.

(AQW 3158/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department adheres to the guidance on Disposal of Assets as outlined in chapter 24 of Government Accounting Northern Ireland manual. This means that, when deciding to sell land and buildings on the open market, my Department takes appropriate professional advice to ensure that the consideration obtained for the property is the best that can reasonably be obtained.

Housing Strategy

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of new homes that have been built in North Belfast as a result of the North Belfast Housing Strategy; and to outline the areas in which new homes have been developed.

(AQW 3159/08)

Ms M Ritchie: 1,248 new social homes have been built as a result of the North Belfast Housing Strategy. I have placed a copy of tables, which detail the new build areas, in the Assembly Library.

Environmental Improvement Schemes

Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Social Development to detail any proposed cuts in relation to the Environmental Improvement schemes in the Colin area of West Belfast.

(AQW 3167/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have not proposed any cuts in relation to Environmental Improvement schemes in the Colin area of West Belfast. My Department, through its Belfast Regeneration Office, is involved in a number of proposed Environmental Improvement schemes in the Colin area along with other statutory bodies and local community representatives. These proposed schemes are at various stages of development and as with all such schemes, they will be subject to agreement on scheme design and satisfactory economic appraisals and the necessary funding being in place at the time.

Inappropriate Contact

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development if she has assessed any contact between Members of the Assembly and her department, in the last nine months, to have been inappropriate.

(AQW 3174/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have made no assessment of communications between my Department and Ministers of the Assembly.

However some telephone calls were made to my former Special Adviser, which were referred to the Permanent Secretary who passed the matter on to the Head of the Civil Service.

Regeneration of the Village Area, South Belfast

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what bids for finance she has made in relation to the regeneration of the Village area of South Belfast, in (i) this year's Budget; and (ii) previous monitoring rounds.

(AQW 3190/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Since I visited the area, a number of meetings and discussions have taken place between senior officials in my Department and community and public representatives. I will be adopting a dual approach to the problems facing the people in the Village area. In the long term we will be working with the community and its representatives to identify housing and regeneration opportunities. Innovative private sector contributions must also play a key role in the Village regeneration proposals.

In the short term I am taking steps to try to address the needs of those vulnerable people in the greatest need, for example we have offered to carry out room conversions, install insulation, upgrade heating and re-house where necessary and feasible.

I have not held discussions with Ministerial colleagues specifically about the Village but discussions have been held on the budget issue generally. My budget settlement provides me with some room to move forward and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly on the social housing programme.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr A Attwood asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the amount of money allocated to the Warm Homes scheme under the 2007 December monitoring round; and to confirm whether or not (i) all the money is to be allocated to solar heating projects; and (ii) all or some of the monies will be allocated to people who urgently require an upgrade to traditional heating systems.

(AQW 3191/08)

Ms M Ritchie: £2 million was allocated to my Department in the December monitoring round for energy efficiency measures. This money was transferred from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Environment and Renewable Energy Fund and can only be used for renewable energy projects.

Regeneration of the Village Area, South Belfast

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to outline what steps she has taken in relation to housing and the regeneration of the Village area of South Belfast, since her visit to the area in June 2007.

(AQW 3192/08)

Regeneration of the Village Area, South Belfast

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail what discussions or consultations she has had with Ministerial colleagues, in relation to the regeneration of the Village area in South Belfast.

(AQW 3193/08)

Social Housing

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development, following the allocation of extra resources to her department in the Budget, to detail the number of social housing units that will be built in the South Down constituency in the next 3 years.

(AQW 3213/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Over the next three years the Social Housing Development Programme for the South Down area has 101 units planned for 2007/08, 118 units planned for 2008/09 and 52 units planned for 2009/10. Detailed information on the plans for the area has been placed in the Assembly Library.

Social Housing

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the approximate cost of providing a social housing unit.

(AQW 3230/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The total average cost of a 5 person 3 bedroom social house is £167,000

Child Poverty

Mr M Brady asked the Minister for Social Development to outline (i) the reasons why her department's submission to the Committee for the OFMDFM's inquiry into child poverty was 40 days late; (ii) the consequential action she is taking; and (iii) her commitment to the eradication of child pverty by 2020.

(AQO 1551/08)

Ms M Ritchie: However unsatisfactory it may seem, the reason for the delay in the submission of my department’s response to the Committee of OFMdFM was administrative oversight. I have sent my apologies for the delay to the Chair of that Committee and I have made clear to the officials involved, in terms that are unambiguous, that this sort of delay must not be repeated. I have instructed that steps be taken to review systems to ensure that is the case and I have been reassured by their response.

In answer to the third point, the regrettable delay in the submission of that report is entirely unrelated to my own, unchanged commitment to tackling poverty and not just managing it. I have consistently highlighted in this house and elsewhere, in evidence to committees and in other published forms, in public and in private, my commitment to alleviating the impact of poverty and particularly child poverty.

The member may wish to note that one of the things about this episode which I find frustrating is the fact that the content of this report is being eclipsed by the debate around its delay. The report gives an account of the important work already underway in my department to alleviate the impact of poverty especially among vulnerable groups, like children, and it identifies some important issues and challenges that need to be addressed so that the Executive can work towards meeting the ambitious objectives we have set in the Programme for Government.

Housing Association

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the steps her department is taking to address the variations in Housing Association policy; and what plans she has to bring all associations under the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Tenant Handbook.

(AQO 1562/08)

Ms M Ritchie: While all associations operate under the guidelines set out in the Tenants’ Guarantee they need to have flexibility to vary their tenants’ handbooks to reflect the differing needs of the variety of client groups they serve. There are therefore no plans to bring associations under the Housing Executive’s Tenant Handbook. However it is my intention to review the current Tenants’ Guarantee to ensure that it remains fit for purpose.

Social Housing

Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the projection for social housing units to be built in South Belfast, in the next eighteen months.

(AQO 1626/08)

Ms M Ritchie: As the social housing development programme is constructed on the basis of financial years it is not possible to give information for an 18 month period. In the current financial year provision has been made for 72 starts and for a further 290 in the next 2 financial years. Over the 5 year period from 2007 to 2012 the programme provides for a total of 508 homes.

The programme is currently being rolled forward by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised that the updated programme will be available within weeks.

I have placed a copy of the current 5 year programme for South Belfast in the Assembly Library.

Liquor Licensing and Regulation

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development what initial assessment has she made on the reform of liquor licensing and regulation in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 1543/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I am currently considering my predecessor's review of liquor licensing and have sought the views of a number of key stakeholders. I will be engaging in wider consultation, including discussing this with the Social Development Committee and Executive colleagues, before bringing forward any proposals on liquor licensing.

Festivals in Belfast

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to indicate what funding her department has provided in relation to festivals in Belfast, in the last three years.

(AQO 1625/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Department for Social Development provided funding totalling £209,613 for community festivals in Belfast in the financial year 2005-06. DSD has not funded community festivals in ensuing years as the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure assumed this responsibility from the 2006-07.

Shackleton Barracks

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development what progress she has made in securing the vacated dwellings at Shackleton Barracks for the purposes of public sector letting.

(AQO 1511/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive has reviewed the level of demand for public sector housing in this area and has advised that there is a very limited future need for public sector dwellings at Shackleton.

Social Security Fraud

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the latest figures for the amount estimated to be lost through social security fraud; and (ii) the amount of money recovered by her department during this period.

(AQO 1632/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department has a robust strategy for tackling fraud and error in the social security system wherever it occurs. The strategy focuses on prevention, detection correction of errors and where appropriate prosecution of fraudsters. Fraud losses have reduced from £60.9m in 2001/02 to £18.1m in 2006/07, a reduction of 70% in 5 years.

The Social Security Agency’s 2006/2007 Accounts show the latest estimate of the level of fraud in benefits administered by the Agency is £18.1m which equates to 0.5% of benefit expenditure; and the amount of overpaid Social Security Agency benefits recovered was £8.9m. This includes overpayments due to customer fraud and error and official error. A further £99k was recovered on behalf of the Agency by means of a Confiscation Order and settlements achieved by the Assets Recovery Agency.

Renewing Communities

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the progress made by the Renewing Communities pilot scheme for rural areas.

(AQO 1600/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Renewing Communities Action Plan was launched by Direct Rule Ministers in April 2006 with my Department taking responsibility for the overall planning and initial implementation across an initiative involving eight Government Departments. The pilot scheme for Rural Areas has been managed and delivered by the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development and questions with regard to progress of this specific pilot should be directed to the Minister for that Department.

Review of Public Administration

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the functions of her department that will be transferred to local government under the Review of Public Administration.

(AQO 1542/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I would refer my colleague to the Emerging Findings paper on the Review of Functions transferring to local government, which was published on 19 October 2007. I proposed for transfer a range of Urban Regeneration and Community Development functions. The final report will be considered by the Executive on 31January 2008.

Shared Future in NI

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how her department will contribute to the vision of a Shared Future in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 1544/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I am committed to building the objectives of A Shared Future into the work of my Department and that of the Housing Executive. Developing good relations with and between our communities is a very significant part of what my Department does through its daily work, and I will continue to drive forward this agenda.

The Department for Social Development and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive made a significant and extensive contribution to the objectives and targets set out in the previous administration’s A Shared Future Action Plan. It is my intention that my Department will deliver on these commitments.

Underspend

Mr P Butler asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the reasons for her department's underspend in this financial year.

(AQO 1622/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department is planning to use its full budget by the end of the financial year and the budget will continue to be refined up until the February Monitoring Round in the light of emerging pressures and reduced requirements.

In the Monitoring Rounds to date, budgetary surrenders have been declared due to:

project slippage or delays and programmes not progressing as originally anticipated, particularly the Social Security Modernisation Programme and the completion of the Jobs and Benefits Accommodation Project.

difficulties being experienced in recruiting staff into the department.

My Department has also benefited from budgetary surrenders made by other Departments at the Monitoring Rounds with additional resources secured for the Housing Programme.

Provision of Social and Affordable Housing

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development what progress has been made on the introduction of a system of developer contribution toward the provision of social and affordable housing.

(AQO 1541/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I recently received reports from my Interdepartmental Affordability Review Group, the Panel of Experts led by Professor Adair and from Baroness Ford, formerly Chair of English Partnerships. Each has commented on the introduction of a developer contribution.

I am satisfied that such a contribution can make a significant impact, increasing the supply of social, and affordable housing across Northern Ireland. My officials have already held a number of meetings with other interested Departments, including Planning Service, to identify what needs to be done to introduce this as soon as practically possible.

Rosemount Police Station

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm that there will be a full community consultation process on how best to utilise any land transferred to her department on the site of the former police station at Rosemount, Derry/Londonderry.

(AQO 1627/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The PSNI declared the cleared site of its former Rosemount station surplus to requirements in 2007. In accordance with the Disposal of public sector property guidelines the Central Advisory Unit of the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Land and Property Services Agency conducted an extensive public sector trawl of the property to determine if there was any qualifying public sector interest in acquiring it, prior to proceeding with any other forms of sale.

Interest was expressed for regeneration purposes and for social housing. Interest was also expressed by the Western Health and Social Services Board, Derry City Council and a local community group, Rosemount Resource Centre. The regeneration, WHSSB and Council interests were subsequently withdrawn and without the support of a public body with statutory powers of acquisition, the community group interest could not be pursued.

That left only the social housing interest. A nominated Housing Association will now proceed with the purchase from the PSNI.

Any proposed social housing development will proceed only after extensive consultation with the local community.

Regeneration Activity

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Social Development what is her assessment of the challenges that lie ahead in transferring regeneration activity to local government.

(AQO 1563/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The regeneration functions that I have identified for transfer to local government are substantial and present a number of challenges. Firstly, there will be a need to review the existing urban regeneration legislation to ensure that local government has an appropriate range of powers to effectively discharge this function. The legislation will reflect the requirement for my Department to take forward major urban regeneration schemes of regional significance.

I would want to ensure that the transfer is resourced properly. It must be recognised that local delivery, as opposed to regional delivery of services, can result in additional costs due to diseconomies of scale. The final decision on the local government delivery model will be important in this regard. The skill base in a number of specialised areas must be broadened to enable councils to carry out the increasingly complex work involved in regeneration. I will look again at the issue of compulsory transfer of staff with a view to intoducing some flexibility on movement. Whatever the challenges, I am determined to overcome them and I will be looking at innovative ways of achieving some tangible outcomes well ahead of the transfer timetable for 2011.

ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Energy Saving

Mr R Beggs asked the Assembly Commission to detail its energy saving initiatives.

(AQW 3163/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): The Assembly Commission works closely with the Energy Conservation Branch and the Carbon Trust to improve energy efficiency. A number of measures have been introduced, for example - energy-saving bulbs are used, where feasible, throughout the building and a number of offices have powered lighting that turns off when there is no one in the office.

Eurest has also adopted the Assembly’s recycling policy and has all of its used cooking oil collected and recycled.

With regard to IT, there is a 60% reduction in the amount of energy absorbed by the display screens of the new computers, and there is a reduction in the heat produced by those machines. Printers are pre-set to go into low-power mode after approximately five minutes of inactivity, and this leads to an 80% reduction in power used. Furthermore, the enhanced capabilities of new printers permit a reduction in the amount of paper used through double-sided printing and multiple-page presentations. A contract is also in place for recycling all printer consumables from Parliament Buildings and constituency offices.

In addition to all of the above an environmental audit is currently being carried out which includes exploring:-

current environmental management at Parliament Buildings (including inter alia recycling, procurement, energy usage);
a desk-study examining examples of best practice for 'greening' public buildings of this type, especially listed buildings; and
recommendations for improvements in these areas, including targets and implementation measures

	Queen’s University Belfast	The University of Ulster	Total
2003/04	10,406	12,522	22,928
2004/05	10,676	12,608	23,284
2005/06	10,902	12,628	23,530
2006/07	11,052	12,702	23,754
2007/08	11,134	12,688	23,822