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 08 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

European Globilisation Fund

Mr F McCann asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions it will have with members of the European Task Force, on its visit to Northern Ireland in December, regarding the demonstration of flexibilityin the application of the European Globilisation Fund in situations such as occurred in Limavady.

(AQO 1217/08)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): We welcomed the visit by the Taskforce which followed on from the important work taken forward by both Junior Ministers when they visited Brussels on 22 November and the discussion between Junior Minister Paisley and Commissioner Hubner when they addressed the IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council in October. During the November visit the Junior Ministers were accompanied by a delegation of senior officials from a number of departments. The aim of the visit was to discuss priorities and develop ideas for increased participation in European opportunities and prepare the ground for the Taskforce visit.

The Taskforce’s visit represented an unprecedented opportunity for Northern Ireland. We also want to assure those workers in Limavady that we are doing everything that we can to minimise hardship. We will be exploring with the European Commission how they can help the Executive create an innovative and competitive economy.

The closure of Seagate in Limavady results from structural changes in world trade patterns. Changes which have created a cost gap compared with the company’s Asian competitors.

President Barroso proposed the European Globalisation Fund to help workers experiencing the negative consequences of globalisation. He intended it as a sign of solidarity from those benefiting from open trade to those who suddenly lose their jobs. The Fund was launched in January 2007 and provides one-off time-limited individual support to complement the actions of national governments.

The Executive wants to alleviate hardship as best we can and to help redundant workers find other jobs as quickly as possible. The Globalisation Fund can assist with job search provision, personalised retraining, promoting entrepreneurship, self-employment and special allowances.

Child Poverty Figures

Mr F Cobain asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the methods used to calculate child poverty figures.

(AQW 2735/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The current UK Government pledge to eradicate child poverty is measured by a tiered approach, based on: a relative income poverty measure: an absolute poverty measure: and a mixed income and material deprivation measure.

(i) Relative income poverty: A child is defined as living in relative income poverty if the household in which he/she lives has an equivalised income that is less than 60% of the contemporary median income level for all households in the UK. Equivalisation is the process by which household income is adjusted to account for variation in household size and composition.

The median income is the mid point of all household incomes. In other words, if all household incomes were placed in order from lowest to highest then half of all households would have an income above the median amount and half below.

Household income in relation to the UK child poverty target is on a before housing cost basis. Household rates, which are treated as a tax in HBAI NI are deducted from household income on the before housing cost basis. Relative income child poverty can also be calculated on an after housing cost basis.

(ii) Absolute child poverty: This is a measure of whether the poorest families are seeing their incomes rise in real terms. The baseline year for the UK child poverty target is 1998/99. The 1998/99 UK median is adjusted year on year for inflation and a child living in a household with an income less than 60% of the 1998/99 median value adjusted for inflation is defined as living in absolute poverty.

(iii) Material deprivation and low income combined: This measure is defined as a lack of income and material deprivation. Material deprivation and low income combined provides a wider measure of people’s living standards. This measure is currently being developed by the Department for Social Development.

OFMDFM are currently examining the issue of poverty measures to ensure that the measures used are effective in identifying those most at need.

Integrated Development Fund

Ms J McCann asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the amount of money from the Integrated Development Fund which has been drawn down for projects approved in the area defined by the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Taskforce Report 2002.

(AQO 1499/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: To date, 15 projects in the West Belfast / Greater Shankill area have received offers of support from the Integrated Development Fund with a total commitment of £17.69m (£11.46m capital and £6.23m resource). The spend to the end of this financial year is forecast to be £8.1m (£2.3m capital and £5.8m resource.)

Bill of Rights

Mr J Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and to detail the process for consultation.

(AQW 2832/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness:

Responsibility for developing proposals on a Bill of Rights rests with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission as it has the statutory authority to consult and to advise on a Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights Forum will make recommendations on a Bill of Rights to the 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.

EU Goods and Services Directive

Mr M Storey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to the answer to AQW 1827/08, if in considering the results of the consultation on implementing the European Union Goods and Services Directive, favourable consideration will be given to extending the exceptions to include (i) events organised by churches or religious organisations that take place away from the church precinct; (ii) commercial or charitable shops, cafes or other businesses organised by churches or religious organisations; and (iii) individuals working in the health professions who have religious or moral based conscientious objections to this Directive.

(AQW 2878/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Legislation to implement the European Union Goods and Services Directive is now being taken forward by the Government Equalities Office on a UK-wide basis. Decisions on policy proposals to implement the Directive will now be taken by UK Ministers. The public consultation responses and the committee’s consultations response have both been forwarded to that office to ensure that they are fully aware of issues raised.

Bill of Rights

Mr J Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for its assessment of the concerns detailed in the December issue of the Church of Ireland Gazette, in relation to the Bill of Rights proposals for Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2945/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Responsibility for developing proposals on the Bill of Rights rests with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission as it has the statutory authority to consult and advise on a Bill of Rigths. The Bill of Rights Forum will make recommendations on a Bill of Rights to the 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. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment on this issue at this time.

Expenditure

Mr S Moutray asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the Office's total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3137/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The following table sets out the Department’s expenditure on hospitality and entertainment for each of the last five financial years:

Description	2002/03 (£)	2003/04 (£)	2004/05 (£)	2005/06 (£)	2006/07 (£)
Hospitality and Entertainment	149,993	93,703	63,974	71,599	78,523

Gender Equality

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail its plan to provide gender equality opportunities, in particular equality of opportunity for women in all sectors of society.

(AQW 3160/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: A plan to promote gender equality opportunities for women and men in Northern Ireland is set out in the Gender Equality Strategy 2006-2016. Copies of the Strategy are available in the Assembly Library. The Strategy can also be downloaded from the OFMDFM website at http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/genderequalitystrategy2006-2016.pdf. The implementation of the cross-departmental Gender Equality Strategy is one of the key actions of the Programme for Government, under Public Service Agreement (PSA) 7.

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the number of meetings held with each of the 3 MEPs from Northern Ireland; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings, since the restoration of devolution in May 2007.

(AQW 3278/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Since 8 May 2007, the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Junior Ministers have held one meeting with Mr Jim Nicolson MEP and one meeting with Ms Bairbre de Brún MEP. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss EU matters, including the Executive’s engagement with the EU and the establishment of the Barroso Taskforce. Ministers have written to Mr Allister offering him the opportunity to meet with them; however to date no meeting has taken place.

Ministers also met Ms de Brún at an event in the Office of the NI Executive Brussels (ONIEB), to which all three MEPs were invited, to mark the First Minister and deputy First Ministers’ trip to Brussels on 9 January 2008.

OFMDFM officials working in the Office of the NI Executive Brussels (ONIEB) have also attended various meetings with the MEPs since 8 May 2007, as detailed in the table below:

Date	MEP	Purpose
8 May 2007	Jim Allister	MEP met InvestNI and ONIEB official to be briefed on InvestNI inward investment efforts in Benelux and France.
15 May 2007	Jim Nicholson	Lunch meeting; general EU policy discussion and update.
12 June 2007	Jim Nicholson	ONIEB official in attendance at reception in EP to mark Sir Reg Empey’s visit, and dinner for various NI contacts.
13 June 2007	Bairbre de Brún	ONIEB official accompanied DEL Minister on courtesy call to MEP in Brussels.
3 July 2007	Jim Nicholson	Meeting to discuss general EU policy issues and update.
7 August 2007	Jim Allister	Meeting to discuss general EU policy issues.
10 October 2007	Jim Allister	ONIEB official accompanied DSD Minister to meeting with MEP for discussion on general policy issues.
22 November 2007	Jim Allister, Jim Nicholson and Bairbre de Brún (3 separate meetings)	Each MEP held a separate meeting with ONIEB officials and other NICS officials involved in European Commission Taskforce.
24 January 2008	Jim Allister, Jim Nicholson	MEPs attended InvestNI Aerospace celebration and reception at ONIEB. Attendance by a range of industry, EU Commission and diplomatic representatives.
30 January 2008	Jim Allister	MEP addressed group of visiting NICS staff at the ONIEB for the purpose of EU training.
31 January 2008	Bairbre de Brún	MEP addressed group of visiting NICS staff at the ONIEB for the purpose of EU Training.

Press Release

Mr G Savage asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the reasons why (i) references to ‘IRA Volunteer’ and ‘Active Service’ were included in a press release issued from the Northern Ireland Executive on Monday 28 January; and (ii) the press release was removed from the Northern Ireland Executive website on Tuesday 29 January 2008.

(AQW 3461/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: This was not a Northern Ireland Executive press release. It was written by the Commissioners designate. As they had just been appointed and had no machinery for delivering press releases, the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister as a matter of courtesy merely facilitated the Commissioners in disseminating their own statement.

There was never any intention of their statement appearing on the OFMDFM website and its publication on the website was an administrative error. Once this error was identified the Commissioners’ statement was removed from the site.

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Rural Development Programme

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what percentage of funds in relation to the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 will be allocated to cross-border projects.

(AQW 3046/08)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): A budget of £4,996,050, equating to 5% of the overall Axis 3 budget has been allocated to the Co-operation projects measure in the

Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007 – 13.

This Budget will cover all co-operation projects whether within Northern Ireland, Cross-Border, with other E.U. Member States or outside the European Union.

Rural Connect Advisors

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what role the Rural Connect advisors will have in the implementation of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

(AQW 3047/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Rural Connect Advisers who played an important part in the delivery of the previous Rural Development Programme, are now known as Rural Enterprise Advisers. This term more accurately reflects their main current role which is supporting the development of new and existing diversified farm businesses. However, they continue to provide a communication and collaboration channel between DARD business areas and other agencies.

While the precise mechanism and responsibilities for each of the partners involved in the delivery of the new Rural Development Programme 2007-13 is still being developed, I expect the Rural Enterprise Advisers will continue to play a significant role. They will be engaging with stakeholders, communicating and explaining the measures, initiatives and schemes, and directing potential beneficiaries to the most appropriate programmes when they are open for application. In addition they will continue to provide support for those who plan to or have diversified their farm business.

Royal Navy

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the involvement of the Royal Navy in the enforcement of fishing regulations for the fishing industry.

(AQW 3084/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The primary role of the Fishery Protection Squadron of the British Royal Navy is enforcement of its national and EU fisheries legislation within its own national Fishery Limits. This is undertaken by three River class offshore patrol vessels and one Hunt class minesweeper under the direction of the Marine and Fisheries Agency operations room in London which will allocate tasking in the southern North Sea, English Channel, South West Approaches and the Irish Sea. Subject to availability these vessels may also be called upon to support the DARD Fisheries Inspectorate in their sea going enforcement work in the Irish Sea.

At sea the ships will monitor fishing activity and conduct inspections of fishing vessels of all nationalities by delivering qualified British Sea Fisheries Officers to a fishing vessel to examine the vessels’ catch, fishing gear and paperwork. In 2007 the Royal Navy spent 809 days at sea of which 81 were in the Irish Sea where they conducted 74 inspections of fishing vessels from the North.

Single Farm Payments

Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the payment schedule issued by her department for the payment of the 2007 Single Farm Payments.

(AQW 3094/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The timetable announced on 22 November 2007, in relation to the 2007 Single Farm Payment Scheme, set payment targets for December 2007 and January 2008, above the performance achieved in the previous year.

I am pleased to say that the pre-Christmas target of 79% was exceeded with 79.3% (30,925) of payments completed. By the end of December this had increased to 80.9% (31,575). This means that 1,659 more farmers received full payment in December 2007 than in December 2006.

The target of 83%, of payments to be completed in January 2008, has also been exceeded with a total of 85.7% (33,440) made. This means that 1,374 more farmers received full payment by the end of January 2008 than in the same period in 2007.

Rivers Agency

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of requests for help and assistance, made to the Rivers Agency, in relation to flooding over the Christmas and New Year period, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 3114/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Rivers Agency received 10 requests for help and assistance in relation to flooding over the period 22 December 2007 to 2 January 2008. The Agency does not hold the information broken down by parliamentary constituency but is able to report by local Council area.

Derry City and District Council – 7 calls received, Coleraine Borough Council - 2 calls received and Down District Council – 1 call received.

Divisional Veterinary Office

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide details of those properties in Newtownards that are being considered as alternative sites for the relocation of the Veterinary Office.

(AQW 3143/08)

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

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the number of meetings she has had with each of the 3 Northern Ireland MEP's since May 2007; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings.

(AQW 3202/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Since May 2007, I have met once with Jim Nicholson MEP to discuss the problems facing the mushroom industry and other agricultural topics. I have met twice with Bairbre de Brun MEP in Brussels as part of my ongoing engagement with Europe. When in Brussels I have been pro active in seeking meetings with all our local MEPs.

Divisional Veterinary Office

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide an update in relation to the future of the Divisional Veterinary Office at Robert Street, Newtownards.

(AQW 3304/08)

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.

Red Meat Task Force

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide an update of the work carried out by her department in relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the Red Meat Task Force.

(AQW 3309/08)

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 three of the major retailers with plans to meet another very soon, and wrote to them about the issue of rising costs for producers. While I have no direct influence over retail prices, I believe however, 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.

Rural Development Programme Fund

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the commencement date; and (ii) proposed timetable, for the delivery of the £500 million Rural Development Programme Fund.

(AQO 1677/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007 to 2013 received initial approval from the European Commission’s Committee on Rural Development on 24 July 2007 and was one of the first programmes to be approved. Formal European Commission approval was received on 27 September 2007.

Processing and Marketing under Axis 1 opened on 12 December 2007 and first payments are expected to be made in the autumn. The other measures under Axis 1 are planned to be open in the summer.

Under Axis 2 the 2007 Less Favoured Area Compensatory allowances have been paid and the First Afforestation and Forest Environment payments are underway.

The Axis 3 measures will be delivered through a partnership between Joint Council Clusters and new Local Action Groups. Work on establishment of the Joint Clusters has progressed well. Every Council has agreed at a full Council meeting to participate in a clustering arrangement. There will be 7 in all. These 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;
Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady; and
Belfast, Castlereagh and Lisburn.

The Joint Clusters must now animate their areas as a precursor to competitively selecting a Local Action Group (LAG) and programme funding is being made available to Joint Clusters for the express purposes of animating the various rural actors in the cluster area: the competitive selection of Local Action Groups; and for the development of Local Development Strategies. The Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey cluster (called GROW) is in receipt of animation funding and an invitation has issue to the Ards, Banbridge, Down and North Down cluster to submit an application for animation funding. It is hoped that invitations to 2 more clusters will issue shortly.

Local Action Groups are expected to be in operation by summer of this year and opening for calls.

Plant Health Strategy

Mr F Brolly asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm whether or not the issue of an all-Ireland plant health strategy will be on the agenda at the next meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council agricultural sectoral meeting.

(AQO 1712/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I can confirm that I plan to have the issue of an all Ireland plant health strategy included on the agenda for the next North South Ministerial Council agricultural sectoral meeting.

My Department has now completed a plant health strategy for the North which includes a section on North/South co-operation consistent with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s (DAFF’s) plant health strategies. I envisage extending the scope of this document in partnership with DAFF, to encompass an all-island approach. I look forward to discussing these matters with my Southern colleagues at the next meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council agricultural sectoral meeting.

Whiterock Stream

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the proposed drainage improvement scheme for Whiterock stream.

(AQO 1762/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Whiterock Stream is a tributary of the Blackstaff River therefore the proposed works will improve drainage in the Blackstaff catchment.

The proposed scheme on the Blackstaff River relates to the repair or refurbishment of a 20 metre masonry - arch culvert which passes under the Glen Road close to St Teresa’s Primary School. Emergency works were carried out in November 2005 after the collapse of the roof of the culvert which resulted in a collapse of the road surface itself and severe traffic disruption. The works now proposed will provide a permanent repair to prevent further collapse in what is a particularly busy thoroughfare.

It is proposed to re-line the culvert without excavating in the roadway or footpaths, thereby avoiding the difficulties presented by underground services and traffic management. This will effect cost savings and reduce disruption. Some excavation will be necessary within the grounds of the nearby primary school for access purposes but this is not expected to be extensive.

The works on the Whiterock Road stream will consist of the replacement of structurally defective 450mm culvert with 600mm diameter heavy duty reinforced concrete pipes. The works involve the excavation in roads and footpaths on both the Whiterock and Springfield Roads and are required to reduce the risk of flooding and liabilities due to the possible collapse of structurally defective pipelines.

Beef and Sheep Advisers

Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of beef and sheep advisers offering advice to the farming community.

(AQO 1657/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My Department currently has 12 beef and sheep advisers offering advice to the farming community, (3 Senior advisers and 9 advisers). These staff, known as Beef and Sheep Development Advisers, are managed by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, (CAFRE) and are based at 10 DARD offices throughout NI.

Budget

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the implications for her department of the Budget.

(AQO 1705/08)

Ms M Gildernew: DARD’s Budget Resource allocation is £233.5m/£237.8m/£244.7m which represents an increase of £14.6m/£25.0m/£37.7m on a roll forward of the 2007/08 baseline which represents increases of 2.9%, 1.3% and 2.9% respectively. The Resource settlement will enable DARD to continue to strive to achieve the vision and strategic goals set out in its 5 year Strategic Plan to 2011. DARD will continue to seek to improve performance in the market place through its people and business development programmes at CAFRE, the delivery of agri-food scientific programmes by AFBI and through the provision of processing and marketing grants.

Funding will be provided for the new NI Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2007-13 which includes a range of initiatives targeted at the farming industry and rural communities and improving the environment and countryside. The settlement will also fund a raft of rural development anti-poverty measures aimed at capacity building in rural areas and allow the enhancement of animal, fish and plant health and welfare by lowering animal disease levels through our TB/Brucellosis action programme and development of an All-Island Animal Health Strategy. DARD will be able to continue to seek to develop a more sustainable environment through further increasing the public and private forest area, the development of more sustainable fisheries and flood protection measures through the Rivers Agency.

DARD will also benefit from net Capital/Capital Grant allocations of £83.6m/£28.6m/-£171.0m. The year 3 allocation is net of a £200m receipt for the sale of land at Crossnacreevy. The allocations would allow DARD to fund all of its highest priority Capital pressures over the three years. However, they do not enable any Capital support to be provided to the industry to meet any proposals that may be forthcoming in respect of the Red Meat Taskforce report and Rivers Agency allocations fall short of what is required for flood alleviation and flood defence in 2009/10, 2010/11 by £1.2m and £1.1m.

Fishing Industry

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the financial assistance she will provide to the fishing industry following the outcome of the recent EU Fisheries Council.

(AQO 1736/08)

Ms M Gildernew: As I announced on 5 December 2007, fishermen will be able to avail of £25.5 million of financial assistance from the European Fisheries Fund later this year. This represents an investment of £12.76million from the EU which will be matched by a grant from DARD.

Funding will be available for all sectors of the industry – sea and inland fisheries, aquaculture businesses, producer organisations, and the processing and marketing sectors - as well as for fisheries areas. Eligible measures include support for the fishing fleet to become more fuel efficient, developing more sustainable fishing methods, safety, quality, aquaculture, ports and inland fishing.

My Department will shortly be issuing a consultation seeking views from stakeholders on how they wish to see this funding invested in support of the local fishing industry.

Genetically Modified Crops

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her department's policy in relation to the growing of genetically modified agricultural crops.

(AQO 1673/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland has the policy lead for GM food and feed issues, whilst the Department of the Environment leads on all aspects concerning the ‘deliberate release’ and cultivation of GMOs in the North of Ireland. The DOE has the statutory responsibility for the licensing of any GM trials, and recently consulted on the issue of co-existence. It is currently considering the responses.

There are currently no GM crops grown in the North. There are currently no GM crops approved for growing in the EC which would be suitable for our growing conditions. If a farmer wished to grow a GM crop in the future, they would have to apply to the Department of the Environment for a licence. If GM crops were to be grown in the North, DARD Quality Assurance Branch officials would be responsible for crop inspections.

Food Labelling

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the progress made in relation to the issue of food labelling in the service sector.

(AQO 1707/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I can advise that my Department has responsibility for the labelling of beef, under EU Beef Labelling Regulations. These require all operators in the supply chain down to retail level, but excluding food service, to label their beef with traceability and origin information. DARD inspectors, along with local authority Environmental Health Officers, ensure that all beef on sale at retail level is correctly labelled with origin and traceability information.

My Department is working with key stakeholders on the development of a voluntary pilot scheme involving origin labelling of beef in a number of local restaurants. Extensive market research is also being carried out on the attitudes and preferences of local consumers. Although I haven't ruled out introducing legislation in this area, I do not want to add to the bureaucracy on the industry and this is why my Department is exploring the options under a voluntary scheme. The results of these studies will help inform future policy decisions relating to origin labelling of beef in the food service sector.

My officials are liaising with the South and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales to learn from their experiences in this area. This will help to identify potential problems and focus effort on achieving a worthwhile outcome.

The labelling of other food products is the responsibility of the Foods Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA is currently consulting with industry on its revised country of origin labelling guidance which is aimed at helping manufacturers, producers, retailers and caterers to comply with the law and to encourage them to give more voluntary origin information in a helpful and informative way.

Projects in West Belfast

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail those projects in West Belfast, involving her department, that also involve the Water Service and the Environment and Heritage Service.

(AQO 1765/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My Department has no specific projects at present in West Belfast involving co-operation with NI Water formerly Water Service and DOE Environment and Heritage Service (EHS).

Rural Development Programme

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide an update on the latest views of the oversight committee in relation to the establishment of delivery mechanisms for the new Rural Development Programme.

(AQO 1709/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The oversight committee, chaired by John Kelly has met on 2 occasions and has been given a full progress report by DARD Officials on the implementation of new delivery mechanisms for Axis 3. The Committee has also received copies of written procedures to be followed by the new structures in relation to setting up Local Action Groups and drawing up area rural development strategies. The Committee has indicated that it is content with progress to date. Another meeting is scheduled for early February.

Electronic Tagging

Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to bring forward an electronic tagging system for cattle.

(AQO 1700/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Department has carried out a pilot trial of Electronic Identification and Data Transfer in a number of our meat plants in recent years. This trial has demonstrated that where there is a commitment to make it work, the technology is viable in a commercial environment. It also confirmed the feasibility of integrating the recording of animals’ presence in meat plants onto the APHIS system semi-automatically. Similar trials have been carried out in Great Britain, with similar results.

Among the benefits cited for integrated Electronic Identification and Data Transfer systems are reduced labour input, improved transcription of data, enhanced animal welfare through less stressful handling procedures, reduced risk of injury to animal handlers, and simpler inputs into farm management and bench-marking packages.

It is also commonly agreed however that electronic identification presents most benefits and may only be justifiable on economic grounds, where there is widespread uptake in the livestock production and marketing chain by the majority of cattle farmers, livestock markets and meat plants - as has occurred, for example, in Australia.

However, the Department has no powers to mandate the use of electronic identification for cattle, as this is not provided for in European Law, which at present requires two visibly readable eartags in each bovine animal.

The Department is however providing substantial technical input into a cross-industry body which has been set up to explore the possibilities of moving to electronic identification of cattle here on a voluntary basis. It is expected that this group will report in the near future.

Forest Service Land

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the criteria used in deciding to dispose of Forest Service land at Pomeroy, to facilitate a proposal by Pomeroy Community Development Limited.

(AQO 1696/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The decision to dispose of 0.9 hectares of land at Pomeroy Forest was taken following the granting of outline planning permission for the land to be used for an Enterprise Park. The scale of the proposed disposal does not prejudice any strategic Forest Service interest in Pomeroy Forest. The sale of the land is subject to obtaining the best value for its proposed use, as determined by Land and Property Services, the receipt of any timber compensation costs and the completion of contracts.

CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Hospitality Expenditure

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the department's total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3152/08)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): The information requested is set out below.

	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
DCAL	£36,055.66	£21,408.68	£22,259.89	£28,392.79	£29,081.28
PRONI	£3,279.19	£2,742.18	£1,252.33	£2,963.24	£948.16
OSNI	£24,378.00	£30,024.00	£30,620.00	£33,642.00	£28,455.00
TOTAL	£63,712.85	£54,174.86	£54,132.22	£64,998.03	£58,484.44

Intercultural Exchang

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to the answer to AQW 2305/08, what consideration he has given to the participation of Northern Ireland in the European Year of Intercultural Exchange.

(AQW 3172/08)

Mr E Poots: DCAL has disseminated information about the Year of Intercultural Dialogue to its NDPBs and other outside agencies.

Irish Language Act

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm whether or not he, or his department, invited the Orange Order to make a submission to the consultation process for an Irish Language Act; and to detail the individuals and organisations that he, or his department, specifically invited to make a submission on this matter.

(AQW 3206/08)

Mr E Poots: The 1^st consultation was launched on the 13^th December 2006 under Direct Rule Ministers, with the 2^nd consultation launched on the 13^th March 2007, also under Direct Rule Ministers. As stipulated in the Department’s Equality Scheme these public consultations are drawn to the attention of Section 75 groups and to the general public through advertising in the Irish News, The Newsletter and The Belfast Telegraph. Neither I, nor my departmental officials invited any particular individual or interest group to make a submission to this public consultation.

Political Representation

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the political representation present at a meeting in Stormont on 22 January 2008 at which the Minister, members of the Milk Cup organizing committee, North Derry/Londonderry farmers, Coleraine Football Club, and Coleraine Borough Council were present to discuss the long term future of the Milk Cup.

(AQW 3258/08)

Mr E Poots: The following political representatives were present at the meeting on Tuesday 22^nd January 2008 in Parliament Buildings:

The Mayor of Coleraine Borough Council

Alderman Maurice Bradley (DUP - Coleraine East)

Councillor Adrian McQuillan MLA

Coleraine Borough Council (DUP - Bann) and MLA for East Londonderry

Alderman George Robinson MLA

Limavady Borough Council (DUP – Limavady Town) and MLA for East Londonderry

Comprehensive Spending Review

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) his department's bids in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review; and (ii) the amount of funding that has been allocated against them in the Budget 2008-11.

(AQW 3302/08)

Mr E Poots: Tables 1 & 2 attached provides the list of resource and capital bids submitted to the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review. Tables 3 & 4 attached provides the Budget 2008-11 funding allocated to the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure across the objective and spending areas. The Budget 2008-11 settlement was such that DFP did not specifically approve or reject bids but acknowledged that it was appropriate to increase the total funding available to DCAL to discharge its functions.

Salmon Catches

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of salmon recorded caught in Northern Ireland rivers in (i) 2005; (ii) 2006; and (iii) 2007.

(AQW 3347/08)

Mr E Poots: Please see below estimated total catch figures for salmon caught in rivers in Northern Ireland in 2005 and 2006. The 2007 salmon catch is still being collated and will not be validated until 6 March 2008.

Year	Total NI Rod Catch
2005 2006	5732 4340

Salmon Catches

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of salmon recorded caught in the sea in (i) 2005; (ii) 2006; and (iii) 2007.

(AQW 3348/08)

Mr E Poots: Please see below estimated total catch figures for salmon caught in the sea off Northern Ireland in 2005 and 2006. The 2007 salmon catch is still being collated and will not be validated until 6 March 2008.

Year	Total NI Net Catch
2005 2006	16006 8548

Salmon Catches

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to address the fall in the numbers of salmon caught in rivers and lakes.

(AQW 3415/08)

Mr E Poots: The Department implements a salmon management plan drawn up by fisheries scientists and drawing on findings from the River Bush salmon research project. The core concept of the plan is to establish spawning targets at a river and regional level. The central aim of management is to ensure that in most rivers in most years sufficient adult salmon are spawning to maximise output from freshwater. Index rivers are monitored and where levels are not being attained the problems are researched and possible remedial measures are proposed.

Management measures over recent years have included a voluntary buyout of commercial fisheries, regulation of commercial fishing and angling exploitation, and both direct and indirect funding and implementation of habitat protection and restoration programmes.

A management strategy dealing with the decline in populations of salmon for the period 2008 - 2012 is nearing completion and shall be submitted to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) shortly.

Colmcille Organisation

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm the date on which his department, and its counterparts in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, will transfer the Colmcille organisation to Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

(AQW 3455/08)

Mr E Poots: Bórd na Gáidhlig is already responsible for administering the Scottish Government’s funding for Colmcille. I am still considering the position of transferring the DCAL portion of Colmcille’s funding to Foras na Gaeilge therefore no date has yet been agreed for the transfer to take place. Any decisions regarding the transfer of funding will have to be agreed and ratified not only by the Sponsor Department Ministers but also Finance ministers, north and south and by the North South Ministerial Council.

Steering Group

Mr N McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to list the members of the Gaeltacht Quarter Steering Group; and to detail (i) the number of meetings of the Steering Group; and (ii) the dates on which they were held.

(AQW 3460/08)

Mr E Poots: The current membership of the Gaeltacht Quarter Steering Group is as follows,

Name	Organization
Cllr Michael Browne	Belfast City Council
Noel Cornick	Dept of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Michael Flannigan	Foram Gnó
Teresa Holland	West Belfast Partnership Board
Cllr William Humphrey	Belfast City Council
Colin Jackson	The Royal Group of Hospitals
Edgar Jardine	Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Ciarán Mackel	Forbairt Feirste
Micheál Martin	St Mary’s University College
Jake MacSiacais	Forbairt Feirste
Tony McCusker	An Ceathrú Gaeltachta Teo (Chairman)
Janet Muller	Pobal
Eimear Ni Mhathúna	Cultúrlann / An Ceathrú Gaeltachta Teo
Seán Ó Cearnaigh	Foras na Gaeilge
Mark O’Donnell	Department of Social Development
Sean Paul O’Hare	Féile and Phobail
Philib Ó Ruanaí	Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíchta
Patrick Savage	The Planning Service
Liam Stone	Pobal

An information session for members of the Gaeltacht Quarter Steering Group was held on 25^th January 2007 and the inaugural meeting of the Group took place on 25^th October 2007. No further meetings have taken place.

Less Popular Sports

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action he is taking to promote activity in less popular sports.

(AQW 3477/08)

Mr E Poots: Responsibility for promoting activity in individual sports rests with the relevant governing bodies. However, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), is currently developing a new ten year Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation. The purpose of the Strategy is to promote activity in all sports in Northern Ireland. It is hoped that a final Strategy will be ready later this spring.

Irish Rugby Football Union

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm outline the equality and inclusiveness policies that were required to be submitted by the Irish Rugby Football Union before funding was provided to it, in each of the last 10 years.

(AQW 3525/08)

Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. Before funding is provided, Ulster Rugby is required to submit to SNI an equity policy for approval as appropriate to current legislation. This condition has been applied by SNI since 2000.

Equality and Inclusiveness

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the penalties that Sport NI can impose on an organisation that it has provided with funding, but which does not operate and comply with equality and inclusiveness policies.

(AQW 3526/08)

Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. If an applicant is successful in receiving funding from SNI, they will be issued with both general and specific terms and conditions relating to the award. These terms and conditions include a requirement to submit to SNI an equity policy for approval as appropriate to current legislation. SNI reserves the right to withhold/clawback funding should an applicant fail to adhere to these terms and conditions.

Rugby Funding

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail whether or not (i) the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU); or (ii) the Ulster Branch of the IRFU, are currently in discussions with his department in relation to future funding; and to detail (a) the purpose of the funding; (b) the amount of funding; (c) the equality implications to be considered; and (d) how the equality implications will be monitored.

(AQW 3527/08)

Mr E Poots: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), which is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding, have met with Ulster Rugby at its request to discuss the possibility of future funding. During these meetings Ulster Rugby indicated that the purpose of the funding being sought is to ensure the sustainability of its community rugby programme. Ulster Rugby is currently preparing a business case to SNI for this funding. It will not be possible to confirm the amount of funding or consider the equality implications until the business case is completed. Any equality implications which may arise will be monitored in accordance with the relevant Equality Commission for Northern Ireland guidance.

Building Projects at Ravenhill Rugby Ground

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2483/08, whether or not he will provide copies of all documentation in relation to this funding, including business cases and equality impact assessment reports, to the Assembly Library.

(AQW 3535/08)

Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. However, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure will review what documentation it may hold in relation to this funding with a view to placing any relevant material in the Assembly Library.

Irish Rugby Football Union

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm whether or not his department has provided funding to the Irish Rugby Football Union to assist in the creation and remuneration of posts within the organisation, during the last ten years; and to provide details of (i) the nature of the posts that were funded; and (ii) the precise dates when this funding was provided.

(AQW 3563/08)

Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. Details of posts receiving exchequer funding from SNI and dates of duration of award are set out in the tables below:-

Investing in Sport Programme (2003 to 2006)

Duration of Award	Total Award Value (£)	Posts Funded
1/4/03 – 31/3/04	18,750.00	Domestic Rugby Development Manager
1/4/03 – 31/3/04	20,600.00	Club/Volunteer Development Manager
1/4/04 – 31/3/05	19,750.00	Domestic Rugby Development Manager
1/4/04 – 31/3/05	20,250.00	Club/Volunteer Development Manager
1/4/05 – 31/3/06	22,479.17	Domestic Rugby Development Manager
1/4/05 – 31/3/06	23,045.00	Club/Volunteer Development Manager

Investing in Governing Body Plans (2006 to 2009)

Duration of Award	Total Award Value (£)	Posts Funded
1/9/06 – 31/3/07	11,465.00	Club/Volunteer Development Manager
1/4/06 – 31/8/06	11,117.00	Domestic Manager
1/4/07 – 31/3/08	19,860.00	Club/Volunteer Development Manager
1/4/08 – 31/3/09	20,573.00	Club/Volunteer Development Manager

Community Rugby Programme (2005 to 2008)

Duration of Award	Total Award Value (£)	Posts Funded
1/4/05 – 31/3/06	300,000.00	1 Youth Dev Manager 1 Women’s Rugby Dev Officer 1 Referee’s Dev Manager 20 Development Officers (P/T) 11 Community Rugby Dev Officers
1/4/06 – 31/3/07	600,000.00	As above plus 1 Registration Officer
1/4/08 – 31/3/08	600,000.00	As above plus 1 P/T Administrrator and 1 Development Officer Manager

Sports Stadium Safety Programme

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) to outline how the draft budget will impact on the Sports Stadium Safety Programme; (ii) how much of the £30 million investment recommended by the Scott Report in 1997 has been made; (iii) how much is available for investment in the 2008-2011 period; and (iv) to outline the implications of failing to make the recommended improvements.

(AQO 1740/08)

Mr E Poots: The Stadia Safety Programme is financed and administered by Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) which is responsible for the development of sport including the distribution of funding. The funding allocation for sport recently announced in the budget for 2008/2011 should allow SNI to continue its Stadia Safety Programme. Up to 31 December 2007 SNI has made full awards of £4,411,222 under this programme.

The recently approved capital budget for sport is £31.2m in 2008/09, £36.4m in 2009/10 and £44m in 2010/11. We are currently in discussions with SNI about the allocation of this budget including the amount to be allocated for the improvement of safety at sports grounds.

The Scott Report, completed in April 1996, was a review of the legislative controls for health and safety at sports grounds in Northern Ireland. Whilst it made recommendations for improvements it did not make recommendations on the level of investment required to improve safety standards at sports stadia here.

The implications of failing to make the improvements recommended in the Scott Report will mean that the safety arrangements at our larger venues will fall short of recognised guidance and levels of safety and spectator comfort here will be considered below those enjoyed in the rest of the UK.

2012 Olympic Games

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide an update on funding for the Elite Facilities Capital Programme for the 2012 Olympic Games.

(AQO 1718/08)

Mr E Poots: In March 2006, the then Minister for Sport, David Hanson MP announced that approximately £50m had been provisionally allocated for high priority sports infrastructure projects.

Since then, two separate competitions have been held, seeking expressions of interest from anyone interested in developing elite Olympic and Paralympic facilities in Northern Ireland.

The 2008/2011 Budget provides circa £145m for all sport including £111.6m for capital funding. We are currently in discussion with Sport Northern Ireland about the allocation of the capital budget and planning for the delivery of the Elite Facilities Programme.

It is still my objective that Northern Ireland will have a minimum of 10 new or upgraded facilities that will support Northern Ireland player/athlete development in Olympic and Paralympic sports.

2012 Olympic Games

Mrs M Bradley asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, further to the reduction in the allocation of funding for Olympic Centres of Excellence, to confirm whether or not his department will meet its target to deliver 10 Olympic Centres of Excellence.

(AQO 1781/08)

Mr E Poots: In March 2006, the then Minister for Sport, David Hanson MP announced that approximately £50m had been provisionally allocated for high priority sports infrastructure projects.

Since then, two separate competitions have been held, seeking expressions of interest from anyone interested in developing elite Olympic and Paralympic facilities in Northern Ireland.

It is still my objective that Northern Ireland will have a minimum of 10 new or upgraded facilities that will support Northern Ireland player/athlete development in Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Irish and Ulster-Scots Spending

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the anticipated levels of spending by his department on (i) Irish; and (ii) Ulster Scots in each of the next three years.

(AQO 1661/08)

Mr E Poots: The anticipated levels of funding from my Department for the next three years in relation to Irish and Ulster-Scots are as follows:-

	08-09	09-10	10-11
Ulster Scots
Ulster-Scots Agency	£2.542 m	£2.769 m	£2.996 m
Proposed Ulster-Scots Academy	£2.4 m	£4.295 m	£2.738 m
Totals	£4.942m	£7.064m	£5.734m
Irish
Foras na Gaeilge	£3.594 m	£3.666 m	£3.738 m
Irish Language Broadcast Fund	£3 m	-	-
Colmcille	£0.2 m	£0.2 m	£0.2 m
Gaeltacht Quarter(Integrated Development Fund)	£0.728 m	£0.133 m	£0.133 m
An Gaeláras	£0.863 m**	-	-
Totals	£8.385 m	£3.999 m	£4.171 m

*projected expenditure over four year period June 2007 to June 2010

**includes £0.5m IDF allocation

Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives

Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the work of the (i) Gaelic Athletic Association; (ii) Irish Rugby Football Union; and (iii) Irish Football Association, in promoting physical health, wellness and lifestyle initiatives.

(AQO 1790/08)

Mr E Poots: The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Irish Football Association (IFA) are responsible for the promotion and development of the sports of Gaelic Games, Rugby Football and Association Football respectively. All three organisations run a range of programmes that are designed to encourage as many people as possible to take up their sports on a regular basis. These include:-

Grass-roots youth programmes to encourage more young people (boys, girls, people with disabilities) to develop basic movement skills and take up Gaelic, Rugby and Soccer on a regular basis

Coaching development and club accreditation programmes

Partnerships with schools, colleges of further education and district councils to promote their sports across the whole community and to encourage individuals to join Gaelic, Rugby and Soccer clubs

In the case of the GAA, the development of a health and wellness programme for members and partnership with the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity to promote the screening of young people for heart defects

All of these programmes in my view contribute significantly to the public health agenda by encouraging people of all ages to take up healthy sporting activities on a sustained and regular basis.

Library Opening Hours

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide details on the possible reduction of opening hours for libraries in Belfast.

(AQO 1773/08)

Mr E Poots: I understand that the Belfast Education and Library Board is currently considering the delivery of library services for next year, and one option includes a possible reduction in opening hours for libraries in Belfast.

Since the draft budget I have secured an additional £500k for the public library service which will be distributed across the five Boards. Boards will shortly be notified of their individual allocations.

Boards are responsible for balancing competing priorities and determining how best to deliver public library services from within available resources.

Unlocking Creativity Initiative

Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the micro businesses that have been developed as a result of the Unlocking Creativity Initiative, in the past three years.

(AQO 1716/08)

Mr E Poots: Under the Unlocking Creativity initiative, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure operated a Creativity Seed Fund from 2001/2 to 2003/04 and during that time 21 awards of financial support were made to businesses.

Since the end of the Creativity Seed Fund in March 2004, the Department has had no funding streams to support the development of businesses.

Therefore, I am now pleased to have secured an allocation of £5m from the Innovation Fund for a Creative Industries Seed Fund for the three years 2008/09 to 2011/12 to help grow the creative industries.

One Book Project

Mr M Brady asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to report on the One Book Project that is being promoted by the Library Service.

(AQO 1778/08)

Mr E Poots: The ‘One Book Project’ is a Community Reading Project which aims to encourage reading and awareness of the Public Library Service across Northern Ireland amongst all age groups. The object is to get as many people as possible to read one particular book and to participate in related activities.

This year the chosen book is "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne. The scheme has been very successful with 5000 people having borrowed the book from Public Libraries by December 2007.

Unlocking Creativity Initiative

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the educational attainment outputs that have resulted from the Unlocking Creativity Initiative, in the past three years.

(AQO 1715/08)

Mr E Poots: Under the Unlocking Creativity initiative, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has provided financial support for innovative educational projects undertaken by Creative Youth Partnerships and the three Creative Learning Centres - the Nerve Centre, Studio On and the AmmA Centre.

The Education and Training Inspectorate have evaluated both of these programmes and conclude that they produce work of a very high quality in supporting and encouraging creativity across the school curriculum.

The Department of Education is embedding Creativity in the revised school curriculum, and this is being introduced on a phased basis from September 2007.

Being Creative is one of the other skills which are statutory from Foundation to Key Stage 4 and which will be developed across the curriculum within the various areas of learning.

Through the implementation of the FE Means Business Strategy, the Department for Employment and Learning supports the "Unlocking Creativity" initiative and is working to embed creativity, employability, adaptability and entrepreneurship in all aspects of the Further Education curriculum. Over 100 courses in creativity-related subjects are now offered across Northern Ireland’s FE sector.

Between 2003/04 and 2005/06 (academic years) the number of qualifications being obtained in the Northern Ireland FE sector in ‘creative’ subjects has increased by 77%, with significant increases in entry level and level 1 qualifications.

The Nerve Centre in partnership with the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, has developed the GCE AS and A2 Level in Moving Image Arts, which is the first public examination in the UK to be examined entirely on-line. Provisional results for 2007 indicate that of the 241 AS entries, 72.2% achieved A-C grades and of the 116 A2 entries, 86.2% achieved A-C grades.

Craft Development Unit

Mr F Cobain asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) to outline the work of the Craft Development Unit over the past four years; (ii) to detail the amount of money the Craft Development Unit has accessed from the creativity seed fund since 2002; and (iii) to detail the number of craft businesses that have resulted from the activities of the Craft Development Unit.

(AQO 1728/08)

Mr E Poots: The Craft Development Unit was formally constituted as Crafts Development Northern Ireland in August 2004. It began operating as Craft Northern Ireland on 1 June 2005. Craft NI is the regional development agency for the craft sector.

One of its key initiatives is its business incubation programme Making It which provides business advice and practical support to promote sustainability in craft businesses. Craft NI also provides professional development opportunities, research and industry intelligence and showcases local crafts at international exhibitions. Craft NI has also published "A Future in the Making", combining a socio-economic survey of the craft sector and an advocacy document on why the crafts matter.

Craft NI has not received any funding from the Creativity Seed Fund. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure provided Craft NI with £32,510 in 2005/06 to assist with costs associated with a move to new premises. Its current programmes are funded primarily by the Arts Council and Invest NI.

Craft NI’s Making It programme has helped to support the establishment of 19 new craft businesses.

Belfast Festival

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the basis for the funding he is proposing to give the Belfast Festival at Queens, over the next three years.

(AQO 1772/08)

Mr E Poots: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure will be providing the following funding for Belfast Festival at Queen’s over the next three years:

Year	Amount
2008/09	£125,000
2009/10	£100,000
2010/11	£ 75,000

These amounts have been determined following consideration of the three year business plan for the festival submitted to the Department by the Queen’s University of Belfast.

Music Industry Commission

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the financial assistance he has provided to the Northern Ireland Music Industry Commission in the last three years.

(AQO 1783/08)

Mr E Poots: In 2006/07 the Arts Council awarded the Northern Ireland Music Industry Commission (NIMIC) £30,000 through the Rediscover Northern Ireland Programme.

In 2007/08 the Arts Council awarded NIMIC £20,000 through its Arts Development Fund.

The Arts Council has also provided lottery funding to NIMIC amounting to £140,610 over the 3 year period 2005/06 to 2007/08.

The Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure has agreed to provide £20,000 to NIMIC to showcase Northern Ireland music talent at the International exhibition, South by South West in Austin, Texas in March 2008.

EDUCATION

Classroom Assistants

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of people employed as classroom assistants in (i) 2003/2004; (ii) 2004/2005; (iii) 2005/2006; and (iv) 2006/2007, broken down by Education and Library Board.

(AQW 2263/08)

The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): The five Education and Library Boards (the Boards) have provided the following information on the number of classroom assistants employed at 1 January each year since 2003. The information relates only to classroom assistants employed by the Boards and therefore excludes those employed by the Boards of Governors of Voluntary Grammar Schools, Grant Maintained Integrated Schools and grant-aided Irish Medium Schools.

Board	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Belfast Board	696	714	757	863	977
Western Board	892	968	1099	1126	1225
North Eastern Board	952	1088	1210	1250	1291
South Eastern Board	1182	1304	1365	1334	1282
Southern Board	1083	1298	1467	1474	1572
TOTAL	4805	5372	5898	6047	6347

Primary School at Carrick

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education to give a timescale for the commencement of construction of the new primary school at Carrick, Warrenpoint.

(AQW 3056/08)

Ms C Ruane: A submission from the school’s consultants setting out the contract document information and costs is still awaited by the Department. In addition, it is likely that the acquisition/vesting of the additional land required for the new school will not be completed until later in the spring. As a result it is anticipated that it would be late spring or summer before construction work could start on site.

School Closures

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of (a) primary; and (b) post-primary, school closures in the Western Education and Library Board area, in each of the last 5 years; and (ii) the pupil enrolment in each school, at the time of closure.

(AQW 3099/08)

Ms C Ruane:

Primary Schools

In the last five years, 2003 to 2007 inclusive, five primary schools and a preparatory department at a voluntary grammar school were closed in the Western Education and Library Board area.

Primary School Closures

SCHOOL	DATE OFCLOSURE	ENROLMENT IN YEAR OF CLOSURE
Earl of Erne PS, Enniskillen	August 2003	13
Maydown & Strathfoyle PS	August 2003	47
St Joseph’s PS, Fintona	August 2003	7
Foyle & Londonderry College Prep. Dept.	August 2003	9
St Mary’s PS, (Laught), Drumquin	August 2003	10
Stragowna PS, Kinawley	August 2003	15

In addition, in 2005, three primary schools amalgamated to form Cooley Primary School.

Primary Schools Closed Due to Amalgamations

SCHOOL	DATE OF AMALGAMATION	ENROLMENT
Dervaghroy PS, Sixmilecross	Feb 2005	22
Hutton PS, Beragh	Feb 2005	29
Sixmilecross PS	Feb 2005	91

Dungiven Controlled Primary School was also closed in August 2007, as the first phase of an amalgamation with Burnfoot and Largy Primary Schools. Its enrolment was 17.

Post-Primary Schools

Over the five year period, two post-primary schools were closed.

Post-Primary School Closures

SCHOOL	DATE OF CLOSURE	ENROLMENT
Templemore Sec. School	August 2003	152
St Joseph’s High School (HS), Plumbridge	August 2007	85

There have also been three amalgamations involving seven schools. In Derry, Clondermot High School and Faughan Valley amalgamated to form Lisneal College; in Fermanagh, the Duke of Westminster High School and Enniskillen High School amalgamated to form Devenish College; and in Strabane, St Colman’s High School, Our Lady of Mercy High School and Convent Grammar School amalgamated to become Holy Cross College.

Post-Primary Schools Closed Due to Amalgamations

SCHOOL	DATE OF AMALGAMATION	ENROLMENT
Clondermot HS	August 2004	637
Faughan Valley HS	August 2004	449
Duke of Westminster HS, Kesh	August 2004	174
Enniskillen HS	August 2004	591
St Colman’s HS, Strabane	August 2005	686
Our Lady of Mercy HS, Strabane	August 2005	300
Convent Grammar, Strabane	August 2005	595

Note: The enrolments are from the October School Census for the relevant school year.

Qualifications Passes

Mr R Newton asked the Minister of Education to confirm the number of GCSE and A-level qualifications passes achieved by pupils in (i) Northern Ireland; (ii) England; (iii) Scotland; and (iv) Wales, in the 2006/2007 academic year.

(AQW 3177/08)

Ms C Ruane: The latest available fully validated data for the North of Ireland relates to the 2005/06 academic year. Data relating to the 2006/07 academic year for the North of Ireland will be available at the beginning of March and will be placed on the Department’s website as in previous years.

	Number of pupils achieving 1 or more GCSEs (or equivalent) at A*-G	Percentage of pupils achieving 1 or more GCSEs (or equivalent) at A*-G	Number of pupils achieving 2 or more A levels (or equivalent) at A-E	Percentage of pupils achieving 2 or more A levels (or equivalent) at A-E
North of Ireland	23,985	97	11,477	98
England	631,580	98	167,159	96
Wales	36,217	93	10,076	94
Scotland	58,693	96	n/a¹	n/a¹

1. In Scotland, there are no direct equivalents to the number of pupils achieving 2 or more A levels at grades A-E.

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of meetings she has had with each of the 3 Northern Ireland MEP's since May 2007; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings.

(AQW 3199/08)

Ms C Ruane: To date, I have not attended any meetings with any of the 3 local MEP’s nor have I been invited to do so.

Free School Meals

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the discussions she has had with the Social Security Agency to address the issue of the non-take up of free school meals.

(AQW 3228/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Education and Library Boards, who are responsible for the award of free school meals, are in regular contact with the Social Security Agency as part of the ongoing process of encouraging eligible pupils to take up their entitlement to free meals.

In addition, the Department of Education and the Boards have had preliminary discussions with the Agency regarding the provision of electronic access to the Department of Work and Pensions’ Customer Information System which holds data on people in receipt of the relevant qualifying benefits. This would facilitate the more efficient processing of free school meals applications and allow Boards to target those who do not come forward to apply for entitlement.

Early Years Centre

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Education to confirm whether or not funding will be provided for the I Can Early Years Centre, Ballynahinch, in 2008-2009; and to detail what actions she is taking to ensure the long term stability of the service.

(AQW 3236/08)

Ms C Ruane: The I Can Early Years Centre, which is attached to Ballynahinch Primary School, is funded jointly by the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. The Department of Education provides no direct funding for the Centre and any decision on the future of the Centre lies with SEELB.

The Chief Executive of SEELB has informed me that SEELB is engaged in high level discussions with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust regarding funding for I CAN for the 2008/09 financial year.

Independent Integrated Secondary Schools

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail what precedent exists to permit an Education and Library Board to provide financial support to Independent Integrated secondary schools.

(AQW 3260/08)

Ms C Ruane: Education and Library Boards have no legislative power to provide financial support to independent schools.

The current location of Rowallane Integrated College is in temporary accommodation on a leased site at Belvoir Park Hospital Estate. The South Eastern Education and Library Board has not provided any monies in preparing the site.

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has not invested any monies in the school in the past three years. The school is funded by the Integrated Education Fund.

Rowallane Independent Integrated College

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the current location of Rowallane Independent Integrated College; and (ii) the amount invested by the South Eastern Education and Library Board in preparing this site.

(AQW 3261/08)

Ms C Ruane: Education and Library Boards have no legislative power to provide financial support to independent schools.

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has not invested any monies in the school in the past three years. The school is funded by the Integrated Education Fund.

Rowallane Independent Integrated College

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the amount invested by the South Eastern Education and Library Board in Rowallane Independent Integrated Secondary School, in the past three years.

(AQW 3262/08)

Ms C Ruane: Education and Library Boards have no legislative power to provide financial support to independent schools.

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has not invested any monies in the school in the past three years. The school is funded by the Integrated Education Fund.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Education to confirm whether or not she is planning to meet with the former members of the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

(AQW 3365/08)

Ms C Ruane: In the interests of local accountability it would be appropriate that the members of the SEELB Board should resume their former responsibilities. However, it is essential to ensure that there would be no return to the difficulties which the Commissioners inherited when they were appointed in July 2006 and that the stability which has since been achieved is sustained.

I have undertaken, as a first step, to meet with a delegation of Board members to confirm their readiness to take up their former responsibilities and to deliver those effectively. I plan to schedule the meeting in the near future.

Pay Dispute

Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on the classroom assistants' pay dispute; and to detail the dates on which the relevant business cases were delivered to her department by the Education and Library Boards.

(AQW 3373/08)

Ms C Ruane: A collective agreement on the Management Side offer was reached at a meeting of the Joint Negotiating Council on 30 November 2007, through a unanimous vote on the Management Side and a majority vote on the Trade Union Side. While NIPSA voted against the proposed offer, under the Constitution of the JNC, the Agreement is binding on the Boards. I am advised that the rules and Constitution of the JNC have been agreed by all parties, including NIPSA. Letters were sent to all classroom assistants by their respective Boards in December 2007 explaining the terms of the agreement and inviting their acceptance by 31 March 2008.

A draft business case relating to the change to historical terms and conditions was submitted to the Department in October 2007 and the final business case was received on 6 December 2007.

Classroom Assistants

Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of classroom assistants, who are members of each relevant trade union, in relation to the recent ballot on industrial action.

(AQW 3421/08)

Ms C Ruane: I am advised by the education and library boards that they do not have the information requested. The boards are aware only of the numbers who opt to pay their trade union subscriptions through the payroll system, but this does not take account of those members who pay their subscriptions by direct debit. It is solely each trade union which can confirm its actual membership.

EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

Staff Undergoing Disciplinary Procedures

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2326/08, what comparison he 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 his reply.

(AQW 2849/08)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The Department for Employment and Learning does not routinely compare the total figures and percentages of disciplinary cases resulting from unacceptable sickness records across all other departments and their Executive agencies. The answer to AQW 2326/08 indicated that the apparent disparity between the figures for DEL and for other departments as presented in the response to AQW 1629/08 can be explained because Executive Agency figures, with the exception of DARD, were not included, and the figures were not presented in terms of percentages of total staff falling within the scope of the replies. All Government departments apply the same policies and procedures relating to managing attendance and DEL monitors the level of warnings and dismissals applying to its own staff. Each disciplinary case is considered in its own context and circumstances against the guidance set out in the NICS policies and procedures.

Information Technology Students

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of part-time post-graduate students enrolled in information technology courses at (i) Queen's University, Belfast; and (ii) each campus of the University of Ulster.

(AQW 3021/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The number of part-time post-graduate students enrolled in information technology courses at (i) Queen's University, Belfast; and (ii) each campus of the University of Ulster in 2006/07 is shown in the table below.

Queen’s University, Belfast		60
University Of Ulster	Belfast Coleraine Jordanstown Magee	0 5 80 15
Total		155

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Notes: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5. Due to rounding, the sum of numbers do not match the total shown.

Seagoe Technologies

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what actions he is taking to support workers affected by the loss of 40 jobs at Seagoe Technologies back into employment; and to detail the support his department is offering to Seagoe Technologies in securing the other 300 jobs at the plant.

(AQW 3111/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Department has contacted Seagoe Technologies Ltd and will assist those who receive redundancy notices to find alternative employment. The Department, in partnership with the Social Security Agency and other organisations, will provide information and advice on employment opportunities, job search, training and education options, careers and benefits. This will be provided on-site if required.

Invest NI, which has had a long association with Seagoe Technologies, is working with 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.

Bursaries

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of students in Northern Ireland who are not claiming bursaries from their universities.

(AQW 3187/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Bursaries are awarded based on the student’s residual household income. Students must therefore have applied to have income assessed through the relevant Education and Library Board (ELB) and consented for the details of this assessment to be shared with the relevant institution via the Student Loans Company. Should this information be withheld by the student or their sponsor, it is not possible for the institution to determine the student’s eligibility for a bursary. As such it is difficult to provide accurate statistics in relation to the number of students who may have failed to fully complete this process. Students are not required to apply for bursaries since they are awarded automatically, based on the rules that each university has set up with the Student Loans Company.

Available statistics for the academic year 2006/7 show that 1,074 students at Queen’s University had received full or half bursaries of £1100 or £600. An additional 299 students were entitled to £100 Sports & Books bursaries. At the University of Ulster, 981 students had been awarded bursaries of £1020, £610 or £305 in the same academic year.

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) the number of meetings he has had with each of the 3 Northern Ireland MEP's since May 2007; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings.

(AQW 3200/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Since taking Ministerial office, I have held one meeting with Jim Nicholson MEP, and one with Bairbre de Brún MEP.

Both meetings took place during a visit to the European Parliament in June 2007, and discussion centred on DEL’s relationship with the European Parliament.

I have not held any meetings with Jim Allister MEP.

'Essential Skills'

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of programmes for 'Essential Skills' in literacy and numeracy that are being supported by his department, within the community and voluntary sector in North Belfast.

(AQW 3284/08)

Sir Reg Empey: There are currently 21 courses for ‘Essential Skills’ in literacy and numeracy being delivered within the community and voluntary sector in North Belfast. A further three courses are planned to commence shortly.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) his department's bids in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review; and (ii) the amount of funding that has been allocated against them in the Budget 2008-11.

(AQW 3305/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The information requested by the Member has been placed in the Assembly Library.

'Training for Success'

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the amount of the additional resources, allocated in the draft Budget statement on 22 January 2008 for further education, that will be spent on 'Training for Success'.

(AQW 3333/08)

Sir Reg Empey: I can confirm that no resources from the Further Education allocation will be spent on Training for Success.

Night Class Enrolments

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the numbers enrolled in night class courses in the East Derry/Londonderry constituency, broken down by campus, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 3389/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Enrolments on night class courses in Further Education Colleges

located within the East Londonderry Constituency from 2001/02 to 2005/06 are detailed below

Academic year	Causeway Institute	Limavady College	Total
Academic year	Causeway Institute	Limavady College	Total
2001/02	2,699	2,075	4,774
2002/03	3,036	1,979	5,015
2003/04	1,788	2,011	3,799
2004/05	2,868	1,993	4,861
2005/06	3,159	2,271	5,430

Source: Further Education Statistical Record

Note: Breakdown at individual campus level is not available. Whilst the main Causeway Institute campus is located within the East Londonderry Constituency, the totals include a proportionately small number of enrolments attending outreach centres delivered by this institute outside this constituency.

Apprenticeships

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the average wage for apprentices who are (i) under 21 with less than 6 months' experience; (ii) under 21 with more than 6 months' experience; (iii) over 21 with less than 6 months' experience; and (iv) over 21 with more than 6 months' experience.

(AQW 3391/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Under Training for Success (the Department for Employment and Learning’s Apprenticeship training scheme), all apprentices are employed from the outset by individual employers. Apprentices are remunerated by their individual employers and the level of remuneration is as agreed between the apprentice and the employer. The Department does not keep information on the average wage for apprentices.

Information Technology Graduates

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to give his assessment of the scale of current excess demands by employers for information technology graduates and technicians.

(AQW 3429/08)

Sir Reg Empey: It is not possible to provide an accurate assessment of the current gap between the demand and supply of information technology graduates and technicians. Employer demand varies throughout the year depending on current vacancies and covers a wide range of occupations including software developers, computer engineers and operations technicians.

While it is not therefore possible to provide an accurate snapshot of the current position, information is available at a strategic level about the skills shortage issues facing the ICT industry in Northern Ireland.

The process of identifying skills shortages and developing plans of action to address such shortages is led by a network of 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). E-skills UK, as the SSC for the IT and Telecoms industry, is the voice of employers for all IT-related strategic skills issues in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

In March 2007, E-skills produced a comprehensive analysis of current skills supply in Northern Ireland’s IT sector and outlined a series of actions to address the issues identified.

In the context of that analysis it is estimated that 1610 new entrants are needed each year to replace those leaving the IT workforce -this demand is currently met from a variety of sources including new graduates, people moving from other sectors and those returning to the workforce. They also identified a need for an additional 360 new recruits each year to support the predicted growth of the sector.

Their analysis and plan of action was produced in conjunction with a number of partners including employers, Momentum (the ICT Trade Federation for Northern Ireland), Department of Education, education providers, InvestNI and my Department.

To complement this activity, DEL has also established a Future Skills Action Group for the ICT Sector. This group is made up of representatives of industry, other Government departments, E-skills and Momentum.

As a result of the workings of this group, DEL is currently leading the development of an action plan focused on the short term needs of the sector, in particular the shortage of appropriately qualified IT professionals. This plan is being developed in partnership with E-skills, Momentum and InvestNI.

Match Funding

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail what action his department will take to assist projects, successful in securing European Social Fund (2007-2013) funding, in securing Match Funding; to confirm whether or not his department can contribute to the Match Funding from non- European funding streams; and to confirm whether or not his department has initiated any dialogue with other departments or bodies, to secure Match Funding.

(AQW 3595/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The Northern Ireland European Social Fund (NIESF) Programme 2007-13 will provide projects with 65% programme funding, made up of 40% from EU Funds and 25% contribution from my Department. The remaining 35% ‘match funding’ must be secured independently from other public sources by the project promoters. This is the same procedure used for previous ESF Programmes.

My Department’s role in the process is to advise other Departments of successful applications and thereby alert them to the opportunities for match funding. It would not be appropriate for my officials to become involved directly in discussions between project promoters and potential providers of matched funding.

My Department may contribute to match funding when a project meets specific policy objectives of the Department.

Grants for the Long-Term Unemployed

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the grants available to train the long-term unemployed in traditional trades.

(AQW 3636/08)

Sir Reg Empey: Training for Success is the Department for Employment and Learning’s apprenticeship scheme for young people aged 16-24. Under this provision, technical and professional frameworks are developed by Sector Skills Councils, to address the skills needs of that particular sector. If an apprenticeship framework is developed by a Sector Skills Council which includes a particular trade, then the Department will fund the provision of training for an apprentice in that trade.

Within the New Deal programmes, participants may have the opportunity to undertake an NVQ Level 2 in certain occupational areas which reflect employers’ skills needs and/or job vacancies. All employers recruiting New Deal participants qualify for a subsidy of up to £75 a week, for the first six months of employment.

ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

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)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): The East Antrim constituency area forms a key part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Signature Project, one strand of which is the Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan which provides the overarching tourism strategy for the area.

The financial assistance in the table below has been offered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Invest NI in the last three financial years to tourism projects wholly within the East Antrim constituency.

2005/06	2006/07	2007/08 to date	Total
£219,000	£130,000	£102,250	£451,250

In addition, the East Antrim constituency area benefits from a significant element of funding which is allocated to the Signature Project area in general. This includes £410,807 spent on the Causeway Coastal Route in 2006/07 and 2007/08.

During the period April 2005 to March 2008, financial assistance of £492,229 has also been made available to the Causeway Coast & Glens Regional Tourism Partnership, whose remit covers an area that includes the whole of the East Antrim constituency.

Hightown Bridge

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what actions he is taking to assist businesses and traders in Glengormley and Mallusk who will be affected by the closure of the Hightown bridge.

(AQW 3117/08)

Mr N Dodds: The Hightown Bridge closed on 27 January 2008 to allow for its demolition and reconstruction. While the reconstruction is due to be completed within one year of the closure, the contractor is targeting the re-opening of the road before Christmas 2008.

Officials in my Department’s Roads Service have undertaken a detailed assessment of a range of options to facilitate traffic during construction and the only feasible option is to close the Hightown Bridge.

On 7 January 2008, I announced a package of measures to accommodate the travelling public and alleviate disruption to traders and businesses in the Glengormley and Mallusk areas during the closure. These measures include the provision of traffic signals at the Scullions Road/ Sandyknowes junction, with additional traffic monitoring cameras on the diversion route; additional buses for the Hightown and Mayfield areas; a breakdown recovery service covering Sandyknowes Roundabout and Scullions Road and the ongoing management of traffic signals on the diversion route to minimise congestion and delays. Additional signing to local businesses on the Hightown Road will also be provided.

You may also be interested to know that in relation to compensation, no statutory provision exists for the payment of compensation to businesses that currently enjoy the patronage of passing traffic.

With regard to possible assistance from other Departments, I have also been informed by the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Peter Robinson, that rates relief is administered by Land and Property Services (LPS), an agency within DFP, in respect of both relief through valuation reduction and application of a hardship relief scheme. Valuation reductions are considered on a case by case basis with regard to the amount and duration of disruption.

If the Hightown Bridge closure does not last for more than a year, I am advised by Mr Robinson that homeowners and business occupiers are unlikely to be successful with an application for reduction in the rateable valuation. Their decisions can be appealed to the Valuation Tribunal or Lands Tribunal, according to the type of property.

The hardship relief scheme provides support for non-domestic ratepayers (businesses and organisations) who are affected by some form of crisis. The hardship must be caused by exceptional and unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive list of cases which would qualify for hardship relief. However, all applications for hardship relief will be considered on their own merits. Applications are available on request from LPS.

Mr Dodds, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has informed me that the focus of his Department’s Invest NI is on assisting its clients to become more competitive in their business practices and assisting them to develop an increased focus on enterprise, innovation and exports. In doing so, the agency maintains close contact with its client companies across the North, including those in the Mallusk and Glengormley areas, where to date no clients have reported any negative impact as a result of the closure of the Hightown Bridge.

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

Hospitality Expenditure

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the department's total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3136/08)

Mr N Dodds: The total spent by the Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment on hospitality and entertainment from 2002-03 to 2006-07 is £117,744.78.

The analysis by year is as follows:

	£
2002-03	27,460.51
2003-04	24,550.87
2004-05	23,812.79
2005-06	19,102.02
2006-07	22,818.59
TOTAL	117,744.78

Jobs Creation

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of jobs created in (i) the Ards Borough Council area; (ii) the Strangford constituency; and (iii) Northern Ireland, from foreign direct investment, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 3180/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI, of itself, does not create jobs. It provides assistance, both financial and non-financial, in support of viable development projects from its clients; projects that are undertaken to strengthen international competitiveness. This may, in certain circumstances, lead to additional job creation.

The number of jobs promoted and safeguarded as a result of inward investment projects, both first-time and expansion, assisted by Invest NI since 2002/03 in Ards Borough Council, Strangford Parliamentary Constituency and Northern Ireland as a whole, is presented in the table below.

These figures relate to Invest NI’s externally-owned clients only, which are exclusively drawn from the manufacturing and international tradeable service industry sectors. The figures do not reflect inward investment that may have been secured in other sectors, including retail and distribution.

Constituency boundaries do not represent self-contained labour markets and a project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency and council area boundaries

Jobs Promoted through foreign direct investment projects (2002/03 – 2006/07) in Ards Borough Council, Strangford Parliamentary Constituency and Northern Ireland

Year	Ards		Strangford		Northern Ireland
Year	New	Safeguarded	New	Safeguarded	New	Safeguarded
2002/03	70	0	70	0	1,033	3,015
2003/04	5	0	5	0	2,153	2,670
2004/05	0	0	19	0	3,467	1,312
2005/06	0	0	0	0	3,100	3,281
2006/07	20	16	20	16	3,451	204
Total	95	16	114	16	13,204	10,482

1) A number of the projects assisted will have been in both Strangford constituency and Ards Council area

2) New jobs represents the number of jobs expected to be created by the project and safeguarded jobs represent those jobs that would have been lost if the project was not supported

Foreign Direct Investment

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the estimated total value of investment from foreign direct investment in the (i) Ards Borough Council area; and (ii) Strangford constituency, in each of the last 5 years.

(AQW 3181/08)

Mr N Dodds: The table below provides the value of investment from foreign direct investment projects, both first-time and expansion, assisted by Invest NI in each of the last 5 years to both Ards Borough Council and Strangford Constituency.

Planned Foreign Direct Investment (£) in Invest NI Assisted Projects (2002/03 – 2006/07) in Ards Borough Council and Strangford Parliamentary Constituency

Year	Ards	Strangford
2002/03	2,826,378	2,826,378
2003/04	9,750	9,750
2004/05	62,500	776,500
2006/07	6,622,000	6,622,000
TOTAL	9,520,628	10,234,628

A number of the projects assisted will have been in both Strangford constituency and Ards Council area
Planned Investment includes assistance offered by Invest NI

Global Point Business Park

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the costs of acquiring a site at Global Point Business Park, Newtownabbey, as determined by his department and Invest NI.

(AQW 3217/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI land at Global Point Business Park is currently being marketed for lease to Invest NI Client Companies at £500,000 per acre.

Invest NI land and buildings are sold at current market value as determined by Land and Property Services. This cost is deemed to be representative of the current market value reflecting both the strength of the market in this general location and taking into account the leasehold tenure offered by INI to their client companies

Global Point Business Park

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail his department's involvement in the development of the Global Point Business Park; and to provide an update on this development.

(AQW 3220/08)

Mr N Dodds: The land at Ballyhenry, now known as Global Point Business Park, came into public ownership in the early 1970s. As there was already an ample supply of suitable industrial land in the area this land was held as a strategic reserve.

In 1997, to support a bid to capture a major inward investment project, work was started to develop the internal infrastructure on the site. However, it was announced in 1999 that the major inward project would not proceed.

In order to make use of the infrastructure that was in place, various initiatives were made to encourage the private sector to support economic development on the park. However, on each occasion the private sector partners did not proceed with their proposals.

The most recent public private joint venture initiative was launched in 2002. Its aim was to develop the site as an international business park capable of supporting up to 10,000 jobs. However, overall planning permission for the site could not easily be achieved, primarily due to traffic management concerns, and the initiative collapsed in 2004.

Invest NI continued to work closely with Planning Service through the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) team to ensure that the site could be developed to meet the needs of its client companies.

In 2006, responding to an upsurge in demand for property solutions from its clients, Invest NI concluded that it needed to plan for the release of further serviced sites in the general locale, as its land in North Belfast and Mallusk, in particular, was fast diminishing. After a period of further and detailed discussions, an acceptable way forward was agreed. Planning permission was granted on 15 January 2008.

In line with its property policy, Invest NI is now marketing the park to existing and prospective clients and is confident that the park, in common with its other property holdings right across Northern Ireland, will attract considerable interest.

Reconnect Scheme

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the amount of money that was allocated for grants; and (ii) the amount of money that has been distributed, under the Reconnect Scheme; and what consideration he has given to extending this scheme.

(AQW 3245/08)

Mr N Dodds: To date £7.4m has been allocated by means of Letters of Offer for grants under the Reconnect Scheme, £4.2m of this allocation has been paid out in grants to 31 January 2008.

The Reconnect scheme will need to be evaluated before any decisions in respect of further phases can be made. Any future support for a household renewables scheme going forward will need to take into account changing market conditions, value for money and the effect on competitiveness

Comprehensive Spending Review

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) his department's bids in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review; and (ii) the amount of funding that has been allocated against them in the Budget 2008-11.

(AQW 3306/08)

Mr N Dodds: I attach as Annexes tables showing DETI’s Resource and Capital bids and the amount of funding that has been allocated in the Budget 2008-11.

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment - Resource Bids / Allocations

	2008-09		2008-09		2008-09
Objective and Spending Area	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
	Bids	Allocations	Bids	Allocations	Bids	Allocations
Objective A
Economic Development, Policy & Research	1,070	90	1,083	913	1,851	1,727
Economic Infrastructure/Minerals	2,233	200	2,056	1,775	1,993	1,710
Invest Northern Ireland	22,396	16,096	23,090	19,658	24,271	24,271
Development of Tourism	4,865	3,865	3,830	3,830	4,315	4,315
Tourism Ireland Ltd	3,554	2,100	3,384	3,384	3,931	3,931
N/S Body - InterTradeIreland	818	0	1,351	1,351	1,724	1,724
EU Support for Economic Development	0	0	0	0	0	0
Business Regulatory Services	1,314	470	2,511	2,511	2,793	2,793
Health & Safety Executive for NI	2,629	69	2,298	2,298	2,571	2,571
Total Objective A	38,879	22,890	39,603	35,720	43,449	43,042
EU Peace Programme Match Funding	2,565	2,565	0	0	0	0
Total	41,444	25,455	39,603	35,720	43,449	43,042

Notes

Resource bids were made against 2007/08 Resource baselines rolled forward into the Budget period with

Integrated Development Fund, Priority Funding Packages, EU Interreg match funding and EU Peace match

funding removed.

The allocation of the funding to InterTradeIreland is subject to the approval, by the sponsoring Departments and

Ministers, of an acceptable Corporate Plan and Annual Operating Plans. This allocation will also be

considered in the context of the outcome of the review of North/South implementation bodies and areas of

co-operation.

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment - Capital Bids / Allocations

	2008-09		2009-10		2010-11
Capital Investment Pillars/Measures	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
	Bids	Allocations	Bids	Allocations	Bids	Allocations
Networks Pillar
Telecommunications	1,390	1,390	6,100	6,100	4,100	4,100
Energy	6,000	6,000	7,900	7,900	4,450	4,450
Productive Pillar
Enterprise & Innovation	26,275	26,275	51,402	51,402	49,752	49,752
Tourism	5,286	5,286	22,500	22,500	19,875	19,875

Total Capital Investment	38,951	38,951	87,902	87,902	78,177	78,177

Notes

Capital bids were made against a zero baseline.

Global Point Business Park

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether or not he plans to offer incentives to attract tenants to Global Point Business Park, Glengormley.

(AQW 3322/08)

Mr N Dodds: All of the land owned by my Department, including that which will become available within Global Point, is reserved solely for Invest NI’s clients, both existing and prospective.

In order for land to be sold, clients must present an immediate, demonstrable and viable business need. Projects are often, but not exclusively, supported by a range of financial and non-financial incentives. The land is sold at current market value.

The demand for affordable serviced sites is high. 2007/08 will see a record year for Invest NI property sales, with over 120 acres sold. Global Point will free up a fresh stock of serviced sites, reacting to the diminishing stock in South Antrim generally, and North Belfast and Mallusk in particular. The land will initially be marketed at £500,000 per acre.

I have every confidence that Global Point will attract development projects from Invest NI clients over a reasonable timeframe. I have no plans to offer specific incentives to attract tenants to the park.

Tourists

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide a breakdown of the nationalities of tourists who visited Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.

(AQW 3345/08)

Mr N Dodds: Final visitor figures for 2007, including estimates for individual countries, will not be available until May 2008 and will identify country of residence rather than nationality.

The information currently available is the preliminary estimated breakdown of visitors to Northern Ireland in 2007 by main market area. This is set out in the table below:

Main Market Area:	All Visits (Estimated)
Great Britain	1,263,000
Irish Republic	301,000
Mainland Europe	254,000
North America	166,000
Elsewhere	67,000
Total:	2,051,000

Trip to Brussels

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide a report on his recent trip to Brussels.

(AQW 3399/08)

Mr N Dodds: I had the privilege of hosting a Reception at the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels on the 24th of January 2008 to mark 100 years of aviation innovation in Northern Ireland. Short Brothers, one of the world’s oldest aircraft companies, was founded in 1908 and celebrates its centenary this year.

The significance of this important aviation milestone provided an ideal platform from which to further promote Northern Ireland’s impressive credentials as a major force in world aviation; with an annual turnover of some £800 million, much of it exported, and employment across a diverse range of companies, of some 8,500.

The Brussels event was attended by 60 targeted individuals with an interest in transportation including aviation policy, research and development, regional development and government.

I am confident that the Reception, at which representatives of local aerospace companies and from the European Commission also spoke, achieved its objective in terms of further heightening awareness of Northern Ireland as a key player within the UK’s aerospace industry. This is extremely important as we continue to strive to secure further investment in this vitally important part of our regional economy.

Economic Disadvantage

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what is meant by 'an area of economic disadvantage', in relation to PSA1 objective 2.

(AQW 3408/08)

Mr N Dodds: This refers to those areas identified on the disadvantaged area maps developed by DETI. Based on data from the income and employment domains of the 2005 Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure, the current DETI maps identify Derry, Strabane, Omagh, Cookstown, Newry and Mourne and Dungannon Council areas, together with pockets of Belfast, as the focus for Departmental policies and programmes which can contribute towards tackling disadvantage. The detailed maps are available on the DETI website at www.detini.gov.uk

Economically Inactive People

Ms M Anderson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of economically inactive people in Derry/Londonderry, between the ages of 18 and 24, in terms of both employment and training.

(AQW 3468/08)

Mr N Dodds: The closest approximation to the figures requested comes from the January –December 2006 Labour Force Survey (LFS). At that time, it was estimated that there were 12,000 people aged 18-24 in Derry District Council area and the economic status of these people is shown in the table below.

Economic Status of those aged 18-24 in Derry District Council Area

Economic Status	Number¹
In Employment	5,000
Unemployed	1,000
Economically Inactive	5,000
Economically inactive and - In Full-time Education²	3,000
- Not in Full-time Education²	2,000

¹ These estimates are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a higher than usual degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution.

² Information on those economically inactive and in part-time education/training is not available.

Figures may not sum due to rounding.

Source: NI Labour Force Survey (LFS)

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Protection Agency

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to give her assessment on the impact an Environmental Protection Agency would have on the Planning Service.

(AQW 2839/08)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): No decision has been made as to whether or not an Environmental Protection Agency will be established. However, I am concerned that if an Environmental Protection Agency were implemented with the functions and responsibilities that REGNI recommends, the planning decision making process could be slowed down.

Road Deaths

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of the Environment for her assessment of the level of road deaths in 2007.

(AQW 3096/08)

Mrs A Foster: The provisional total for the number of people killed on the roads in Northern Ireland during 2007 is 112. This represents a reduction of 11% on the 2006 figure of 126, and equals the figure recorded in 1947, which was the lowest since records began in 1931. Five children died in 2007, again the lowest on record.

Significant progress has been made but there is much more that we can do and I am particularly concerned 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 am seeking new measures to complement those that we already know are working.

Table 1 below provides the 2007 provisional fatality statistics by road user type for all road users. Table 2 provides the 2007 provisional fatality statistics by gender for all road users.

Table 1: Road Traffic Fatality Statistics 2007 (All Road Users)

	Under 16	Adult	Total
Pedestrian	3	13	16
Driver	0	44	44
Passenger	2	22	24
Pedal Cyclist	0	2	2
Motorcyclist	0	25	25
Pillion Passenger	0	1	1
Total	5	107	112

Table 2: Road Traffic Fatality Statistics 2007 (Gender)

	Male	Female	Total
Pedestrian	11	5	16
Driver	35	9	44
Passenger	16	8	24
Pedal Cyclist	2	0	2
Motorcyclist	25	0	25
Pillion Passenger	0	1	1
Total	89	23	112

Hospitality Expenditure

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the department's total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3139/08)

Mrs A Foster: The table below sets out the total cost of hospitality and entertainment in my Department in each of the last five years.

Year	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Total	£8,273	£11,804	£10,600	£21,118	£11,615

Sewer Hotspots

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration he has given to designating sewer hotspots, similar to the sewerage treatment hotspots currently in existence.

(AQW 3154/08)

Mrs A Foster: I have no plans to designate further areas either as sewer or sewage treatment hotspots.

The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) will continue to assess and comment on the environmental implications of planning applications on an individual basis.

EHS works closely with Northern Ireland Water to identify solutions for sewer system upgrades and to prioritise the work. The upgrading of 7 sewer systems has been completed with work continuing in a further 9 areas.

Belfast City Airport

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an update on the progress of the Review of the 1997 Belfast City Airport Planning Agreement.

(AQW 3207/08)

Mrs A Foster: The George Best Belfast City Airport authorities requested a review of the 1997 Planning Agreement in July 2004 in the context of removing the seats-for-sale provision. My Department consulted widely on the proposed review, including holding an Examination in Public (EiP) in June 2006.

My officials have been considering the way forward following an announcement by the then Minister in December 2006 that the Department largely accepted the EiP’s panel report. Unfortunately, the EiP panel’s recommendations were the subject of a Judicial Review challenge during 2007 which delayed the matter.

My Department hopes to finalise the revised agreement shortly following consultation with the Airport Forum and the local councils.

Health Impact Assessment

Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of the Environment if she will give an assurance that a Health Impact Assessment will be carried out on the application to extend the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport.

(AQW 3208/08)

Mrs A Foster: An application for an extension to the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport has not been received by Planning Service, however one is expected. Any application will require an Environmental Impact Statement and the agents for the airport have requested a scoping exercise for the proposal under the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (NI) 1999 in order to gauge what will have to be included in any statement.

I can assure you that any Environmental Impact Statement submitted will have to address all aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the development. Planning Service will consult with agencies such as the

Northern Ireland Health and Safety Executive and the Environmental Health Department of Belfast City Council to ensure these issues have been adequately addressed.

Ulster Farm By-Products

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) legal proceedings brought by her department against Ulster Farm By-Products, Glenavy; and (ii) the outcomes of these proceedings.

(AQW 3222/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department has taken 6 prosecutions against Ulster Farm By-Products under the Water (Northern Ireland ) Order 1999 for offences involving water pollution. Details, including the fines imposed by the Magistrates Court, are as follows:

DATE OF INCIDENT	OUTCOME OF COURT CASE
13 February 2002	£750 + costs
11 March 2003	£750 + costs
05 August 2003	£1,000 + costs
18 March 2004	£1,250 + costs
30 November 2004	£4,500 + costs
26 April 2005	£3,600 + costs

A further case under the Pollution Prevention and Control (NI) Regulations 2003 is with the Courts at present and I therefore cannot comment about that case at this time.

Recycling Banks

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to list the locations of Tetra Pak recycling banks; and to detail what plans she has to install these at other locations.

(AQW 3235/08)

Mrs A Foster: Tetra Pak recycling banks have been installed in 22 District Council areas where they are located alongside other recycling bank facilities. A list of locations is attached at Annex A. Omagh, and Dungannon and South Tyrone District Councils operate kerbside collections and recycling banks are soon to be installed at 5 recycling points in Banbridge District. Limavady District has no facilities at present.

The installation of Tetra Pak recycling banks is a contractual matter between the supplier and respective District Council. The Department’s only responsibility is to monitor civic amenity sites.

ANTRIM

Newpark HRC, Orchard Way, Newpark, Antrim, BT41 2RU.
Craigmore HRC, Clonkeen Road, Randalstown, Antrim, BT41 3JL.
Crumlin HRC, Railway Yard, Main Street, Crumlin, Antrim, BT29 4UP.
Tidal, Toome House, 55 Main Street, Toome, Antrim, BT41 3TF.
12 Milestone Shopping Complex, Belfast Road, Templepatrick, BT39 OAT.

ARDS

Newtownards HWRC, 151 Quarry Heights, North Road, Newtownards, BT23 7SZ.

ARMAGH

Station Road Recycling Centre, Station Road, Armagh, Co Armagh, BT61 7JD.
Markethill Recycling Centre, Markethill Business Centre, Fairgreen, Markethill, Co Armagh, BT60 1PW.
Keady Recycling Centre, Unit 17, Keady Business Centrem, Annvale Road, Keady, Co Armagh, BT60 2RP.
Tandragee Recycling Centre, Madden Road, Tandragee, Co Armagh, BT62 2DG.
Richhill Leisure Centre, Richhill Pavillion, New Line, Richhill, Co Armagh, BT61 9AD.

BALLYMENA

Clough Vets carpark, Springmount road, Omagh.
Ahoghill Playing Fields carpark, Cardonaghy Road, Ahoghill.
Parochial Hall carpark, Lisamanny Road, Martinstown.
Broughshane Community Centre, Kockan Road, Broughshane, BT43 7LE.
Waveney Road Depot, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1AB.

BALLYMONEY

Knock Road Civic Amenity Site, 44 Knock Road, BT53 6LX.
Crosstagherty Civic Amenity Site, 8 Burnquarter Road, BT53 7EN.

BELFAST CITY

Blackstaff Way Recycling Centre, 1 Blackstaff Way, Belfast, BT11 9DT.
Alexandra Park Recycling Centre, 180 Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast, BT15 3GJ.
Palmerston Road Recycling Centre, 2-4 Palmerston Road, Belfast, BT4 1QA.
Ormeau Recycling Centre, 6 Park Road, Belfast, BT7 2FX.
Clara Street Recycling Centre, 1-35 Clara Street, BT5 5GB.

CARRICKFERGUS

Bring Site Whitehead, Castleview Road, Whitehead, BT38 9NA.
Harbour Car Park, Marine Highway, Carrickfergus, BT38 7FG.
C.A. Site, 10 Marshallstown Road, Carrickfergus, BT38 9DE.

CASTLEREAGH

Cregagh Road HRC, Cregagh Road, Belfast, BT6 9EY.
Carryduff HRC, Comber Road, Carryduff, BT8 8AN.
Cregagh Youth Community Centre, Mount Merrion Avenue, Belfast, BT6 0FG.

COLERAINE

Portrush Recycling Centre, Cause Way Street, BT56 8NL.
Kilrea Civic Amenity Site, Lisnagrot Road, BT51 5SE.
Garvagh Civic Amenity Site, Limavady Road, Garvagh, BT51 5EB.
Coleraine Civic Amenity Site, The Depot, Gateside Road, BT52 2PB.
Castlerock Civic Amenity Site, Reeland Road, BT51 4TR.

COOKSTOWN

Cookstown CA Site, Molesworth Street, BT80 8PA.
Moneymore CA Site, Moneyhaw Road, BT45 7XJ.

CRAIGAVON

Newline Civic Amenity Site, Tandragee Road, Co Armagh, BT66 8TA.
Fairgreen Civic Amenity Site, Duke Street, Co Armagh, BT62 3EX.

DERRY

Pennyburn CA Site, Unit 23, Pennyburn Industrial Estate, BT48 0LU.
Brandywell CA Site, Lonemoor Road, BT48 9LB.
Glandermott Road CA Site, 37 Glendermott Road, Waterside, BT47 6BG.
Claudy CA Site, Learmount Road, Claudy, BT47 4AQ.
Strathfoyle Household Recycling Centre, Temple Road, Strathfoyle BT47.

DOWN

Cloonagh Road HRC, Cloonagh Road, Downpatrick, BT30 6LJ.
Drumanakelly HRC, Demesne Road, Seaforde, BT30 8SE.
Bann Road HRC, Bann Road, Castlewellan, BT30.

FERMANAGH

Drummee Integrated Waste Management Facility, Drummee, Derrygonnelly Road, Enniskillen, BT74 7EY.
Kesh Recycling Site, Dromard Road, Kesh, BT93 1TE.
Lisnaskea Recycling Site, Killypaddy Road, Lisnaskea, BT92 0HE.
Belleek Recycling Site, Station Road, Belleek, BT93 3FX.
Irvinestown Recycling Site, Enniskillen Road, Irvinestown, BT94 1GP.

LARNE

Islandmagee Bring Centre, Islandmagee Community Centre, Middle Road, Islandmagee, BT40.
Glenarm HRC, Dickeystown Road, Glenarm, BT44.
Drains Bay Bring Centre, Coast Road, larne, BT40.
Redlands HRC, Harbour Highway, Larne, BT40.

LISBURN

Drumlough Landfill Site, Dromera Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6QA.
The Cutts CA Site, Derriaghy, BT17 9HN.
Hillsborough Forest Park, Lisburn.
Village Service Station, Moira, BT67 0LE.

MAGHERAFELT

Maghera Civic Amenity Site, Station Road Industrial Estate, Station Road, Maghera, BT46 5BS.
Castledawson Civic Amenity Site, Moyola Road, Castledawson, BT45 8AN.
Draperstown Civic Amenity Site, Sperrin Industrial Estate, Magherafelt Road, Draperstown, BT45 7AF.
Bellaghy Community Recycling Point, Gulladuff Road, Bellaghy, BT45 5QF.
Tobermore Community Recycling Point, Lisnamuck Road, Tobermore, BT45 8LW.

MOYLE

Carneatly Amenity Site, 55 Moyarget Road, Ballycastle, BT54 6HL.
Sheskburn House, 7 Mary Street, Ballycastle, BT54 6QH.
Bushmills Community Centre, Dunluce Road, Bushmills, BT57 8QG.
McKillops Spar, 2 Coast road, Cushendall, BT44 0RU.
Armoy Riverside Play Area, Church Road, Armoy, BT53 8XQ.

NEWRY

Newry CAS, Chapel Road, Newry, Co Down, BT34 2QE.
Warrenpoint CAS, Upper Dromore Road, Warrenpoint, Co Down, BT34 3PN.
Kilkeel CAS, Ballymageough Road, Kilkeel, Co Down, BT34 4HW.
Carnlough CAS, Quarter Road, Carnlough, Newry, Co Down, BT35 7EE.
Newtownhamilton CAS, Newry Road, Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh, BT35 0AG.
Augnagun Landfill and CAS, Chapel Hill Road, Mayobridge, BT34 2EX.
Hilltown CAS, Rostrevor Road, Hilltown, Co Down, BT34 5TZ.

NEWTOWNABBEY

Bruslee RC, Belfast Road, Newtownabbey, BT39 9LS.

NORTH DOWN

Rathgael HRC, Balloo Avenue, Bangor, BT19 7QY.
Holywood Civic Amenity Site, Sullivan Close, Holywood.

STRABANE

Buryhill road Recycling Centre, Dunnamanagh, Strabane, BT82 0NR.
Spar, 12-14 Lower Strabane Road, Castlederg, BT81 7AZ.
ASDA, Branch Road, Strabane, BT82 8EQ.
Douglas Road Recycling Centre, Newtownstewart Strabane, BT78 4NE.
Fox Lodge Cricket Club, 414 Victoria Road, Ballymagorry, Co Tyrone, Strabane, BT82 0AT.

Road Tax

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the income from road tax, accumulated from all vehicles in Northern Ireland, in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3241/08)

Mrs A Foster: The amount of vehicle excise duty collected (net of duty refunded) in Northern Ireland in each of the last 3 financial years is:

2004/05 £122million

2005/06 £130million

2006/07 £134million

Planning Service

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an assessment of the level of experience of staff working in the Planning Service.

(AQW 3271/08)

Mrs A Foster: The table below sets out the average length of service in the NICS for planners at each of the Professional and Technical grades. It is not possible to reflect any additional experience that staff may have gained outside the NICS through employment in the private sector or in other local planning authorities in GB or the Republic of Ireland.

The Planning Service is enhancing the experience of its specialist staff through investment in training and Continuing Professional Development.

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL STAFF IN THE PLANNING SERVICE
GRADE	NUMBER	AVERAGE YEARS (NICS)
TG1	3	30.58
TPA	12	3.50
PTO	148	7.80
HPTO	179	9.98
SPTO	90	14.62
PPTO	43	25.66
GRADE 6	10	29.99
GRADE 5 (Director)	2	34.71


TOTAL	487	12.04

Single Library Authority

Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the influence the establishment of a single Library Authority will have on local government reform, in the context of the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 3272/08)

Mrs A Foster: Following the publication of the emerging findings of the review of the RPA decisions, as they relate to local government, a number of stakeholder events were held to provide the opportunity for focused discussion of the initial proposals. Stakeholders were also invited to submit written comments on the emerging findings and initial proposals, if they felt that this was appropriate. During this engagement process a number of stakeholders put forward views on the future provision of library services.

These views are being considered by the Executive Sub Committee, which I chair, and the Executive as a whole will make the final decisions on which functions transfer to local government, when it receives a report from the Executive Sub Committee.

Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of applications for (i) single housing developments; and (ii) multiple housing developments, that have been approved for Carryduff since the adoption of Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP).

(AQW 3289/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (BMAP) which was published in November 2004 is still in draft form and is currently the subject of a Public Inquiry conducted by the Planning Appeals Commission which is due to finish in late April 2008. The purpose of the Public Inquiry is to hear representations made to the Department during the Public Consultation period following publication of BMAP. The PAC will consider the issues raised at the Public Inquiry and report its findings back to Planning Service and the findings will be considered before BMAP is adopted, however in the interim BMAP is still a material consideration in determining planning applications.

From the publication of BMAP until December 2007 three approvals have been granted for single dwellings within Carryduff. This figure excludes any approvals granted for replacement dwellings. In the same period 18 approvals have been granted for multiple dwellings.

BMAP does not set any specific targets for new housing development in Carryduff. The Plan allocates housing growth potential to the town and the Department monitors development through its annual Land Use Availability Survey. In BMAP the potential housing yield is approximately 1400 units. In response to the publication of the Revised Housing Growth Indicators by the Department for Regional Development, the Department, in a paper published in June 2007, put forward a revised allocation of approximately 2000 units. This revised allocation is a matter that has been debated as part of the Inquiry process into the plan and is now a matter for the Planning Appeals Commission to consider.

Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm whether or not targets set for new housing developments in Carryduff, under the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP), have been met.

(AQW 3290/08)

Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her plans to extend the current new housing development allocation for Carryduff before or beyond 2015/2025.

(AQW 3291/08)

The Sperrins Area

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has (i) to review the area designated as the Sperrins Area of Natural Beauty; and (ii) to consult with the surrounding community as part of this review.

(AQW 3311/08)

Mrs A Foster: A review of Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is nearly complete. This review has been conducted in accordance with the Department’s policy statement on protected landscapes published in 2003.

Although not required to do so by legislation, the Department, through Environment and Heritage Service, made available a leaflet in the Sperrin area clearly explaining the AONB proposals and inviting comment. It also advertised and held four public meetings. The Department will take account of the comments received in writing and at meetings in reaching any decision to designate.

The consultation process, specified in the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order 1985, requires the Department to consult with the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC) and the relevant councils. Consultations with the seven relevant councils are now complete. CNCC will be asked to comment on the Department’s recommendations, which will take account of public comments received.

Retail Designation Plan

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of the Environment to provide a timescale within which the conclusions of the Craigavon town centre Boundaries and Retail Designation Plan will be made public.

(AQW 3397/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) forwarded its report on the Public Examination, held to consider objections to the draft Craigavon Town Centre Boundaries & Retail Designations Plan, to the Department on 31 December 2007. The Department is currently seeking comment on the Report from relevant consultees.

Following receipt of these consultation responses, Planning Service intends to proceed to Plan adoption by late Spring 2008. This will involve the publication of an Adopted Plan, an Adoption Statement and the PAC report on the Public Examination.

Shooting Sports

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what assessment her department has made of the contribution made to the economy by shooting sports.

(AQW 3418/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department has not undertaken an assessment of the economic value to Northern Ireland of shooting sports.

My Department is however aware of a report jointly published in 2006 by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Countryside Alliance, the Country Land and Business Association and the Game Conservancy Trust. The report indicates that shooting contributes £1.6 billion per annum to the UK economy, including £45m in Northern Ireland.

Planning Policy

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to give a timescale within which she will make a statement in relation to the review of provisions within Planning Policy Statement 14.

(AQW 3488/08)

Mrs A Foster: I indicated in my Statement of 25 October, that I intended to reissue a revised draft PPS 14 in April 2008. Good progress has been made and we are on target to deliver a revised draft by the end of April.

Quarrying

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment what consideration her department is giving to ending quarrying in the Belfast hills.

(AQW 3504/08)

Mrs A Foster: The draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (BMAP) recognises that the ‘Belfast Hills’ are a striking landscape feature which provide Belfast City with its unique natural setting. The ‘Hills’ are regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s finest assets and are designated in BMAP as greenbelt, an Area of High Scenic Value and an Area of Constraint on Mineral Development in order to protect the setting of the Metropolitan Urban Area.

The Department cannot end quarrying in the Belfast hills by the revocation of existing planning permissions. What can be done is greater controls put in place to ensure that a sustainable approach is further developed which protects and conserves the countryside and in particular this important asset.

The draft BMAP 2015 acknowledges the role minerals development has in the provision of employment and its necessity for the construction industry, however, it also recognises the significant impact that quarrying can have on the countryside and the need for a sustainable approach that protects and conserves the countryside. With this in mind Policy COU 8 of draft BMAP proposes that planning permission will not be granted for extraction and/or processing of minerals within the Area of Constraint on Minerals Development. (ACMD)

The Department has also introduced legislation through The Planning (Reform) Northern Ireland (Order) 2006 to carry out an initial review of old mineral permissions (ROMPS) in line with the rest of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This review will not provide the Department with powers to close an existing working quarry through the revocation of planning permission; it will however provide the Department with greater control on established quarries by reviewing their planning conditions and ensuring these are updated in line with current legislation and working practises.

Mullaghglass Landfill Site

Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to her answer to AQW 470/07, to confirm whether or not the owners of Mullaghglass landfill site have complied with condition 20 of their planning permission; and if not, to detail what enforcement action her department will take.

(AQW 3505/08)

Mrs A Foster: Planning permission for Mullaghglass Landfill site was granted subject to a number of conditions, among them condition 20 requiring that a footway be constructed, before the site becomes operational, along a section of the Mullaghglass Road fronting the site and adjacent properties.

A planning application was submitted in March 2007 seeking approval to construct the footway. This application remains under consideration with Planning Service.

The owners of Mullaghglass landfill site have not yet complied with condition 20 of the planning permission. However their actions to date, in terms of progressing the planning application, would indicate that it is their intention to construct the footway, subject to planning permission.

It would not be expedient for Planning Service to pursue enforcement action in this particular case when it is actively considering a planning application for works which would resolve the current breach of planning control. However the specific enforcement actions that Planning Service might resort to should the need arise include breach of condition notices, enforcement notices and stop notices.

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Non-Pensionable Bonuses

Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to the answer to AQW 2145/08, to detail (i) the total amount paid out in non-pensionable bonuses in each of the last three years; and (ii) the reasons for the awarding of these bonuses.

(AQW 2855/08)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): (i) Non-Pensionable Bonuses paid in last 3 years

DFP

Year	NCB	Special Bonus
2005/06	£104,108	£61,125
2006/07	£696,223	£154,437
2007/08	£554,610	£70,990

(ii) the reasons for awarding.

Non-consolidated, non-pensionable bonuses (NCB) for non-industrial civil servants are determined by a formal assessment of overall in-year performance. For staff below the Senior Civil Service (SCS), the levels of bonuses are agreed each year via pay negotiations with Trade Union Side, while for SCS staff they are determined in accordance with the terms of the annual recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Board, as endorsed by Government.

Special Bonuses will be used to reward exceptional performance in particularly demanding tasks or situations during the course of the year or where good performance was achieved under particularly adverse conditions.

Land and Property Services

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, in relation to the £51m of rate debt currently owed to Land and Property Services, to detail (i) the amount of rate debt owed each year, for the last 5 years, by (a) domestic customers; and (b) non-domestic customers; and (ii) the amount of rate debt written off in each of the last 5 years; and to detail the mechanisms to deal with rate debt.

(AQW 3100/08)

Mr P Robinson: (i) Table 1 below shows the rating debt (arrears) carried forward as at 1 April for each of the last five rating years. Figures showing a breakdown for how much of this debt related to the domestic sector and how much to the non-domestic sector are not available.

Table 1. Rate arrears from 2002/2003 to 2006/2007

2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
£22M	£24.6M	£35.2M	£48.7M	£88.3M

(ii) Table 2 shows the amounts of rating debt written-off in each of the last five financial years. It also shows the amounts written off as percentages of the rate arrears for that year. Debts are only written off after all available means of recovery have been exhausted.

Table 2. Rating debt written-off from 2002/2003 to 2006/2007 (also shown as a percentage of the rate arrears for that year)

2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
£1.3M(5.9%)	£2.0M(8.1%)	£1.9M(5.4%)	£1.5M(3.1%)	£1.3M(1.4%)

(iii) Land and Property Services currently use the following rate recovery process to pursue the payment of outstanding rate arrears.

The issue of payment reminders;
Proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court to secure a decree for the debt;
Enforcement of the decree through the Enforcement of Judgements Office; and
Bankruptcy and or liquidation proceedings through the High Courtigh Cout .

During this rating year 32,577 instalment payment reminders and 84,871 final payment notices issued. A total of 17,500 summonses for the Magistrates’ Courts also issued and almost 500 bankruptcy or liquidation cases are under consideration.

Efficiency Savings

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm whether or not almost half the efficiency savings proposed in his department come from an accountancy reallocation of monies already being received; and to state if this is (i) an accepted practice across Government departments; and (ii) within Whitehall guidelines for efficiency savings.

(AQW 3101/08)

Mr P Robinson: Over the CSR period my Department is taking forward the most wide ranging reform of public services seen for a generation. At the heart of this reform programme is a commitment to developing world class public services that will not only support the needs of the economy but will bring benefits to wider society here in Northern Ireland. Delivering efficiency within public services is central to both the Programme for Government and the Budget over the next three years, and I am establishing a Performance Efficiency Delivery Unit to examine the scope for Departments, including my own, to deliver savings over and above the 3% which has been set.

In excess of 40% of the funding allocated to my Department over the CSR period is required to support the delivery of the key NICS reform programmes on behalf of all NICS Departments. The process of benefits realisation associated with these programmes will extend beyond the CSR period as projects are implemented and service delivery is stabilised. Consequently qualitative and quantitative value for money savings are expected to materialise over the longer term.

Against this backdrop, the efficiency target of £14m by 2010-11 represents a significant challenge. Despite this, my Department has identified, and is committed to delivering efficiencies of at least £14.8m by 2010-11, thereby finding savings which are 5% above the set target.

Of the total efficiencies identified by 2010-11, £5.7m (38.5%) relates to the recognition of income associated with recouping the cost of collection of District Rates on behalf of District Councils. In relation to whether this is accepted practice across departments and falls within Whitehall guidelines, income represents a significant component of DFP’s budget and in this context the investigation and subsequent recognition of this income released £5.7m of additional resources for reallocation to priority services across the NI Block. This represents a legitimate cash releasing action and has been included in my Department’s Efficiency Delivery Plan on this basis.

In addition, as a result of work being taken forward by my Department in reforming the delivery arrangements by SEUPB for the new Peace III and Interreg ivA programmes further efficiency savings of £10m have been identified over the life of the programmes. The delivery of these savings were agreed at the North South Ministerial Council meeting on 7 November 2007 and monitoring arrangements will be put in place to ensure that the savings are delivered as planned. This represents a further example and commitment by my Department in terms of promoting efficiency and effectiveness across the wider administration of public services in Northern Ireland.

Hightown Bridge

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm whether or not his department will provide rates relief to businesses and homeowners in Mallusk and Glengormley, to compensate for the year-long closure of the Hightown bridge.

(AQW 3116/08)

Mr P Robinson: Rates relief is administered by Land and Property Services (LPS), an Agency within DFP, in respect of both relief through valuation reduction and application of a hardship relief scheme.

Valuation reductions are considered on a case by case basis with regard to the amount and duration of disruption.

If the Hightown bridge closure does not last for longer than a year I am advised by LPS that homeowners and business occupiers are unlikely to be successful with an application for reduction in the rateable valuation. Their decisions can be appealed to the Valuation Tribunal or Lands Tribunal according to the type of property.

However, all applications for hardship relief will be considered on their own merits. Applications are available on request from LPS.

Rates Relief

Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of instances when rates relief has been provided to (i) businesses; and (ii) local communities, in each of the last 5 years, to compensate for disruption caused by major infrastructure building programmes.

(AQW 3118/08)

Mr P Robinson: There are no instances in the last five years where rates relief has been awarded to businesses or local communities to compensate for disruption caused by major infrastructure building programmes.

Forkhill Army Base

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the proposals in relation to the former Forkhill Army Base that are contained in the outline business case from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

(AQW 3129/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has recently submitted two business cases to DFP for the acquisition and proposed development of the former Forkhill military base. The business cases are currently subject to consideration and discussion between departments - at official level.

I understand that DARD would intend to take the lead in the development of the former Forkhill military base proposed in the business case. The scheme is of course, subject to approval of the business cases in the usual manner.

I also understand that DARD intends to make a bid in the February Monitoring Round for the £4.5m required for the purchase by DSD of the former Forkhill Military Base. Ministers will have an opportunity to consider the matter in that context.

Forkhill Army Base

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether or not the lead role to develop the former Forkhill Army Base will be allocated to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in light of the Outline Business Case.

(AQW 3135/08)

Regional Economic Strategy

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an update on the timescale for a Regional Economic Strategy in relation to the Spring 2008 Investment Conference.

(AQW 3173/08)

Mr P Robinson: The current draft Regional Economic Strategy (RES) reflects the aspirations of the previous Direct Rule Ministers. There is therefore a need to radically rewrite the document to reflect the Assembly and Executive’s economic goals for Northern Ireland, as set out in the Programme for Government and Final Budget.

The redrafting of the RES will now take place in parallel with the second Varney Review. The recommendations of this Review will be highly relevant to the future economic development of Northern Ireland and it would therefore not be appropriate to finalise the RES before this review completes. Sir David Varney is scheduled to report on his second Review in advance of the NI/US Investment Conference scheduled for May 2008. The RES will therefore not be finalised until after the Investment Conference.

Childcare Vouchers

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what actions he is taking to make the salary sacrifice scheme for Childcare Vouchers available to Northern Ireland Civil Service staff.

(AQW 3195/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Northern Ireland Civil Service is committed to introducing a salary sacrifice childcare voucher scheme and work has been underway for sometime to ensure that it can be delivered as part of the new payroll system which will become operational later this year.

Migrant Workers

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of births to migrant workers, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3218/08)

Mr P Robinson: Information is not collected on the birth certificate on whether the parents are migrant workers; however the country of birth of the mother and father are given indicating that they were at some time migrants to Northern Ireland. The table attached gives the number of births registered by the mother’s and father’s country of birth for the years 2004 to 2006.

Country of Birth of Parents	2004	2005	2006
Either lone parent or both parents from Northern Ireland	17,149	17,138	17,570
Either lone parent or both parents from Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland	624	613	622
Either lone parent or both parents from the Rest of World	676	619	921
One parent from Northern Ireland and one parent from Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland	2,935	2,994	3,116
One parent from Northern Ireland and one parent from the Rest of World	783	817	897
One parent from Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland and one parent from the Rest of World	151	147	146
Total	22,318	22,328	23,272

*Rest of the world excludes the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Forkhill Army Base

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm whether or not he will provide financial assistance for the proposed development of the former Forkhill army base.

(AQW 3225/08)

Rates Review

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of references there have been for rates review, for each parliamentary constituency, in the last financial year.

(AQW 3227/08)

Mr P Robinson: The total number of application based valuation reviews registered by the Valuation & Lands Agency (now Land & Property Services) in the financial year 2006-2007 was 45,075.

A breakdown of the numbers by case type and parliamentary constituency is set out in the Table below.

Parliamentary Constituency	Domestic Cases (Capital Value)	Domestic Cases (NAV)	Non Domestic Cases (NAV)	Totals
Belfast East	1,682	414	306	2,402
Belfast North	943	443	408	1,794
Belfast South	2,215	832	432	3,479
Belfast West	552	366	218	1,136
East Antrim	1,509	272	187	1,968
East Londonderry	1,550	1,111	408	3,069
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	1,335	701	538	2,574
Foyle	1,085	566	327	1,978
Lagan Valley	2,216	527	426	3,169
Mid Ulster	1,039	820	444	2,303
Newry & Armagh	1,439	653	488	2,580
North Antrim	1,697	258	341	2,296
North Down	2,344	561	173	3,078
South Antrim	1,664	266	289	2,219
South Down	1,898	497	470	2,865
Strangford	2,457	630	287	3,374
Upper Bann	1,616	724	392	2,732
West Tyrone	825	886	348	2,059
Totals	28,066	10,527	6,482	45,075

Payment of Rates

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail what steps he is taking to ensure that checks are made so that (i) letters demanding payment of rates are not issued to; and (ii) debt proceedings are not taken against, people who are in receipt of Income Support.

(AQW 3231/08)

Mr P Robinson: Land and Property Services will only know that a ratepayer is in receipt of Income Support if they are informed, usually when the ratepayer applies for Housing Benefit.

Those claimants who receive full Income Support are often entitled to full Housing Benefit, and in these cases there will be no rates to pay, and rate demands will not be issued. If a claimant is not entitled to full Housing Benefit, rate demands are issued advising them of their liability, less any Housing Benefit/Rate Relief awarded.

All rating staff have access to information about the current status of such claims, and collection and recovery staff will not take any action until a claim has been assessed. However, once a claim has been assessed, if for any reason a balance remains outstanding, a rate demand will issue. For example, there may be rates due for a period prior to the claim, or as a result of a change in circumstances.

Land and Property Services will not knowingly issue legal proceedings against customers receiving Income Support, but letters may issue and recovery action start in unidentified cases.

Once known, the staff in Land and Property Services have been trained to deal with these types of cases sympathetically by –

assisting the ratepayer to claim Housing Benefit
making suitable arrangements regarding the payment of outstanding rates
deferring recovery action.

Renewable Energy

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline (i) current building regulations for the inclusion of renewable energy in building construction; (ii) what percentage of energy consumption in each property should come from renewable energy; and (iii) whether or not any changes to the regulations are planned.

(AQW 3249/08)

Mr P Robinson: Current building regulations adopt a "whole building approach" to carbon emissions using a methodology that sets a target carbon emission rate to be met or bettered by the building. It is up to the designer to determine whether or not to use low or zero carbon technologies to help achieve the target. The target is stretching enough to encourage builders to install renewable technologies, while giving builders the flexibility to explore all energy efficiency measures. The Regulations do not contain any specific requirements for the inclusion of renewable energy in building construction, nor do they require that a percentage of a building’s energy come from renewable sources. Amendments to the primary legislation will be introduced shortly to the Assembly that will introduce a power that will permit future regulations to require a percentage of a building’s energy use to come from renewable sources when it is appropriate to do so.

Officials will be going out to public consultation soon on proposed changes to Parts D (Structure) and J (Solid waste in buildings) of the building regulations. In addition, I have asked officials to begin work on a revision of Part F (Conservation of fuel and power) that will require a reduction in carbon emissions from buildings by a further 25%.

Peace III Funds

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what action he is taking to ensure that there is greater clarity and direction from the Special European Union Programmes Body in relation to (i) the amount of funding; (ii) process to be followed; and (iii) timescales to be adhered to, by bodies seeking to access Peace III funding.

(AQW 3265/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is required to provide clear advice on all aspects of PEACE funding. SEUPB will continue to encourage suitable funding applications from throughout the eligible area.

Under the local government element of Theme 1.1, Building Positive Relations at the Local Level, SEUPB has requested that local authorities group themselves into clusters, and that these clusters agree and submit Peace and Reconciliation Action Plans by the end of March 2008. SEUPB, as PEACE III Managing Authority, provided local authorities with detailed guidelines on the production of these Action Plans in July 2007. The plans will, upon submission, be closely assessed against the agreed selection criteria. The amount of funding allocated to each cluster will be dependant on the quality of the Action Plan submitted.

In relation to the other PEACE III Themes, two are currently open to applications. The regional element of Theme 1.1 opened on 28 January 2007. This is a rolling call and SEUPB will advertise a closing date later in the year. Theme 2.1, Creating Shared Public Spaces, opened on 15 November 2007. It will close in February 2008 and will reopen at a later date in the programming period. Information on processes to be followed by applicants is available on the SEUPB website (www.seupb.eu).

Peace III Funds

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the reasons for a one year delay in the Peace III programme; and to confirm that funding contracts, due to be released in early 2008, are being moved back to the end of this current year.[R]

(AQW 3266/08)

Mr P Robinson: There has been no delay to the start of the PEACE III Programme. The new Programme is already open. The PEACE III Programme was approved by the European Commission on 6 November 2007 and the first call for applications under Theme 2.1, Creating Shared Public Spaces, was launched on 15 November 2007.

Contracts for the delivery of funding under Theme 1.1, Building Positive Relations at the Local Level, will follow the submission and assessment of Peace and Reconciliation Action Plans. The Action Plans are due to be submitted by local authority clusters to SEUPB by the end of March 2008. This deadline is 3 months later than originally planned and was revised from late 2007 in order to permit the finalising of the cluster arrangements.

Peace III Funds

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm who has lead responsibility in managing Peace III funding; and to detail what action is being taken to ensure that applications are submitted and processed within an acceptable timescale.

(AQW 3267/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has lead responsibility for the PEACE III Programme.

Within SEUPB the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) has responsibility for implementation of the majority of the programme’s Themes. However, a consortium comprising the Community Relations Council and Border Action has been contracted to act as Implementing Body for the Theme Acknowledging and Dealing with the Past. The work of programme implementation includes promotion of available funding opportunities and encouraging suitable project applications. Applications for funding can already be made to the Programme. SEUPB is working with local government clusters to receive their action plans by the end of March.

SEUPB is committed to providing a high standard of service to all applicants, and has developed Service Delivery Standards which set out the timeframes within which project promoters can expect applications to be processed. These range from 10 weeks for applications for small grants under £20,000, to 30 weeks for the largest applications for funding in excess of £350,000.

Peace III Funds

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the exact amount of funds available, per cluster area, under Peace III; and to confirm (i) that a sum of 10 million euro was the first indicative amount; and (ii) that this figure, for the Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Larne cluster areas, now equates to £1.4 million to be distributed over two years.

(AQW 3268/08)

Mr P Robinson: No amounts have yet been allocated to any local authority. The allocations to each cluster will be dependant on the quality of Peace and Reconciliation Action Plans submitted. The Action Plans are due to be submitted by the end of March 2008, when they will be assessed against the selection criteria which were agreed by the two Member States and the Northern Ireland Executive.

For illustrative purposes, SEUPB’s July 2007 guidance to local authorities provided an indicative total allocation to local action plans in the range €40-60 million. This indicative total related to the first tranche of local action plan funding (2008-2010) only.

SEUPB has also advised local authority clusters to use the relevant PEACE II Extension Local Strategy Partnership (LSP) allocations as a guide to the level of funding that might be available to them. No amounts can be confirmed until Action Plans are received and assessed

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of meetings he has had with each of the 3 MEPs from Northern Ireland; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings, since the restoration of devolution in May 2007.

(AQW 3279/08)

Mr P Robinson: In my capacity as Minister for Finance and Personnel I have had no meetings with any of the 3 MEPs from Northern Ireland since the restoration of devolution

Civil Service

Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps are being taken to ensure that current vacancies within the Northern Ireland Civil Service are filled quickly in order to improve the efficiency of his department.

(AQW 3292/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Department of Finance and Personnel is responsible for ensuring that the correct polices and procedures are in place to allow Departments to fill vacancies as and when they require. The policies on recruitment to and promotion within the NICS are reviewed on an ongoing basis and processes streamlined to ensure that candidates are selected on the basis of fair and open competition in line with the NICS Codes of Practice and Equal Opportunities Policy Statement and in accordance with the Equality Commission’s Codes of Practice. In all cases the objective is to make appointments as expeditiously as possible.

Water Supply

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm whether or not people who live in rural areas, who are not connected to the mains water supply, will be entitled to a rebate of the water charge element that is incorporated into their rates bill.

(AQW 3316/08)

Mr P Robinson: While regional rate revenue makes a significant contribution to financing the cost of water and sewerage services, the annual regional domestic rates bill for each household does not include a specific charge in respect of these services. Thus the question of a rebate does not arise.

However, the Executive has accepted the Independent Water Review Panel’s recommendation that, from 2008/09, this contribution (which it estimated at around £109m per annum) should be fully recognised. This will be explained to domestic ratepayers when they receive their rates bill for 2008/09 and in April 2009 (the date of introduction of direct domestic charges for water and sewerage services) when the regional domestic rate will be reduced by an average of £160 per rate paying household. This approach recognises the current financing arrangements and will clearly address the concerns of ratepayers about the issue of paying twice for water and sewerage services

Childcare Vouchers

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to give an assurance that he will introduce the Salary Sacrifice scheme for Childcare Vouchers prior to 1 April 2008.

(AQW 3337/08)

Comprehensive Spending Review

Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) his department's bids in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review; and (ii) the amount of funding that has been allocated against them in the Budget 2008-11.

(AQW 3360/08)

Mr P Robinson: Bids submitted by the Department of Finance & Personnel in the Comprehensive Spending Review are set out in the attached table. The subsequent table shows the allocations received by the Department. Capital bids and allocations, which have been subject to the Investment Strategy NI process, have been included in these tables.

	CSR 2007
							£000s
	Requested	2008-09		2009-10		20010-11
		Res	Capital	Res	Capital	Res	Capital
	Inflationary Pressures	2,580	-	5,260	-	7,060	-
*	Account NI	8,600	2,413	5,800	4,831	5,900	100
*	e-HR Programme	1,500	6,500	-	3,750	-	-
*	ICT Shared Services Centre	6,350	6,420	6,600	8,600	7,100	8,600
*	NI Direct	2,300	500	3,000	500	3,700	1,000
	Procurement ICT	-	270	-	230	-	250
	Capital Projects & Carbon Neutrality	1,000	12,700	4,000	4,400	4,000	4,400
	Central Energy Efficiency Fund	-	5,000	-	5,000	-	5,000
	Census 2011	1,760	-	1,730	-	4,770	-
	NISRA Line of Business ICT Systems	-	860	-	1,160	-	1,000
	Non Domestic Revaluation	1,200	-	1,300	-	1,000	-
	LPS Line of Business Systems	185	2,300	900	1,100	1,000	1,000
	LPS Data Model	-	400	-	1,500	-	500
	LPS Systems Integration	-	-	-	1,250	-	1,250
	LPS Land Registration Infrastructure	-	1,450	-	1,000	-	1,000
	Tribunal, Commissions & Other Bodies	1,030	-	1,055	-	1,080	-
		26,505	38,813	29,645	33,321	35,610	24,100
	* These relate to Civil Service reform projects which will now be addressed through in year flexibility.

CSR 2007

£000s
Allocated	2008-09		2009-10		20010-11
	Res	Capital	Res	Capital	Res	Capital
Account NI	-	2,410	-	4,800	-	100
Procurement ICT	-	270	-	230	-	250
e-HR Programme	-	6,500	-	3,750	-	-
ICT Shared Service Centre	-	4,700	-	6,620	-	7,300
Network Maintenance	-	300	-	300	-	300
Accommodation Capital Works	-	11,000	-	3,000	-	3,000
Central Energy Efficiency Fund	-	2,000	-	2,000	-	2,000
NISRA Line of Business ICT Systems	-	820	-	1,000	-	1,000
CENSUS 2011	1,200	-	1,200	-	4,200	-
LPS Line of Business Systems	-	2,000	-	1,000	-	1,000
LPS Systems Integration	-	-	-	-	-	1,050
LPS Non Domestic Revaluation	1,100	-	1,100	-	700	-
	2,300	30,000	2,300	22,700	4,900	16,000

Childcare Vouchers

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to give an assurance that he will introduce the Salary Sacrifice scheme for Childcare Vouchers prior to 1 April 2008.

(AQW 3437/08)

Childcare Vouchers

Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to explain why the introduction of a Salary Sacrifice scheme for Child Care vouchers has been screened out of a requirement to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment.

(AQW 3438/08)

Mr P Robinson: It was concluded that the introduction of this scheme would have a low impact on equality of opportunity. It was recognised that parents and guardians who use unregistered childcare may be adversely affected as they are precluded from using the childcare voucher scheme. However, the requirement that the vouchers can only be used to pay for registered childcare is not one my Department can alter as it is laid down by HM Revenue and Customs as a condition of the tax and National Insurance contributions exemption.

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Minor Injuries Unit

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not there are proposals to close the minor injuries unit at the Ards Hospital; and to detail the number of people that have used the minor injuries unit in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3086/08)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): All Departments must achieve 3% efficiency targets per annum across the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) period in line with Executive agreement. For DHSSPS this amounts to £118/£233/£344m expressed cumulatively and therefore all services and all provision must be kept under review.

Trusts must achieve 3% per annum efficiency savings and so I have asked all Trusts to give me their proposals on how CSR efficiencies should be delivered. In developing their proposals, I have specifically asked for efficiencies, not cuts, and that the implications for staff and patients are fully explained. I have not yet received fully worked up proposals from Trusts and I will not be making decisions on Trust efficiency proposals until all these implications are clearly established.

Several members of the Assembly have been strongly advocating efficiencies. It is incumbent on us to take the opportunity now to look across the new Trusts and to reshape services where they can be provided more efficiently and effectively. Where monies are freed up, we will invest them into new service developments for the benefit of patients and clients across Northern Ireland.

The number of attendances at Ards Minor Injuries Unit over the last three years is detailed in the table below.

Year	New Attendances¹	Review Attendances²	Total Attendances
2004-2005	7,977	1,657	9,634
2005-2006	8,571	1,896	10,467
2006-2007	8,968	2,019	10,987

Source: South Eastern HSC Trust

¹A new attendance is the first of a series or the only attendance at a department for accident and emergency services in the hospital.

² A review attendance is any subsequent attendance for the same condition at the same department.

Ambulance Service

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of emergency requests for ambulances made in the (i) Cookstown District Council; and (ii) Magherafelt District Council areas, in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3108/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is as follows:

	2005		2006		2007
	Calls Received	Calls Attended	Calls Received	Calls Attended	Calls Received	Calls Attended
Cookstown DC	1559	1395	1870	1562	2015	1840
Magherafelt DC	1538	1378	1879	1713	2165	2039

The discrepancy between calls received and attended is as a result of hoax/malicious calls or callers hanging up before giving details.

Minor Injuries Unit

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm (i) whether or not the future of the Minor Injuries Unit at Ards Hospital is presently under review; and (ii) it has been under review since he took office.

(AQW 3122/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: All Departments must achieve 3% efficiency targets per annum across the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) period in line with Executive agreement. For DHSSPS this amounts to £118/£233/£344m expressed cumulatively and therefore all services and all provision must be kept under review.

Administration Expenditure

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of the department's budget, in both monetary and percentage terms, that has been spent on administration, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3125/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The table below shows the requested information for the latest five years available.

Year	Administration	Total Budget	Percentage spent on Administration
	£m	£m
2001/02	240.7	2,380.2	10.11%
2002/03	265.1	2,673.7	9.92%
2003/04	284.9	2,942.8	9.68%
2004/05	310.0	3,241.2	9.56%
2005/06	328.9	3,459.0	9.51%

The administration costs relate to Trusts, Boards, Central Services Agency and the Department (including the NIHSS Estates Agency). The administration costs of other bodies such as special agencies are not covered since the costs are expected to be small and could not readily be separately identified.

In all cases the administration costs cover staff costs and specific administrative expenses but the Departmental figures also include more general expenses such as the cost of accommodation.

Social Workers

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of social workers in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust that were on duty over the Christmas and New Year period.

(AQW 3145/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: South Eastern Trust has a contract with the Emergency duty team based in Knockbracken Healthcare Park to provide emergency Social Work services in the evening and weekends and during statutory holiday periods.

Over the Christmas and New Year period there are three statutory holidays - 25^th December, 26th December and January 1^st. and Social Work Services were coordinated through the Emergency Duty team from 5pm on Monday 24^th December to 9am on Thursday 27^th December and from 5pm on Monday 31^st January to 9am on Wednesday 2nd January.

There were a total of 20 Social Workers covering duty across this period on a rota basis.

Social Workers in Residential Childcare units were also on duty on a rota basis during this period – a total of 40 qualified staff.

The table below details the number of Social workers who were on duty on the three days during this period that are not statutory holidays. This is presented by programme of Care and totals 345.5 staff

Programme of Care	Thursday 27^th December 2007	Friday 28^th December 2007	Monday 31^st December 2007
Children’s Disability	5 Social Workers 1 Senior social Worker	7 Social Workers 1 Senior Social Worker	7 Social Workers 1 Senior Social Worker
Adult Disability	5 Social workers 2 Senior Social Workers 1 Senior Manager	5 Social Workers 2 Senior Social workers 1 Senior Manager	5 Social Workers 2 Senior social Workers 1 Senior Manager
Children’s Services	28 Social workers 5 Senior Social Workers 2 Assistant Principal Social Workers 1 Senior Manager	27 Social workers 5 Senior Social Workers 2 Assistant Principal Social Workers 1 Senior Manager	28 Social workers 5 Senior Social Workers 3 Assistant Principal Social Workers 1 Senior Manager
Mental Health	5 Social Workers 1 Senior Social worker	5 Social Workers 1 Senior Social worker	12 Social Workers 1 Senior Social worker
Primary Care	17 Social Workers 2 Social Work Manager	13 social Work Managers 2 social work manager	11.5 Social Workers 2 Social Work Managers
Hospital Social Work	17 Social Workers	17 Social Workers	16 Social Workers
Residential Childcare.	19 Social Workers 2 Senior Social Workers	17 Social Workers 3 Senior Social workers	25 Social Workers 3 Senior Social Workers

New General Hospital

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not any consultations have been carried out, in conjunction with the Health Services Executive in the Republic of Ireland, in relation to the proposal for a new general hospital in the North East; and to outline (i) the findings of the consultation; and (ii) additional co-operation work needed.

(AQW 3161/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I have had no formal consultation on the issue of the location for the new North East Regional Hospital in the Republic of Ireland. The decision on any new hospital in the North East of the Republic of Ireland lies with authorities in the RoI. At official level some publicly available information on the profile of hospital services in Northern Ireland has been provided to the Health Service Executive in the RoI at their request. My responsibility is to secure acute services for the population of Northern Ireland as set out in Developing Better Services.

I am committed to closer collaboration on a North South basis where it is in the mutual interest of both jurisdictions and my Department is currently undertaking a joint feasibility study with the Department of Health and Children to consider further areas for North South co-operation which could offer mutual benefits to both populations.

Private Patients

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total amount of fees, owed by private patients, that has been written off as bad debt, in each of the Health and Social Care Trusts.

(AQW 3186/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information, for the 2006/07 financial year, is detailed in the table below:

HSC Trust	Bad Debt Amount £
Belfast	22676
Northern	3224
Southern	1962
South Eastern	5803
Western	8671*
Ambulance Service	919

*Western Trust had conducted a purge on debts in 2006/07 resulting in a higher than usual number of write-offs.

Clostridium Difficile

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether or not he intends to initiate a Public Inquiry into the recent outbreak of Clostridium difficile, and the resultant deaths of 16 people, including 10 patients at the Antrim Area Hospital.

(AQW 3196/08)

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. Lessons drawn from the RQIA report will be acted on in order to reduce the risk of occurrence of such a outbreak in any hospital in Northern Ireland.

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. These include: single rooms for new hospitals to improve privacy and hygiene; unannounced inspections of all hospitals; a dress code for all health care staff; a regional hand hygiene campaign; rapid response cleaning teams at all hospitals; funding for a pharmacist in each Trust to promote safer prescribing of antibiotics; and quarterly publication of Trusts’ infection control performance.

Clostridium Difficile

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps he has taken to determine the cause of the outbreak of Clostridium difficile in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 3197/08)

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.

Clostridium Difficile

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what actions he has taken to tackle the recent outbreak of Clostridium difficile in Antrim hospitals; and what measures he has put in place to prevent a recurrence.

(AQW 3198/08)

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.

Occupational Therapist

Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average waiting time for a home visit by an Occupational Therapist, in relation to Home Disability Building Adaptations Assessments in the (i) Craigavon Borough Council area; and (ii) Banbridge District Council area, in each of the last 2 years, broken down by electoral ward.

(AQW 3205/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Information on the average waiting time for a home visit by an Occupational Therapist in relation to Home Disability Building Adaptations Assessments is not collected centrally.

Community Information Branch (CIB) within the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety, requested the information from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT). The information provided by the SHSCT is detailed below.

Information on waiting lists and waiting times for a home visit by an Occupational Therapist is not collected in a way that enables identification of those visits that relate only to Home Disability Building Adaptations Assessments. The figures below refer to waiting lists and times for home visits by Occupational Therapists in all capacities, including those waiting for a home visit by an Occupational Therapist in relation to Home Disability Building Adaptations Assessments.

Information on home visits from Occupational Therapists is not collected in a form that would allow average waiting times to be calculated. However, the numbers of people on the waiting list and the longest time someone has been waiting are available at Craigavon and Banbridge legacy Trust level and are outlined overleaf. Figures could not be disaggregated by either Council area or ward level.

Year End	Total waiting list	Longest waiting time
December 2005	695	15 months
December 2006	598	12 months
December 2007	330	26 weeks

On January 28^th 2008 225 adults were waiting for an Occupational Therapy home visit; 109 were waiting 0-6 weeks, 74 were waiting between 6 and13 weeks and 42 were waiting between 13 and 21 weeks. No clients were waiting over 21 weeks.

Mater Hospital

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not a covenant agreement exists that prevents the closure of the Mater Hospital.

(AQW 3210/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Mater Infirmorum Hospital came into the NHS on 1 January 1972 under conditions specified in a Deed of Arrangement, with the then Ministry of Health and Social Services, members of the Mater hospital Board of Management and the Hospital trustees.

The Deed includes, among other things, provision for the leasing of the hospital to the Ministry subject to the terms and conditions contained in the schedule to the Deed.

A specific covenant in the lease requires the Department to only use the premises for the provision of hospital and specialist services. The written consent of the Trustees is required for any other use of the premises.

Migrant Workers

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of migrant workers that have had babies delivered by (i) natural means; and (ii) caesarean section, in each of the last three years.

(AQW 3226/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of migrant workers that have had babies delivered by (i) natural means; and (ii) caesarean section is unavailable.

Information on ‘mode of delivery’ is recorded on the Child Health System operated by each of the four Health Boards. However, the information recorded on this system cannot identify migrant workers.

Hope Centre

Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the current funding provided to the Hope Centre, Ballymena; and (ii) what action he is taking to ensure that no jobs are lost at the centre.

(AQW 3234/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (i) Following the publication of the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (NSD) in May 2006, the Department asked the four local Drug and Alcohol Co-Ordination Teams (DACT) to develop local action plans in support the key priorities and outcomes within the NSD, and to address local need. The DACTs subsequently tendered for organisations to help them deliver on the locally agreed outcomes contained in these action plans.

The Hope Centre submitted a successful bid in respect of the Northern Drug and Alcohol Co-Ordination Team (NDACT) Action Plan’s outcome regarding the provision of support to communities dealing specifically with alcohol and drug issues, and appropriate family support networks and services. As a result, the Hope Centre received funding of approximately £115,000 from October 2006 to March 2008.

(ii) In respect of the NSD, the allocation of funding to local organisations and services is the responsibility of the relevant Health and Social Services Board/DACT. NDACT has now evaluated its local action plan, and following this process the Hope Centre has been offered (and has accepted) an extension of the contract outlined above until 31 March 09.

I understand that the Hope Centre has made a request to the NDACT to use an underspend to fund some core posts within the organisation for a further two months while they seek other potential funding streams. These requests are currently being given full consideration. The Hope Centre has also made a bid for funding from the Northern Health and Social Services Board’s Voluntary and Community Small Grant Scheme – again this is being considered and it is hoped they will be informed of the decision in the next 3-4 weeks.

Doctors Employed

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of doctors presently employed by the Health Service in Northern Ireland and how this number has changed over the past 10 years.

(AQW 3250/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is provided in the table below by category of medical doctor.

	As at September 1997		As at September 2007		Percentage change 1997-2007
	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE
Consultants	843	781.0	1,283	1,213.5	52.2%	55.4%
Career Grade Doctors	473	256	610	437	29.0%	71.0%
Training Grade Doctors	1,262	1,223	1,837	1,820	45.6%	48.8%
Total	2,578	2,259.7	3,730	3,470.4	44.7%	53.6%

Source: Human Resource Management System (HRMS)

Table Notes:

1. Career Grade Doctors include staff grades, associate specialists, hospital practitioners, medical officers and medical practitioners.

2. Training Grade Doctors include house officers, registrars and clinical research fellows.

3. The figures above include medical doctors who may not be practicing but are still graded as such on HRMS and working in an advisory/managerial role.

4. WTE = whole time equivalent of staff.

5. The figures above exclude dental officers/ practitioners.

Nurses Employed

Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of nurses presently employed by the Health Service in Northern Ireland and how this number has changed over the past 10 years.

(AQW 3251/08)

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

	As at September 1997		As at September 2007		Percentage change 1997-2007
	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE
Qualified Nurses	12,967	11,058.2	16,172	13,793.1	24.7%	24.7%
Nursing Support Staff	3,799	3,253.0	4,818	4,126.5	26.8%	26.8%
Total	16,766	14,311.6	20,990	17,919.6	25.2%	25.2%

Source: Human Resource Management System.

Table Notes:

1. Qualified Nurses includes midwives, district nurses, health visitors, community psychiatric nurses, school nurses and other qualified nurses.

2. The figures exclude nurse bank staff and student nurses.

3. WTE = whole time equivalent of staff. The whole time equivalent of staff is calculated by aggregating the total number of hours that staff in a grade are contracted to work, and dividing by the standard hours for that grade. In this way, part-time staff are converted into an equivalent number of ‘whole-time’ staff.

Education Programme

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he has given to (i) the delivery of the Human Papilloma Virus immunization programme through second level education; and (ii) the need for an education programme on cervical cancer and immunization.

(AQW 3252/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department has convened a working group, led by a senior medical officer to plan the implementation of the HPV immunisation programme. One of the first tasks of the group is to consider the feasibility of delivering this as a school-based programme, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. My Department will make a decision on this in the near future.

The working group is also considering education and training on cervical cancer and immunisation as part of the planning for the HPV programme, as I want to achieve the highest possible uptake rate for this immunisation among the young girls we are targeting. Communication and information will be an integral part of the programme.

Sexual Health Services

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he has given to the range of conditions caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, in addition to cervical cancer, and the pressure they place on sexual health services; and what assurance he can give that full consideration will be given to these conditions when deciding on a preferred vaccine.

(AQW 3253/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are a group of more than 100 different types of virus. They are given numbers to distinguish them. HPVs can be transmitted through intimate contact, including sexual intercourse. I am aware that HPV 6 and HPV 11 can cause genital warts. These two are sometimes referred to as ‘low risk’ because they are not associated with cervical cancer. However some types of HPV can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer particularly numbers 16 and 18, and the primary objective of the HPV programme is to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in women which claims 30-40 lives each year in Northern Ireland.

The two vaccines licensed and available in the UK are

Cervarix, which covers Types 16, 18, and
Gardasil, which covers Types 16, 18, 6, 11

The decision on which of these vaccines to use will be made using a single, national competitive tendering process. The overriding factor in choosing a vaccine will be value for money. The tender documents will be issued in the next few weeks and a final decision will be taken as soon as possible so that the chosen supplier can produce the necessary amount of the vaccine in time for the launch of the programme in autumn this year.

Immunisation Programme

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give a timescale within which he intends to implement the Human Papilloma Virus Immunization programme; and to outline what plans he has to implement a catch-up programme.

(AQW 3254/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: At the moment the HPV routine programme will be implemented in the autumn of this year for girls aged 12/13.

The catch-up programme for older girls up to the age of 18 will begin in the autumn of 2009 in line with plans in England and Wales.

Immunization Programme

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the vaccines that are being considered to deliver the Human Papilloma Virus Immunization programme; and to give a timescale within which a decision is likely to be made on the vaccine to be used.

(AQW 3255/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The two vaccines that are being considered to deliver the Human Papiiloma Virus Immunisation programme are Gardasil and Cervarix, both of which are licensed and protect against HPV Types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases.

Minor Injuries Unit

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his plans for the future of the Ards and Bangor Minor Injuries Units.

(AQW 3256/08)

Clostridium Difficile

Mr M McLaughlin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the handling of the recent outbreak of Clostridium Difficile by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust; and to detail the reasons for the delay of six months, in which 16 associated deaths occured, in informing the public of the situation.

(AQW 3257/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I have asked the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) to carry out an independent review on the Northern Trust outbreak as soon as it has been contained. In the meantime the Trust has put in place a robust action plan which includes: revising their antibiotic policy; isolation or cohorting of infected patients, reinforced strict implementation of infection control practices and an enhanced environmental cleaning regime. The RQIA review will consider all aspects of the management of the outbreak including whether the public should have been informed earlier.

Helicopter Pad

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not he plans to install a helicopter pad at the Ulster Hospital.

(AQW 3269/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust are not planning to install a helicopter pad within the redevelopment of the Ulster Hospital.

The original helipad cannot be utilised because of on-going major capital works.

Alternative arrangements have been made in consultation with the Ministry of Defence to utilise the adjacent Tor Bank School grounds in the case of an emergency.

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of meetings he has had with each of the 3 MEPs from Northern Ireland; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings, since the restoration of devolution in May 2007.

(AQW 3281/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I can advise that from taking up office on 8 May 2007 I have not held any meetings with any of the MEP’s, nor have I received any requests for meetings from any of them.

Care Services

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of (i) community nurses; and (ii) lone workers, who provide health and social care services in North Belfast.

(AQW 3283/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Information is not available in respect of community nurses in the form requested and (ii) lone worker status of employees is not routinely recorded on trust information systems and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Figures for nurses who can be identified as working in the community, within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust as a whole, are provided in the table below.

STAFF GROUP	HEADCOUNT	WTE
District nurse	249	212.02
Health visitor	163	135.48
Community midwife	33	25.35
Community psychiatric nurse	17	15.6
Community learning disability nurse	36	35.26
Community mental health nurse	143	137.85
Community paediatric nurse	13	11.26
School nurse	56	42.15
Community treatment room/practice nurse	36	18.73
Community nurse	32	26.75
TOTAL	778	660.45

Source: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust.

Table Notes:

1. The figures above include bank staff that cover for staffing shortfalls and fluctuating workloads.

2. WTE = whole time equivalent of staff. The whole time equivalent of staff is calculated by aggregating the total number of hours that staff in a grade are contracted to work, and dividing by the standard hours for that grade. In this way, part-time staff are converted into an equivalent number of ‘whole-time’ staff.

Caesarean Sections

Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of caesarean sections that were performed in each maternity unit; and to outline how this compares with (i) Great Britain; and (ii) the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 3285/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The table below sets out the number of caesarean sections that were performed in each hospital in Northern Ireland in the Financial Year 2006/2007, the latest year for which information is available.

Hospital	Number of Caesarean Sections
Altnagelvin	553
Antrim	798
Causeway	254
Craigavon Area	1,140
Daisy Hill	586
Erne	240
Lagan Valley	176
Mater	316
Mid-Ulster	83
Royal Jubilee Maternity Service	1,849
Ulster	619
Northern Ireland	6,614

Source: Child Health System

Direct comparisons between this data and data for Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland cannot be made due to the lack of directly comparable and up-to-date published data for England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

However, data is available for the financial year 2005-06 for England and Scotland and for the calendar year 2004 for Wales and the Republic of Ireland. The table below provides the proportion of all births that were delivered by caesarean section in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland for the latest year available.

Country (Year)	Percentage of all Births delivered by Caesarean section
Northern Ireland (2006/2007)	28%
England (2005/2006)	23%
Scotland (2005/2006)	25%
Wales (2004)	25%
Republic of Ireland (2004)	24%

Tonsil Extractions

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average length of time children are waiting for tonsil extractions, in each of the last 3 years, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 3300/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It is not possible to provide the average length of time children are waiting for tonsil extractions, in each of the last three years, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust area.

However, it is possible to detail the average length of time that children aged 16 years and under were waiting for inpatient admission for an intended primary procedure of excision of tonsil. The table below provides this information as at 30^th September 2007, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust area.

Health and SocialCare Trust Area	Average length of time in dayswaiting at 30th September 2007
Belfast	71
Northern	40
Southern	65
South Eastern	56
Western	92
Northern Ireland	70

Source: DHSSPSNI – Inpatient Waiting List September 2007

Tonsil Extractions

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of children who had tonsil extractions carried out in the Royal Victoria Hospital in each of the last 3 years; and (ii) the number of these children who were from the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 3301/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of tonsil extractions carried out on children aged 16 and under in the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in each of the last three years is shown below:

Year	Number of operations
2004/2005	456
2005/2006	379
2006/2007	456

None of these procedures were carried out on children who were from the Republic of Ireland.

It is possible that some people normally resident in the Republic of Ireland gave addresses in Northern Ireland when seeking treatment at hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Out of Hours Service

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide details of the consultation process carried out by the Western Health and Social Services Board in relation to the decision to move the out of hours service to Altnagelvin Hospital.

(AQW 3314/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The co-location of Out of Hours services to the Altnagelvin site was part of a discussion document issued to over 600 community groups by the Western Health and Social Services Board in May 2004.

The consultation process on this document also included press releases, radio interviews and 10 public meetings (organised in conjunction with the Western Health and Social Services Council and Community Networks), as well as meetings with a range of interested parties including GPs, Health and Social Services Trusts and Derry City Council. Further discussions also took place with local politicians and councillors who made representations to WHSSB.

9,815 patients contacted the Out of Hours services in the Londonderry centre during the period October to December 2007 (2,851 in October, 2,960 in November and 4,004 in December). Of those 9,815 patients, 4, 590 were asked to attend the Out of Hours centre and 348 were subsequently admitted to Altnagelvin Hospital as an immediate response to their attendance.

In addition, it should be noted that 753 patients were advised to attend Accident & Emergency at Altnagelvin Hospital, rather than the Londonderry centre, following telephone triage by the Out of Hours services, with a further 143 being advised to attend a specific hospital ward (also following telephone triage).

In 2006/07, the last full financial year, the cost of providing Out of Hours Services at the Londonderry centre was £1.6 million. The projected budget for 2008/09, the first full financial year at the Altnagelvin Hospital site, will be the cost of the service in 2006/07 uplifted for inflation plus anticipated moving expenses of £30,000.

Out of Hours Service

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients who (a) used the out of hours service in Derry/Londonderry; and (b) were admitted to hospital as an immediate response to their attendance, in (i) October; (ii) November; and (iii) December, in 2007.

(AQW 3317/08)

Out of Hours Service

Mr R McCartney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the cost of the out of hours service in Derry/Londonderry in the last full financial year; and (ii) the projected budget for the first financial year, and any associated costings, in relation to the proposed move of the service to Altnagelvin Hospital.

(AQW 3318/08)

Erne Hospital

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) what action he intends to take to prevent a recurrence of the back up of raw sewage into the medical ward at the Erne Hospital, which occurred on Monday 21 January 2008 as a result of heavy rainfall; and (ii) the implications these measures will have for infection control at the hospital.

(AQW 3323/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I can confirm that a sewage overflow from a shower drain occurred at 2.00am on the 22^nd January 2008 in medical ward 10 which is located on the second floor of the Erne Hospital Medical Rehabilitation Unit. The cause of this overflow was entirely unrelated to the heavy rainfall at that time.

Rather, it occurred as a result of inappropriate materials being disposed off via sluice sinks into the sewer system. This resulted in blockages in the pipework and the subsequent overflow through a shower drain.

The main sewer was cleared and the overflow was completely cleaned up by 6.00am on the same morning (ie 22^nd January 2008). Nursing staff have been made aware of the cause of the incident and have been instructed to dispose of bulky materials in the appropriate manner.

Tyrone County Hospital

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether or not the medical wards at Tyrone County Hospital will remain open until the new hospital is built.

(AQW 3326/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I can confirm that we plan to retain the medical wards at Tyrone County Hospital until the enhanced local hospital in Omagh is built.

Erne Hospital

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the proposed expenditure on the refurbishment of the two theatres at the Erne Hospital.

(AQW 3329/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department has given approval for £800,000 for the refurbishment of the two theatres at the Erne Hospital. The works to the Theatre Suite commenced on 10^th December 2007 and practical completion is expected in May 2008.

New Acute Hospital

Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide an update on the ongoing work at the new acute hospital in Enniskillen, and to confirm (i) whether or not the project is currently within budget and on target for the completion date; and (ii) whether or not any extra expenditure has been incurred to date, in securing stable foundations.

(AQW 3330/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Enabling Works Contract, for the New Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, is currently ongoing to prepare the site for the main hospital construction contract. The work involves re-levelling the contours of the site, diverting overhead electricity cables and establishing an entrance to the site from the main A32 Enniskillen to Irvinestown road.

The Project is currently within budget and on target for its programmed completion in April 2008.

The scope of the project does not include securing foundations but a landslip occurred on site on 13 September during a filling and levelling exercise. There has been no additional expenditure to date. However the future cost of rectification of the landslip damage will involve additional expense which will be addressed through the contract insurances in the first instance.

Eating Disorder Unit

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide an update on the progress of plans to establish a 4-bed eating disorder unit.

(AQW 3338/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: As previously planned and following the allocation of additional funding my Department will now be engaging with Commissioners and Service Providers to develop a 4 bedded eating disorder unit as an initial step towards establishing a full in-patient eating disorder service for people with a severe eating disorder.

Eating Disorders

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current health care provision available to adolescents who are suffering from an eating disorder.

(AQW 3339/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Services for adolescents who are suffering from an eating disorder are currently provided through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. In 2007/08 an additional £0.5m was provided to enhance children and adolescent mental health services with eating disorder staff.

Vioxx Drug

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assessment he has made of the campaign launched by people affected by the withdrawn arthritis drug, Vioxx.

(AQW 3340/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I am aware that patients in the UK who have taken the drug Vioxx are challenging the decision by the American manufacturer Merck Inc to only compensate US patients affected by the drug.

I will monitor the situation in respect of UK citizens obtaining compensation from the manufacturer; however, I hope you will agree that it would not be appropriate for me or my Department to comment on a case which may end in the courts and subsequent litigation.

Clostridium Difficile Infections

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the protocols in place to manage Clostridium Difficile infections.

(AQW 3366/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: On 12 April 2007, the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Nursing Officer issued a letter headed ‘the prevention of infection caused by Clostridium difficile’ to all Trust Chief Executives; Infection Prevention and Control Leads in the Trusts; Trust Medical Directors; Trust Nursing Directors, for dissemination to all nurses; Consultant Microbiologists; Infection Control Nurses; Regional Epidemiologists at CDSC (NI); Consultants in Communicable Disease Control in the HSS Boards and Directors of Public Health in the HSS Boards. This letter is available at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/phhss_md_9-2007.pdf and was accompanied by a Good Practice Guide to Control of Clostridium difficile. The letter emphasises the need for Trust policies to cover:

antibiotic prescribing policies to minimise the use of broad spectrum antibiotics;
clinical protocols for the prompt diagnosis of infection caused by Clostridium difficile in patients with diarrhea;
isolation or cohorting of cases of infection caused by Clostridium difficile and control of the movement of infected patients between wards and departments;
enhanced infection control procedures for the nursing care of patients with infection caused by Clostridium difficile, including emphasis on the need for handwashing after patient contact or handling bedpans etc;
cleaning protocols which include increased environmental cleaning and the use of disinfectants e.g. chlorine-based in areas where there are Clostridium difficile infected patients.

The Chief Medical Officer issued a further letter on 24 January 2008, in response to the increase in cases at Antrim Area Hospital, reminding clinicians of the need for heightened awareness of this condition; for policies and procedures to be in place to minimise the risk of infection caused by Clostridium difficile, and for management of cases. This letter is available at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/hss-md-2008.pdf

Clostridium Difficile Infections

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the protocols in place at each Health and Social Care Trust in relation to the use of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics, which can increase the incidence of Clostridium Difficile.

(AQW 3367/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: On 25January, I announced that an additional £9 million will be invested over the next three years in a bid to improve patient safety and, in particular, to reduce the spread of infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile. Among the new initiatives that I have announced, there will be funding for a pharmacist in each Trust area to promote safer prescribing of antibiotics.

In addition, antibiotic prescribing policies specifically related to reducing the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infections will be made available to all prescribers.

These policies will include restrictions to the availability for use of some antibiotics, and a Consultant’s approval will be required before these antibiotics will be released from Trust pharmacy departments. Certain acute infections will be exempted from this restriction.

The policies will be aimed at promoting appropriate antibiotic use, in particular by ensuring adherence to the following principles:

they should only be prescribed when there is real evidence of need;
the most appropriate type of antibiotic is selected to manage the patient’s diagnosis, and
they should be reviewed frequently (daily) and discontinued when no longer necessary.

Protocols in place at each Trust

The following protocols are in place in the Trusts.

Belfast Trust

General and specialist antimicrobial guidelines are available throughout the Belfast Trust. For example in the Belfast City Hospital, Empirical Antimicrobial Prescribing Recommendations have been disseminated to the medical staff. These specifically discourage the inappropriate use of the broad spectrum antibiotics known as the cephalosporins and quinolones, in order to contain the incidence of multi-resistant pathogens including C. difficile. Similar protocols are in place across the whole Belfast Trust, although different departments need to tailor their protocols to suit their own particular issues.

The Trust has established an antimicrobial resistance working group.

Southern Trust

The Southern Trust has comprehensive hospital and community antibiotic prescribing policies which focus on prescribing appropriate narrow spectrum antibiotics. These are updated and published regularly on the Trust intranet site and printed copies are available in each ward and department and distributed to all medical staff.

The Trust has developed a very restricted policy which is intended to further reduce the use of broad spectrum antibiotics and will be piloted in two wards from February 2008. Implementation of this policy will be monitored by the ward multidisciplinary team which includes ward medical staff, the microbiologist and pharmacist.

Education in relation to antibiotic prescribing is ongoing in the Trust and with General Practitioners in the Southern Trust area.

South Eastern Trust

In the South Eastern Trust an antimicrobial policy is in use which was developed in collaboration with the Craigavon Microbiologist. This includes a policy restricting the use of broad spectrum antibiotics to Consultant prescribing only (under Microbiologist advice) and is operational for a number of antimicrobial agents. Furthermore there is a policy for the controlled entry of new drugs into the Trust which includes new antibiotics. The current antimicrobial policy will be subject to review by the recently appointed Consultant Medical Microbiologist.

Western Trust

In the Western Trust Secondary Care Antimicrobial Guidelines were updated in December 2007. Copies of these guidelines are readily available for all prescribers. Training and awareness sessions on antibiotic prescribing are delivered to doctors. Pro-active antibiotic usage reviews are ongoing and are on the agenda of the Trust's Drugs and Therapeutics Committee. Targeted training sessions are delivered to doctors on antibiotic prescribing for specific infections, e.g. treatment of respiratory infections.

Northern Trust

In the Northern Trust locally tailored antimicrobial guidelines for secondary care have been in place since 1996. In 2000, in recognition of the contribution of second-, third- and fourth-generation cefalosporins to the development of Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhoea, the United Hospitals Trust restricted the use of these agents, and formal antimicrobial guidance was put in place for Primary Care, Secondary Care and for Emergency Services for both Primary and Secondary Care. The antimicrobial guidance has been updated on a regular basis with respect to the results of local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. In response to the current problem, the antimicrobial guidance has been reviewed and the use of Ciprofloxacin has been restricted. The newer fluoroquinolones have never been included in any of these policies.

The antimicrobial guidance is available in hard copy in the hospital wards and clinical areas, and on the desktop icons on PCs in the wards and clinical areas. Personal copies have been distributed to individual clinical staff. The Primary Care guidance is available on the Intranet and on the Northern Board Family Practioner Unit Website. There have been regular audits on the use of antibiotics. The antibiotic prescriptions within the hospitals are subject to Consultant review at 72 hours and 7-10days; should prolonged antimicrobial therapy be required the antibiotic prescription is subject to weekly Consultant review. This process is monitored on a daily basis by the ward pharmacist, and formally audited.

Clostridium Difficile Infections

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what actions he has taken to reassure the public, following the increasing numbers of cases of a more virulent form of Clostridium Difficile.

(AQW 3368/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: On 25January 2008, I announced that I would be investing an additional £9 million over the next three years to improve patient safety and, in particular to reduce the spread of infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile. This additional funding will be used to put in place an extensive package of further measures aimed at fighting healthcare-associated infections, including: single rooms for new hospitals to improve privacy as well as hygiene; unannounced inspections of all hospitals; a regional dress code for all health care staff; a regional hand hygiene campaign; rapid response cleaning teams at all hospitals; funding for a pharmacist in each Trust to promote safer prescribing of antibiotics; and quarterly publication of Trusts’ infection control performance.

I have also asked the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, once the outbreak is over, to review the circumstances that led to the incident in Antrim Area Hospital, and make recommendations to the Trust and to the wider Health and Social Care family.

I believe that the measures that I have outlined, along with those already in places, will help to restore public confidence in our hospitals.

Mental Health Issues

Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cooperation taking place with other Government departments on mental health issues.

(AQW 3381/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I have established a Ministerial Group to oversee and drive forward the broad strategic changes required across Government and ensure that issues which require inter-Departmental co-operation are taken forward in a co-ordinated and consistent manner.

In addition, an Inter-Departmental Implementation Group, with similar representation at official level, has been established, chaired by a senior official in my Department.

These groups will be supplemented by a multi-tiered management structure within the health and social services itself, which will be representative of the strategic policy and commissioning process, those who deliver services in the Boards and Trusts and other stakeholders.

Hospital Accessibility

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the outcome of his discussions with the Minister for Regional Development in relation to accessibility for new hospitals in the South West.

(AQW 3427/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: On 4 December 2007 I met with the Minister for Regional Development to discuss access to the new acute hospital for the southwest. We had a constructive meeting during which we shared information on the planned hospital developments in Omagh and Enniskillen, and proposed improvements to the road infrastructure in West Tyrone and Fermanagh.

The Minister for Regional Development fully appreciates the benefits which road improvements could bring for those accessing services at the two new hospitals in the southwest.

Hospital Accessibility

Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the discussions he has had with his Executive colleagues in relation to accessibility to a new South West acute hospital in Enniskillen.

(AQW 3428/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The issue of accessibility has not been formally discussed with the current Executive. However, I have had a very constructive meeting with the Minister for Regional Development during which we discussed our respective plans for the development of a new acute hospital at Enniskillen and improvements in the road infrastructure in West Tyrone and Fermanagh.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Road Projects

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development to list the road projects in the Strangford constituency that have been (i) delayed; (ii) postponed; and (iii) cancelled, due to budget cuts.

(AQW 2967/08)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): I would advise that there have been no cuts in the budgets for road schemes planned to be undertaken in the Strangford Constituency during the current financial year.

Private Finance

Mr D McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development to (i) detail the amount of private finance agreed for roads in the Strangford constituency; (ii) name the projects identified; and (iii) detail their start and completion dates, over the next five years.

(AQW 2968/08)

Mr C Murphy: In response to AQW 2968/08, I can advise you that private finance for roads falls into two main categories:-

Private Developments

New roads and enhancement of the existing road infrastructure may be provided by the private sector when they form part of private sector developments. For example, in addition to the provision of roads in new housing developments, it is sometimes necessary to alter, or enhance the existing road network, as a result of housing proposals. This work is usually carried out directly by the developers and to a timescale that is dependent on the actual development. Where appropriate, direct private finance for road provision can be agreed between Roads Service and developers, where it has also been a requirement that the provision is necessary as a result of a development proposal.

Within the Strangford constituency it is expected that many new roads, and alterations to the existing network, will be made over the next five years, as a direct result of proposed developments. The timing of this work will be entirely dependent on the private sector developers and no timescale can be given for it at this stage.

Roads Service Projects with Developer Contributions

You will be aware of the private sector involvement in the provision of the A20 Southern Distributor, a proposed road linking the Portaferry Road with the Comber Road and Blair Mayne Road South.

This scheme, which is being partly funded by Castlebawn Ltd, is currently progressing towards award of the contract.

As the level of developer contribution will be dependent on the contract price, I trust you will appreciate that I am not in a position to provide you with details of the level of funding, as requested. However, I am pleased to inform you that it is anticipated that the scheme will commence in March 2008, with completion in approximately 12 months.

Crash Barriers

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm whether or not Roads Service will erect crash barriers on the Ballyeamon Road, Cushendall, following a recent fatal accident along this route.

(AQW 3011/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has carried out an initial survey of Ballyeamon Road, Cushendall and has identified a number of locations for further, more detailed, investigations to determine what safety measures, which will be designed in accordance with current standards, are appropriate for each location. The outcome of these detailed investigations will determine the feasibility of erecting road restraint systems on Ballyeamon Road.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail whether or not a cost benefit analysis was carried out before a private sector firm was used to rebrand the Water Service to Northern Ireland Water.

(AQW 3058/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that a rigorous procurement procedure was followed prior to the engagement of external consultants to support the project to rebrand the Water Service. This procedure included an evaluation of the estimated costs of the work against the anticipated benefits associated with creating a new brand for the company. It also took into account an assessment of the in-house availability of the specialist skills required to progress the project successfully.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail what efforts were made by his department to establish an 'in house' committee to carry out the rebranding of the Water Service to Northern Ireland Water.

(AQW 3061/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that an in-house Committee was established to manage the project associated with the rebranding of the Water Service. Following a careful assessment of the requirements of the project, it was considered that the specialist knowledge and skills required to progress the project successfully would not be available in-house. NIW therefore arranged for the engagement of consultants to undertake external brand research, design and development to support the project.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development, in relation to the pay and grading review of Northern Ireland Water, to detail why (i) executive staff were benchmarked against the salary levels of UK water companies; and (ii) all other staff were benchmarked against the top 100 companies in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3074/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that the salary review for its Director posts, and some specific lower grade posts where specialist knowledge could potentially be sourced only from outside the North of Ireland, was benchmarked against the Utility Regulator in Britain. This was in line with attracting and retaining the commensurate executive skills to deliver the NIW organisational strategy. The salary review also took cognisance of the North’s remuneration trends and data.

The remainder of staff within NIW were benchmarked against the North of Ireland’s top 100 companies as it was recognised that these roles were typically recruited exclusively from the marketplace here.

NIW is satisfied that the methodology used to carry out these job evaluation and pay reviews was the most appropriate in terms of delivering value for money and recruiting and retaining a suitably skilled and motivated workforce.

Northern Ireland Water

Mr T Gallagher asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) all of the consultancy firms engaged by the Water Service in the rebranding exercise which created Northern Ireland Water; (ii) the specific work carried out by the consultants; and (iii) the costs for that work; and to confirm whether or not the work carried out by consultants was put out to tender before the consultants were appointed.

(AQW 3076/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that two consultancy firms, Weber Shanwick and Being, were engaged by Water Service to support the rebranding exercise.

Weber Shandwick provided specialist brand and design consultancy together with implementation support in preparation for the inception of Northern Ireland Water. Being provided the expertise required to create new and expanded intranet and internet websites for the company, including a user friendly bill payment facility for customers.

The work undertaken by Weber Shanwick cost £146,000 and the work by Being cost £75,000. Both consultants were engaged by Water Service through a rigorous procurement procedure which included a competitive tender and a selection process which took into account quality and price.

Disabled Parking

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of parking bays for disabled drivers that are in place in Armagh City; and to confirm whether or not his department will consider increasing this number.

(AQW 3090/08)

Mr C Murphy: There are currently 31 on-street disabled persons parking bays, of which 7 are located in the city centre area with a further 22 places located in the off-street car parks. I am pleased to advise that my Department’s Roads Service intends to increase the number of on-street disabled parking bays in the city centre area to 20.

This increase will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a Disabled Persons Parking Places Order and will be implemented as part of the upcoming Environmental Improvement scheme for the city. The aim is to provide at least one disabled parking bay per street thus improving accessibility in the city centre.

I would also confirm that requests for individual bays in the Armagh area as a whole will continue to be assessed as they are received.

Road Gritting

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm whether or not he will undertake a comprehensive review of road gritting criteria, particularly in relation to rural roads.

(AQW 3091/08)

Mr C Murphy: You will be aware that a review of the winter service policy and procedures operated by my Department’s Roads Service was carried out in 2001, following severe snow falls.

One of the key outcomes of the review, which was fully debated and accepted by the Assembly, was that the practice of targeting the limited resources available for this service on the busier main through routes should continue. Whilst I understand your concerns, there is a fine balance to be drawn between putting even more funds into salting and funding the many other worthwhile demands on Roads Service, many of which are also safety related.

Roads Service salts main through routes carrying more than 1,500 vehicles per day and, in exceptional circumstances, roads with difficult topography carrying between 1,000 and 1,500 vehicles per day. The application of this policy ensures that 28% of the total road network, which carries around 80% of traffic, is salted, at an annual cost of approximately £5million. An extension of the salting schedule to cover 90% or 100% of traffic volumes would increase the cost to approximately £10million or £20million per annum respectively.

Arising from the 2001 review, however, the salting schedule has been increased by about 4%. The additional routes are determined by an increased weighting for buses and small settlements containing 100 dwellings or more now have salted links to roads on the main salted network.

In addition, salt bins/grit piles are provided at various rural locations for people to use on a "self-help" basis. While I have no plans at this time to review the winter service policy, Roads Service staff will continue to respond to requests from the public for assistance.

Speed Limits

Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will consider reducing speed limits on rural roads, particularly single track roads.

(AQW 3093/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have no plans to reduce speed limits, generally, on rural roads.

I fully accept that driving at excessive speed, without regard to the pertaining conditions, is a major contributory factor in many deaths and serious injuries on our roads. However, whilst speed limits, in themselves, are a key source of information to road users and have a fundamental role to play in the overall approach to speed management, clearly influencing driver behaviour is key to reducing speed related collisions.

The national speed limit on single carriageway roads is 60mph (unless signed otherwise). This should not, however, be seen as a target speed and drivers should always drive according to the conditions. In fact, the geometric characteristics of many rural roads, particularly single track roads, mean that much slower speeds are clearly more appropriate. The Department of the Environment’s advertising campaigns aim to get this message across to the travelling public.

My Department’s Roads Service constantly examines the collision history of the road network to target appropriate engineering measures to stretches of road with poor collision history. In cases where excessive speed has been identified, reducing speed limits is an option. However, signing and lining and the improvement of road layout and geometry can be equally effective.

Enforcement too has its part to play and PSNI robustly enforces speed limits on stretches of road where there is a correlation between speeding and collisions.

You will be aware that my Department has carried out a review of its approach to speed management and that this is currently with the Regional Development Committee for scrutiny. I look forward to hearing the Committee’s views in due course.

Road Works

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the programme of works scheduled to take place on Belfast Road, Glenavy, to alleviate the flooding that occurs at this location; and to provide a timescale within which work will commence.

(AQW 3119/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the flooding on the Belfast Road, Glenavy, was caused by a blockage in an outlet pipe that discharged into a nearby river. Remedial work was carried out on 15 January 2008, to remove the blockage and the drainage system was considered to be operating normally.

I understand that during the recent periods of heavy rainfall, local officials found the drainage system to be working satisfactorily and there have been no further reports of flooding at this site. It is hoped that the matter is now resolved, however, officials will continue to monitor the site and consider if further action is needed.

Rural Footpaths

Mr J Dallat asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the criteria for re-instating and upgrading footpaths in rural areas.

(AQW 3131/08)

Mr C Murphy: Article 8 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 places a duty on my Department’s Roads Service to maintain all public roads in reasonable condition. To comply with this obligation, Roads Service has in place a set of maintenance standards, which establish the frequencies for road inspections dependent on traffic volumes, and specify response times for the repair of defects.

Inspection frequencies vary from daily cycles for motorways, to four-monthly cycles for carriageways and footways carrying low volumes of traffic. Response times specified for the repair of defects are dependent on the severity of the defect and range from one calendar day, to the inclusion of the defect in the next work programme for that particular route.

In addition to response maintenance, Roads Service also implements a programme of planned maintenance on its existing rural and urban footway networks to ensure that these assets remain safe and serviceable to road users. Priorities are assessed on the basis of information obtained from condition surveys, other works programmes and professional engineering assessments and programmes are subsequently presented by Roads Service to the various District Councils at their Spring/Autumn meetings.

Hospitality Expenditure

Mr S Moutray asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the department's total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3138/08)

Mr C Murphy: The following table sets out the amounts spent by the Department for Regional Development on hospitality in each of the last 5 years. There was no expenditure on entertainment.

Financial Year	Amount Spent on Hospitality
2002/03	£39,077
2003/04	£19,279
2004/05	£21,206
2005/06	£22,701
2006/07	£16,596

Drainage Area Study

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail a timescale for the commissioning, implementation and completion of the drainage area study for Comber.

(AQW 3153/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that a combined Drainage Area Study for Comber and Newtownards is currently underway and is scheduled for completion in mid 2008. The Study aims to identify deficiencies within the sewerage system and to make recommendations for sewer improvements.

The sewer improvement recommendations resulting from the Study will be prioritised by Northern Ireland Water and included in its capital works programme for the period beyond 2010.

Public Transport Infrastructure

Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the whether or not he plans to develop the public transport infrastructure system (i) within the Colin area of West Belfast; and (ii) between the Colin area and Lisburn.

(AQW 3166/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been informed by Translink that it has worked with the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership to develop a comprehensive action plan relating to public transport provision. The issues identified in that action plan were considered during the introduction of the Metro network in February 2005, which resulted in enhanced frequencies and the introduction of services connecting various estates, schools and community facilities. At that time improved timetable information was also provided at all bus stops in the area. I understand that recently a dedicated sub-group (on which Translink is represented) has been set up and is currently developing and assessing proposals for further improved links in the Colin area.

The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (2015) identified the following public transportation infrastructure proposals which will be available to the residents of the Colin area (Twinbrook, Poleglass and Lagmore) in west Belfast:

Quality Bus Corridors on the Falls Road, Springfield Road and Lisburn Road and the introduction of orbital bus routes;
additional bus priority on other routes, including the M1 motorway; and
park and ride facilities on the M1 corridor at Kennedy Way.

Since 2002, Roads Service has also completed work on public transport infrastructure in the west Belfast area, including 4.4km of priority lanes for buses, public hire taxis and cyclists, on the Andersonstown Road / Falls Road and the provision of 220 park and ride spaces at Blacks Road.

Feasibility studies for the development of a Rapid Transit Network for Belfast are nearing completion and include potential routes from Belfast City Centre into West Belfast. A number of differing alignments are being studied for a route in West Belfast including one along the Falls Road, Andersonstown Road, Stewartstown Road terminating at either Dairy Farm or the McKinstry Road area. Following completion of the current study, I will decide on the way forward with Executive colleagues.

Rural Community Transport

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the annual funding that is being made available for each of the 19 Rural Community Transport Partnerships in (i) 2007-2008; and (ii) 2008-2009.

(AQW 3179/08)

Mr C Murphy: During the 2007-2008 financial year the Department for Regional Development made available a total of £1,899,470.34 to the 19 rural community transport partnerships supported by the Rural Transport Fund as follows:

PARTNERSHIP	2007/08
Accessible Community Transport	£77,969.00
Armagh Rural Transport	£104,043.00
Coleraine Area Rural Transport	£96,214.00
Cookstown Rural Community Transport	£111,888.00
Down Armagh Rural Transport	£86,651.00
Down Community Transport	£95,712.00
Dungannon Community Transport	£84,483.00
Easilift	£121,095.34
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Rural Transport	£103,136.00
Foyle Connect	£51,483.00
Lagan Valley Rural Transport	£52,800.00
Rural Link	£124,193.70
North Antrim Community Transport	£135,000.00
Out & About Community Transport	£121,260.00
Newry and Mourne Community Transport	£152,042.30
Peninsula Community Transport	£108,886.00
Rural Lift	£136,175.00
Roe Valley Rural Community Transport	£63,105.00
South Antrim Community Transport	£73,334.00
TOTAL	£1,899,470.34

The total amount of support available to the partnerships in 2008-2009 will be £2,500,000. The amount to be awarded to each partnership has not been determined as the business planning process is not yet complete.

Rail Passengers

Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Regional Development detail the number of rail passengers carried on the (i) Belfast to Larne line; (ii) Belfast to Derry/Londonderry line; (iii) Belfast to Bangor line; and (iv) Belfast to Portadown line, in each of the last 5 years; and what is his assessment of the effect of the new trains on the services provided for the Derry/Londonderry, Bangor and Portadown lines.

(AQW 3185/08)

Mr C Murphy: The following table provides Northern Ireland Railways passenger numbers on the Belfast to Larne; Belfast to Derry; Belfast to Bangor; and Belfast to Portadown lines in each of the five years.

	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Larne	1,794,757	1,811,187	1,827,617	1,477,979	1,720,190
Derry	454,468	652,262	850,056	874,954	1,020,685
Bangor	1,571,457	1,544,386	1,517,315	1,860,752	1,956,801
Portadown	1,769,503	1,855,165	1,940,826	2,171,165	2,505,059

In 2004/05 the method of counting passenger journeys changed. The 2002/03 and 2003/04 journeys are original estimates revised to be comparable with the new method.

The new trains were introduced in 2004/05 and since then passenger numbers on the Derry, Bangor and Portadown lines increased by 20%, 29% and 29% respectively to 2006/07. Local train punctuality targets have been met in the last four monitoring exercises. Current levels of passenger satisfaction with the rail service in general are at the highest levels since the mid-1990’s. These improvements in passenger numbers, quality of service and customer satisfaction are a direct result of the deployment of the new trains alongside timetable development, better passenger information, increased advertising and station improvements.

The funding provided in the Budget will enable the purchase of 20 new trains, 13 of which will be used to replace the older trains currently operating on the network, including on the Larne line.

Drainage Area Plan

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development to give a timescale within which Northern Ireland Water will commence a drainage area plan for Ballynahinch, which includes improvements to the sewerage system.

(AQW 3211/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that the Drainage Area Plan for the Ballynahinch area has identified a number of deficiencies within the sewerage system and made recommendations for sewer improvements.

Northern Ireland Water therefore plans to undertake extensive sewerage improvements in the area but, due to competing priorities, will be unable to do so within the next three years. However, it will continue to undertake minor improvements to the sewerage system in the area in certain circumstances.

Proposed Bus Station at Ballynahinch

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail progress made towards the establishment of a bus station at Ballynahinch, Co Down.

(AQW 3212/08)

Mr C Murphy: The number of bus passengers no longer supports the construction of a full bus station in Ballynahinch. Passenger numbers in the town centre reduced substantially following the enhancement of schools bus provision. As a result Translink is now planning to provide a safe boarding and alighting area with a covered waiting area in the town.

Sewerage System

Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to give a timescale within which a new sewerage system will be completed in Rasharkin, Co. Antrim.

(AQW 3233/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that a major sewerage scheme for Rasharkin was scheduled to commence in December 2007, but it has been delayed pending the resolution of land issues. A revised start date for the work is now May 2008 and it is expected to take seventeen months to complete.

Roads Budget

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total roads budget for Northern Ireland, in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 3242/08)

Mr C Murphy: The table below details my Department’s Roads Service expenditure on developing and maintaining the road network in Northern Ireland, in each of the last 3 years.

	2004/05 £M	2005/06 £M	2006/07 £M
Total	272.5	269.3	302.4

Road Surfaces

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to give a timescale for the reinstatement of the road surfaces on (i) Edenmore Road; and (ii) Rathmore Road, Limavady.

(AQW 3243/08)

Mr C Murphy: Northern Ireland Water (NIW) commenced repair work to damaged sewers at Edenmore Road, Limavady on 14 January 2008 and has advised that the reinstatement of the road was undertaken on 1 February 2008.

NIW also advise that work being undertaken at Rathmore Road, Limavady has largely been completed and that it intends to carry out final reinstatement work within the next few weeks.

I should explain that my Department’s Roads Service has powers to facilitate the co-ordination and control of utility street works. Roads Service monitors such works and, where unsatisfactory reinstatements are found, instructs utilities to carry out the necessary repairs.

Disabled Parking Bays

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the penalties that can be imposed on drivers who park inappropriately in disabled parking bays.

(AQW 3244/08)

Mr C Murphy: A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) can be issued by a Traffic Attendant to a vehicle, occupying a parking bay for disabled persons, if that vehicle does not display a badge issued under my Department’s Blue Badge Scheme.

Where a Traffic Attendant believes there to be misuse of a blue badge, a PCN can be issued. Misuse may also lead to confiscation of the blue badge.

The PCN amount is £60, with a 50% discount applies if the charge is paid within 14 days.

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of meetings he has had with each of the 3 MEPs from Northern Ireland; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings, since the restoration of devolution in May 2007.

(AQW 3282/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have not met with any of the 3 MEPs from the north of Ireland since the restoration of devolution in May 2007.

Kircubbin and Greyabbey

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an update on the scheme in relation to the area between Kircubbin and Greyabbey, where a landslide took place over the New Year period.

(AQW 3295/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that the landslide which resulted in soil falling onto the A20 between Greyabbey and Kircubbin is currently being assessed, with a view to determining the best option to prevent future occurrences.

Gritting of Roads

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm whether or not communication has taken place between his department and the Met Office to action the gritting of roads.

(AQW 3296/08)

Mr C Murphy: I can confirm that my Department’s Roads Service is in regular communication with the Met Office, to assist in determining when road salting is appropriate. The Met Office provides a range of services for Roads Services, which include:

the Open Road forecast service. This is a 24 hour consultation service, which Roads Service makes full use of, to identify possible hazardous road conditions; and
the National Severe Weather Warnings system.

In addition, Met Office forecasters provide Roads Service with site-specific forecasts. To assist the planning of salting operations, Roads Service uses state of the art technology, installed in conjunction with the Met Office. This includes ice sensors linked to 20 weather stations across the North and thermal mapping of all roads on the salting schedule.

Tullynagardy Road

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the steps he is taking to address the access facility for lorries, to Cookes engineering at Tullynagardy Road, Newtownards.

(AQW 3297/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service advises that Tullynagardy Road, (U105) is rural in nature. It carries low volumes of traffic, mainly to farms and individual dwellings, and there are no traffic progression problems. The road has a relatively good accident history.

Roads Service has no plans at present to upgrade the roads network in this area.

Flooding Prevention

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he is taking to have gullies cleared on a regular basis in the Ards Borough Council area in order to prevent flooding during times of heavy rainfall.

(AQW 3298/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised me that it aims to inspect and clean, where necessary, all gullies in urban areas twice each year and gullies in rural areas once each year. This is in line with road maintenance guidelines which apply equally in all Council areas including the Ards Borough Council. This policy ensures that a reasonable level of maintenance is carried out to drainage systems, taking account of the Department’s finite funding and staff resource levels.

In addition to the scheduled operation, further cleaning is carried out to deal with blocked gullies, particularly at locations where fallen leaves represent an ongoing problem at certain times of the year, or where there has been a history of gullies becoming blocked for other reasons.

Parking Spaces

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to undertake an urgent review of the number of season ticket holder parking spaces available at the two car parks in Limavady.

(AQW 3307/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am pleased to inform you that my Department’s Roads Service will carry out a review of the number of season tickets issued for the Connell Street and Central car parks in Limavady and will inform you of the outcome once the review is completed.

I can also advise that, although there is currently an allocation of 8 season tickets for Central car park and 6 for Connell Street, latest returns for November and December 2007 indicate that only 7 season tickets were issued for Central and 2 for Connell Street.

Mains Water Supply

Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister for Regional Development what is his assessment of the current policy of not supplying mains water to a single rural dwelling, in the context of ensuring fair treatment for rural communities.

(AQW 3313/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am aware of the difficulties experienced by those living in remote rural areas whose homes are not connected to mains water and have had occasion recently to respond to similar questions raised on this matter.

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

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

My Department has provided additional assistance in respect of existing properties constructed before 1 January 2000 to make it more affordable for householders in rural areas to have their properties connected to the mains water supply. The level of assistance was increased from £5,000 to £6,500 per property from 1 April 2007 following a consultation on ‘Charges for Connections to the Water and Sewerage Networks’ which was carried out in 2006. This increase was implemented as a mitigation of possible differential equality impacts and it represents a significantly higher level of assistance than is available for rural dwellings in Great Britain. The level of this assistance is kept under review but the proposed consultation on the independent review of water and sewerage services may present an opportunity to consider this issue afresh.

Road Projects

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the road projects in the South Antrim constituency that have been (i) delayed; (ii) postponed; and (iii) cancelled, due to budget cuts.

(AQW 3321/08)

Mr C Murphy: I can advise that there has been no reduction in the budget for road schemes planned for the South Antrim Constituency during the current financial year.

My Department’s Roads Service will endeavour to complete the current programme of works. However, you will appreciate that delays in the delivery of road schemes can occur if difficulties arise in connection with obtaining the necessary land. If landowners are not prepared to allow Roads Service access to the land required for the construction of schemes, vesting has to be undertaken and, provided a public enquiry is not required, this can take at least six months to complete.

Traffic Attendants

Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2814/08, to detail the specific locations of the 25 mobile patrols of traffic attendants, deployed in the Moyle District Council area from 1 July 2007 to 7 January 2008.

(AQW 3332/08)

Mr C Murphy: I can confirm that the 25 Traffic Attendants, deployed as mobile patrols, have provided a total of 180 patrols in the Moyle District Council area during the period from 1 July 2007 to 7 January 2008. Their specific locations can be summarised as follows:-

Ballycastle - patrolled 69 times

Bushmills - patrolled 44 times

Cushendall - patrolled 3 times

Giants Causeway - patrolled 61 times

Waterfoot - patrolled 3 times

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Disabled Facilities Grant

Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm whether or not the Disabled Facilities grant for the property at 13 Lisbarnett Villas, Lisbane, will be affected by the reduction in the grants budget.

(AQW 3087/08)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): Disabled Facilities Grants are mandatory and continue to be processed in the normal way.

Benefit Fraud

Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the analysis carried out by the department on the levels of benefit fraud in different parts of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3151/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Social Security Agency undertakes a rolling programme of annual benefit review exercises to estimate the levels of incorrectness including benefit fraud. A statistically valid sample of cases across Northern Ireland is randomly selected for each benefit to be reviewed. Each case is checked and a detailed interview with the customer is carried out to detect if there is any incorrectness including fraud and the results are analysed to produce statistical estimates of the levels of incorrectness including customer fraud.

Benefit Fraud

Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister for Social Development what consideration has she given to the introduction of a requirement that photographic identification, similar to that required to vote in elections, be produced by those seeking to claim benefits, in order to help reduce benefit fraud.

(AQW 3188/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department has obligations under section 87 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which provides for parity of provision in social security matters for the whole of the United Kingdom. The Department for Work and Pensions in Great Britain is presently conducting a review of its verification procedures as part of a wider Government Identity Management Strategy. The review includes consideration of future security and access parameters for an extensive range of services and is exploring optimum methods for establishing an individual’s identity including photographic identification, in the framework of wider business considerations.

Any proposed changes to social security legislation regarding the use of photographic identification arising from this review would be introduced by my Department under the parity arrangements.

Social Housing

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm whether or not the proposed 5250 social housing units, scheduled to be built over the next 3 years, (i) will be of the highest sustainable design; and (ii) will consist of materials that promote zero carbon housing.

(AQW 3238/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department requires that all new build schemes within the social housing development programme must make provision within the design brief for an Eco Homes rating of "very good" or better certified by a Building Research Establishment Licensed Assessor. From 1 April 2008 it will be mandatory for all new social housing dwellings to achieve a minimum three star rating in the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Code for Sustainable Homes has been developed to enable a step change in sustainable home building practice with a view to achieving a six star rating – a zero carbon home - by 2016. Under the Code for Sustainable Homes, materials and components are assessed using a methodology developed by the Building Research Establishment and are awarded a rating from A - G where 'A' denotes the lowest environmental impact and 'G' the highest environmental impact.

Fuel Costs

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the comparative fuel costs for (i) oil fired; (ii) and renewable heating systems in social housing units.

(AQW 3239/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Details of the independent comparative fuel costs (sourced from the Sutherland Comparative Domestic Heating Costs Tables) which Northern Ireland Housing Executive uses for different fuels, including oil, have been placed in the Assembly Library. There are few whole house renewable heating systems in social housing units and there are, therefore, no comparative figures currently available for such systems.

New Social Housing Units

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm whether or not the proposed 5250 social housing units, to be constructed in the next 3 years, will have wood chip heating systems installed, in order to reduce carbon emissions.

(AQW 3240/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The requirements set down by my Department for the social housing development programme are that new homes should achieve maximum energy efficiency, and minimal environmental impact, heat loss, and running costs. The Code for Sustainable Homes will require the consideration of the use of low and zero carbon technologies including wood chip boilers (biomass boilers) and solar thermal panels to help provide heat and hot water. Wood pellet boilers are currently being piloted on sites outside the gas supply area where the installation of oil heating is not technically possible.

Water Saving Measures

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the water saving measures she will introduce in her new build programme.

(AQW 3273/08)

Ms M Ritchie: From 1 April 2008 it will be mandatory for all new social housing dwellings to achieve a minimum three star rating in the Code for Sustainable Homes. Under the three star rating of the code new homes will have to be designed to use no more than 105 litres of water per person per day.

Eco-Housing

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development to detail whether or not she will consider building eco-housing estates.

(AQW 3274/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Department for Social Development requires all new social houses constructed after 1 April 2008 to comply with the 3 star level of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Double Glazing

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 1530/08, what is her assessment of the importance of double glazing in combating fuel poverty.

(AQW 3275/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Double glazing is just one of a number of measures which can improve the energy efficiency of a home. Insulation is a more cost effective approach to improving energy efficiency and remains a key part of the assistance available under my Department’s Warm Homes Scheme.

Meetings with MEPs

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the number of meetings she has had with each of the 3 MEPs from Northern Ireland; and (ii) the purpose of these meetings, since the restoration of devolution in May 2007.

(AQW 3280/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Since May 2007 I have met once with Jim Allister and once with Bairbre de Brun. At those meetings we discussed my Department’s involvement in showcasing both urban regeneration and the successes of the Peace Programmes in Northern Ireland during the EU Open Days event in Brussels in October. We also discussed DSD's interest in the EU Northern Ireland Taskforce. I have not met with Jim Nicholson since taking office.

Social Housing

Mr A McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the reason for the sale of grass land at Ballysally, Coleraine; to give a commitment to use the funds raised by the sale for social housing, in the Coleraine area only; and to detail what provision she intends to make for a replacement grass play area.

(AQW 3308/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Ballysally is undergoing a major estate strategy which incorporates restructuring, selective demolition, environmental improvement and tenure mixing.

Within the plan to mix tenure there are two significant areas where houses were demolished and the land is surplus to social need - at Burn Road and Danes Hill Road. These sites are suitable for the provision of private housing which would increase the level of owner occupation and consolidate the estate. These two sites have been advertised for sale for private housing development.

The developer will be required to provide adequate open space facilities as part of the planning process for the private housing development.

The proceeds of the sales will be treated as capital receipts by the Housing Executive and used for capital programmes. It is not possible to ring fence receipts for land in a particular area to be spent in that area

Comprehensive Spending Review

Dr S Farry asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) her department's bids in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review; and (ii) the amount of funding that has been allocated against them in the Budget 2008-11.

(AQW 3363/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Tables detailing the breakdown of the Department for Social Development’s Resource and Capital bids were placed in the Assembly Library on 14 November 2007 in reply to AQW 1451/08. The tables below show a summary of the bids made and the allocations given to the Department inclusive of its agencies.

Summary of Resource Bids

	08/09	09/10	10/11	Totals
	£m	£m	£m	£m
Housing	16.5	23.7	29.6	69.8
Urban Regeneration	6.7	7.2	5.4	19.3
Social Security Agency	50.6	39.9	46.7	137.2
Child Support Agency	0.2	1.0	8.3	9.5
Core Department	0.8	1.3	1.7	3.8
Total Bids Made	74.8	73.1	91.7	239.6
Overall Allocation from the Department of Finance & Personnel	31.7	42.0	59.9	133.6
Allocation breakdown by Business Area:
Housing	7.9	14.8	24.2	46.9
Urban Regeneration	4.5	3.2	4.5	12.2
Social Security Agency	18.3	21.6	21.8	61.7
Child Support Agency	0.2	1.1	7.7	9.0
Core Department	0.8	1.3	1.7	3.8

Summary of Net Capital Bids

	08/09	09/10	10/11	Totals
	£m	£m	£m	£m
Housing	300.1	319.6	372.6	992.3
Urban Regeneration	216.6	179.6	-23.5	372.7
Social Security Agency	29.0	14.8	7.2	51.0
Total Bids Made	545.7	514.0	356.3	1416.0
Overall Allocation from the Strategic Investment Board	223.7	220.3	283.4	727.4
Allocation breakdown by Business area:
Housing	90.6	153.8	178.0	422.4
Urban Regeneration	67.7	63.6	102.5	233.8
Social Security Agency	65.4¹	2.9	2.9	71.2

Note 1: The 2008-09 figure includes £41.6m reprofiled from earlier years due to slippage in Capital Programmes.

Housing Executive Properties

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people currently on the waiting list for Housing Executive properties in the (i) Cookstown District Council area; and (ii) Magerafelt District Council area.

(AQW 3375/08)

Ms M Ritchie: At 31 December 2007 there were (i) 387 applicants on the waiting list for Cookstown and (ii) 488 applicants on the waiting list for Magherafelt.

Social Housing Stock

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to increase the social housing stock in the (i) Magherafelt District Council area; and (ii) Cookstown District Council area.

(AQW 3376/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The current Social Housing Development Programme makes provision for 83 homes for Magherafelt (16 homes in 2009/10, 52 in 2010/11 and 15 in 2011/12) and 34 homes for Cookstown (3 homes in 2007/08, 6 in 2101/11 and 25 in 2011/12).

Travelling Community Sites

Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the reasons why the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has not met its requirement, under the Unauthorised Encampment Act 2006, to act upon the six emergency travelling community sites; and to confirm (i) the interim provisions she is making for those families living on wasteland; and (ii) that the equality and human rights of the travelling community are being protected.

(AQW 3384/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Unauthorised Encampments (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 provides a measure of protection for Irish Travellers, by requiring the police to consult with the Housing Executive about a suitable alternative site. The implementation of the Order was delayed until July 2006 to ensure that the 5 Transit sites needed in Northern Ireland were available. To date only 2 of the required sites have been provided. The identification of suitable lands for the other sites remains difficult and the Housing Executive continues to seek to identify appropriate lands in consultation with local councils and the Planning Service.

The Housing Executive has completed a housing need assessment and advised the Traveller families at the unauthorised encampment at Kennedy Way Industrial Estate of accommodation options. The Housing Executive has also written to the landowner requesting permission to provide services under the terms of the Co-operation Policy which provides families with basic services, for example, toilets, refuse disposal and water where available.

Community and Voluntary sector

Mr M Brady asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the proposals she made during consideration of the (i) Programme for Government; (ii) Investment Strategy; and (iii) Budget by the Executive, on the issue of the community and voluntary sector.

(AQW 3388/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Programme for Government has now been published and my Department’s proposals have been included with respect to the Community and Voluntary Sector as follows:

Objective	Actions	Target
Promote a strong vibrant and sustainable voluntary and community sector to enable better delivery of services	Deliver a sustainable network of advice centre’s meeting the needs of people. Establish a robust system of regulation for charities in Northern Ireland by Improve partnership and recognition across government of the role of the voluntary and community sector in government objectives support.	Implement the Advice Services Strategy by 2009. Establish a Charities Commission for Northern Ireland by the end of 2008, subject to legislation. Monitor and report on Positive Steps implementation by December 2008.

The Budget process involved bids for resources beyond the baseline figure of £17.795m that was initially allocated to the Voluntary and Community Unit. This figure may be subject to efficiency savings under the CSR process.

Resource bids were made in respect of the Conflict Transformation Initiative and the Capital Modernisation Fund. In terms of the capital budget, bids were made for the Modernisation fund, the Charities Commission and Areas at Risk.

Budget proposals where submitted for the Urban Regeneration and Community Development Group of £536m, the published Budget 2008-11 figure is £416m. The specific allocation of this Budget within the Department, including that for the Community and Voluntary Sector, is still to be finalised.

Housing Executive Tenants

Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants who have been evicted from their properties in (i) Larne; (ii) Carrickfergus; and (iii) Newtownabbey, broken down by each month, in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3395/08)

Ms M Ritchie: This information is not readily available in the format requested. However the following table provides information by Housing Executive District Office, on an annual basis:

District	Evictions 2002/03	Evictions 2003/04	Evictions 2004/05	Evictions 2005/06	Evictions 2006/07
Newtownabbey 1	0	0	4	0	0
Newtownabbey 2	1	2	1	0	0
Carrickfergus	0	2	0	1	6
Larne	0	2	0	0	2

Information Technology Tutor

Mr D McClarty asked the Minister for Social Development whether or not she will match funding from Coleraine Borough Council to facilitate the continuation of the Information Technology tutor post at Ballysally Community Centre.

(AQW 3422/08)

Ms M Ritchie: This post is fully funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund until 31 March 2008 and an application for continuation funding has not been received to date. All applications for Neighbourhood Renewal funding are subject to a rigorous appraisal, to ensure that proposals address the causes of deprivation, complement rather than duplicate an existing service, offer value for money and that there are no other more appropriate funding sources available. Where an application is received for continuation funding, an evaluation of the existing project is also necessary to ascertain to what extent it has met its aims and objectives and is continuing to address a priority need within the Neighbourhood Renewal Area. Any decision on either full or match funding would therefore be dependant on the outcome of such an appraisal and evaluation.

Increase in Economy 7 Tariff

Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Social Development for her assessment of the impact of the 14% tariff increase in Economy 7 on low income families.

(AQW 3453/08)

Ms M Ritchie: This increase has affected around 5% of households who use Economy 7 as their main form of heating. Fuel prices are already high in Northern Ireland and any increase in the costs that must be met by low income families will increase the difficulties they experience in managing their household budgets. I met Northern Ireland Electricity recently and urged them to do more to minimise the impact of this increase on the fuel poor.

Warm Homes Scheme

Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister for Social Development what actions will she take to address the delay in the provision of home surveys under the Warm Homes scheme.

(AQW 3484/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Warm Homes Scheme has been very successful and it is now oversubscribed. I have asked officials to review the delivery of the scheme and develop a way forward which ensures that those people in greatest need get help first.

ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Accommodation of Assembly Staff

Mr B Wilson asked the Assembly Commission if it will give consideration, in relation to the construction of a new building to accommodate Assembly staff, to holding an international competition for the design of a carbon neutral building that meets the highest environmental and aesthetic standards.

(AQW 3032/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): One of the recommendations of the Review Report on the Northern Ireland Assembly Secretariat is that the Assembly should become an exemplar organisation in respect of sustainable development and that sustainable development should be a key consideration in any new accommodation project.

The Assembly Commission is fully committed to ensuring that any proposed new building will meet the highest environmental and aesthetic standards.

Planning for the new accommodation is at a very early stage - an initial feasibility study is being carried out by Central Procurement Directorate to consider alternative sites in close proximity to Parliament Buildings.

The Commission will give consideration to holding a competition for the design of the building.

Electricity Source

Mr R Beggs asked the Assembly Commission to confirm whether or not the Assembly purchases electricity from renewable sources.

(AQW 3162/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): The Assembly Commission is committed to adopting a proactive approach to energy management and where possible uses renewable sources. Currently 25% of electricity supplied through one single supplier (NIE) to the Stormont Estate, which includes Parliament Buildings, is from a renewable source. This electricity supply is part of a shared service (Government contract) which is administered by Properties Division on a proportionate basis.

Furthermore, the Assembly Commission is currently undertaking an Environmental Audit to establish areas within Parliament Buildings where energy use could be minimized and options identified for alternative energy sources.

Weekly Information Bulletin

Mr R Beggs asked the Assembly Commission whether or not they have any plans to end the printing of the Weekly Information Bulletin, which is available online, with the exception of requests for hard copies.

(AQW 3182/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): A root and branch review of all the Assembly’s printing requirements, including the Weekly Information Bulletin, will be carried out in early 2008. This will be used to inform the number and types of publications to be printed and published.

Weekly Information Bulletin

Mr R Beggs asked the Assembly Commission to detail, out of the 81 pages of the Weekly Information Bulletin of Saturday 19 January, the number of pages that remained unaltered from the edition dated Saturday 12 January.

(AQW 3183/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): Thirty one pages were unchanged in the Weekly Information Bulletin of 19 January 2008. The content of the Bulletin will be considered as part of the root and branch review of the Assembly’s printing requirements to be carried out in early 2008.

Weekly Information Bulletin

Mr R Beggs asked the Assembly Commission to detail the cost to the Assembly to print the Weekly Information Bulletin each week; and to detail the number of copies printed each week.

(AQW 3184/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): The cost of printing the Weekly Information Bulletin varies depending on the content. The bulletin for 19 January 2008 cost £219.90 for 163 copies. Following a recent review of the requirements of staff for publications the number of copies of the Bulletin to be printed each week has been reduced to157 with effect from 26 January 2008.

Internet Connection Speed

Mr D McKay asked the Assembly Commission to detail whether or not action will be taken to improve the internet connection speed for computers used in the Assembly.

(AQW 3232/08)

The Representative of the Assembly Commission (Rev Dr R Coulter): The IS Office monitors the performance of the Internet connection on a daily basis. The speed of response can be affected by;

The time of day (which influences the response of websites based in American in particular);
The total number of people sharing the outgoing connection;
The size of any particular website’s connection to the Internet.

The issue of congestion was last raised formally with the NICS, with whom the NI Assembly currently share a secure connection, at a meeting on the 14^th December 2007 and they confirmed on the 4^th February 2008 that the connection capacity would be tripled within the next 2 months.