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 11 April 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
Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Victims' Commission
Mr J Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the staff complement of the newly established Victims' Commission.
(AQW 3926/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The full staffing complement has yet to be established. There are currently four staff working in support of the Commissioners designate.
Townland Names
Mr K McCarthy asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the actions it is taking to ensure that Government departments use townland names, where applicable, in view of the decision of the first Assembly to do so.
(AQW 4451/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We fully recognise the historic, cultural and linguistic importance of townland names. It is however a matter for each department to make a decision as to such usage.
Major Capital Investment Projects
Mr L Cree asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the arrangements in place to oversee the work of (i) the Strategic Investment Board; and (ii) the government departments, in relation to major capital investment projects.
(AQW 4613/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: One of the statutory functions of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) is to advise the Executive on its long-term capital requirements. The SIB fulfils this obligation through its work in developing the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland. SIB worked closely with departments in the development of the latest Investment Strategy to ensure that it provided the optimum approach to meeting the Executive’s overall priorities, as outlined in the Programme for Government.
SIB also has a statutory role in helping departments take forward their individual capital programmes. This is fulfilled by SIB providing specialist advisory services to departments. However, departments remain responsible for the delivery of their capital projects in the Investment Strategy and they intend to set out their detailed delivery plans that will be published over the course of the next few weeks. Arrangements through which the Executive will monitor the delivery of the Investment Strategy are currently under consideration.
The SIB, a company limited by guarantee, is directly responsible to us for its output and performance. An extensive framework of controls exists to help us oversee SIB’s work. These include: a formal Management Statement and Financial Memorandum, Corporate and Business Plans requiring annual approval; regular detailed reports on progress and finance; and ongoing contact with OFMDFM officials. SIB is also subject to independent audit and publishes an Annual Review and Accounts.
Planning Policy Statement 14
Mr J Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the steps it is taking to address decisions taken by the Planning Appeals Commission prior to the repeal of Planning Policy Statement 14.
(AQW 4944/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The policy provisions of PPS 14 have been re-issued and continue to apply to planning applications. It is not the role of OFMDFM to address previous decisions.
Quangos Reduction
Mr J Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the steps it is taking to reduce (i) the number of Quangos; and (ii) the number of people that serve on them.
(AQW 4946/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: In addition to a reduction in the number of the core administrative bodies within local government, education and health and social services, the Review of Public Administration (RPA) proposed to reduce the number of other public bodies/quangos from 81 to 53. Some progress has already been made in delivering these reductions.
The number of public bodies/quangos in Northern Ireland, and indeed the scale of reduction, does not rely on the RPA alone. Each Northern Ireland department is required to keep under review the public bodies it sponsors to ensure that they continue to provide value for money and add best value to the services delivered.
In terms of the people who serve on public bodies/quangos, the 2006 RPA announcements referred to guidelines laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments under which people would be appointed to such bodies. It is the responsibility of each sponsoring department to determine and justify the scale of appointments needed to fulfil the aim of having an optimum number of people with appropriate skills on any public body/quango to run it efficiently and effectively.
The Civic Forum
Mr S Moutray asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 2264/08, to detail (i) the analysis it has carried out on the work done by the Civic Forum; (ii) the conclusions it has drawn from this analysis; and (iii) the original proposals brought forward by the Civic Forum that were adopted by (a) the previous Executive; and (b) direct rule Ministers, that were subsequently inherited by the current Executive.
(AQW 5067/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Among the arrangements for the Civic Forum proposed in the report of the FM (Designate) and DFM (Designate) to the Assembly on 15 February 1999, was the recommendation that a formal review be carried out to consider all matters relating to the structure and effective operation of the Civic Forum. The review, which commenced in Spring 2002 , was to examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the existing Forum and make recommendations for its improvement. However, suspension of the devolved institutions in October 2002 meant that the analysis was not completed.
Following the restoration of devolution in May 2007, the Executive decided to commission a fresh review to examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the current structure, operation and membership of the Forum and to make recommendations on the most appropriate mechanism and arrangements for engaging with and obtaining the views of civic society on social, economic and cultural matters.
During the period of its operation, the Civic Forum responded to the draft 2 nd Programme for Government and the Budget for 2002/03. The Forum also made submissions on Investing for Health, the Review of Post Primary Education, Priorities for Social Inclusion and the role of the Commissioner for Children. It also commented on a working paper produced by the Community Relations Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister as part of its review of Community Relations policy.
Finally the Forum engaged in a number of research projects into long-term issues affecting society, such as life long learning, combating poverty, social inclusion and sustainable development. By the time of suspension, it had published two reports entitled “Educational Disadvantage in the Context of Lifelong Learning”, and “A Regional Strategy for Social Inclusion”. It is for the relevant Ministers to comment on the extent to which any relevant recommendations made by the Civic Forum were adopted.
Private Finance Initiatives
Mr T Gallagher asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the total number of Government contracts presently in place under Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) and to specify the nature of those PFIs and the Government departments responsible for them.
(AQW 5104/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: There are currently 31 Government contracts in place under Private Finance Initiatives, details of which are provided in the attached table.
Government contracts presently in place under Private Finance Initiatives (PFI)
| DEPARTMENT | NAME OF PROJECT | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Classroom 2000 Small Primaries | IT for small primary schools |
| Classroom 2000 Medium/Large Primaries | IT for medium to large primary schools | |
| Classroom 2000 Post Primary and Special | IT for post primary and special schools | |
| Classroom 2000 Wide Area Network | Wide Area Network to all grant aided schools | |
| Classroom 2000 refresh of primary service | Update/replacement of around 13, 000 computers in all grant-aided primary schools | |
| Drumglass High School PFI Project | New school premises (building and facilities management) | |
| St Genevieve's High School PFI Project | New school premises (building and facilities management) | |
| Wellington College / Balmoral High School | Two new schools - regional training unit attached to Balmoral High School | |
| Bangor Academy / Nendrum College PPP Project | New schools | |
| Holy Cross College , Strabane PPP Project | New purpose built school, Holy Cross College | |
| Regional Development | Roads Service DBFO - Package 1 | Westlink, Antrim slip roads, M2 widening and safety fence and communications on M22 |
| Roads Service DBFO - Package 2 | Capital improvements to A1 and A4/A5 and Operation and Maintenance of about 120km of motorway/trunk road in Down, Antrim, Armagh and Tyrone - Newry bypass 4 junction improvements and Dungannon to Ballygawley carriageway | |
| Environment | DVTA Vehicle Testing Project | Replacement of Vehicle Test Equipment and related services - vehicle testing and IT |
| Enterprise , Trade and Investment | Invest NI | New HQ accommodation - Belfast |
| Employment and Learning | Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education (Millfield) | Rationalisation of teaching accommodation |
| North West Institute of Further and Higher Education, Northland Building | Rationalisation of teaching accommodation | |
| Omagh College of Further and Higher Education | New college | |
| East Tyrone College of Further and Higher Education, Dungannon | New college at Dungannon campus | |
| Social Development | Social Security Agency | SSA Strategic Partnership Contract with EDS - Castle Court, Belfast |
| Finance & Personnel | Land Registry(LRNI), Lincoln Buildings - IT system | LANDWEB - Computerisation of LRNI operations |
| Health, Social Services and Public Safety | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (formerly Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust) | Royal Victoria Hospital Car Park |
| Northern Health and Social Care Trust (formerly Homefirst Community HSS Trust) | Contract Energy Services - Holywell Hospital, Antrim | |
| Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (formerly Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust) | New renal dialysis facilities | |
| Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (formerly Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust) | Cancer Centre (equipment, maintenance and consumables) | |
| Western Health and Social Care Trust (formerly Altnagelvin Hospital HSS Trust) | Services Centre (new pathology pharmacy and changing rooms) | |
| Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (formerly Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust) | Managed Equipment Service | |
| Culture, Arts & Leisure | Electronic Libraries for Northern Ireland | All Public Libraries sponsored by DCAL |
| South Eastern Education and Library Board | Lisburn City Library | |
| NI Water (DRD) | Kinnegar Waste Water Treatment Works | Sewage Treatment Works |
| Alpha Water Treatment Works | PPP Water Project | |
| Omega Waste Water Treatment Works | PPP Wastewater Project and Sludge Management Solution |
Agriculture and Rural Development
College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have an up-to-date course for (i) chipping; (ii) tree-felling; and (iii) using tree harvesters; and to confirm if these courses are available in written form.
(AQW 5167/08)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): CAFRE does not have an up to date course in chipping. CAFRE does have training courses in tree-felling, which are based on the assessment schedules of the National Proficiency Training Council (NPTC) units - CS31, CS 32, and CS33. These courses aim to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills for accreditation in these units. The assessment schedules are available in written form from NPTC and can be downloaded from the NPTC website. CAFRE also has courses in the safe use of tree harvesters, or Forestry Machine operations which also follow the corresponding NPTC assessment schedules which are available in written form or from the NPTC website.
Tree-Felling Trainers
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of tree-felling trainers employed by (i) the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE); and (ii) the Forest Service.
(AQW 5168/08)
Ms M Gildernew: There are two members of staff employed by DARD and based at CAFRE who are trained to provide training and assessment in tree felling operations.
Forest Service does not employ any tree-felling trainers.
Tree-Felling Trainers
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the action taken by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) to ensure it maintains tree-felling training that is up-to-date; and (ii) how often this training is reviewed.
(AQW 5169/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Training in tree-felling operations, as with all other vocational competence areas, is regulated by the sector-skills council (in this case LANTRA) and validated by the appropriate awarding body (in this case the National Proficiency Training Council, NPTC). These organisations have as part of their remit a duty to ensure that the content and delivery of all technical training and assessment is up to date and meets the requirements of the relevant industry.
CAFRE ensures its tree-felling training and assessment is up to date by using qualified trainers and assessors who hold current certification from the awarding body for the specific skills operations and who hold current certification to allow them to assess candidates in these skills.
The awarding body for tree felling is NPTC who stipulate that assessors must be verified once every two years to ensure that their assessment technique and range of knowledge is up to date and attend update days at a minimum of once every four years.
Assembly Questions
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) the delays; and (ii) the costs incurred by her department, in translating answers to written Assembly questions into Irish.
(AQW 5399/08)
Ms M Gildernew: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in common with all other Departments, does not calculate or record information on the cost of individual Assembly Questions and therefore does not hold the information you have sought.
In relation to delays my Department has only returned 1 AQ outside of the timeframe for reply and this case was not related to translation of the answer into Irish.
Food from Britain
Mr W Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in light of the decision by the 'Food from Britain' organisation to close in March 2009 what plans she has to develop further the promotion of food exports.
(AQW 5583/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I have only recently been apprised that the DEFRA Minister has decided to terminate grant aid for FFB, which is currently funded by an amalgam of Government grant from DEFRA along with commercial funding. This is likely to result in FFB being wound-up at 31 March 2009. In the interim DEFRA, in liaison with other Agriculture Departments, is likely to be exploring the potential for successor arrangements.
The decision is likely to have a greater impact on activities in Britain than here in the North. We envisage that alternative trade development arrangements in the North can, in large measure, be filled with enhanced local provision. This will complement any successor arrangements to FFB which might emerge. We are also in the process of setting up new structures for the food industry here. In this context we will wish to consider possibilities for collaboration with the South once FFB is wound-down.
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Official Meetings
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of meetings he has held with MLAs since May 2007.
(AQW 3826/08)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): Since May 2007 I have held 20 meetings with MLAs.
2012 Olympic Games
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail discussions he has with representatives of the 2012 Olympic Games; and to outline the (i) events; and (ii) teams, that will be located in the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
(AQW 3872/08)
Mr E Poots: I have met with Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), and with Tessa Jowell, MP, Minister for the 2012 Olympic Games, on a number of occasions to discuss Northern Ireland’s involvement in 2012.
My Department is represented, at a senior level, on both the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s Inter-Departmental Group and LOCOG’s Nations and Regions Group to ensure that Northern Ireland maximises the opportunities arising from the Games.
One venue in the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone was successful in being included in the Pre- Games Training Camp Guide (PGTC).
However inclusion in the PGTC Guide does not guarantee that teams from other countries will choose to train there.
Further work is required by NI venue operators, supported by SportNI, to actively seek and secure teams to train in NI.
Leisure Funding
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the initiatives his department is funding to promote leisure in deprived areas, particularly for children and young people.
(AQW 5180/08)
Mr E Poots: The policies and programmes of DCAL reflect government’s commitment to tackle poverty, social exclusion and patterns of deprivation based on objective need, particularly for children and young people.
This commitment is demonstrated in DCAL funding of the Bookstart Programme, One Book Project, Sure Start Storytelling, Sound and Vision Programme, W5 Summer Schemes and the provision of free fish stocks into a number of fisheries.
The Department has also been developing, in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland (SNI), a new 10-year strategy for sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland. The Sports Strategy includes targets and actions to promote greater participation in sport and physical recreation in areas of social need and amongst children and young people
Facilities for Anglers
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the amount of money raised through the purchase of fishing permits in 2007; and (ii) how this money was spent in relation to improving facilities for anglers.
(AQW 5215/08)
Mr E Poots: (i) The amount of money raised through the sale of DCAL fishing permits in 2007 was £200,966.72. This money is returned to a consolidated fund held by the Department of Finance and Personnel (CFER - Consolidated Fund for Extra Receipts). It is not automatically re-allocated to Inland Fisheries for the improvement of angling facilities.
(ii) A total budget of £258,000 was allocated to DCAL in the financial year 2007/ 08 for maintaining the Public Angling Estate; Rents and Leases and Bailiffing Services. A further £242,000 was allocated to Inland Fisheries Outstations at Movanagher and Bushmills. These budgets contribute to the maintenance, development and conservation of angling facilities.
Roller Hockey
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail, for each of the last 3 years, the funding his department has made available to the sport of roller hockey.
(AQW 5261/08)
Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. SNI has not received any applications for funding from the sport of roller hockey in the last 3 years.
Roller Hockey
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm if his department formally recognises the sport of roller hockey, and if not, to detail his plans to do so.
(AQW 5262/08)
Mr E Poots: Roller hockey is recognised as a sporting activity by Sport Northern Ireland.
Crumlin Glen Project
Mr T Burns asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the funding withheld for the Crumlin Glen project; (ii) the reasons for withholding payment; and (iii) the departments and bodies that have made up the shortfall in available monies.
(AQW 5278/08)
Mr E Poots: My Department has fully met its funding commitment regarding Antrim Borough Council’s Crumlin Glen Project and therefore is not withholding any funding.
As my Department’s role was limited to grant-aiding this project from its Water Recreation Programme we are not privy to details of any funding shortfall by other funding partners
Sports Grounds Legislation
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to (i) give a timescale within which the Safety of Sports Grounds legislation will be implemented; and (ii) detail the impact this legislation will have on crowd capacity in sports grounds.
(AQW 5354/08)
Mr E Poots: Articles 1 to 3, 9 to 12, 19 and 22 to 27of The Safety of Sports Grounds ( Northern Ireland ) Order 2006 came into operation on 14 March 2006. It is currently expected that this legislation will be fully implemented by the end of 2008/09.
The impact this legislation will have on crowd capacities in sports grounds will be determined by local authorities and the safety certificates they issue will set the approved capacity limit for each venue.
World Police and Fire Games
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the amount spent by his department in securing the World Police and Fire Games in 2013; and (ii) whether the bid to secure these Games was based on them being held at the proposed Multi Sports stadium at the Maze/Long Kesh site.
(AQW 5356/08)
Mr E Poots: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, through the Northern Ireland Events Company contributed £25,000 towards the cost of securing the World Police and Fire Games in 2013. The bid was not based on them being held at the proposed Multi Sports Stadium at the Maze/Long Kesh site as they will require a range of venues to accommodate the various sporting activities that will be included in the games.
Press Office
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4532/08, to detail the number of staff working in his department's press office, broken down by grade.
(AQW 5506/08)
Mr E Poots: I have 4.5 staff working in my Press Office as detailed below:
Principal Information Officer (Grade 7), 1
Senior information Officer (Deputy Principal), 1
Information Officer (Staff Officer), 1
Administrative Officer, 1
Administrative Assistant, 0.5
Pigeon Racing
Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm if he will consider designating pigeon racing as a sport so that those who take part can avail of local authority grants.
(AQW 5606/08)
Mr E Poots: The designation of sporting activities is a matter for the five sports councils of the UK and is not an issue in which I can intervene. Applications to designate pigeon racing as a sport should be made, in the first instance, to Sport Northern Ireland.
La Nua Newspaper
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will consider funding for the Irish language newspaper La Nua, as part of his department's role in promoting language diversity.
(AQW 5617/08)
Mr E Poots: The current funding for the Irish Newspaper Lá Nua is secured from Foras na Gaeilge until 31 December 2008. Any applications for future funding from Lá Nua will be considered on their merits.
Education
Gaelscoil an Chaistil's LMS Budget
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Education what assessment she has made of the North Eastern Education and Library Board's decision to debit £12,000 from Gaelscoil an Chaistil's LMS budget, for the purpose of paying rent for their school buildings.
(AQW 3350/08)
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Gaelscoil an Chaistil recorded a payment for rental of accommodation in a return made to the North Eastern Education and Library Board, though there is no current agreement in place between the school and the NEELB over the reimbursement of rent.
Tá ceist cóiríochta ar cíos go coitianta sna Gaelscoileanna á breithniú faoi láthair ag Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta agus ag an Roinn agus deimhneofar cás an chíosa ag Gaelscoil an Chaistil mar chuid den obair sin.
The issues of rentals generally for accommodation in the Irish medium schools is currently being considered by Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta and the
Department and the rental position at Gaelscoil an Chaistil will be confirmed as part of that work.
Public Private Partnerships/Private Finance Initiatives
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on all current and planned Public Private Partnerships/Private Finance Initiatives, and other major projects; and to outline (i) those projects which are delayed; (ii) the reasons for the delays; and (iii) completion dates for delivering these projects.
(AQW 3885/08)
Ms C Ruane: TABLE A
Projects at Contract Stage |
Estimated Completion Date |
PPP Projects |
|
Bangor Academy / Nendrum College (Comber) PPP Project |
March 2008 for Nendrum College, May 2008 for Bangor Academy |
Holy Cross College (Strabane) PPP Project |
October 2008 |
Conventional Projects |
|
Drumragh Integrated College |
April 2009
|
Ballyholme Primary School, Bangor |
February 2008 |
St Patrick’s Primary School, Saul |
May 2008 |
Assumption Grammar School , Ballynahinch |
December 2009 |
St Dominic’s High School, Belfast |
January 2010 |
Convent Grammar School , Enniskillen (Final Phase) |
June 2008 |
Maralin Primary School |
March 2008 |
Killen Primary School , Castlederg |
March 2008 |
Fourtowns Primary School , Ahoghill |
February 2008 |
Carnalridge Primary School , Portrush |
June 2008 |
Moorfields Primary School , Ballymena |
August 2008 |
Brookfield Special School |
December 2008 |
St Peter’s Primary School, Cloughreagh |
February 2009 |
Burnfoot, Largy, Dungiven Primary School |
August 2008 |
St Colman’s College, Newry |
June 2009 |
Waringstown Primary School |
September 2008 |
Ballymacrickett Primary School |
November 2008 |
Abbey Grammar School , Newry |
September 2009 |
Victoria Primary School , Ballyhalbert |
August 2008 |
Ballinderry Primary School |
April 2009 |
Pond Park Primary School , Lisburn |
April 2009 |
There are six Public Private Partnership projects involving 17 schools at procurement or planning stage, and seven conventionally funded projects where projects are experiencing delays. These are set out in the table B below.
TABLE B
| Name Of Project | Reason For Delay | Estimated Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| PPP Projects in Procurement | ||
| Derry Diocesan Project St Mary’s College, Derry St Cecilia’s College, Derry |
Completion of the Full Business Case needed to ensure compliance with revised guidance on PPPs. | 2009 – 2010 |
| Down & Connor / De La Salle Project St Mary’s P.S., Portglenone; St Joseph ’s P.S., Carryduff; Our Lady & St Patrick’s College, Knock; St Patrick’s G.S. Downpatrick. |
Completion of the Full Business Case needed to ensure compliance with revised guidance on PPPs. | 2010 – 2011 |
| Lagan College / Tor Bank Special School |
Need to resolve site issues at Lagan College. | 2010 - 2011 |
BELB Strategic Partnering Project Orangefield P.S. |
Project is part of proposed strategic partnering arrangement and proceeded more slowly than anticipated because of scale and complexity. |
2010 - 2011 |
PPP Projects in Planning |
|
|
Ballymoney H.S. |
Production and examination of an Outline Business Case to test the appropriateness of the procurement route and the likelihood to deliver value for money. |
2011-2012 |
Holy Trinity College , Cookstown, |
Production and examination of the Outline Business Case. |
2011-2012 |
Conventionally Funded Projects |
|
|
St Patrick’s College, Dungannon |
Delay due to site issues and design changes. | March 2008 |
De La Salle College, Belfast |
Delay due to piling rig problem and delivery of steel. |
June 2009 |
Lurgan College |
Revised Economic Appraisal currently being considered. |
autumn 2011 |
Portadown College |
Revised Economic Appraisal currently being considered. |
autumn 2011 |
Methodist College, Belfast |
Delay in appointment of Project Manager. |
spring 2013 |
Omagh Integrated Primary School |
Revised Economic Appraisal being prepared. |
spring 2011 |
Holy Family P.S. Magherafelt |
Revised Economic Appraisal being prepared. |
spring 2011 |
Tá 69 scéim eile ann atá maoinithe go comhghnásach ag céimeanna éagsúla dul chun cinn trí na staideanna pleanála agus a mbraithfidh a ndul chun cinn go mór mór ar sholáthar agus ar fhaomhadh aighneachtaí dearaidh agus costas ag staideanna ábhartha.
There are a further 69 conventionally funded schemes at various stages of progress through the planning stages and whose progress by the relevant education authority and the department will depend mainly on the provision and approval of design and costs submissions at relevant stages.
Youth Services Budget
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Education to detail the percentage increase, in real terms, of the youth services budget, in each of the next 3 years.
(AQW 3950/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is é an t-athrú faoin gcéad, i dtéarmaí réadacha, sna buiséid don óige agus do chaidreamh pobail, sna 3 bliana seo chugainn ná:
The percentage change, in real terms, in the youth and community relations budgets, in the next 3 years is as follows:
Recurrent |
Capital |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2008/09 | +0.92% | -36.5% |
| 2009/10 | -1.48% | -5.2% |
| 2010/11 | -2.22% | -7.7% |
The Treasury Gross Domestic Product deflators were used to determine real term changes.
The percentages have been calculated on the basis of the budget allocations for Youth and Community Relations in 2007/08 and the proposed budget allocations for the subsequent three years.
Recurrent
The recurrent budgets in 2009/10 and 2010/11 reflect anticipated efficiencies to be achieved by the transfer of responsibility for youth services and community relations to the Education and Skills Authority (ESA). These efficiencies will result in a reduction in both administrative costs and the duplication of services. They will also release additional funding to be directed at frontline services.
Capital
Capital Youth Service funding shows an investment of £5m in the sector in each of the next three years.
School Professional Advice
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to outline the measures she will take to ensure that objective professional advice is provided to the receiving school.
(AQW 4017/08)
Ms C Ruane: Táthar ag plé faoi láthair mionsonraithe a bhaineann le socruithe aistrithe iar-bhunscoile le geallsealbhóirí agus beidh toradh na gcainteanna seo ar fáil go luath. Tá mé féin i ndiaidh mo sheasamh féin ar roghnú acadúil a léiriú go breá soiléir: bíodh sé bunaithe ar an Scrúdú Aistrithe nó ar chomhairle gairmiúil oibiachtúil. Measaim féin go bhfuil roghnú acadúil míchothrom agus measaim fosta nach bhfuil gá leis chun córas d’ardchaighdeán oideachais a sholáthar .
The detail of future post-primary transfer arrangements at age 11 is currently under discussion with stakeholders and the outcome of these discussions will be available in due course. However I have made my position on academic selection very clear: whether based on the Transfer Test or on objective professional advice I consider academic selection to be both unjust and also unnecessary to the provision of a high quality system of post-primary education.
Post-Primary Education Policy
Dr S Farry asked the Minister of Education to detail the impact that the delay in providing a policy on post-primary education will have on the next phase of capital investment.
(AQW 4222/08)
Ms C Ruane: Faoi láthair tá thart ar 100 mórthionscadal caipitil atá i mbun pleanála nó inar thosaigh an obair ar shuíomh agus níl dáta ar bith socraithe le haghaidh fógra faoi chlár caipitil eile.
There are currently approximately 100 major capital projects in planning or where work has commenced on site and no date has been set for a further capital programme announcement. The policy on post primary education does not therefore impact on the timing of the next phase of capital investment.
Textbook Service for Blind and Partially Sighted School Children
Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Education to confirm that a contract for the provision of a textbook service for blind and partially sighted school children will be awarded on a competitive tender basis.
(AQW 4342/08)
Ms C Ruane: I understand from the five education and library Boards (ELBs) that if a centralised service is to be developed on behalf of the five ELBs or the proposed Education and Skills Authority then tendering arrangements which are governed by the Board’s Standing Orders will apply. These require that where expenditure is over £30,000 tendering is required.
Tendering will require the preparation of tender documents comprising a specification of requirements along with appropriate terms and conditions, the selection of a tender closing date and the advertisement of the tender in the local press. Tender documents would be sent to those requesting them. Tenders received by the tender closing date will then be opened and evaluated using pre-determined evaluation criteria and a contract award made.
Má tá an caiteachas níos mó ná £139,893, caithfidh an próiseas tairisceana a bheith de réir nósanna imeachta an AE, caithfear fógraíocht a dhéanamh ar fud an AE agus caithfidh amscála i bhfad níos faide a bheith ann
Where the expenditure is in excess of £139,893 the tendering process must be carried out in accordance with EU procedures, with an EU wide advertisement being placed and a much longer timescale.
I want to ensure that the education services provide equality for all. In deciding on the budget priorities, the Department of Education held consultation meetings to ensure all equality aspects were fully considered and relevant groups had an opportunity to contribute. I will be writing to the education and library boards and all bodies funded from the education budget to ensure that their budget allocations are subject to the full rigors of the equality impact assessment process .
Youth Workers
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of youth workers, funded by her department, who are based in the West Belfast constituency; and (ii) the organisations in which these youth workers are based.
(AQW 4499/08)
Ms C Ruane: Chuir Príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne ó Bhéal Feirste agus ón Oirdheisceart chomh maith le Stiúrthóir ón gcuideachta Bytes an t-eolas seo a leanas ar fáil maidir le líon na n-oibrithe don aos óg a úsáidtear sa toghlach agus sna heagraíochtaí ina bhfuil siad bunaithe.
The Department of Education currently provides funding to the Belfast and South Eastern Education and Library Boards, and the Bytes Project which employ youth workers in the West Belfast constituency. The Chief Executives of the Belfast and the South Eastern Education and Library Boards and the Director of Bytes provided
the following information on the number of youth workers deployed in the constituency and the organisations in which they are based.
|
Full-time youth workers |
Part-time youth workers |
Youth workers funded by |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
West Belfast Area Project |
8 |
0 |
BELB |
|
Upper Shankill Area Project |
7 |
0 |
BELB |
|
Mid Lower Shankill Area Project |
3 |
0 |
BELB |
|
Glencairn Youth Initiative |
1 |
5 |
BELB |
|
Matt Talbot Youth Club |
1 |
9 |
BELB |
|
St Agnes’ Youth Club |
1 |
9 |
BELB |
|
St Michael’s Youth Club |
1 |
7 |
BELB |
|
Carrigart Youth Club |
0 |
6 |
BELB |
|
Shankill Road Youth Club |
0 |
3 |
BELB |
|
Willowbank Youth Club |
0 |
11 |
BELB |
|
Woodvale Youth Club |
0 |
2 |
BELB |
|
An Munia Tober |
1 |
1 |
BELB |
|
Clonard Youth Club |
1 |
9 |
BELB |
|
Corpus Christi Youth Club |
1 |
6 |
BELB |
|
Holy Trinity Youth Club |
1 |
9 |
BELB |
|
St Peters Immaculata Youth Club |
1 |
5 |
BELB |
|
St Teresa’s Youth Club |
1 |
8 |
BELB |
|
Divis Youth Project |
0 |
1 |
BELB |
|
Glenparent |
0 |
2 |
BELB |
|
Horn Drive Drop In |
0 |
2 |
BELB |
|
Newhill Youth Club |
0 |
6 |
BELB |
|
St John’s Youth Club |
0 |
3 |
BELB |
|
Streetbeat |
0 |
4 |
BELB |
|
Townsend Street Social Outreach |
0 |
1 |
BELB |
|
Colin Area Project |
2 |
5 |
SEELB |
|
Saint’s Youth Centre |
1 |
8 |
SEELB |
|
Colin Youth Centre |
1 |
9 |
SEELB |
|
Lagmore Area Project |
2 |
2 |
SEELB |
|
After Schools Project/Health Education |
2 |
0 |
SEELB |
|
Poleglass Bytes |
2 |
0 |
Bytes Project |
|
Upper Springfield Bytes |
1 |
1 |
Bytes Project |
|
Shankill Bytes |
1 |
1 |
Bytes Project |
|
Children's Fund
Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the reasons for the 26.4% under spend in the Children's Fund; (ii) the areas that did not receive funding; and (iii) the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that money allocated to the Children's Fund is spent in the future.
(AQW 4519/08)
Ms C Ruane: We will not know the final out-turn position in relation to the Package until July 2008. However, in total, over £100m has been allocated to the Children and Young People’s Funding Package, with around £42m being spent in 2006/07 financial year and the remainder in 2007/08. At the end of the 2006/07 financial year some 11.6% of the resources from the main package had not been spent, however, as a result of end of year flexibility all of these resources were fully utilised.
Under the Children and Young People’s Funding Package the six themed areas covered are:
- Extended Schools (£13.25m/£13.3m)
- Extended Early Years provision (£3.85m/£7m)
- Looked-after children / vulnerable young adults (£2.85m/£2.75m)
- Youth outreach (£0.75m/£1.025m)
- Child protection (£1.8m/£2.55m)
- Children with special needs and disabilities (£5.9m/£6.675m)
All of these areas have received funding during the period covered by the Package.
Tagann Pacáiste Maoinithe na bPáistí agus na nDaoine Óga chun críche i Márta 2008 agus faoin am sin beidh cinneadh déanta ag gach Roinn a bhaineann leis i láthair na huaire maidir leis an phroiséas Cuimsitheach Athbhreithnithe um Chaiteachas, cé acu an dtabharfaidís nó nach dtabharfaidís maoiniú príomhshrutha nó maoiniú bunlíne do réimsí a mhaoinigh an Pacáiste roimhe. Má tá na réimsí seo san áireamh, tabharfar maoiniú agus déanfar monatóireacht air de réir moltaí reatha airgeadais agus iniúchta.
With the Children and Young People’s Funding Package ending in March 2008 each Department currently involved will have decided as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) process, whether they would provide mainstream or base-line funding for areas previously funded by the Package. If included, funding will be allocated and monitored in keeping with current finance and audit recommendations.
Middletown Autism Project
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education to detail the extent and dates of public and private consultation, including with (i) teacher training colleges; (ii) universities; (iii) voluntary autism groups; (iv) health service providers; and (v) public services, in relation to the Middletown Autism Project.
(AQW 4617/08)
Ms C Ruane: I would refer the member to my replies to his previous questions AQW29/08; AQW778/08 published in the Official Report on 28 September 2007and AQW779/08 published in the Official Report on 2 November 2007. These answers cover consultations carried out by the Middletown Centre for Autism Project until October 2007.
In 2002 a Steering Group comprising members from the two Education Departments, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and other education stakeholders was formed to consider the development of the Centre and the services to be provided.
Further consultation carried out by the Project Team on behalf of the two Education Departments included: a meeting with Professor Rita Jordan, Professor in Autism Studies, University of Birmingham in September 2002 to discuss the development of a Centre of Excellence.
A meeting with the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, Registration and Inspection Unit on 9 th January 2003 which examined requirements for the residential infrastructure and staffing requirements to meet statutory obligations, a second meeting took place with the renamed Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) in August 2007 to update the initial report.
DE Officials also met with Allied Health Professionals from the DHSSPS in May 2005 to discuss health related issues concerning the operation of the Centre.
The Chief Executive of the Middletown Centre for Autism has informed me that a consultation exercise was carried out in December 2007 and January 2008. The purpose of this consultation was both to inform and invite comments regarding how the proposed services could best be delivered by the Centre. The outcome of the consultation exercise will ultimately be the production of the corporate plan and annual business plans for the Centre and the development of service provision that meets the needs of stakeholders and the objectives of the two Education Departments.
San iomlán bhí 15 cur i láthair (5 sa Tuaisceart – ceann i ngach ceantar de na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne, 8 i nDeisceart na hÉireann agus dhá cheann i gCoillidh Chanannáin) inar fhreastail 296 duine orthu.
In total 15 presentations were made (5 in the North – one in each Education & Library Board area, and 8 in the South of Ireland and 2 at Middletown), a total of 296 individuals attended the presentations.
The senior management team have also met with the following organisations:
April 07 - Watergate School, London and Treehouse (autism education charity)
May 07 - Chief Executive Officer of Autism NI; Principal, Camphill Community Glencraig.
June 07 - Fleming Fulton School, Belfast; Principal of Oakwood Assessment Centre, Belfast; G McCann, Special Provision for the Education of Autistic Children (SPEAC).
July 07 - Principal, Hill House School; Vice Principal, Southlands School, Hampshire
Sept 07 - Director of Training, Autism NI; Professor of Learning Disability, University of Ulster; Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).
Oct 07 - Chief Executive Officer, North Eastern Education and Library Board; Chief Executive Officer and Head of Children and Young People’s Services, Southern Education and Library Board; Chief Executive Officer Western Education and Library Board; Chief Executive Officer, South Eastern Education and Library Board; Chief Executive Officer, Belfast Education and Library Board; Inter-Board Regional Strategy Group; Inter-Board ASD Group. Staff at Lisanally Special School; Autism NI; Professor of Psychiatry UNC Chapel Hill North Carolina; Chief Executive Officer, Western Trust; Chief Executive Officer and Assistant Director of Disabilities, South Eastern Trust; Chief Executive Officer of Belfast Trust; Children’s Services Director and Assistant Director of Children’s Mental Health and Disability, Western Trust; Chief Executive Officer, Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Director of Mental Health & Disability Services, Assistant Director or Specialist Child Health & Disabilities, Consultant Paediatrician, Consultant Community Paediatrician and Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Southern Trust; Southern Education and Library Board and Western Education and Library Board Special Educational Needs staff.
Nov 07 - Professor of Learning Disability, University of Ulster; Staff at Clifton Special School, Bangor; Department Education and Science Inspector, Regional Director National Education Programs, Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Special Educational Needs; South Eastern Education and Library Board Special Education Needs staff; Professor from Department of Psychiatry UNC Chapel Hill North Carolina; Northern Eastern Education and Library Board Special Educational Needs staff
Dec 07 - Health and Safety Executive; Special Education Support Service; Belfast Education and Library Board ASD Support Team; Southern Education and Library Board ASD Support Team; Children’s Services Director and Assistant Director of Woman and Children’s Services, Northern Trust.
Jan 08 - Sligo Institute of Technology, Western Education and Library Board Educational Psychology Service, Appleby Trust (Careers project)
Feb 08 - National Education Programs (NEPs), Cavan; Consultant for Public Health & Principal Social Worker, Southern Health and Social Services Board; Professor from Facility of Social Sciences and Professor of Learning Difficulties, University of Ulster; ASD Teams from Sligo and Donegal; National Autistic Society; Barnardo’s Forward Steps Service; Directors of Children’s Services in Belfast Health & Social Care Trust; Information & Policy Officer, Disability Action; Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Commissioner for the Allied Health Professions, Local Health and Social Care Commissioning Group and Planning and Performance Management Division, Southern Health Trust.
March 08 - Chief Executive Officer and staff, Autism NI; Co-Director of Children’s Disability Services in Western Health & Social Care Trust; Chief Executive Officer, SHINE, Irish Progressive Association for Autism; Autism Initiatives.
March 08 - Five Nations SEN Presentation, Belfast; Northern Health & Social Care Trust; lead for ASD in Health Service Executive.
Forthcoming Meetings
April 08 - NEPs, Cavan; Health and Safety Executive function for World Autism Day; Principals of Stranmillis and St Mary’s Teacher Training Colleges.
Sustainable Schools Policy
Miss M McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the outcomes of the consultation in relation to her department's Sustainable Schools Policy.
(AQW 4782/08)
Ms C Ruane: Cuireadh páipéar ina raibh torthaí ón mbabhta comhairliúcháin ar an bPolasaí um Scoileanna Inbhuanaithe faoi bhráid an Choiste Oideachais ar 20 Nollaig 2007.
A paper setting out the results of the consultation exercise on the Sustainable Schools Policy was forwarded to the Education Committee on 20 th December 2007. I have arranged for a copy of this paper to be sent to you. I intend to bring forward the Sustainable Schools Policy document shortly in light of the consultation exercise.
Asbestos in Schools
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the buildings owned and leased by her department that contain asbestos in their construction; and to provide a timescale for the removal of asbestos from these buildings.
(AQW 4784/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Education and Library Boards have completed asbestos surveys of schools and other educational buildings. All top priority asbestos has now been removed from school property. Where it is not considered necessary to remove the asbestos immediately, the Boards and other school authorities are responsible for managing the asbestos safely.
Ceangailte leis seo tá liosta de na foirgnimh ina bhfuil aispeist go fóill agus ama scála maidir lena bhaint amach astu, sa chás a mheastar gur cheart sin a dhéanamh.
The attached list contains details of buildings where asbestos remains and a timescale for removal, where it is considered appropriate to do so.
Details of Buildings Containing Asbestos
| Belfast Education & Library Board |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Timescale for Removal (if required) |
Is there other asbestos on site not requiring removal and dealt with by an Asbestos Management Plan? |
|
PRIMARY SCHOOLS (incl Nursery Schools) |
|
|
Arellian Nursery School |
Completed |
Yes |
Brefne Nursey School |
Completed |
Yes |
Edenderry Nursery School |
1 year |
No |
Glenbank Nursery School |
Completed |
No |
Glendhu Nursery School |
1 year |
No |
Malvern Nursery School |
Completed |
No |
McArthur Nursery School |
N/A |
Yes |
New Lodge Nursery School |
Completed |
No |
Oldpark Nursery School |
6 months |
No |
Ravenscroft Nursery School |
5 years |
Yes |
Sandbrook Nursery School |
Completed |
No |
Shaftesbury Nursery School |
N/A |
Yes |
Stanhope Street Nursery School |
Completed |
No |
Tudor Lodge Nursery School |
N/A |
Yes |
Victoria Nursery School |
Completed |
No |
Bethlehem Nursery School |
5 years |
Yes |
Holy Child Nursery School |
5 years |
Yes |
Holy Family Nursery School |
Completed |
Yes |
Holy Rosary Nursery School |
Completed |
Yes |
Matt Talbot Nursery School |
Completed |
No |
Our Lady’s Nursery School |
N/A |
Yes |
St Bernadette’s Nursery School |
Completed |
Yes |
St Maria Gorreti Nursery School |
N/A |
Yes |
St Martin ’s Nursery School |
1 year |
Yes |
St Teresa’s Nursery School |
Completed |
Yes |
Avoniel PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballygolan PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballysillan PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Beechfield PS |
Ongoing |
Yes |
Blackmountain PS |
Ongoing |
Yes |
Blythefield PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Botanic PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Carr’s Glen PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Cliftonville Infants PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Currie Junior PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Donegall Road PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Dundela Infants PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Edenbrook PS |
1 year |
Yes |
Euston Street PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Fane Street PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Glencairn PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Glenwood PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Greenwood PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Grove PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Harding Memorial PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Harmony PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Knocknagoney PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Ligoniel PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Malvern Street PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Mersey Street PS |
Closed |
Yes |
Nettlefield PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Orangefield PS |
2 years |
Yes |
Rosetta PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Seaview PS |
2 years |
Yes |
Springfield PS |
2 years |
Yes |
Springhill PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Strand PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Strandtown PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Stranmillis PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Suffolk PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Sydenham Infants PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Taughmonagh PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Vere Foster PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Wheatfield PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Bunscoil na tSleibhe Dhuibh |
N/A |
Yes |
Buscoil Bheann Mhadigan |
N/A |
Yes |
Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain |
Completed |
Yes |
Edmund Rice PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Gaelscoil an Damba |
Completed |
Yes |
Hazelwood PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Holy Child PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Holy Cross Boys’ PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Holy Cross Girls’ PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Holy Family PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Holy Rosary PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Holy Trinity Boys’ & Girls’ PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Mercy PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Our Lady of Lourdes PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Our Lady’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Sacred Heart PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Scoil an Droichid |
N/A |
Yes |
St Aidan’s CB PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Anne’s PS |
Ongoing |
Yes |
St Bernadette’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Bride’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St John the Baptist Boys’ PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS ( Holland Drive) |
Completed |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS ( Slate Street) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s Boys’ & Girls’ ( Divis St) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s Star of the Sea PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Matthew’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Michael’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Oliver Plunkett PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Paul ’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Teresa’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Vincent de Paul PS |
Completed |
Yes |
SECONDARY SCHOOLS (including Special Schools) |
|
|
Ashfield Boys’ |
N/A |
Yes |
Ashfield Girls’ |
Completed |
Yes |
Castle High School |
N/A |
Yes |
Boys’ Model |
Ongoing |
Yes |
Girls’ Model |
Completed |
Yes |
Orangefield |
Ongoing |
Yes |
Christian Brothers Secondary |
Completed |
Yes |
Corpus Christi Junior |
Completed |
Yes |
Corpus Christi Senior |
Completed |
Yes |
La Salle Boys’ Senior |
Ongoing |
Yes |
La Salle Junior |
Completed |
Yes |
Little Flower |
Completed |
Yes |
Meanscoil Feirste |
N/A |
Yes |
Our Lady of Mercy |
Completed |
Yes |
St Gabriel’s Boys |
N/A |
Yes |
St Gemma’s Girls |
Completed |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s College |
Completed |
Yes |
St Vincent Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
St Louise’s |
Completed |
Yes |
St Patrick’s |
Completed |
Yes |
St Rose’s Girls |
N/A |
Yes |
Grosvenor Grammar |
Completed |
Yes |
Clarawood Special |
Completed |
Yes |
Fleming Fulton Special |
Completed |
Yes |
Greenwood Assessment |
N/A |
Yes |
Mitchell House |
Ongoing |
Yes |
Park Educational Centre |
Completed |
Yes |
Oakwood Assessment |
N/A |
Yes |
St Francis de Sales |
N/A |
Yes |
St Gerard’s ERC |
N/A |
Yes |
OTHER BUILDINGS (including Youth Centres) |
|
|
Board Headquarters |
N/A |
Yes |
Delamount House |
N/A |
Yes |
Hammer Bus Dept |
N/A |
Yes |
Mountcollyer Resource |
Completed |
Yes |
Sandbrook School Meals Kitchen |
N/A |
Yes |
School of Music |
Completed |
Yes |
Ulidea Resource Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Archway Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Artillery Youth Centre |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballysillan Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Blackmountain Youth Centre |
Completed |
Yes |
Carrigart Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Donegall Pass Youth Centre |
CLOSED |
Yes |
Finaghy Youth Centre |
Completed |
Yes |
Fortwilliam Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Hammer Youth Centre |
Completed |
Yes |
Matt Talbot Youth Centre |
Completed |
No |
Mountainhill Youth Centre |
Completed |
No |
Mountcollyer Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Orangefield Youth Centre |
CLOSED |
Yes |
Roslyn Street Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Shankill Road/Riddel YC |
Completed |
Yes |
St Michael’s Youth Centre |
ongoing |
Yes |
Suffolk Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Sydenham Youth Centre (closed) |
CLOSED |
Yes |
Taughmonagh Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Topspot Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Trinity Drop In Youth Centre |
CLOSED |
Yes |
Turf Lodge Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Woodvale Youth Centre |
Completed |
No |
| Western Education & Library Board |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Timescale for Removal (if required)
|
Is there other asbestos on site not requiring removal and dealt with by an Asbestos Management Plan? |
|
| PRIMARY SCHOOLS (including Nursery Schools) |
|
|
Ballycolman Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Belmont Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Bligh's Lane Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Carnhill Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Enniskillen Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Galliagh Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Limavady Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Omagh North Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Strathfoyle Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Trench Road Nursery School |
N/A |
YES |
Aghadrumsee PS |
N/A |
YES |
All Saint's PS |
N/A |
YES |
Altishane PS |
N/A |
YES |
Ardstraw PS |
N/A |
YES |
Artigarvan PS |
N/A |
YES |
Ashlea PS |
Completed |
YES |
Ballinamallard PS |
N/A |
YES |
Ballougry PS |
Completed |
YES |
Ballykelly PS |
N/A |
YES |
Barrack Street Boys' PS |
N/A |
YES |
Bellarena PS |
N/A |
YES |
Belleek No 2 PS |
N/A |
YES |
Bridgehill PS |
N/A |
YES |
Broadbridge PS |
Completed |
YES |
Brookeborough PS |
N/A |
YES |
Bunscoil an Traonaigh PS |
N/A |
YES |
Bunscoil Cholmcille PS |
N/A |
YES |
Burnfoot PS |
N/A |
YES |
Chapel Road PS |
Completed |
YES |
Christ the King PS |
N/A |
YES |
Cornagague PS |
Completed |
YES |
Corranny PS |
N/A |
YES |
Craigbrack PS |
N/A |
YES |
Culmore PS |
N/A |
YES |
Cumber Claudy PS |
N/A |
YES |
Denamona PS |
N/A |
YES |
Derrygonnelly PS |
N/A |
YES |
Donemana PS |
N/A |
YES |
Dromore PS |
N/A |
YES |
Drumachose PS |
N/A |
YES |
Drumahoe PS |
N/A |
YES |
Drumduff PS |
N/A |
YES |
Drumlegagh PS |
N/A |
YES |
Drumlish PS |
N/A |
YES |
Drumnabey PS |
N/A |
YES |
Dungiven PS |
Completed |
YES |
Dunmullan PS |
N/A |
YES |
Ebrington PS |
Completed |
YES |
Edwards PS |
N/A |
YES |
Eglinton PS |
Completed |
YES |
Enniskillen Integrated PS |
N/A |
YES |
Enniskillen Model PS |
N/A |
YES |
Envagh PS |
N/A |
YES |
Erganagh PS |
N/A |
YES |
Evish PS |
N/A |
YES |
Faughanvale PS |
Completed |
YES |
Fountain PS |
N/A |
YES |
Gaelscoil Éadain Mhoir PS |
N/A |
YES |
Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh PS |
N/A |
YES |
Gillygooley PS |
N/A |
YES |
Glendermott PS |
N/A |
YES |
Good Shepherd PS |
N/A |
YES |
Gortin PS |
N/A |
YES |
Gortnagarn PS |
N/A |
YES |
Gortnaghey PS |
N/A |
YES |
Greenhaw PS |
Completed |
YES |
Groarty PS |
N/A |
YES |
Hollybush PS |
N/A |
YES |
Holy Child PS |
N/A |
YES |
Holy Family PS |
Completed |
YES |
Holy Trinity PS |
N/A |
YES |
Holy Trinity PS |
N/A |
YES |
Irvinestown PS |
N/A |
YES |
Jones Memorial PS |
Completed |
YES |
Killyhommon PS |
N/A |
YES |
Knocknagor PS |
N/A |
YES |
Lack PS |
N/A |
YES |
Langfield PS |
N/A |
YES |
Largy PS |
N/A |
YES |
Limavady Central PS |
N/A |
YES |
Lisbellaw PS |
N/A |
YES |
Lisnagelvin PS |
N/A |
YES |
Listress PS |
Completed |
YES |
Derry Model PS |
N/A |
YES |
Longtower PS |
N/A |
YES |
Loreto Convent PS |
N/A |
YES |
Loughash PS |
N/A |
YES |
Magheralough PS |
N/A |
YES |
Maguiresbridge PS |
N/A |
YES |
McClintock PS |
N/A |
YES |
Moat PS |
Completed |
YES |
Mullabuoy PS |
N/A |
YES |
Nazareth House PS |
Completed |
YES |
Newbuildings PS |
N/A |
YES |
Newtownbutler No 2 PS |
N/A |
YES |
Newtownstewart Model PS |
N/A |
YES |
Omagh County PS |
N/A |
YES |
Omagh Integrated PS |
N/A |
YES |
Our Lady of Lourdes PS |
N/A |
YES |
Queen Elizabeth II PS |
July 2008 |
YES |
Recarson PS |
N/A |
YES |
Roscavey PS |
N/A |
YES |
Rosemount PS |
N/A |
YES |
Sacred Heart PS |
N/A |
YES |
Shanmullagh PS |
N/A |
YES |
Sion Mills PS |
N/A |
YES |
Sistrakeel PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Finlough's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Aidan's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Anne's PS, Derry |
Completed |
YES |
St Anne's PS, Strabane |
N/A |
YES |
St Anthony's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Brigid's PS, Altamuskin |
N/A |
YES |
St Brigid's PS, Cranagh |
N/A |
YES |
St Brigid's PS, Derry |
N/A |
YES |
St Brigid's PS, Mountfield |
N/A |
YES |
St Caireall's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Canice's PS, Dungiven |
N/A |
YES |
St Canice's PS, Feeny |
N/A |
YES |
St Colmcille's PS, Claudy |
Completed |
YES |
St Colmcille's PS, Omagh |
N/A |
YES |
St Columban's PS |
August 2008 |
YES |
St Columba's PS, Clady |
N/A |
YES |
St Columba's PS, Dromore |
N/A |
YES |
St Columba's PS, Newbuildings |
N/A |
YES |
St Columbkille's PS, Carrickmore |
N/A |
YES |
St Conor's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Davog's PS, Belleek |
N/A |
YES |
St Davog's PS, Scraghey |
N/A |
YES |
St Dympna's PS |
Closed |
YES |
St Eithne's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Eugene's PS, Derry |
N/A |
YES |
St Eugene's PS, Knocks |
N/A |
YES |
St Eugene's PS, Tycur |
N/A |
YES |
St Eugene's PS, Victoria Bridge |
N/A |
YES |
St John the Baptist PS |
N/A |
YES |
St John 's PS, Bligh's Lane |
N/A |
YES |
St John 's PS, Dernaflaw |
N/A |
YES |
St Joseph 's PS, Donagh |
N/A |
YES |
St Joseph 's PS, Drumquin |
N/A |
YES |
St Joseph 's PS, Ederney |
N/A |
YES |
St Joseph 's PS, Glenmornan |
N/A |
YES |
St Lawrence's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Macartan's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Martin 's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Altinure |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Brookeborough |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Cloughcor |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Killesher |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Laught |
N/A |
YES |
Mary's PS, Maguiresbridge |
Completed |
YES |
Mary's PS, Mullymesker |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Newtownbutler |
Completed |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Teemore |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's PS, Tempo |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's Boys' PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary's Girls' PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Matthew's PS, Drumsurn |
Completed |
YES |
St Matthew's PS, Garvaghey |
N/A |
YES |
St Naile's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Ninnidh's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Oliver Plunkett PS, Beragh |
N/A |
YES |
St Oliver Plunkett PS, Strathfoyle |
Completed |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Castlederg |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Creggan |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Derrygonnelly |
Completed |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Dunamanagh |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Eskra |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Gortin |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Mullanaskea |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Newtownstewart |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Pennyburn |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick's PS, Seskinore |
N/A |
YES |
St Paul 's PS, Irvinestown |
N/A |
YES |
St Paul 's PS, Slievemore |
N/A |
YES |
St Peter's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Peter's & St Paul's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Ronan's PS |
Completed |
YES |
St Scire's PS |
N/A |
YES |
St Teresa's PS, Loughmacrory |
N/A |
YES |
St Theresa's PS, Glebe |
N/A |
YES |
St Therese PS, Leanmore |
N/A |
YES |
St Tierney's PS |
Completed |
YES |
Steelstown PS |
Completed |
YES |
Strabane PS |
N/A |
YES |
Stragowna PS |
N/A |
YES |
Tattygar PS |
N/A |
YES |
Tempo No 1 PS |
Completed |
YES |
Termoncanice PS |
N/A |
YES |
Trench Road PS |
N/A |
YES |
Trillick PS |
Completed |
YES |
Tummery PS |
N/A |
YES |
SECONDARY SCHOOLS (including Special Schools) |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Belmont House Special |
Completed |
YES |
Cranny Special |
Closed |
YES |
Elmbrook Special |
N/A |
YES |
Erne Special |
N/A |
YES |
Foyle View Special |
N/A |
YES |
Glasvey Special |
N/A |
YES |
Heatherbank Special |
N/A |
YES |
Limegrove Special |
N/A |
YES |
Castlederg Secondary School |
Completed |
YES |
Dean Maguirc SS |
Completed |
YES |
Devenish Ballinamallard |
2008 |
YES |
Devenish Enniskillen |
Completed |
YES |
Devenish Kesh |
2008 |
YES |
Erne Integrated |
N/A |
YES |
Immaculate Conception College |
Completed |
YES |
Limavady HS |
N/A |
YES |
Lisnaskea SS |
Completed |
YES |
Lisneal (Clondermott HS) |
April 2008 |
YES |
Lisneal ( Faughan Valley HS) |
March 2008 |
YES |
Omagh SS |
Completed |
YES |
Our Lady of Mercy SS |
N/A |
YES |
Sacred Heart College |
N/A |
YES |
St Aidan’s SS |
N/A |
YES |
St Brigid’s SS, Derry |
N/A |
YES |
St Brigid’s SS, Colaiste Bhride |
N/A |
YES |
St Cecilia’s College |
N/A |
YES |
St Colman’s SS |
Completed |
YES |
St Comhghall’s SS |
Completed |
YES |
St Eugene’s, Castlederg |
N/A |
YES |
St Eugene’s, Roslea |
Completed |
YES |
St Fanchea’s College |
N/A |
YES |
St John ’s SS |
N/A |
YES |
St Joseph ’s, Enniskillen |
Completed |
YES |
St Joseph ’s Boys’, Derry |
N/A |
YES |
St Joseph ’s, Plumbridge |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary’s, Derry |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary’s, Brollagh |
N/A |
YES |
St Mary’s, Limavady |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick’s SS |
N/A |
YES |
St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s |
N/A |
YES |
St Peter’s SS |
N/A |
YES |
Strabane HS |
N/A |
YES |
| OTHER BUILDINGS (including Youth Centres) |
|
|
Castlederg Transport Depot |
N/A |
YES |
Castlederg Grounds Maintenance |
N/A |
YES |
Central Depot Omagh |
N/A |
YES |
E’skillen Transport/grounds maint. |
N/A |
YES |
Irvinestown Grounds Maintenance |
N/A |
YES |
Limavady Grounds Maintenance |
NA |
YES |
L’skea Transport/grounds maint. |
N/A |
YES |
Springtown Depot |
N/A |
YES |
Strabane Grounds Maintenance |
Completed |
YES |
Strabane Transport Depot |
Completed |
YES |
Strabane Transport/Welfare |
N/A |
YES |
Education Guidance Centre |
N/A |
YES |
E’skillen District Office |
Completed |
YES |
Derry Music Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Magilligan Study Centre |
N/A |
YES |
North West Teachers’ Centre |
Completed |
YES |
Strabane Teachers’ Centre |
Completed |
YES |
Strabane Reading Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Technology Education |
N/A |
YES |
WELB Headquarters |
N/A |
YES |
UA Folk Park – Residential Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Brooke Park/Rosemount YC |
N/A |
YES |
Carrickmore Youth Centre |
Completed |
YES |
Caw Youth Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Lakeland Youth Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Limavady Youth Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Omagh Youth Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Pilots Row Youth Centre |
Completed |
YES |
Shantallow Youth Centre |
Completed |
YES |
Strathfoyle Youth Centre |
Completed |
YES |
Waterside Youth Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Derry Area Youth Office |
N/A |
YES |
Campsie Swimming Pool |
N/A |
YES |
William Street Learner Pool |
N/A |
YES |
Corrick Outdoor Education Centre |
N/A |
YES |
Gortatole Outdoor Educ. Centre |
N/A |
YES |
| North Eastern Education & Library Board |
|
|
|---|---|---|
School Name |
Timescale for Removal (if required)
|
Is there other asbestos on site not requiring removal and dealt with by an Asbestos Management Plan? |
PRIMARY SCHOOLS (including Nursery Schools) |
|
|
Ashgrove NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballycastle NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballyclare NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballyhenry NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballymena NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballymoney NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballysally NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Dunclug NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Kylemore NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Larne NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Monkstown NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Mossley NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Steeple NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Sunnylands NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ashgrove PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballynure PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Balnamore PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Bellaghy PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Cairncastle PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Carnalbanagh PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Carnmoney |
Completed |
Yes |
Carrickfergus Central PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Castleroe PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Clough PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Cloughmills PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Drumard PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Gorran PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Harpur’s Hill PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Harryville PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Lislagan PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Longstone PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Moyle PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Oakfield PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Parkhall PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Rathcoole PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Silverstream PS |
Completed |
Yes |
The Thompson PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Toreagh PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Upper Ballyboley PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Woodlawn PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Anthony’s NS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s NS |
N/A |
Yes |
All Saints’ PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Anahorish PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballyhackett PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballynease PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Barnish PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Carlane PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Creggan PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s Glen PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Glenann PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Glenravel PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Holy Family PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Kilcoan PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Knocknagin PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Lourdes PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Moneynick PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Mount St Michaels PS |
Completed |
Yes |
New Row PS |
Completed |
Yes |
Seaview PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Anne’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Anthony’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Bernard’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Brigid’s PS, Tirkane |
N/A |
Yes |
St Brigid’s PS, Ballymoney |
N/A |
Yes |
St Brigid’s PS, Cloughmills |
Completed |
Yes |
St Brigid’s PS, Mayogall |
Completed |
Yes |
St Ciaran’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Colum’s PS, Portstewart |
N/A |
Yes |
St Columb’s PS, Desertmartin |
N/A |
Yes |
St Columba’s PS, Straw |
N/A |
Yes |
St Columba’s PS, Garvagh |
Completed |
Yes |
St Columba’s PS, Kilrea |
Completed |
Yes |
St Comgall’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Eoghan’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St James’ PS, Newtownabbey |
Completed |
Yes |
St John ’s PS, Carnlough |
Completed |
Yes |
St John ’s PS, Coleraine |
Completed |
Yes |
St John ’s PS, Swatragh |
Completed |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Ahoghill |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS Stiles |
Completed |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Ballymena |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Dunloy |
Completed |
Yes |
St Louis Convent PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St MacNissi’s PS, N’abbey |
Completed |
Yes |
St MacNissi’s PS, Tobermore |
N/A |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Coleraine |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Glenview |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Aghadowey |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Ballymena |
Completed |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Bellaghy |
Completed |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Cargan |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Cushendall |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Draperstown |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Greenlough |
Completed |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Portglenone |
Completed |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Rathlin |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s on the Hill PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Olcan’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Ahoghill |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Glenariffe |
Completed |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Loughgiel |
Completed |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Portrush |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Rasharkin |
N/A |
Yes |
St Trea’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Tir-na-nog PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Oliver Plunkett PS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Patrick’s & St Joseph’s PS |
Completed |
Yes |
SECONDARY SCHOOLS (including Special Schools) |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballee Community |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballycastle SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballyclare SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballymoney SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Crumlin HS |
Completed |
Yes |
Cullybackey SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Downshire SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Dunclug SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Garvagh SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Glengormley SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Larne HS |
Completed |
Yes |
Maghera SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Magherafelt SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Monkstown Community |
Completed |
Yes |
Newtownabbey Community |
Completed |
Yes |
Parkhall College |
Completed |
Yes |
Coleraine College |
Completed |
Yes |
Ballyclare HS |
Completed |
Yes |
Cambridge House |
Completed |
Yes |
Carrickfergus GS |
Completed |
Yes |
Coleraine High |
Completed |
Yes |
Beechgrove Special |
Completed |
Yes |
Dunfane Special |
Completed |
Yes |
Rostulla Special |
Completed |
Yes |
Thornfield Special |
N/A |
Yes |
Hillcroft Special |
N/A |
Yes |
Loughan Special |
N/A |
Yes |
Roddensvale Special |
N/A |
Yes |
Jordanstown Special |
Completed |
Yes |
Cross and Passion SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Edmund Rice SS |
Completed |
Yes |
Our Lady of Lourdes SS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Aloysius SS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Colm’s SS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Comgall’s SS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s SS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Mary’s College |
Completed |
Yes |
St Olcan’s SS |
Completed |
Yes |
St Patrick’s SS, Ballymena |
Completed |
Yes |
St Patrick’s SS, Maghera |
Completed |
Yes |
St Paul ’s SS |
Completed |
Yes |
| OTHER BUILDINGS (including Youth Centres) |
|
|
Bushmills Education Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Derganagh House |
N/A |
Yes |
Woodhall Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballykeel Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Broughshane Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballymena Youth Office |
N/A |
Yes |
Waveny Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Sunlea Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Sunnylands Youth Office |
N/A |
Yes |
Newtownabbey Youth Office |
N/A |
Yes |
Glengormley Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Rathcoole Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Whitehead Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Garvagh Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
| South Eastern Education & Library Board |
|
|
|---|---|---|
School Name |
Timescale for Removal (if required)
|
Is there other asbestos on site not requiring removal and dealt with by an Asbestos Management Plan? |
| PRIMARY SCHOOLS (including Nursery Schools) |
|
|
Abbey PS |
N/A |
yes |
Academy PS |
July 08 |
yes |
Alexander Dickson PS |
N/A |
yes |
Andrews Memorial PS |
Boiler House removal complete |
yes |
Annahilt PS |
N/A |
yes |
Annsborough PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballinderry PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballycloughran PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballyholme PS |
completed |
no |
Ballykeigle PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballymacash PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballymacrickett PS |
New build underway |
Yes - in old building until demolition |
Ballymagee PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballynahinch PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballyvester PS |
N/A |
yes |
Ballywalter PS |
N/A |
yes |
Bangor Central PS |
Complete |
yes |
Bangor NS |
July 08 |
yes |
Belvoir PS |
N/A |
yes |
Bloomfield Road PS |
24 months |
yes |
Braniel PS |
N/A |
yes |
Brooklands PS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Brownlee PS |
N/A |
yes |
Cairnshill PS |
N/A |
yes |
Carrowdore PS |
Completed |
yes |
Carryduff PS |
N/A |
yes |
Castlereagh NS |
N/A |
yes |
Castlewellan PS |
N/A |
yes |
Christ The King PS |
N/A |
yes |
Clandeboye PS |
N/A |
yes |
Clough PS |
N/A |
yes |
Comber PS |
N/A |
yes |
Conlig PS |
N/A |
yes |
Convent of Mercy NS |
N/A |
yes |
Convent of Mercy PS |
N/A |
yes |
Crawfordsburn PS |
N/A |
yes |
Crossgar PS |
12-24 Months |
Yes |
Derriaghy PS |
N/A |
yes |
Derryboye PS |
N/A |
yes |
Donaghadee PS |
N/A |
yes |
Downpatrick PS |
N/A |
yes |
Downshire PS |
N/A |
yes |
Dromara PS |
N/A |
yes |
Drumaghlis PS |
N/A |
yes |
Drumaness PS |
N/A |
yes |
Drumbo PS |
N/A |
yes |
Dunmurray PS |
12-24 Months |
Yes |
Forthill PS |
N/A |
yes |
Gilnahirk PS |
12-24 Months |
Yes |
Glencraig PS |
N/A |
yes |
Good Shepherd NS |
N/A |
yes |
Good Shepherd PS |
N/A |
yes |
Grange Park PS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Greyabbey PS |
N/A |
yes |
Groomsport PS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Guiness PS |
N/A |
yes |
Harmony Hill PS |
N/A |
yes |
Hilden IPS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Holy Family PS |
N/A |
yes |
Holywood NS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Holywood PS |
Completed |
yes |
Kilcooley PS |
N/A |
yes |
Killinchey PS |
N/A |
yes |
Killowen PS |
N/A |
yes |
Kings Road NS |
N/A |
yes |
Kircubbin IPS |
Completed |
yes |
Kirkistown PS |
N/A |
yes |
Knockbreda PS |
N/A |
yes |
Knockmore PS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Largymore PS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Lead Hill PS |
N/A |
yes |
Legamaddy PS |
N/A |
yes |
Lisburn Central PS |
N/A |
yes |
Lisnasharragh PS |
N/A |
yes |
Derry PS |
N/A |
yes |
Maghaberry PS |
N/A |
yes |
Millisle PS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Moneyrea PS |
N/A |
yes |
Newcastle PS |
N/A |
yes |
Newport PS |
N/Q |
yes |
Newtownards NS |
N/A |
yes |
Newtownbreda PS |
N/A |
yes |
Old Warren PS |
Completed |
yes |
O’Neill Memorial PS |
Completed |
yes |
Pond Park NS |
N/A |
yes |
Pond Park PS |
New build underway |
yes |
Portaferry IPS |
N/A |
yes |
Portavogie PS |
Completed |
yes |
Rathmore PS |
12-24 months |
yes |
Redburn PS |
N/A |
yes |
Sacred Heart PS |
N/A |
yes |
Seymour Hill PS |
N/A |
yes |
Spa PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Aloysius PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Anne’s PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Bernard’s PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Brigid’s PS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Colman’s PS, Lambeg |
N/A |
yes |
St Colman’s PS, Moira |
N/A |
yes |
St Colmcille’s PS, Downpatrick |
N/A |
yes |
St Colmcille’s NS |
N/A |
yes |
St Finian’s PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Francis PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Lisburn |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Newcastle |
N/A |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Killough |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Tyrella |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Carryduff |
Completed |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Ballycruttle |
N/A |
yes |
St Kieran’s PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Luke’s PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Bangor |
N/A |
yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Castlewellan |
N/A |
yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Kilcoo |
N/A |
yes |
St Mark’s PS |
Completed |
yes |
St Mary’s Boys’ PS, Newcastle |
N/A |
yes |
St Mary’s Girls’ PS, Newcastle |
N/A |
yes |
St Mary’s PS, Ardglass |
N/A |
yes |
St Mary’s PS, Aughlisnafin |
N/A |
yes |
St Mary’s PS, Kircubbin |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Mary’s PS, Killyleagh |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Nicholas’ PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Patrick’s Boys’ PS, D’patrick |
N/A |
yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Ballynahinch |
N/A |
yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Castlewellan |
N/A |
yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Portaferry |
N/A |
yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Saul |
N/A |
yes |
St Caolan’s PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Crossgar |
N/A |
yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Strangford |
N/A |
yes |
St Kieran’s PS |
N/A |
yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Kilclief |
N/A |
yes |
St Mary’s PS, Saintfield |
N/A |
yes |
Tonagh PS |
N/A |
yes |
Towerview PS |
N/A |
yes |
Trinity NS |
N/A |
yes |
Tullycarnet PS |
N/A |
yes |
Tyrella PS |
N/A |
yes |
West Winds PS |
N/A |
yes |
SECONDARY SCHOOLS (including Special Schools) |
|
|
Regent House GS |
N/A |
yes |
De La Salle SS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Down Academy |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Dundonald HS |
N/A |
yes |
Dunmurry HS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Fort Hill Girls HS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Glastry HS |
Complete |
yes |
Newtownbreda HS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Colmcille’s HS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Columbanus College |
12-24 Months |
yes |
St Mary’s HS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
The High School, Ballynahinch |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Donaghadee HS |
N/A |
yes |
Down High School |
N/A |
yes |
Knocknabreda HS |
N/A |
yes |
Laurelhill HS |
N/A |
yes |
Lisnagarvey Boys’ HS |
N/A |
yes |
Lisnasharragh HS |
N/A |
yes |
Movilla HS |
N/A |
yes |
Priory College , Holywood |
N/A |
yes |
Saintfield HS |
N/A |
yes |
St Colm’s HS |
N/A |
yes |
St Columba’s HS |
N/A |
yes |
St Patrick’s HS |
N/A |
yes |
Lagan College |
N/A |
yes |
Ardmore House SS |
12-24 Months |
yes |
Beechlawn SS |
N/A |
yes |
Brookfield Special Primary |
N/A |
yes |
Broomhedge |
N/A |
yes |
Killard House School |
N/A |
yes |
Lakewood SS |
N/A |
yes |
Longstone School |
N/A |
yes |
Tor Bank School |
N/A |
yes |
SEELB Headquarters |
N/A |
yes |
Cabra Towers Outdoor Ed. Centre |
N/A |
yes |
Killyleagh Outdoor Educ Centre |
N/A |
yes |
| OTHER BUILDINGS (including Youth Centres) |
|
|
Ardnabannon Outdoor Ed. Centre |
N/A |
yes |
The Music Centre Ballynahinch |
N/A |
yes |
Rathvarna Resource Centre |
N/A |
yes |
Ardcarnet Youth Centre |
N/A |
yes |
Ards Arena Youth Centre |
N/A |
yes |
Moneyrea Primary Youth Club |
N/A |
yes |
Downpatrick Resource Centre |
N/A |
yes |
| Southern Education and Library Board |
|
|
|---|---|---|
School Name |
Timescale for Removal (if required)
|
Is there other asbestos on site not requiring removal and dealt with by an Asbestos Management Plan? |
PRIMARY SCHOOLS (including Nursery Schools) |
|
|
Ashgrove NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Banbridge NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Cookstown NS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Downshire NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Dungannon NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Edenderry NS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Fivemiletown NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Grove NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Harrison NS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Kilkeel NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Millington NS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Railway Street NS |
N/A |
Yes |
St John the Baptist NS |
N/A |
Yes |
Abercorn PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Agahavilly PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Annaghmore (Portadown) |
N/A |
Yes |
Annalong PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ardmore PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Armstrong PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Augher Central PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Aughnacloy Regional PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballyoran PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Ballytrea PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Benburb PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Bessbrook PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Birches PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Bleary PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Bocombra PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Brackenragh West PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Bush PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Carntall PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Carrick PS, Lurgan |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Churchill PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Churchtown PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Clare PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Clogher Regional PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Coagh PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Collone PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Cookstown PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Cortamlet PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Craigavon PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Darkley PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Derryhale PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Dickson PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Donacloney PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Donaghey PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Donaghmore PS, Dungannon |
N/A |
Yes |
Dromore Central PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Dromore Road PS, Warenpoint |
N/A |
Yes |
Drumgor PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Drumhillery PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Drumsallen PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Dungannon PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Edenderry PS, Banbridge |
N/A |
Yes |
Edenderry PS, Portadown |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Eglish PS, Dungannon |
N/A |
Yes |
Fair Hill PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Fivemiletown PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Foley PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Granville PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Hamiltownsbawn PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Hardy Memorial PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Hart Memorial PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Howard PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Iveagh PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Keady PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Kilkeel PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Killylea PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Killyman PS |
N/A |
Yes |
King’s Park PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Kingsmills PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Lisnadill PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Loughbrickland PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Lurgan Model PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Maralin Village PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Markethill PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Millington PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Minterburn PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Moneymore PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Mountnorris PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Moy Regional PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Moyallon PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Mullaglass PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Mullavilly PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Newmills PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Newtownhamiliton PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Orritor PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Poyntzpass PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Queen Elizabeth II Pomeroy PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Richmount PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Scarva PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Stewartstown PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Tamnamore PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Tandragee PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
The Cope PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Toberlane PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Tullygally PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Tullymacarette PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Tullyroan PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Walker Memorial PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Waringstown PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Windsor Hill PS |
N/A |
Yes |
The Kinnego Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
All Saints’ PS, Ballela |
N/A |
Yes |
Anamar PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Armagh Christian Brothers’ PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Aughamullan PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballyholland PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Ballylifford PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Bunscoil an Luir PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Carrick PS, Warrenpoint |
N/A |
Yes |
Clay PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Clintyclay PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Clonalig PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Clontifleece PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Crievagh PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Decomet |
N/A |
Yes |
Derrychrin PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Dromintee PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Edendork PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Grange PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Holy Cross PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Holy Trinity PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Jonesborough PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Killean PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Laghey PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Lissan PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Matthew’s PS, Magheramayo |
N/A |
Yes |
Moneydarragh PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Mount St Catherine’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Presentation PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Primate Dixon PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Roan PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Sacred Heart PS, Rock |
N/A |
Yes |
Rostrevor Convent of Mercy PS |
N/A |
Yes |
Seagoe PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Anthony’s PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Brendan’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Brigid’s PS, Augher |
N/A |
Yes |
St Brigid’s PS, Drumilly |
N/A |
Yes |
St Brigid’s PS, Mountjoy |
N/A |
Yes |
St Clare’s Convent PS, Newry |
N/A |
Yes |
St Colman’s PS, Annaclone |
N/A |
Yes |
St Colman’s PS, Dromore |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Colman’s PS, Kilkeel |
N/A |
Yes |
St Colman’s PS, Bann |
N/A |
Yes |
St Colman’s Abbey PS, Newry |
N/A |
Yes |
St Colmcille’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St James’ PS, Drumatee |
N/A |
Yes |
St James’ PS, Tandragee |
N/A |
Yes |
St Jarlath’s PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St John ’s PS, Gilford |
N/A |
Yes |
St John ’s PS, Glenn |
N/A |
Yes |
St John ’s PS, Kingsisland |
N/A |
Yes |
St John ’s PS, Moy |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Ballymartin |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Bessbrook |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Caledon |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Galbally |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Kileenan |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Madden |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Meigh |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s PS, Poyntzpass |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s Convent PS, Newry |
N/A |
Yes |
St Laurence’s PS, Belleeks |
N/A |
Yes |
St MacCartan’s Convent PS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Armagh |
N/A |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Ballymoyer |
N/A |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Carnagat |
N/A |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Carrickcroppan |
N/A |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Drummullan |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Malachy’s PS, Glencull |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Ballygawley |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Banbridge |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Barr |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Cabra |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Derrymore |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Derrytrasna |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Dunamore |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Fivemiletown |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Glasdrumman |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Granemore |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Lisbuoy |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Maghery |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Mullabawn |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Pomeroy |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Rathfriland |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s PS, Stewartstown |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s Boys’ PS, Rostrevor |
N/A |
Yes |
St Michael’s PS, Clady |
N/A |
Yes |
St Michael’s PS, Finnis |
N/A |
Yes |
St Michael’s PS, New’hamilton |
N/A |
Yes |
St Oliver Plunkett’s PS, B’regan |
N/A |
Yes |
St Oliver Plunkett’s PS, Forkhill |
N/A |
Yes |
St Oliver’s PS, Carrickrovaddy |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Aughadarragh |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Aghacommon |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Annaghmore |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Armagh |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Ballymaghery |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Crossmaglen |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Cullyhanna |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Derrynaseer |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Drumgreenagh |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Loup |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Magheralin |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Mayobridge |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Moneymore |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Mullinahoe |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s PS, Newry |
N/A |
Yes |
St Paul ’s PS, Cabra |
N/A |
Yes |
St Peter’s PS, Cloughreagh |
N/A |
Yes |
St Peter’s PS, Collegelands |
N/A |
Yes |
St Peter’s PS, Moortown |
N/A |
Yes |
St Ronan’s PS, Newry |
N/A |
Yes |
St Teresa’s PS, Lurgan |
N/A |
Yes |
Tannaghmore PS |
N/A |
Yes |
The Drelincourt PS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Therese’s PS, Tullyherron |
N/A |
Yes |
St Francis of Assisi PS, Keady |
N/A |
Yes |
St Francis PS, Lurgan |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Kilbroney PS |
N/A |
Yes |
SECONDARY SCHOOLS (including Special Schools) |
|
|
Aughnacloy HS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Clounagh JHS |
N/A |
Yes |
Cookstown High |
N/A |
Yes |
Craigavon Senior High (P’down) |
N/A |
Yes |
Dromore High |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Fivemiletown HS |
N/A |
Yes |
Kilkeel HS |
N/A |
Yes |
Killicomaine Junior High School |
N/A |
Yes |
Lurgan JHS |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Markethill HS |
N/A |
Yes |
Newry HS |
N/A |
Yes |
Newtownhamilton HS |
N/A |
Yes |
Rathfriland HS |
N/A |
Yes |
Tandragee JHS |
N/A |
Yes |
City of Armagh HS |
N/A |
Yes |
Drumcree College |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Holy Trinity |
N/A |
Yes |
Lismore Comprehensive |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Brigid’s Boys’ HS |
N/A |
Yes |
St Catherine’s College |
N/A |
Yes |
St Columban’s College |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s Boys’ HS (Newry) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s HS (Coalisland) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Joseph ’s HS (Crossmaglen) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mark’s HS (Warrenpoint) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Mary’s Girls’ JHS (Lurgan) |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
St Mary’s HS (Newry) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s Girls (D’gannon) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s Boys (D’gannon) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Patrick’s College (Banbridge) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Paul ’s HS (Bessbrook) |
N/A |
Yes |
St Paul ’s HS (Lurgan) |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Brownlow College |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Banbridge Academy |
N/A |
Yes |
Lurgan College |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Portadown College |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Fallowfield Special Needs |
N/A |
Yes |
Sperrinview Special Needs |
N/A |
Yes |
| Premises Name (Non School Buildings) |
|
|
Lough Road Learning Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Vehicle Maint. Depot ( Armagh) |
N/A |
Yes |
Vehicle Maint Depot (Aughnacloy) |
N/A |
Yes |
Vehicle Maint Depot (Cookstown) |
N/A |
Yes |
Vehicle Maint Depot (D’gannon) |
N/A |
Yes |
Vehicle Maint Depot (Newry) |
N/A |
Yes |
Craigavon Teachers Centre |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Dungannon Teachers Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Newry Teachers Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Bann House CASS Centre |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Clounagh Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Armagh YC |
N/A |
Yes |
Banbridge YC |
N/A |
Yes |
Brownlow Resource/Youth Centre |
Sept 09 |
Yes |
Drumgor Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Lurgan Youth Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Tagnevan Youth & Comm Centre |
N/A |
Yes |
Aughnacloy YC |
N/A |
Yes |
Binnian |
N/A |
Yes |
Shannaghmore |
N/A |
Yes |
SELB HQ Charlemont Place |
N/A |
Yes |
SELB HQ Central Equip. Store |
N/A |
Yes |
SELB HQ Beresford Row |
N/A |
Yes |
Grounds Maint. Depot Armagh |
N/A |
Yes |
Grounds Maint. Depot Banbridge |
N/A |
Yes |
Grounds Maint.Depot Dungannon |
N/A |
Yes |
Grounds Maint.Depot Kilkeel |
N/A |
Yes |
Grounds Maint Depot Newry |
N/A |
Yes |
Grounds Maint Depot N’hamilton |
N/A |
Yes |
Grounds Maint. Depot Portadown |
N/A |
Yes |
Middletown Centre of Excellence for Autism
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education to confirm if the Middletown Centre of Excellence for Autism has charitable status, and if it does not to detail the reasons why; and to further detail (i) the current rates bill; and (ii) other statutory charges for the centre, including (a) to whom they are payable; and (b) who has responsibility for payment.
(AQW 5007/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Middletown Centre for Autism Ltd does not have charitable status. This was considered during the economic appraisal process and legal advice was taken into account.
There were two reasons why it was not deemed appropriate for the Centre to have charitable status. One reason was because under charitable law there may be difficulties for funding organisations to try to recoup any assets or funds held by a charity. Secondly there is limited legislation in the North concerning the financial accountability of charities, so for effective corporate governance it was considered prudent not to apply for charitable status at that time.
D’inis Príomhfheidhmeannach an Lárionaid Uathachais i gCoillidh Chanannáin dom go bhfuil £1474.00 le híoc fós i dtaobh rátaí ag an nGníomhaireacht um Bhailiúchán Rátaí.
The Chief Executive of the Middletown Centre for Autism has informed me that the current rates bill is £1474.00 payable to the Rates Collection Agency. Other statutory charges for 2007/08 are a Combined Public and Employer’s Liability Policy for £16,950.41 and Director’s Liability Insurance £1,312.50 payable to AON McMillan Brokers. The Middletown Centre for Autism Ltd has responsibility for and pays these charges
Christian Ethos in the Controlled Sector
Mr A Bresland asked the Minister of Education to outline how the Christian ethos will be preserved in schools within the controlled sector.
(AQW 5027/08)
Ms C Ruane: The three main Protestant Churches will maintain their right to nominate representatives to the Boards of Governors of those controlled primary schools that they originally owned even if those schools have since been replaced by new schools.
It is also my intention to enable the Education and Skills Authority to appoint representatives of the Protestant Churches to the Boards of Governors of other controlled primary schools and of controlled secondary schools where the majority of pupils enrolled at these schools are drawn from the Protestant community.
Tá an dá bheart ceaptha chun éiteas Críostaí scoileanna rialaithe a chosaint.
Both measures are designed to protect the Christian ethos of controlled schools.
Irish Medium School in Dungannon
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education to detail her plans to open an Irish Medium School in (i) Dungannon; and (ii) elsewhere in South Tyrone.
(AQW 5097/08)
Ms C Ruane: I understand that on behalf of the Committee of Bunscoil Uí Chléirigh, the Southern Education and Library intends to publish a Development Proposal, during the week beginning 14 April 2008, for the establishment of a grant-aided co-educational Irish-medium primary school in Dungannon to be called Bunscoil Uí Chléirigh. The publication of a Development Proposal initiates a two-month consultation period during which all interested parties can comment on the proposal directly to the Department. At the end of this period, I will make a decision on the proposal following due consideration of all the relevant information.
I limistéar níos leithne Thír Eoghain Theas, tá beartaithe ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Deiscirt Togra Forbartha a fhorbairt ar son Ghobharnóirí Choláiste Speirín le linn na seachtaine dar tús 14 Aibreán, a mbeidh mar éirim aige go dtabharfar stádas cabhair dheontais don scoil, ar scoil iarbhunoideachais neamhspleách ilchumais trí mheán na Gaeilge í.
In the wider South Tyrone area, the Southern Education and Library Board intends to publish a Development Proposal on behalf of the Board of Governors of Coláiste Speirin during the week beginning 14 April, to the effect that the school, an independent all-ability Irish-medium post-primary school, be awarded grant aided status.
Musical Traditions in Ireland
Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Education to detail the reasons for the reclassification of 'Musical Traditions in Ireland' to a non-compulsory subject on the GCSE curriculum, as set by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
(AQW 5100/08)
Ms C Ruane: The decision to make Musical Traditions in Ireland an optional component on the GCSE Music specification was made by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), in consultation with Music teachers from post primary schools representing all sectors. From September 2009, this component will be one of three options from which students must study two options, in addition to one compulsory core component.
Beidh níos mó roghanna agus solúbthachta ag múinteoirí de bharr an chinnidh seo. Ligfidh sé dóibh an cúrsa staidéir is fóirsteanaí do riachtanas a gcuid mac léinn a roghnú. Tá Traidisiúin Cheoil in Éirinn ar fáil go fóill mar rogha do na scoileanna sin ar mian leo é a theagasc.
This decision offers greater choice and flexibility for teachers. It allows them to choose the course of study best suited to the needs of their students. Musical Traditions in Ireland is still available as an option for those schools that wish to teach it.
Educational Psychologist
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of pupils from (i) primary; and (ii) post-primary, school that have been referred to an educational psychologist, broken down by Education and Library Board area.
(AQW 5137/08)
Ms C Ruane: The number of primary and post-primary school children who were given initial assessments by educational psychologists to determine special educational needs in each of the last five years is set out in the tables below.
Tagraíonn na figiúirí don chéad teagmháil dhíreach a bhí ag síceolaí oideachais le dalta bunscoile nó iar-bhunscoile ag cuid ar bith den Chóid Chleachtais ar Aithint agus Meastúcháín ar Riachtanais Speisialta Oideachais.
The figures refer to the first direct contact an educational psychologist had with a primary or post-primary school pupil at any stage of the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. They do not include referrals for any type of review assessment of children already known to an educational psychologist.
Primary
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BELB* |
610 |
521 |
433 |
412 |
374 |
NEELB* |
544 |
590 |
557 |
488 |
463 |
SEELB* |
593 |
601 |
614 |
598 |
589 |
|
2002/03 |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
SELB** |
675 |
731 |
818 |
602 |
564 |
WELB*** |
760 |
756 |
656 |
772 |
850 |
Post-Primary
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BELB* |
223 |
161 |
127 |
114 |
101 |
NEELB* |
251 |
255 |
385 |
362 |
327 |
SEELB* |
189 |
190 |
177 |
187 |
292 |
|
2002/03 |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
SELB** |
169 |
183 |
205 |
150 |
141 |
WELB*** |
152 |
126 |
108 |
128 |
119 |
* Calendar Years
** Academic Years
*** Financial Years
Temporary Teachers
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of teachers who do not have permanent full-time jobs.
(AQW 5153/08)
Ms C Ruane: Figures obtained from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) for February 2008 show that 193 job seeker allowance claimants specified teaching as the occupation sought. Information on the proportion of these claimants who might be seeking part-time as opposed to full-time teaching jobs is not collected by DETI.
The substitute teachers’ register contains information on teachers who are actively seeking employment in grant-aided schools here. Latest available figures show that there are some 6,777 teachers on the register. It is important to note, however, that not all teachers on the register are seeking full-time permanent posts.
It is also important to note that not all teachers who are currently in employment wish to work on a full-time basis, and information from the Department’s teacher payroll system shows that there were 1,522 permanent part-time teachers employed in our grant-aided schools as at 1 April 2008.
Ba chear tduit bheith ar an eolas chomh maith gurb é earcú múinteoirí fhreagracht fostaithe múinteoirí. Mhol an Roinn do scoileanna, áfach, gur cheart dóibh earcú do fholúntais ar bhonn buan níos mó ná ar bhonn sealadach ach amháin sa chás go bhfuil sé soiléir go bhfuil an folúntas ann ar bhonn sealadach.
You should also be aware that the recruitment of teachers is the responsibility of teachers’ employers. However, the Department has advised schools that they should recruit to vacancies on a permanent rather than a temporary basis unless the vacancy is clearly of a temporary nature.
Middletown Autism Project
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Education, further to her departmental press release on 10 March 2008, (i) to identify the 'experts on autism' who visited Stormont on that occasion; (ii) to indicate which experts were consulted about the Middletown project, and of those, which supported this project; and (iii) to detail the considered opinion of these experts on this project.
(AQW 5174/08)
Ms C Ruane: In answer to part (i) of your question, the job titles of those who attended the Autism Stock-take Event on 10 and 11 March 2008 were:
OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (DES):
- Head of The Inspectorate Division, Special Education Business Unit;
- Divisional Inspector from The Inspectorate Division, Special Education Business Unit seconded to Special Education Section; Assistant Principal Officer, Special Education Section;
- Divisional Inspector, The Inspectorate Division, Special Education Business Unit;
- Inspector, Special Education Business Unit, DES;
- Assistant Chief Inspector DES,
OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
- Assistant Chief Inspector, Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI);
- Managing Inspector for Special Education, Alternative Education and Inclusion (ETI);
- Two District Inspectors (Special Education), (ETI);
- Head of Supporting and Safeguarding Children Division;
- Head of Special Education Branch; administration staff, Special Education Branch;
REPRESENTATIVES FROM EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARDS:
- Principal Educational Psychologist, North Eastern Education and Library Board;
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Co-ordinator, Western Education & Library Board; ASD Assistant Advisory Officer Southern Education and Library Board;
OTHER ATTENDEES:
- Director of National Educational Psychological Service, Ireland;
- Inspector for Education and Training in Wales;
- Lead Inspector Additional Support Needs HMIE ( Scotland);
- Chief Executive Officer, Middletown Centre for Autism;
- Head of Learning Support and Assessment Division,
- Middletown Centre for Autism;
- Head of Training, Advice and Research Division, Middletown Centre for Autism.
The purpose of this event was to help inform the development of an autism strategic plan for the Department of Education as well as establishing common strategic thinking in respect of autism across Britain and Ireland, laying the foundations for further links and the harmonising of inspection perspectives. The seminar included a presentation on the Middletown Centre for Autism but did not include any consultation about the Centre.
Déarfainn leis an bhall tagairt a dhéanamh don fhreagra a thug mé ar an cheist dheireanach a chuir sé orm AQW 4617/08 maidir leis na comhairliúcháin faoi Ionad Middletown don Uathachas.
I would refer the member to my reply to his previous question AQW 4617/08 regarding consultations about the Middletown Centre for Autism.
Members' Expenses
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Education to detail the total amount of remuneration and expenses paid to members of the South Eastern Education and Library Board in its last full financial year before control of the Board was passed to Commissioners.
(AQW 5183/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá molta ag Roinn Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt gurb é £75, 820 an méıd iomlán a díoladh le baill an bhoird sa bhliain airgeadais 2005/06. Seo an bhliain dheiridh iomlán airgeadais a raibh an Bord ann sular ceapadh na Coimisinéirí ar an 6 Iúil 2006.
The South Eastern Education and Library Board have advised that the total amount paid to members of the Board in the 2005/06 financial year was £75,820. This is the last full financial year the Board was in place before the appointment of the Commissioners on 6 July 2006.
Irish Medium Schools
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the individual Irish Medium schools; and (ii) other Irish Medium groups, to which rent is owed by her department for 2002; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006; and 2007.
(AQW 5185/08)
Ms C Ruane: Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta (InaG) has submitted claims for rent in respect of the following schools:
Gaelscoil Éadain Mhoír
Gaelscoil na Mona
Bunscoil an Traonaigh
Gaelscoil na gCrann
Gaelscoil an Damba
Gaelscoil Éanna
Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach
InaG has also submitted claims on behalf of the following Irish medium groups:
An Drochead Ltd in respect of Scoil an Drochid
Pobal an Chaistil in respect of Gaelscoil an Chaistil
I láthair na huaire tá an Roinn i dteagmháil le hIontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta maidir lena gcead lóistín faofa a fháíl ar cíos agus tá breis eolais le cur ar fáil ag InaG.
The Department is currently liaising with InaG on the entitlement to rent for approved accommodation and additional information is to be provided by InaG.
Alcohol Consumption
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the policies that are in place to advise pupils of the dangers and possible consequences of alcohol consumption.
(AQW 5204/08)
Ms C Ruane: My department has policies in place to educate our young people with regard to the dangers and consequences of substance abuse. Schools are required to draw up a drug and alcohol policy and a drug and alcohol education programme. All schools must have a discipline policy under which suspected drug and/or alcohol related incidents can be managed.
The revised curriculum includes a new area of Personal Development and Mutual Understanding/Learning for Life and Work, which provides opportunities for young people to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to deal with issues such as drugs and alcohol schools are supported in the delivery of drugs and alcohol education by the education and library boards’ Drugs and Alcohol Education Officers.
Bíonn córais tréadach i gceist ag gach scoil agus caithfear múinteoir ainmnithe a bheith ann ar mhaithe le cosaint páistí. Is féidir le daoine óga in iar-bhunscoileanna teacht ar chórais ghairmiúla comhairliúcháin, atá neamhspleách ó na scoileanna, le linn tréimhsí ina saol a mothaíonn siad deacair nó leochaileach iontu. Níl plean ar bith ann maidir le polasaithe breise a thabhairt isteach a dhíríonn go huile is go hiomlán ar fhadhbanna a bhaineann le halcól.
All schools have pastoral care systems in place and must have a designated teacher for child protection. Professional counselling services, independent of schools, are now accessible to young people in post primary schools during difficult and vulnerable periods in their lives. There are no plans to introduce additional policies specifically aimed at alcohol related problems.
Alcohol Consumption
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education if she will give a commitment to review, and if necessary, introduce new policies aimed at assisting pupils with alcohol related problems.
(AQW 5205/08)
Ms C Ruane: My department has policies in place to educate our young people with regard to the dangers and consequences of substance abuse. Schools are required to draw up a drug and alcohol policy and a drug and alcohol education programme. All schools must have a discipline policy under which suspected drug and/or alcohol related incidents can be managed.
The revised curriculum includes a new area of Personal Development and Mutual Understanding/Learning for Life and Work, which provides opportunities for young people to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to deal with issues such as drugs and alcohol schools are supported in the delivery of drugs and alcohol education by the education and library boards’ Drugs and Alcohol Education Officers.
Bíonn córais tréadach i gceist ag gach scoil agus caithfear múinteoir ainmnithe a bheith ann ar mhaithe le cosaint páistí. Is féidir le daoine óga in iar-bhunscoileanna teacht ar chórais ghairmiúla comhairliúcháin, atá neamhspleách ó na scoileanna, le linn tréimhsí ina saol a mothaíonn siad deacair nó leochaileach iontu. Níl plean ar bith ann maidir le polasaithe breise a thabhairt isteach a dhíríonn go huile is go hiomlán ar fhadhbanna a bhaineann le halcól.
All schools have pastoral care systems in place and must have a designated teacher for child protection. Professional counselling services, independent of schools, are now accessible to young people in post primary schools during difficult and vulnerable periods in their lives. There are no plans to introduce additional policies specifically aimed at alcohol related problems.
Ulster-Scots Teaching
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail the books that are provided for (i) primary; and (ii) post-primary schools, in the teaching of Ulster-Scots.
(AQW 5216/08)
Ms C Ruane: Níl mionsonraithe ag mo Roinn maidir leis na leabhair a cuireadh ar fáil fá choinne teagasc na hAlbainies-Uladh mar is faoi na scoileanna féin a bhíonn sé rogha a dhéanamh de na cineáil leabhar ar mhaith leo a roghnú chun an curaclam a theagasc agus a chur ar fáil dóibh.
My Department does not hold details of the books provided in relation to the teaching of Ulster-Scots as it is for schools to decide which books they wish to use in delivering the curriculum and to provide for them.
Falling Pupil Numbers
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail the discussions she has held with the Minister for Employment and Learning to address the challenges of falling pupil numbers, and the impact that this will have on the teaching profession.
(AQW 5288/08)
Ms C Ruane: I routinely meet with the Minister for Employment and Learning to discuss matters of common interest for our Departments. At our last meeting, in February, we met to discuss a range of education issues, including the impact of falling pupil numbers on the 2008/09 academic year intakes to initial teacher education courses.
Chomh maith leis sin tá Sir Reg Empey agus mé féin i ndiaidh socrú a dhéanamh bualadh leis na daoine a bhíonn ag obair i gColáiste Ollscoile an tSrutháin Mhilis agus Coláiste Ollscoile Naomh Muire ar an 24 Aibreán chun plé a dhéanamh ar an tionchar a bheidh ag na hinstitiúidí
sin ar an ísliú déimeagrafach maidir le huimhreacha daltaí.
In addition, Sir Reg Empey and I have arranged to meet with Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College on 24 April to discuss the impact on those particular institutions of the demographic downturn in pupil numbers.
Pupil Numbers
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Education to provide a breakdown of pupil numbers for each primary school in Bangor.
(AQW 5396/08)
Ms C Ruane: Seo a leanas an t-eolas a cuartaíodh
The information requested is as follows:
Total enrolments in Bangor Primary Schools, 2007/08
| DENI number | School Name | Total enrolment 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 4011645 |
Crawfordsburn PS | 188 |
| 4011650 |
Ballyholme PS | 600 |
| 4011670 |
Clandeboye PS | 188 |
| 4013023 |
Bloomfield Road PS | 307 |
| 4013045 |
Grange Park PS | 364 |
| 4016002 |
Kilcooley PS | 127 |
| 4016067 |
Rathmore PS | 482 |
| 4016111 |
Towerview PS | 385 |
| 4016192 |
Kilmaine PS | 654 |
| 4016430 |
Ballymagee PS | 404 |
| 4036146 |
St Comgall’s PS | 286 |
| 4036148 |
St Malachy’s PS | 321 |
| 4051680 |
Bangor Central PS | 562 |
| 4610097 |
Glenlola Collegiate Prep. Department | 76 |
| 4620015 |
Bangor Grammar School Prep. Department | 137 |
Source: Annual school census.
Note:
1 Includes children in nursery, reception and Year 1 – 7 classes.
Assembly Questions
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the delays; and (ii) the costs incurred by her department, in translating answers to written Assembly questions into Irish.
(AQW 5397/08)
Ms C Ruane: My Department endeavours to answer all written Assembly Questions within the set timescales for doing so. However, there can be delays as it usually takes between 3 and 5 working days for an Irish translation to be included in answers.
The member will be pleased to know that this will improve once there is an Irish Language Official employed in the Department.
Ó tugadh isteach aistriúcháin go Gaeilge ar cheisteanna an Tionóil is é £883.14 an costas atá ann go dtí seo.
Since introducing Irish translations in answers to Assembly Questions the cost incurred has been £883.14
Employment and Learning
South Eastern Regional College
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail why courses being conducted at the Kircubbin and Ballyboley outreach centres of the South Eastern Regional College were not advertised in the College's 2007/2008 prospectus.
(AQW 5156/08)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): Further Education colleges are responsible for promoting the services they provide, including the production of prospectuses. The issue of advertising courses at the Kircubbin and Ballyboley outreach centres is, therefore, a matter for the South Eastern Regional College. While, the Department does not have a role in this process, I can confirm that courses at the two centres in question are, in fact, included in the college's part-time prospectus for the 2007/08 academic year.
South Eastern Regional College
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the methodology used by the South Eastern Regional College in deciding what courses to run at its outreach centres at Kircubbin and Ballyboley.
(AQW 5157/08)
Sir Reg Empey: It is the responsibility of each of the individual Further Education colleges, not the Department for Employment and Learning, to decide on the courses it wishes to offer. Therefore, the provision offered at the Kircubbin and Ballyboley outreach centres is a matter for the South Eastern Regional College.
Steps to Work
Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to (i) confirm that Annex A of the Steps to Work Guidelines booklet can be amended to reflect a greater range of qualifications on NDAQ; and (ii) detail the process by which his department identified vocationally relevant qualifications which are currently signposted on the Annex list.
(AQW 5287/08)
Sir Reg Empey: ‘Steps to Work’ is currently a pilot programme. The list of qualifications at Annex A of the Steps to Work guidelines has recently been reviewed and, as a result, Annex A is no longer relevant. Personal Advisers now have authority to approve a wide range of vocationally relevant qualifications in line with an individual’s job goal and requirements of local job vacancies. The Department’s internet site has been updated to reflect this change.
Steps to Work Scheme
Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to confirm that his department is maximising efficiency by reducing the number of contracts being issued under the new Steps to Work scheme; and to outline the changes this will have on the management of contracts by the lead contracting organisations.
(AQW 5290/08)
Sir Reg Empey: I can confirm that the Department will achieve efficiencies in management, monitoring and administrative terms, while creating contracts of sufficient size to be commercially viable for potential suppliers.
Each of the ten contracts for the delivery of Steps to Work will be awarded to a single contractor who may employ sub-contractors to deliver elements of provision as required to meet the conditions of the contract. The Department will have a single point of contact through the Lead Contractor who will have sole responsibility for all aspects of the delivery of the contract and compliance with the operational guidelines of the programme. This also includes the quality of provision delivered in line with the Department’s Success through Excellence Strategy.
Approved Qualifications
Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of the role awarding bodies have in assuring the robust quality assurance of Prescribed List of Approved Qualifications courses.
(AQW 5327/08)
Sir Reg Empey: To ensure robust quality assurance and that courses are fit for purpose, all college submissions for courses to be included on Prescribed List of Approved Qualifications must meet the stringent criteria specified by the Department. Included in the criteria for submissions is that Awarding Bodies must be:-
- a National Qualifications Framework listed body;
or
- an Awarding Body, where the award is included within the Testing and Trialling projects for the development of the new Qualifications and Credit Framework, or has been fully accredited and appears on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications.
Prescribed List of Approved Qualifications
Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail his department's position on the role of awarding bodies submitting courses to be accepted onto the Prescribed List of Approved Qualifications.
(AQW 5329/08)
Sir Reg Empey: Awarding Bodies do not submit courses for approval and inclusion on the Prescribed List of Approved Qualifications. It is the Further Education Colleges that complete submissions. College submissions must include full details of the awarding bodies and their courses as this is part of the criteria used to evaluate submissions. An evaluation panel, comprising of senior personnel from the regulatory authorities and DEL, carries out the evaluations.
Enterprise , Trade and Investment
Foreign Direct Investment
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total value of foreign direct investment, broken down by parliamentary constituency, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 3933/08)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): It is not possible to detail the total value of foreign direct investment as requested, because neither Invest NI nor DETI collect the full range of information required to present complete coverage of this activity. Figures for planned inward investment supported by Invest NI during the five year period 2002/03 – 2006/07 are provided below. I will make the figures for 2007/08 available to the Honourable Member as soon as they become available. However, these figures relate only to Invest NI’s externally-owned client companies, which are in the export-oriented manufacturing and tradeable service sectors. They do not include inward investment in the retail and distribution, and other sectors, which primarily serve the local marketplace.
It should be noted that parliamentary constituency areas are not self-contained labour markets. A project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency and council area boundaries. In addition, Invest NI has limited scope for ‘directing’ investment to specific geographic areas, while Invest NI has been able to influence the location decisions of some inward-investment projects, most new inward investment, which is primarily service based, locate in the two main cities where skilled labour supply is more accessible. In the case of established businesses, reinvestment patterns will often be determined by the existing location of the business.
Further information and analysis on Invest NI support of inward investment is available in the Invest NI Performance Information Report which was published at the end of January 2008 (http://www.investni.com/performancereport0203-0607.pdf).
Foreign Direct Investment
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of jobs (i) created; and (ii) safeguarded, by foreign direct investment, broken down by parliamentary constituency, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 3934/08)
Mr N Dodds: It is not possible to present information relating to all foreign direct investment as requested because neither Invest NI nor DETI collect the full range of data required to present complete coverage of this activity. The table below provides an analysis, by Parliamentary Constituency Area, of new job promotions and jobs safeguarded through inward investment projects supported by Invest NI during the five year period 2002/03 – 2006/07.
These figures relate to Invest NI’s externally owned client companies, which are in the export-oriented manufacturing and tradeable service sectors. Therefore, they do not include inward investment in the retail and distribution, and other sectors, which primarily serve the local marketplace.
It should be noted that these areas are not self-contained labour markets. A project assisted in a particular location has the potential to create benefits across a much wider area. Northern Ireland is a relatively small place and evidence indicates that many investments draw their workforce from areas beyond constituency and council area boundaries. In addition, Invest NI has limited scope for ‘directing’ investment to specific geographic areas, while Invest NI has been able to influence the location decisions of some inward-investment projects, most new inward investment, which is primarily service based, locate in the two main cities where skilled labour supply is more accessible. In the case of established businesses, reinvestment patterns will usually be determined by the existing location of the business.
Further information and analysis on Invest NI support of inward investment is available in the Invest NI Performance Information Report which was published at the end of January 2008 (http://www.investni.com/performancereport0203-0607.pdf)
New Jobs Promoted and Jobs Safeguarded through Inward Investment (2002/03 – 2006/07)
Parliamentary Constituency |
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
2004-05 |
2005-06 |
2006-07 |
Total |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New |
Safe |
New |
Safe |
New |
Safe |
New |
Safe |
New |
Safe |
New |
Safe |
|
Belfast East |
0 |
0 |
0 |
369 |
410 |
79 |
232 |
0 |
624 |
60 |
1,266 |
508 |
Belfast North |
0 |
0 |
163 |
218 |
27 |
0 |
46 |
0 |
44 |
0 |
280 |
218 |
Belfast South |
216 |
0 |
649 |
671 |
1,379 |
0 |
675 |
47 |
987 |
123 |
3,906 |
841 |
Belfast West |
35 |
0 |
72 |
0 |
750 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
977 |
0 |
East Antrim |
100 |
0 |
67 |
0 |
112 |
0 |
190 |
358 |
0 |
0 |
469 |
358 |
East Londonderry |
0 |
0 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
787 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
787 |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
350 |
0 |
202 |
214 |
0 |
38 |
11 |
65 |
441 |
0 |
1,004 |
317 |
Foyle |
93 |
1,033 |
486 |
0 |
40 |
117 |
361 |
1,258 |
754 |
0 |
1,734 |
2,408 |
Lagan Valley |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
17 |
71 |
278 |
0 |
0 |
87 |
295 |
Mid Ulster |
32 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
166 |
118 |
40 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
238 |
118 |
Newry & Armagh |
75 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,002 |
30 |
304 |
0 |
1,381 |
30 |
North Antrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
518 |
23 |
123 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
641 |
North Down |
41 |
0 |
200 |
0 |
140 |
147 |
0 |
0 |
233 |
0 |
614 |
147 |
South Antrim |
5 |
48 |
0 |
0 |
319 |
0 |
67 |
96 |
0 |
0 |
391 |
144 |
South Down |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
127 |
362 |
0 |
0 |
127 |
362 |
Strangford |
70 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
19 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
16 |
114 |
16 |
Upper Bann |
16 |
807 |
110 |
680 |
13 |
616 |
49 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
188 |
2,108 |
West Tyrone |
0 |
1,127 |
175 |
0 |
53 |
57 |
109 |
0 |
44 |
0 |
381 |
1,184 |
Northern Ireland |
1,033 |
3,015 |
2,153 |
2,670 |
3,467 |
1,312 |
3,100 |
3,281 |
3,451 |
204 |
13,204 |
10,482 |
- Figures include both first-time inward investments and reinvestments by existing externally-owned clients.
- Jobs promoted represent the number of jobs expected to be created by the project.
- Jobs safeguarded represents the number of jobs that would have been lost if the project was not supported.
- The inward investment figure does not include business development activities, including R&D, training, knowledge management or trade development.
Neighbourhood Renewal Areas
Mrs C McGill asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail, in addition to his department's mainstream responsibilities, the resources that have been allocated to (i) Neighbourhood Renewal Areas; and (ii) the Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal Area, in each of the last 2 years.
(AQW 4908/08)
Mr N Dodds: Invest NI assistance in Neighbourhood Renewal areas is as follows:
Invest NI Assistance & Investment
- Over the 4 year period 2003/04 to 2006/07 Invest NI has offered assistance totalling over £489m contributing towards a total investment of over £2,037m.
- Of this assistance 39% (£191m) of assistance and 38% (£770m) of investment was offered to businesses located within neighbourhood renewal areas.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- 148 FDI projects were approved over 2003/04 to 2006/07 contributing to an investment of over £897 m and a total assistance offered of almost £188m.
- 56% (£106m) of this assistance and 51% (£457m) of the investment were approved to clients within or intending to locate within neighbourhood renewal areas.
- Through these investments Invest NI has assisted in the creation of 12,177 new jobs and also safeguarded a further 7,467.
- 64% of these new jobs and 38% of the jobs safeguarded were based in neighbourhood renewal areas.
In respect of the Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal area, over the 2 year period 2005/6 and 2006/7, Invest NI offered assistance of £714,744 contributing to investments of £2,850,932.
In addition to this a pilot Exploring Enterprise Programme is underway in the five areas of North, South and East Belfast, Greater Shankill and Rathcoole through the Renewing Communities Action Plan with a budget allocation of £1.69m over the period 06/07 to 08/09.
DETI has recently supported a next generation residential high-speed broadband trial in a new social housing development being built by Clanmil Housing Association on the Ormeau Road, Belfast. Total resources committed by DETI being £67k.
DETI, through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II) issued a Letter of Offer of £247,122 to one project located within a Neighbourhood Renewal Area in 2006/07. There were no Peace II Letters of Offer issued to projects located within a Neighbourhood Renewal Area in 2005/06.
There have been no Peace II Letters of Offer issued to projects located within the Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal Area in the last 2 years.
Northern Ireland Trade
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total value of Northern Ireland trade with (i) Scotland; (ii) England; (iii) Wales; and (iv) the Republic of Ireland, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 5304/08)
Mr N Dodds: It is not possible to provide information on the total value of Northern Ireland trade with Scotland, England and Wales on an individual country basis. However, table 1 below provides the total value of trade to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland Manufacturing companies in each of the last five years.
Table 1. NI Manufacturing Sales to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland between 2002/03 to 2006/07 (current prices)
|
2002/03 £m |
2003/04 £m |
2004/05 £m |
2005/06 £m |
2006/07 (provisional) £m |
Great Britain |
£6,382 |
£5,949 |
£6,005 |
£6,052 |
£6,190 |
Republic of Ireland |
£978 |
£1,115 |
£1,243 |
£1,308 |
£1,519 |
Source: Northern Ireland Manufacturing Sales & Exports Survey 2006/07
Tourist Funding
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the measures being taken to redress the significant imbalance in tourist funding by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Invest NI, between the West Belfast parliamentary constituency and the other parliamentary constituencies.
(AQW 5358/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is working with Belfast City Council and Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau to scope an Integrated Strategic Tourism Framework and associated Action Plan for the wider Belfast area. The report will provide an analysis of how local community tourism development and visitor servicing activity should be conducted across the City of Belfast. In particular, it will seek to identify how the outer areas of Belfast (including the West Belfast Parliamentary Constituency) can share the tourism benefits provided by the city centre. The report is due by end June 2008.
West Belfast already benefits indirectly from NITB assistance provided to tourism projects in the Belfast City Council area. In the last three years NITB has provided more than £4.7 million to projects in the Belfast City Council area in respect of regional tourism activity, domestic marketing and tourist information support.
Invest NI capital support may be considered for hotel projects throughout Northern Ireland with the exception of projects within a ten mile radius of Belfast City centre (a moratorium on capital assistance for hotel development within a 10 mile radius of Belfast city centre has been in place since 1997). However, it is recognised that certain areas of Belfast are not experiencing the same level of market buoyancy as other parts of the city. The moratorium therefore allows the consideration of hotel projects in areas of social need. Invest NI is aware a number of potential hotel projects in West Belfast and has met with the promoters of these projects.
NITB has recently assisted the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) Cultural Diversity Project which falls within the West Belfast Parliamentary Constituency.
A significant level of financial assistance provided by NITB cannot be allocated against any single constituency as the projects being supported in many cases span 2 or more constituency areas. The West Belfast constituency gains benefits from significant investment in projects that cover all 4 Belfast constituencies.
Belfast City Council area received over £4.7 million funding for 19 projects over the last 3 years. In particular regional tourism activity, domestic marketing and tourist information support (Belfast Welcome Centre and the two Belfast based airports) benefit all Belfast constituencies as well as constituencies outside of Belfast due to the city’s ability to act as a gateway into the rest of Northern Ireland.
District Council Funding
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the amount of funding allocated by his department to each District Council.
(AQW 5368/08)
Mr N Dodds: The information requested is not readily available. My officials are currently working on preparing an answer for the Member.
When the answer has been prepared I will write to the Member, with the figures he has requested, and ensure that a copy of the letter is placed in the Assembly Library.
Reconnect Scheme
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the steps he is taking to replace the Reconnect Scheme.
(AQW 5408/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Reconnect scheme will need to be evaluated before any decisions in respect of further support for domestic microgeneration can be made. Any future financial provision for a household renewables scheme will need to take into account wider UK wide support available, proposed actions to meet EU Directives, changing market conditions, value for money and the effect on competitiveness.
Chicken Waste Plant
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4108/08, (i) to give an update on discussions his department has had with Rose Energy; and (ii) if he has committed any funding to assist Rose Energy with its proposals to locate a chicken waste plant at Glenavy.
(AQW 5499/08)
Mr N Dodds: Invest NI has had ongoing commercial dialogue with the Rose Energy Consortium regarding their proposal. No funds have been committed by my Department to the project.
Townland Names
Mr D Ford asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the action his department is taking to use townland names, where applicable, in view of the resolution passed by the first Assembly on 1 October 2001.
(AQW 5542/08)
Mr N Dodds: Where an individual or organisation uses a townland name when writing to the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment, this is included in the address when responding.
Environment
Foundations for the Future
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment what action she will take on the recommendation contained in 'Foundations for the Future', the final report of the Review of Environmental Governance.
(AQO 201/08)
The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): I will carefully consider my approach to environmental governance. In so doing I will take account of the recommendations in “Foundations for the Future” and of resource considerations, the views of the Environment Committee and of any points which stakeholders wish to make.
I expect to make a public statement on the way forward towards the end of the year, following discussion with my colleagues on the Executive.
Retirement Dwellings
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the applications approved for retirement dwellings in the Moyle District Council area, in the past five years.
(AQW 2809/08)
Mrs A Foster: There have been 24 outline and full planning approvals on 22 sites in the Moyle District Council area over the past five years where the proposal submitted was described as a retirement dwelling. These are detailed below.
Of these 22 sites, 8 did not lie in a policy area such as Greenbelt or Countryside Policy Area CPA) where stricter policy provisions apply.
| Year of approval | No. of Approvals | Application Number | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 |
E/2002/0360/F E/2002/0375/O E/2002/0396/F E/2002/0413/O E/2003/0131/F E/2003/0053/O E/2003/0046/O | Glenmakeeran Road , Ballycastle Castlecatt Road , Ballyness, Bushmills Lisnagat Road , Liscolman Drumnagee Road , Lisnagunogue Glenariffe Road , Glenariffe Ballyemon Road , Cushendall Moyarget Road , Ballycastle |
| 2004 | 3 |
E/2003/0486/O E/2004/0089/F E4/2004/0243/F | Magheramore Road , Ballycastle Ballynagard Road , Ballyvoy Ballyemon Road , Cushendall |
| 2005 | 5 |
E/2004/0096/O E/2004/0155/O E/2005/0098/F E/2005/0296/O E/2005/0330/O | Moyarget Road , Ballycastle Coolkeeran Road , Armoy Ballybrack Road , Cushendall Whitepark Road , Ballintoy Churchfield Road , Ballyvoy, Ballycastle |
| 2006 | 6 |
E/2004/0586/F E/2005/0195/O E/2005/0412/O E/2005/0430/O E/2005/0601/F E/2005/0613/O | Ballykenver Road , Armoy Whitepark Road , Bushmills Straid Road , Ballycastle Carrowcroey Road , Armoy Tromra Road , Cushendall Castlecatt Road , Ballyness, Bushmills |
| 2007 | 3 |
E/2005/0118/O E/2006/0283/F E/2007/0027/O | Tureagh Terrace, Armoy Ballyemon Road , Cushendall Carnbore Road , Liscolman |
Rat Population
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her plans to address the rising number of vermin rats in council areas; and to provide figures for the rat population in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 4774/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Department of the Environment is not the responsible Department for the policy and legislation on rats and I would ask that the question be redirected to the Minister for Health Social Services and Public Safety.
Rat Population
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the financial assistance she is providing to local councils to address the rising rat population.
(AQW 4775/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Department of the Environment is not the responsible Department for the policy and legislation on rats and therefore does not provide financial assistance to councils. Northern Ireland Water, in some areas, bait sewers to control vermin. Several District Councils have contracts to carry out sewer baiting on behalf of Northern Ireland Water.
Road Bridges
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm if she has indicated her support for the construction of two new road bridges across the River Blackwater at Annaghroe and Knockginny.
(AQW 5126/08)
Mrs A Foster: Road and bridge infrastructure is within the remit of DRD. This question is not within my remit as Minister of the Environment.
Graduated Drivers Licensing Scheme
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment to give her assessment of the graduated drivers licensing scheme.
(AQW 5154/08)
Mrs A Foster: Graduated driver licensing (GDL) aims to provide a staged progression from initial learning through various restricted stages to unrestricted solo driving.
Northern Ireland driving regulations already contain some elements of GDL including:
- display of “R” (restricted) plates for a year after passing the driving test;
- a 45mph restriction on “R” (and “L”) drivers, limiting their exposure to higher speeds; and
- more severe penalties for newly qualified drivers committing traffic offences - new full licence holders who receive six or more penalty points within the first two years of passing the driving test have to surrender their licences and re-sit both tests (theory and practical).
There is a considerable amount of evidence available on the success of GDL in other countries and we are keen to draw on best practice elsewhere in our efforts to improve our road safety record. Officials are reviewing the current arrangements in Northern Ireland, including proposals to reform the “R” and “L” driver schemes and other elements of GDL. These proposals will form the basis of a public consultation in the near future.
Planning Applications
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of applications for single homes in the countryside that have met the "infill" criteria as defined under draft Planning Policy Statement 14 since the introduction of that policy.
(AQW 5189/08)
Mrs A Foster: The information held by Planning Service on its computer system does not include a category related specifically to ‘infill’ dwellings. Unfortunately the only way this information could be ascertained would be through a manual search which could not be done in the time available and would incur disproportionate costs. In 2006/2007 alone there were 7,607 applications for ‘outline’ and ‘full’ single dwellings in rural areas. This figure does not include replacement dwellings.
Planning Policy Statement 14
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of applications for single homes in the countryside that have met the "replacement" criteria as defined under draft Planning Policy Statement 14 since the introduction of that policy.
(AQW 5190/08)
Mrs A Foster: In the 2006/2007 financial year 306 applications for single replacement dwellings in the countryside met the criteria for draft Planning Policy Statement 14 and were subsequently approved. Data preceding this date is not available due to the new statistical reporting system outlined in my letter to all Members in December 2007. Provisional figures for April 2007 to September 2007 will be available towards the end of April and provisional figures for October 2007 to December 2007 will be available in June.
Emerging Findings Paper
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what consideration has been given to the needs for single homes in the countryside of non-farming families in the Emerging Findings paper on draft Planning Policy Statement 14.
(AQW 5192/08)
Mrs A Foster: The work of the Executive Subcommittee, as set out in the paper on the findings emerging from the review of draft PPS 14 has included consideration of:
- the re-instatement of a policy allowing for dispersed rural communities (paragraphs 17 – 21);
- the introduction of a new policy to allow appropriately sized vacant non-residential buildings to be sympathetically restored for use as single dwellings (paragraph 27 – 28);
- a more relaxed test for the replacement of single dwellings which would allow some dwellings currently regarded as “abandoned”, and therefore not currently eligible for replacement, to be replaced (paragraphs 29-33);
- broadening of the existing policy on social housing so that it also applies to all affordable housing (i.e. housing provided at an affordable rent or on a co-ownership basis); outside of Greenbelts and Countryside Policy Areas (CPAs), the maximum number of houses permitted in a group might be increased from 8 to 14 (paragraphs 22 - 24);
- whether for ribbon development, outside of Greenbelt and CPAs, it would be appropriate to allow two dwellings in a gap which is sufficiently large to allow dwellings of similar size and character (paragraph 34 – 35); and
- the re-introduction of a policy which provided for a dwelling in cases where there were compelling personal, health or domestic circumstances which required someone to live on a specific site and where genuine hardship would be experienced if they could not do so (paragraph 25 – 26).
The Subcommittee will shortly make recommendations to the Executive on the outcome of its review of draft PPS 14.
Climate Change Committee
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to give her assessment of the need for a Northern Ireland sub committee to the Climate Change Committee in Westminster; and to confirm whether she is confident that Northern Ireland's interests are effectively represented on the Climate Change Committee.
(AQW 5208/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Committee on Climate Change is intended to be first and foremost a committee of independent expertise to advise on the UK as a whole. I am content that provisions in place now will ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests will be represented effectively in the work of the Committee on Climate Change. For example:
- in recent weeks I have been involved in the appointment of the Chair, Lord Turner, and the first five Committee members
- the Committee will have experience and/or knowledge of differences between the constituent parts of the UK
- when operational, the Committee must provide, at the request of a national authority, advice, analysis, information on targets, budgets, trading schemes or any other requirement relating to greenhouse gas emissions
- the national authorities will also have powers to give guidance and direction to the Committee as to matters to take into account, though not to direct the committee as to the content of any advice or report.
On 18 March Lord Turner visited Northern Ireland. I am already impressed by his willingness to listen to the various stakeholders here and I remain confident that he and his team will deliver the advice that we require. However, as I have said previously, I am willing to review this arrangement in light of experience.
West Tyrone Area Plan
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister of the Environment to provide a timeframe for the completion of the West Tyrone Area Plan.
(AQW 5237/08)
Mrs A Foster: As you may be aware, my Department has recently been involved in legal proceedings related to the judicial challenge of the Environmental Reports which accompanied the draft Northern and Magherafelt Area Plans. The judgement of the High Court in this particular case raised a number of issues regarding the role of the Department in the strategic environmental assessment of area plans. Following careful consideration of the case, my Department has lodged an appeal against certain aspects of the Court judgement.
In light of the judgement and the ongoing legal proceedings it would not be appropriate to continue work on the draft West Tyrone Area Plan until the outcome of the appeal is known. I very much regret that as a result, for a temporary period, my Department will cease to carry out any further substantive work on the preparation of the plan. I am therefore unable to provide a timetable for the completion of the West Tyrone Area Plan at this point in time.
I will, of course, review the position again once I have had the opportunity to consider the judgement handed down following the appeal proceedings.
I remain c ommitted to the preparation of development plans as expeditiously as possible within the framework set out by European Directives and the Regional Development Strategy.
Larne Draft Area Plan
Mr A Ross asked the Minister of the Environment when the Larne Draft Area Plan will be published.
(AQW 5286/08)
Mrs A Foster: As you may be aware, my Department has recently been involved in legal proceedings related to the judicial challenge of the Environmental Reports which accompanied the draft Northern and Magherafelt Area Plans. The judgement of the High Court in this particular case raised a number of issues regarding the role of the Department in the strategic environmental assessment of area plans. Following careful consideration of the case, my Department has lodged an appeal against certain aspects of the Court judgement.
In light of the judgement and the ongoing legal proceedings it would not be appropriate to continue work on the draft Antrim, Ballymena and Larne Area Plan until the outcome of the appeal is known. I very much regret that as a result, for a temporary period, my Department will cease to carry out any further substantive work on the preparation of the plan. I am therefore unable to provide a timetable for the publication of the draft Antrim, Ballymena and Larne Area Plan at this point in time.
I will, of course, review the position again once I have had the opportunity to consider the judgement handed down following the appeal proceedings.
I remain c ommitted to the preparation of development plans as expeditiously as possible within the framework set out by European Directives and the Regional Development Strategy.
Planning Applications
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the reasons why planning application T/2007/0146/F has been delayed by the Planning Service; and to confirm whether an MLA can delay the approval of a planning application after it has been passed for approval by a District Council.
(AQW 5336/08)
Mrs A Foster: An MLA for the area raised the issue of road safety in relation to the proposed access for the development. His constituents, who live opposite the proposal, were concerned that a new access would cause congestion and possible accidents on a narrow country road. Planning Service sought the views of Roads Service, in relation to this matter, and that Service discussed the details with both Road Safety Branch and PSNI Traffic Management Branch. Planning Service will not issue a decision until any outstanding issue has been addressed satisfactorily, even where the view of the District Council has been sought and received.
Any matters raised by political representatives will be considered and addressed before a decision is issued. While it is preferable that this should happen before a final opinion is put before the local Council, issues raised by MLAs and indeed any political representative or member of the public have to be considered before a decision is issued.
Planning Applications
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm if the revised Planning Policy Statement 14 will permit housing applications from rural dwellers, as well as farm families.
(AQW 5347/08)
Mrs A Foster: The paper on the findings emerging from the Subcommittee’s work on the review of draft PPS 14, published on 11 February 2008, indicated that the Subcommittee is seeking to address the needs of both farming and non-farming rural dwellers.
For non-farming rural dwellers this includes consideration of:
- the re-instatement of a policy allowing for dispersed rural communities;
- the introduction of a new policy to allow appropriately sized vacant non-residential buildings to be sympathetically restored for use as single dwellings;
- a more relaxed test for the replacement of single dwellings which would allow some dwellings currently regarded as “abandoned”, and therefore not currently eligible for replacement, to be replaced;
- broadening of the existing policy on social housing so that it also applies to all affordable housing (i.e. housing provided at an affordable rent or on a co-ownership basis); outside of Greenbelts and Countryside Policy Areas (CPAs), the maximum number of houses permitted in a group might be increased from 8 to 14;
- whether for ribbon development, outside of Greenbelts and CPAs, it would be appropriate to allow two dwellings in a gap which is sufficiently large to allow dwellings of similar size and character; and
- the re-introduction of a policy which provided for a dwelling in cases where there were compelling personal, health or domestic circumstances which required someone to live on a specific site and where genuine hardship would be experienced if they could not do so.
The Subcommittee will shortly make recommendations to the Executive on the outcome of the review of draft PPS 14.
Planning Applications
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the reasons why the Planning Service's office in Ballymena is stating that the Roads Service has concerns in relation to planning application T/2007/0146/F.
(AQW 5377/08)
Mrs A Foster: An MLA for the area raised the issue of road safety in relation to the proposed access for the development. His constituents, who live opposite the proposal, were concerned that a new access would cause congestion and possible accidents on a narrow country road. Planning Service sought the views of Roads Service, in relation to this matter, and that Service discussed the details with both Road Safety Branch and PSNI Traffic Management Branch. Planning Service will not issue a decision until any outstanding issue has been addressed satisfactorily, even where the view of the District Council has been sought and received.
Any matters raised by political representatives will be considered and addressed before a decision is issued. While it is preferable that this should happen before a final opinion is put before the local Council, issues raised by MLAs and indeed any political representative or member of the public have to be considered before a decision is issued.
Plastic Bags
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the steps she has taken to encourage the public to use alternatives to plastic bags.
(AQW 5460/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department continues to support voluntary initiatives aimed at reducing carrier bag usage such as the current UK-wide agreement between Government, the Waste Resources Action Programme and retailers which aims to reduce the overall environmental impact of all carrier bags by 25% by the end of 2008. Retailers are seeking to achieve this reduction by:
- encouraging customers to significantly reduce the number of carrier bags they use;
- reducing the impact of each carrier bag e.g. by using less material or incorporating recycled content; and
- enabling the recycling of more carrier bags where appropriate.
Chicken Waste Plant
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to her answer to AQW 4650/08, to confirm Rose Energy has submitted a planning application for a chicken waste plant in Glenavy, County Antrim.
(AQW 5488/08)
Mrs A Foster: Rose Energy has not yet submitted a planning application.
Architectural Heritage
Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of the Environment what proposals she has to improve information to the public of the potential of designations of 'Area of Townscape Character' and 'Area of Village Character' to maintain and enhance architectural heritage.
(AQO 2592/08)
Mrs A Foster: Areas of Townscape and Village Character are implemented through the development plan process. The background and policy for these designations are set out in Planning Policy Statement 6 -Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage and its Addendum (Areas of Townscape Character). Both of these documents went through a public consultation exercise prior to publication. They are available on the Planning Service website and in hard copy at Divisional Planning Offices.
The ATC concept is also widely publicised as part of the development plan consultation process through which individuals also have the opportunity to submit any suggestion they might have regarding ATCs to the Department. My Department commits significant resources to public consultation in the preparation of plans to encourage as many people as possible to take the opportunity to be involved.
I am content that the current arrangements offer the public both the necessary information about Areas of Townscape and Village Character and the opportunity to influence their designation.
Finance and Personnel
Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail how 'Lifetime Opportunities', Government's Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy, identified as a key cross-cutting priority of the Comprehensive Spending Review, has informed the department's spending plans for all government departments, given that the strategy has yet to be adopted by the Executive.
(AQO 209/08)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): The draft spending proposals put forward by departments as part of the 2007 Budget process were informed by a broad range of issues including the need to address poverty and social exclusion.
The priorities for the restored Executive will be set out in the draft Programme for Government which is due to be published for public consultation in November and December, alongside the draft Budget.
Consultancy Fees
Mr J Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total value of consultancy fees paid (i) in the last three years; and (ii) planned for the next three years, broken down by department.
(AQW 3871/08)
Mr P Robinson: The Northern Ireland Departments have spent the following on consultancy for the years 2005/06 and 2006/07, which reflect the information provided to PAC and set out in the PAC’s 6 th report (session 2007/08). The figures for 2007/08 are estimated outturn and the future figures are estimates of currently planned consultancy and commitments of ongoing projects. Additional expenditure will be required as new consultancy work is identified.
£m
| Department | 2005/06 Actual Outturn | 2006/07 Actual Outturn | 2007/08 Estimate outturn | 2008/09 Estimate | 2009/10 Estimate | 2010/11 Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DARD | 0.49 |
0.78 |
1.26 |
0.82 |
0.73 |
0.81 |
| DCAL | 0.76 |
1.61 |
4.02 |
0.75 |
0.58 |
0.57 |
| DE | 3.21 |
4.05 |
5.04 |
0.30 |
0.26 |
N/A |
| DEL | 0.62 |
0.38 |
0.59 |
0.61 |
0.62 |
0.64 |
| DETI | 3.01 |
3.23 |
3.07 |
2.77 |
2.69 |
2.85 |
| DFP | 2.51 |
4.37 |
8.37 |
8.22 |
2.19 |
1.98 |
| DHSSPS | 3.56 |
4.13 |
3.70 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
| DOE | 1.51 |
2.28 |
2.55 |
1.97 |
1.80 |
1.71 |
| DRD | 8.61 |
15.94 |
2.22 |
1.50 |
1.37 |
1.13 |
| DSD | 0.72 |
0.64 |
2.38 |
2.26 |
2.14 |
2.02 |
| OFMDFM | 6.71 |
4.60 |
5.87 |
7.82 |
6.55 |
5.83 |
| TOTAL | 31.71 |
42.01 |
39.07 |
30.02 |
21.93 |
20.54 |
Rates Relief
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the uptake of rates relief, broken down by district council area.
(AQW 4888/08)
Mr P Robinson: The amount of Rate Relief that has been awarded, broken down by district council area, is detailed in the attached table.
| District Council | Number of Properties | Total Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 169 |
£25,169.37 |
| Ards | 300 |
£40, 027.91 |
| Armagh | 235 |
£35,978.60 |
| Ballymena | 217 |
£32, 065.18 |
| Ballymoney | 124 |
£16, 426.30 |
| Banbridge | 191 |
£25, 823.82 |
| Belfast | 1,179 |
£157, 621.35 |
| Carrickfergus | 188 |
£29, 016.99 |
| Castlereagh | 299 |
£39, 426.57 |
| Coleraine | 220 |
£31, 047.59 |
| Cookstown | 119 |
£16, 336.06 |
| Craigavon | 451 |
£59, 936.15 |
| Derry | 474 |
£63, 016.72 |
| Down | 241 |
£33, 463.48 |
| Dungannon & South Tyrone | 150 |
£18, 780.08 |
| Fermanagh | 225 |
£28, 516.28 |
| Larne | 141 |
£16, 750.44 |
| Limavady | 135 |
£17, 058.47 |
| Lisburn | 392 |
£56, 439.95 |
| Magherafelt | 123 |
£13, 820.50 |
| Moyle | 77 |
£11, 997.19 |
| Newry & Mourne | 385 |
£55, 028.33 |
| Newtownabbey | 460 |
£66, 528.23 |
| North Down | 305 |
£50, 043.12 |
| Omagh | 159 |
£21, 231.64 |
| Strabane | 195 |
£25, 079.57 |
| Totals | 7,154 |
£986, 629.89 |
Rates Revenue
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an estimate of the amount of revenue that has been lost due to rates not being paid for occupied properties which are claimed to be vacant.
(AQW 4937/08)
Mr P Robinson: There is no liability for rates on vacant domestic properties. The overall level of domestic vacancy is taken into account when striking the regional and district rates.
Domestic properties previously categorised as vacant, which are subsequently found to be occupied, are billed back to the date of occupancy.
Public Appointments
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of public appointments that have been made by his department since the restoration of devolution; and (ii) the number that were (a) female; and (b) elected councillors.
(AQW 5015/08)
Mr P Robinson: In answering this question it has been assumed that public appointments relate only to appointments made through the Public Appointments Process which is regulated and monitored by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and covers the four bodies which my Department sponsors. Appointments made to Monitoring Bodies and Review groups have not therefore been included.
The Department of Finance and Personnel has not made any such public appointments since the restoration of devolution.
Ministerial Drivers
Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline the process by which ministerial drivers are appointed to their respective positions.
(AQW 5046/08)
Mr P Robinson: At the time when the Assembly was reinstated, as there were more drivers than estimated Ministerial posts, the names of all available drivers were placed in a draw. Names were then drawn to provide an ordered list. As Ministers were announced drivers were allocated in order from the list and assigned to Ministers and Departments.
Unoccupied Commercial Properties
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of unoccupied commercial properties across Northern Ireland; (ii) the number of those properties in respect of which the department has been able to collect rates; and (iii) the total amount of rate revenue collected by the department with respect to these properties.
(AQW 5188/08)
Mr P Robinson: (i) There are 7,081 unoccupied commercial properties in Northern Ireland with a net annual value of £2k or more which are potentially liable for vacant rating.
(ii) Rates due were collected in full for 3,629 of these properties. Rates remain owing on another 2,852 properties and these are at various stages of the collection and or recovery processes. LPS is seeking to identify the person entitled to possession for a further 600 vacant non domestic properties so that a rate bill can be issued and if necessary recovery action started.
(iii) The total revenue collected including discharges for non domestic rated properties during 2007/2008 (for the 3,629 cases) was almost £12,250,000. A discharge is applied to the rates due when a property receives an exemption from vacant rate liability. This outturn figure is provisional subject to the annual audit.
Rates Collection Agency
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of items of correspondence regarding rating issues and other related topics waiting to be processed by the Rates Collection Agency.
(AQW 5240/08)
Mr P Robinson: Land and Property Services (LPS) assumed responsibility for the billing, collection and recovery of rate liability from 1 April 2007.
On the 4 April 2008 LPS had 8479 items of correspondence relating to rating issues waiting to be processed.
Rates Valuations Staff
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what assessment he has made in relation to the impact, of reducing staff levels within his department and across the Civil Service, on the current backlog of rates valuation work.
(AQW 5241/08)
Mr P Robinson: Land & Property Services (LPS) continues to work closely with my Department to ensure that the ongoing work to reduce the backlog in rate arrears and reduce the number of valuations awaited is not impacted by reductions in staff levels within the Department and across the Civil Service.
A dedicated team is dealing with rate arrears and this team will remain, outside any headcount reduction, until backlogs are removed
Rates Valuations Staff
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of rates valuations staff currently employed in assessing the rating potential of all properties, domestic and commercial, and (ii) how this compares with staffing numbers five years ago.
(AQW 5242/08)
Mr P Robinson: At 31 st March 2008 there were some 155 Land & Property Services operational staff employed in the valuation, for rating purposes, of domestic and commercial properties.
Five years ago (2003) there were some 160 staff involved in similar activities.
Information Technology Systems Within the Rates Collection Agency
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if all the problems that occurred in the migration of data between the two Information Technology systems within the Rates Collection Agency have now been resolved.
(AQW 5243/08)
Mr P Robinson: There are two remaining areas of data migration which have still to be fully addressed. Firstly, there are about 4000 pre-2006/07 enforced debt cases where the data is in the wrong rate category and work to resolve these cases is ongoing. Secondly, the new system has introduced structured addresses in line with Pointer, the address database created and maintained by Ordnance Survey. Addresses in the old system were unstructured and it was impossible to map the data correctly to the new structure, so they were migrated in field sequence to maintain the integrity of the original addresses.
A project is currently underway to match the addresses with Pointer addresses and where a match is found to replace them with the Pointer address.
Childcare Places for Civil Servants
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the action he is taking to ensure, as part of his priority for economic activity, that childcare places are available for civil servants, particularly women returning to work.
(AQW 5302/08)
Mr P Robinson: As an employer the Northern Ireland Civil Service is keenly aware that access to good quality, affordable childcare is of huge importance to many staff however, like any activity funded by public money, any assistance that is offered must be subject to the normal economic appraisal process and represent value for money. Attempts in the past to establish a Northern Ireland Civil Service workplace nursery were unable to satisfy these requirements and therefore the focus has been on other forms of assistance, such as flexible working arrangements and special leave.
A significant new scheme will become available for all Northern Ireland Civil Service staff later this year when the new payroll system is launched. The Salary Sacrifice Childcare Voucher scheme will enable staff to sacrifice part of the salary due to them and receive vouchers that can be used to pay for childcare.
Since 1991 my Department has provided grant-in-aid to support the operation of a network of holiday playschemes that are set up and run by staff on a voluntary basis. The schemes are open to school age children of civil servants during the summer holidays.
Rates Collection Agency
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel (i) if there have been any problems with the recently installed computer system within the Rates Collection Agency; and (ii) what steps have been taken to rectify any such problems.
(AQW 5319/08)
Mr P Robinson: Problems with the recently installed rate collection computer system have, in general, been due to two underlying reasons:
- inadequacies in the original specification of requirement – either gaps in the specification or lack of detail in some areas; and
- data migration problems.
With regard to the specification, Requests for Change have been agreed to define the missing details and in one area, Finance, a review is currently underway to improve and update the original specification in light of experience. In relation to data migration, a programme to improve the quality of the data is ongoing and only two areas remain, enforced debt and addresses.
Rates Collection Agency
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm if the Rates Collection Agency's new IT system is now fully operational.
(AQW 5322/08)
Mr P Robinson: There is one area of the IT system which is not yet fully operational. Phase 3 (Housing Benefit) was delayed due to business pressures. An upgraded Phase 3 is now due to go live at the end of July.
Domestic and Commercial Valuations
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the current backlog in correspondence in relation to (i) domestic; and (ii) commercial valuations.
(AQW 5323/08)
Mr P Robinson: The valuation area of Land and Property Services’ business receives low levels of correspondence and, as such, there are no significant backlogs. However, Land and Property Services is currently dealing with some 1,920 application-based challenges to the domestic valuation list and some 1,270 to the commercial valuation list. These involve ongoing correspondence.
These challenges form part of Land and Property Services’ normal levels of ‘work in hand’ and they are being completed on an ongoing basis
Rates Income
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the income generated in rates from vacant/derelict commercial properties, broken down by District Council area.
(AQW 5325/08)
Mr P Robinson: The non-domestic vacant rating scheme (NDVR) was introduced from 1 April 2004. During 2004/2005 the NDVR scheme generated an additional £4.6m in rate revenue. Unfortunately, information in relation to the rate revenue generated in subsequent rating years 2005/06 and 2006/07 is not readily available. However, the total value of payments and discharges for NDVR properties during the 2007/08 rating year was £12.2m.
Economic Growth
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the rate of growth in the economy in each of the last five years; and (ii) how much of this growth was attributable to the public sector.
(AQW 5339/08)
Mr P Robinson: The rate of growth of the Northern Ireland economy, measured by changes in total Gross Value Added (GVA), in each of the last five years is as follows:
| Year | GVA Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| 2005-2006 |
5.6 |
| 2004-2005 |
4.5 |
| 2003-2004 |
6.5 |
| 2002-2003 |
6.2 |
| 2001-2002 |
5.0 |
An official estimate of the public sector’s share of Northern Ireland’s recent economic growth is currently unavailable. However, it should be noted that public expenditure as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product in Northern Ireland has increased from 58.1 per cent in 2001-02 to 62.7 per cent in 2005-06 while public sector jobs as a proportion of total employee jobs in Northern Ireland has remained fairly static at just over 30 per cent over the same period.
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act
Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to give a timescale within which the provisions within the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 are expected to be applied to Northern Ireland.
(AQW 5362/08)
Mr P Robinson: There are currently no plans to replicate the provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 in Northern Ireland.
Press Office Staff
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4678/08, to detail the number of staff working in his department's press office, broken down by grade.
(AQW 5387/08)
Mr P Robinson: The number of staff working in the DFP Press Office is 7. The breakdown of staff by grade is as follows:
Principal Information Officer
Senior Information Officer
Information Officer X 2
Assistant Information Officer
Deputy Principal
Administrative Officer
Energy Initiatives
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the sustainable energy initiatives; and (ii) the energy efficiency measures, that have been discussed in relation to (a) current; and (b) future Workplace 2010 contracts.
(AQW 5407/08)
Mr P Robinson: The Workplace 2010 contract has not yet been let. The following sustainability and energy efficiency requirements have been included in the draft Workplace 2010 contract issued to bidders as part of the best and final offer (BAFO) process:
- A minimum of 10% of energy supply to be achieved from Low and Zero Carbon Technologies (LZCT) at the facilities e.g. biomass, solar water heating, combined heat and power, ground source heating and cooling etc. by year 6;
- Additionally a minimum of 10% green electricity to be included in the energy sourcing mix;
- The achievement of a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of "Excellent" for new Facilities and at least "Very Good" for refurbished facilities;
- A 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per square metre over the life of the contract;
- Reduction of water consumption at the facilities by 25% by Contract year 20;
- Promotion of materials recovery, reuse and recycling.
Civil Service Employment in South Down
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of people employed by the Civil Service in the South Down constituency.
(AQO 2650/08)
Mr P Robinson: The total number of public sector employees in South Down at September 2005 was 7,856.
By 1 February 2008, a total of 549 civil servants (permanent and temporary), based on headcount, were employed by the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the South Down constituency.
Vioxx Drug
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of patients who have died as a result of the side effects of taking the drug Vioxx.
(AQW 5595/08)
Mr P Robinson: Rofecoxib, a drug used to treat arthritis and acute pain, was also marketed in the UK under the brand name Vioxx and Vioxx Acute. In the last 10 years, 1998 to 2007, no deaths were registered in Northern Ireland where the drugs, Vioxx, Vioxx Acute or Rofecoxib were mentioned on the death certificate.
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Official Visits
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) when; and (ii) how, he informed Landmark East of his visit to Ballybeen on Monday 10 March 2008.
(AQW 5160/08)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): I did not inform Landmark East of my visit to Ballybeen on Monday 10 March 2008.
Mental Health Clients
Mr M Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of complaints relating to the treatment of mental health clients that have been made against each Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last five years; (ii) the number of such complaints subsequently brought to the relevant Health and Social Services Board; (iii) the number of such complaints then brought to the Commissioner for Complaints; and (iv) the number of complaints upheld.
(AQW 5187/08)
(i) Mr M McGimpsey: The following table shows the number of complaints relating to the treatment of mental health clients that have been made against each Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last five years:
|
Number of complaints made |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
2004-05 |
2005-06 |
2006-07 |
|
Altnagelvin Hospital |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Armagh & Dungannon Hospital |
22 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
19 |
Belfast City Hospital |
4 |
6 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
Causeway |
11 |
33 |
50 |
14 |
17 |
Craigavon Area Hospital Group |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Craigavon & Banbridge Community |
12 |
11 |
16 |
9 |
10 |
Down Lisburn |
27 |
25 |
21 |
36 |
35 |
Foyle |
13 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
9 |
Green Park |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Homefirst Community |
37 |
31 |
45 |
41 |
47 |
Mater Hospital |
12 |
7 |
14 |
7 |
7 |
Newry & Mourne |
3 |
8 |
5 |
9 |
4 |
North & West Belfast |
5 |
5 |
5 |
9 |
14 |
Royal Group of Hospitals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
South & East Belfast |
41 |
56 |
30 |
43 |
65 |
Sperrin & Lakeland |
12 |
6 |
4 |
13 |
11 |
Ulster Community & Hospital |
10 |
28 |
16 |
14 |
9 |
United Hospitals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
NI Ambulance Service |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northern Ireland |
209 |
232 |
232 |
213 |
251 |
Source : Hospital Information Branch
(ii) Complaints referred to HSS Boards for consideration of independent review are not categorised by specialty. Therefore information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
(iii) & (iv) Your request has been passed to the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, who will reply directly to you.
Prescription Charges
Mr K McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide an update on the cost benefit review into the current system of prescription charges.
(AQW 5198/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I established a cost and benefit review of prescription charges as promised in the Assembly debate on this issue in May last year. The review group have now completed their analysis of the current system of prescription charging and sent their report to me. I will bring forward proposals to the Assembly when I have concluded my deliberations. In the interim, and in recognition of the fact that I am still considering the options, I have decided to freeze prescription charges for 2008/2009.
Childminder Registration
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his plans to improve the current system of childminder registration.
(AQW 5199/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Policy responsibility in respect of childminding transferred from my department to Department of Education (DE) in November 2006 with Early Years policy. DHSSPS remains responsible for the regulation and inspection of childminders.
The ‘0-6 Early Years Strategy’ currently being developed by DE will include recommendations in relation to the areas of regulation and inspection and the development of the early years workforce, which includes childminders. My department will then consider these recommendations. In the meantime, DE is currently working alongside the Health and Social Care Trusts to streamline registration procedures, to ensure consistency across Northern Ireland.
My department fully recognises the importance of registration to all those interested in becoming childminders. To ensure this is being carried out effectively, I have asked senior officials to meet with health and social care colleagues within the Boards to discuss the issue in full and establish what measures are being taken to address the concerns raised in relation to delays. In addition, senior officials will be meeting with Bridget Nodder, Director of the Northern Ireland Childminding Association to discuss their organisations recent survey and concerns raised.
Childminder Registration
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his action plan for reducing the delays in the registration process for childminders.
(AQW 5200/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Policy responsibility in respect of childminding transferred from my department to Department of Education (DE) in November 2006 with Early Years policy. DHSSPS remains responsible for the regulation and inspection of childminders.
The ‘0-6 Early Years Strategy’ currently being developed by DE will include recommendations in relation to the areas of regulation and inspection and the development of the early years workforce, which includes childminders. My department will then consider these recommendations. In the meantime, DE is currently working alongside the Health and Social Care Trusts to streamline registration procedures, to ensure consistency across Northern Ireland.
My department fully recognises the importance of registration to all those interested in becoming childminders. To ensure this is being carried out effectively, I have asked senior officials to meet with health and social care colleagues within the Boards to discuss the issue in full and establish what measures are being taken to address the concerns raised in relation to delays. In addition, senior officials will be meeting with Bridget Nodder, Director of the Northern Ireland Childminding Association to discuss their organisations recent survey and concerns raised.
Childminder Registration
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his plans to introduce a requirement that registered childminders obtain public liability insurance.
(AQW 5201/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Policy responsibility in respect of childminding transferred from my department to Department of Education (DE) in November 2006 with Early Years policy. DHSSPS remains responsible for the regulation and inspection of childminders.
The ‘0-6 Early Years Strategy’ currently being developed by DE will include recommendations in relation to the areas of regulation and inspection and the development of the early years workforce, which includes childminders. My department will then consider these recommendations. In the meantime, DE is currently working alongside the Health and Social Care Trusts to streamline registration procedures, to ensure consistency across Northern Ireland.
My department fully recognises the importance of registration to all those interested in becoming childminders. To ensure this is being carried out effectively, I have asked senior officials to meet with health and social care colleagues within the Boards to discuss the issue in full and establish what measures are being taken to address the concerns raised in relation to delays. In addition, senior officials will be meeting with Bridget Nodder, Director of the Northern Ireland Childminding Association to discuss their organisations recent survey and concerns raised.
Childminder Registration
Mr G Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his plans to introduce a requirement for registered childminders to undertake basic training, including first aid training.
(AQW 5202/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Policy responsibility in respect of childminding transferred from my department to Department of Education (DE) in November 2006 with Early Years policy. DHSSPS remains responsible for the regulation and inspection of childminders.
The ‘0-6 Early Years Strategy’ currently being developed by DE will include recommendations in relation to the areas of regulation and inspection and the development of the early years workforce, which includes childminders. My department will then consider these recommendations. In the meantime, DE is currently working alongside the Health and Social Care Trusts to streamline registration procedures, to ensure consistency across Northern Ireland.
My department fully recognises the importance of registration to all those interested in becoming childminders. To ensure this is being carried out effectively, I have asked senior officials to meet with health and social care colleagues within the Boards to discuss the issue in full and establish what measures are being taken to address the concerns raised in relation to delays. In addition, senior officials will be meeting with Bridget Nodder, Director of the Northern Ireland Childminding Association to discuss their organisations recent survey and concerns raised.
Medical Secretaries
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the reasons why medical secretaries in the Ulster Hospital have been graded at level 3, when medical secretaries throughout the rest of Northern Ireland and England and Wales have been graded at level 4.
(AQW 5209/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is not accurate to say that medical secretaries throughout the rest of Northern Ireland and England and Wales have been graded at grade 4. There is a mixture of grade 3 and grade 4 jobs within the medical secretary roles in Northern Ireland and in the rest of the UK. The 129 medical secretaries in the Ulster Hospital have been awarded their Agenda for Change grade 3 based on their job description and using the same process that has been used for grading all jobs in the Health and Social Care. If individual medical secretaries are of the view that their grading is not correct they may ask to have the grading reviewed. I understand that none of the medical secretaries in the Ulster Hospital have requested a review of their grading.
Dental Services
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of dentists in general dental services in the North Down constituency (i) currently; (ii) at 1 April 2004; (iii) at 1 April 2005; (iv) at 1 April 2006; and (v) at 1 April 2007.
(AQW 5210/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is provided in the table below. Data is not available prior to 2005.
|
Number of NHS dentists in North Down |
|---|---|
(i) Currently |
49 |
(ii) at 1 April 2004 |
Information not available |
(iii) at 1 April 2005 |
47 |
(iv) at 1 April 2006 |
49 |
(v) at 1 April 2007 |
49 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Dental Services
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients registered in dental capitation arrangements in the North Down constituency (i) currently; (ii) at 1 April 2004; (iii) at 1 April 2005; (iv) at 1 April 2006; and (v) at 1 April 2007.
(AQW 5211/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is provided in the table below. Data is not available prior to 2005.
Patients registered in dental capitation arrangements in the North Down constituency
|
Age |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0-5 |
6-12 |
13-17 |
Total |
(i) Currently |
2,648 |
5,065 |
3,872 |
11,585 |
(ii) at 1 April 2004 |
Information not available |
|||
(iii) at 1 April 2005 |
2,500 |
4,978 |
3,945 |
11,423 |
(iv) at 1 April 2006 |
2,425 |
4,875 |
3,836 |
11,136 |
(v) at 1 April 2007 |
2,493 |
5,100 |
3,928 |
11,521 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Note: The figures shown relate to patients registered with dental practices located within the North Down constituency. These patients do not necessarily reside in the North Down constituency, and likewise, some people resident in the North Down constituency may be registered under such arrangements with other dental practices outside of the constituency.
Dental Services
Mr P Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of patients registered in dental continuing care arrangements in the North Down constituency (i) currently; (ii) at 1 April 2004; (iii) at 1 April 2005; (iv) at 1 April 2006; and (v) at 1 April 2007.
(AQW 5212/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is provided in the table below. Data is not available prior to 2005.
Patients registered in dental continuing care arrangements in the North Down constituency
|
Age |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
18-64 |
65 and Over |
Total |
(i) Currently |
20,687 |
4,977 |
25,664 |
(ii) at 1 April 2004 |
Information not available |
||
(iii) at 1 April 2005 |
25,051 |
5,604 |
30,655 |
(iv) at 1 April 2006 |
23,981 |
5,224 |
29,205 |
(v) at 1 April 2007 |
25,388 |
5,362 |
30,750 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Note: The figures shown relate to patients registered with dental practices located within the North Down constituency. These patients do not necessarily reside in the North Down constituency, and likewise, some people resident in the North Down constituency may be registered under such arrangements with other dental practices outside of the constituency.
Prostate Cancer
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps his department is taking to raise public awareness of prostate cancer.
(AQW 5213/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Cancer Control Programmefor Northern Ireland, published by the Department in 2006, contains several recommendations for action relating to improving the awareness of possible cancer symptoms and the early detection of cancer. Whilst the Department is not at present running public awareness programmes specifically focusing on prostate cancer, we are currently engaged with Boards and Trusts in working to ensure the Control Programme recommendations for improvements in cancer detection and care are fully implemented .
In May 2007 the Department, working in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Cancer Network, issued referral guidance for patients suspected of having cancer, including prostate cancer, to every GP practice in Northern Ireland. Many GP practices display a range of informative leaflets aimed at raising awareness of particular conditions, including cancer and in addition, information about prostate cancer is available through the Northern Ireland cancer and palliative care online resource www.capricorn-ni.org
Emergency Calls
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of emergency calls received by (i) the Ambulance Service; and (ii) the Fire and Rescue Service, in 2007.
(AQW 5214/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: During 2007, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received 135,766 emergency calls and the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received 52,490.
Children Adoptation
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people waiting to adopt children in each of the last three years.
(AQW 5218/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is not available centrally.
Dental Services
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of dentists that currently provide NHS dental services.
(AQW 5220/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: According to Central Services Agency figures, at 1 April 2008, there were 806 dentists registered to provide NHS dental services.
Fire Appliances
Mr M Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the age of all fire appliances located in each fire station.
(AQW 5221/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information is set out in the table below.
Table: Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service – Age of Appliances
| Station | Number of Appliances | Year of Manufacture |
|---|---|---|
| Antrim Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2000 |
||
| Armagh Fire Station | 2 |
2004 |
| 2000 |
||
| Ballycastle Fire Station | 2 |
1993 |
| 1994 |
||
| Ballyclare Fire Station | 2 |
1994 |
| 1997 |
||
| Ballymena Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 1995 |
||
| Ballymoney Fire Station | 2 |
1996 |
| 1993 |
||
| Ballynahinch Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 1995 |
||
| Ballywalter Fire Station | 1 |
2001 |
| Banbridge Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 1996 |
||
| Bangor Fire Station | 2 |
2006 |
| 1994 |
||
| Belleek Fire Station | 1 |
1995 |
| Cadogan Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2007 |
||
| Carnlough Fire Station | 1 |
1996 |
| Carrickfergus Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 1996 |
||
| Carryduff Fire Station | 1 |
1996 |
| Castlederg Fire Station | 2 |
2004 |
| 1993 |
||
| Central Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2005 |
||
| Clogher Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 1995 |
||
| Coleraine Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2006 |
||
| Comber Fire Station | 1 |
1996 |
| Cookstown Fire Station | 2 |
2004 |
| 2001 |
||
| Crescent Link Fire Station | 2 |
2006 |
| 1996 |
||
| Crossmaglen Fire Station | 1 |
1995 |
| Crumlin Fire Station | 1 |
2000 |
| Cushendall Fire Station | 1 |
2004 |
| Donaghadee Fire Station | 1 |
2004 |
| Downpatrick Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 1998 |
||
| Dromore Fire Station (Down) | 1 |
1992 |
| Dromore Fire Station (Tyrone) | 1 |
1995 |
| Dungannon Fire Station | 2 |
1998 |
| 1996 |
||
| Dungiven Fire Station | 2004 |
|
| Enniskillen Fire Station | 2 |
1995 |
| 2007 |
||
| Fintona Fire Station | 1 |
2004 |
| Glengormley Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 1995 |
||
| Holywood Fire Station | 2 |
2004 |
| 1996 |
||
| Irvinestown Fire Station | 1 |
1995 |
| Keady Fire Station | 1 |
2006 |
| Kilkeel Fire Station | 2 |
1996 |
| 1996 |
||
| Kilrea Fire Station | 1 |
1994 |
| Knock Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 2005 |
||
| Larne Fire Station | 2 |
1994 |
| 2006 |
||
| Limavady Fire Station | 2 |
2000 |
| 1995 |
||
| Lisburn Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 2001 |
||
| Lisnaskea Fire Station | 2 |
1998 |
| 1995 |
||
| Lurgan Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2004 |
||
| Maghera Fire Station | 2 |
2006 |
| 1993 |
||
| Magherafelt Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 2004 |
||
| Newcastle Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 2005 |
||
| Newry Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 2000 |
||
| Newtownards Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2005 |
||
| Newtownhamilton Fire Station | 2 |
2004 |
| 1991 |
||
| Newtownstewart Fire Station | 1 |
1995 |
| Northland Road Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 2005 |
||
| Omagh Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2006 |
||
| Pomeroy Fire Station | 1 |
1994 |
| Portadown Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 1998 |
||
| Portaferry Fire Station | 1 |
1993 |
| Portrush Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 1994 |
||
| Portstewart Fire Station | 2 |
2005 |
| 1997 |
||
| Rathfriland Fire Station | 2 |
1990 |
| 1993 |
||
| Rathlin Island Fire Station | 1 |
1990 |
| Springfield Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2007 |
||
| Strabane Fire Station | 2 |
2006 |
| 2000 |
||
| Warrenpoint Fire Station | 2 |
2000 |
| 2001 |
||
| Westland Fire Station | 1 |
2007 |
| Whitehead Fire Station | 1 |
2004 |
| Whitla Fire Station | 2 |
2007 |
| 2007 |
Dental Services
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (a) number, and (b) percentage change in the number, of NHS dental patients in each of the last three years.
(AQW 5222/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is provided in the table below.
Year |
(a) Dental Registrations |
(b) Percentage change |
|---|---|---|
2008 |
859,519 |
-4.54% |
2007 |
900,363 |
-1.06% |
2006 |
909,981 |
0.29% |
Source: Central Services Agency
Dental Services
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of dentists that have stopped providing NHS treatment in each of the last three years.
(AQW 5224/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is not available but the following statistics are known:
Number of dentists coming off the list of all dentists registered to provide NHS dentistry during the financial year.
Year |
Number of dentists |
2007/08 |
39 |
2006/07 |
51 |
2005/06 |
34 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Note: The above figures for dentists coming off the registered list include dentists who have retired or moved to another country, in addition to those who may have moved wholly into private practice
Dentists who were on list for duration of the financial year but did not submit an NHS claim during that period
Year |
Number of dentists |
2007/08 |
23 |
2006/07 |
24 |
2005/06 |
26 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Adoption Home Studies
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average time taken to have adoption home studies completed in each of the Health and Social Care Trust areas.
(AQW 5226/08)
Mr M McGimpsey:
The information requested is not available centrally.
Respite Provision
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the respite provision available to adults, between the ages of 30 to 65, with neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, Motor Neuron Disease, and Multiple System Atrophy; and to provide a breakdown of the provision available by Health and Social Care Trust area.
(AQW 5227/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: There are no dedicated respite care services available specifically for those aged between 30 and 65 who have suffered from neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease and Multiple System Atrophy.
Five respite beds specifically for people with neurological conditions are available in Spruce House in the Western Health and Social Care Trust and a further eleven beds are also available in Forster Green Hospital in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Centre in Ballycastle is a dedicated respite care facility for people suffering from MS and all the Health and Social Care Trusts contract respite bed days from this Centre.
All the Trusts provide respite provision in a variety of forms. It can be delivered in people’s own homes, day facilities and nursing and residential homes to meet the user’s own needs or the needs of carers and families.
Direct payments are also offered as an option by which respite care can be availed of in a more flexible, supported and person centred manner.
Developing Better Services Project
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total costs per annum for salaries, broken down by grade, since the Developing Better Services project was set up.
(AQW 5233/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Developing Better Services is not being implemented as a single regional project and no specific budget has been allocated for its implementation. Whilst some Boards and Trusts have established specific project teams, others are managing their projects on an ad-hoc basis, using staff resources from within their organisations. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested to an acceptable degree of accuracy other than at disproportionate cost.
Staff Cutbacks
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of staff cutbacks in (i) managerial posts; (ii) catering staff; (iii) domestic staff; (iv) porters; (v) telephonists; (vi) groundsmen; (vii) joiners; and (viii) maintenance staff, since the formation of the new Western Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 5235/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Western Trust advises that there have been reductions of 71.0 whole-time equivalent managerial staff and 0.76 whole-time equivalent telephonists during the period since their formation. There have been no further changes in any of the other requested staff groups.
Residential Provision
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the long term residential provision his department is making for adults, between the ages of 30 and 65, with neurological diseases such as (i) Parkinson's; (ii) Motor Neuron Disease; and (iii) Multiple System Atrophy, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust area.
(AQW 5238/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: There are no dedicated specialist long-term residential care facilities available in Northern Ireland specifically for those aged between 30 and 65 who have suffered from neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease and Multiple System Atrophy.
All the Health and Social Care Trusts provide long term residential care provision for those aged between 30 and 65 mainly by contracting services from a range of independent and statutory Nursing and Residential Home providers. The process of identifying appropriate long-term residential care provision is person-centred and in full consultation with the service user and carers.
The Trusts also work in partnership with the voluntary and independent sectors to provide a range of supported and sheltered housing schemes within the Trust areas for people with these types of conditions.
Epilepsy Medication
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost of Epilepsy medication in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 5271/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information is only available in respect of drugs dispensed in primary care and therefore excludes medication costs incurred in hospital. The costs for each calendar year are shown in the table below.
Ingredient cost before discount of antiepileptic drugs, 2002 – 2006
Year |
Ingredient cost before discount – Antiepileptics |
2006 |
£12,573,528 |
2005 |
£10,976,738 |
2004 |
£8,816,905 |
2003 |
£7,470,264 |
2002 |
£6,427,431 |
Source: Prescription Cost Analysis NI, Central Services Agency
Adoption Home Studies
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his department's policy on contracting out Adoption Home Studies to other bodies such as the Family Care Society.
(AQW 5282/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: My Department values the contribution of voluntary adoption agencies and encourages Boards and Trusts to work in partnership with the voluntary sector to promote the adoption of children. Responsibility for commissioning and delivering services has been delegated to Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts. It is, therefore, for Boards and Trusts to determine whether to commission ‘home study’ assessments from external providers in order assist them in the discharge of their statutory functions or in taking forward Departmental priorities.
Adoption Applications
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average time taken to process adoption applications, from the initial application to adoption taking place, for (i) domestic; and (ii) foreign adoptions.
(AQW 5283/08)
Mr M McGimpsey:
The information requested is not available centrally.
Childminder Registration
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the action his department is taking to address the backlog of registered childminders awaiting clearance after vetting procedures have been carried out.
(AQW 5300/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Policy responsibility in respect of childminding transferred from my department to the Department of Education (DE) in November 2006 with Early Years policy. DHSSPS remains responsible for the regulation and inspection of childminders.
The ‘0-6 Early Years Strategy’ currently being developed by DE will include recommendations in relation to the areas of regulation and inspection and the development of the early years workforce, which includes childminders. My department will then consider these recommendations. In the meantime, DE is currently working alongside the Health and Social Care Trusts to streamline registration procedures, to ensure consistency across Northern Ireland.
My department fully recognises the importance of registration to all those interested in becoming childminders. To ensure this is being carried out effectively, I have asked senior officials to meet with health and social care colleagues within the Boards to discuss the issue in full and establish what measures are being taken to address the concerns raised in relation to delays. In addition, senior officials will be meeting with Bridget Nodder, Director of the Northern Ireland Childminding Association to discuss their organisations recent survey and concerns raised.
Attacks on Hospital Staff
Mr D McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (i) number; and (ii) location, of attacks on hospital staff in 2006; 2007; and 2008.
(AQW 5333/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Violent attacks against healthcare staff have been formally monitored by my Department since April 2004 and are recorded on a 6 monthly basis. The figures provided in the table below detail the recorded number of physical attacks on all healthcare staff in each Health and Social Care Trust.
Location : Health and Social Care Trust Area |
Number of Physical Attacks reported on Healthcare Staff |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2005/2006 |
2006/2007 |
2007/2008 |
Belfast HSC Trust |
1304 |
1295 |
774 |
Northern HSC Trust |
655 |
810 |
474 |
Southern HSC Trust |
401 |
406 |
172 |
Western HSC Trust |
496 |
869 |
281 |
South Eastern HSC Trust |
695 |
822 |
483 |
TOTAL |
3551 |
4202 |
2184 |
Figures only available for the first six month reporting period from 1 April 2007 to 30 September 2007
Victims of Domestic Violence
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the action he is taking to ensure that women, with immigration status, who have no recourse to public funds and who are the victims of domestic violence, can access the support and services they need.
(AQW 5406/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: My Department recently funded research by the Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland into access to services for people from ethnic and minority communities. The report of this research, which has only recently been received by the Department, highlights this very issue and describes the particular difficulties faced by victims of domestic violence when they have no recourse to public funds.
The report is now being considered by officials and the NI Regional Steering Group on Domestic Violence who will bring forward proposals to address this important issue.
Sexual Health Strategy
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the timescale for publishing the Sexual Health Strategy.
(AQW 5409/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The draft Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan is in its final stages of preparation. The intention is that the Strategy will be published by June 2008. This, however, is subject to engagement with the Health Committee and the need for the document to be agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive.
Drug Addicts
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide his most recent estimate of the number of (i) cocaine; and (ii) heroin addicts in Northern Ireland; and to detail the percentage change from the previous year.
(AQW 5411/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Drug Addicts Index holds information on all those persons registered in concurrence with the Misuse of Drugs (Notification of and Supply to Addicts) ( Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973. The table below shows the number of persons registered for addictions to cocaine and heroin in Northern Ireland on the 31 st December 2006 and the 31 st December 2007, and the percentage change from the previous year.
|
31 st December 2006 |
31 st December 2007 |
% change |
Cocaine |
24 |
15 |
-37.5% |
Heroin |
218 |
193 |
-11.5% |
Total number of addicts on register |
288 |
257 |
-10.8% |
Agenda for Change
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to list all departments, specialties and Grades that have not had their Agenda for Change sorted out.
(AQW 5448/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained from individual HSC employers at a disproportionate cost. HSC employers are at various stages of the implementation process but I have instructed them to have all staff moved to the new Agenda for Change rates of pay by 30 June 2008 and I expect them to meet this target.
Outpatient Clinics
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the total number of additional outpatient clinics, including weekends and evenings, that have been arranged over the last three years under the waiting list initiative.
(AQW 5490/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The need for people to have timely access to appropriate outpatient services is one of my highest priorities. Access to outpatient services has been transformed over the last two years. At the beginning of April 2006, over 180,000 people were waiting for a first outpatient appointment, of which 110,000 were waiting longer than 13 weeks, some for as long as ten years. Today, only a handful of patients are waiting longer than 13 weeks.
This transformation in performance has been achieved through the implementation of a comprehensive programme of reform together with an increase in outpatient activity, both in the public and independent sectors. Activity has been increased both by seeing more patients at existing clinics and by holding additional clinics, sometimes at evenings and weekends.
Information on the number of additional outpatients clinics carried out in the public sector is not collected. Similarly, information on the number of outpatient clinics held by independent sector providers is not collected, however, I can advise that 1,795 people were referred to independent sector providers for assessment in 2005/06, 43,319 in 2006/07, and 22,417 in 2007/08 (provisional figures).
Mid-Ulster Hospital
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps he is taking to ensure that no further early closures will take place at the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Mid-Ulster Hospital.
(AQW 5500/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The decision to close Mid-Ulster Hospital’s A&E department early on the weekend of 4 April was taken in the interest of patient safety due to staff shortages.
To address this issue the Trust has recently completed a recruitment exercise for staff grade doctors in A&E and it is anticipated that the outcome of this will provide the appropriate medical cover to enable the A&E Department to maintain its normal level of service.
Mid-Ulster Hospital
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the reasons for the closure of the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Mid-Ulster Hospital at 5pm on Friday 4 April 2008.
(AQW 5501/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The A&E Department at the Mid-Ulster Hospital normally opens from 9:00am to 11:00pm each day. To provide this service, the A&E Department at the Mid-Ulster Hospital depends on a team of 4 staff grade doctors. However currently only 2 of these posts are filled permanently and the Trust is therefore heavily dependent on locum doctors to provide input. Obtaining appropriately skilled locum cover at weekends can be problematic and on Friday 4 April the Trust found it impossible to arrange suitable cover, despite repeated efforts.
In light of the absence of appropriately skilled medical staff the decision to close the A&E Department early was taken to address an immediate issue of patient safety.
Locum Doctors
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the salary levels of locum doctors in each hospital.
(AQW 5502/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The salary levels of locum doctors employed directly by trusts are set out in the Pay and Conditions of Service for junior doctors and consultants. Salaries for junior doctors are paid at an hourly rate. The basic hourly rate depends on the grade of doctor and ranges from £10.90 an hour for an F1 doctor to £17.97 an hour for a specialty registrar (at 2007-2008 rates). In addition, there may be banding supplements depending on the working pattern of the doctor. The salary level for a locum consultant is related to the pay of a consultant and is dependent on whether or not the locum consultant is in a substantive consultant post. The minimum point on the salary scale is £73,510 per annum.
The above salary levels do not include doctors recruited from locum agencies. In circumstances where it is difficult to recruit locum doctors directly, for example in specialties where there are particular shortages, trusts may agree higher salary levels with the locum agency. These salary levels will vary across locum agencies.
Strategic Review of Sensory Support Services
Mrs M O'Neill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will give an update on the strategic review of sensory support services, following the completion of the consultation exercise on 2 June 2006.
(AQO 300/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: A Regional Steering Group for Sensory Support Services was established in October 2006 to take forward the recommendations of the Social Services Inspectorate inspection report 'Challenge and Change', published in May 2005. This reported on the situation with regard to social work and related services for adults with a sensory loss across Northern Ireland.
The Regional Group is chaired by Fionnuala McAndrew, Director of Social Services in the Southern Health and Social Services Board, and comprises a wide range of stakeholders including service users, voluntary sector and statutory sector representatives.
The Group has been addressing some of the key recommendations in the report, having identified the first tranche of priority issues to be the provision of equipment, the development of an assessment framework and the development of resource centres across Northern Ireland.
The Regional Group met on 18 September 2007 to discuss progress and developments. A workshop is planned for 28 November 2007 as part of the consultation process on these developments and a wide range of stakeholders will be invited. The Group is intending to complete this phase of its work by March 2008. My Department will then be asked to issue the agreed outcomes to the service.
Two Tier Health System
Mr G McHugh asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his department's policy on the two tier health system, where patients with serious illness can have immediate consultation provided that they can afford to pay for it.
(AQO 1100/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Access to consultation within the health service is dependent on clinical need and is free at the point of delivery of care. In recent years there has been a huge improvement in the speed of access to consultant opinion and hospital services. At the end of March 2006 there were 74,000 patients waiting over six months for a first outpatient appointment – some for many years. By the end of March 2007 this had reduced to 32, and I am confident the target I have set to further reduce the maximum waiting time to 13 weeks by March 2008 will be achieved.
It is my aim that access to publicly funded health services will continue to improve and patients will no longer consider it necessary to pursue private treatment. However, despite the significant improvements in access being achieved by the health service some individuals may, for a variety of reasons, still choose to enter into private contracts with clinicians for consultation, diagnosis or treatment. It is their right to make that choice and we should respect it.
Mid-Ulster Hospital
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that he has no plans to reduce the service provision at the Mid-Ulster Hospital, in light of the recent early closure of the Accident and Emergency Unit.
(AQW 5548/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The recent early closure of the Accident and Emergency Unit has not affected our plans for future services at the Mid-Ulster Hospital.
Those plans, as set out in Developing Better Services, include the development of the Mid-Ulster as a local hospital supporting the services provided by Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital. However, those changes will only be made when robust alternative arrangements are in place at other hospitals to ensure that safe, high quality services can be provided to people of the Mid-Ulster area.
In the meantime, subject to patient safety issues, the Mid-Ulster Hospital will continue to provide its current range of services.
Smoking Ban
Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide an update on the health benefits for the population 12 months after the introduction of the smoking ban in public places.
(AQO 2750/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: A comprehensive research project to enable my Department to gauge the impact of smoke-free legislation will be available later in the year.
Although the legislation is designed to protect the public and employees, it has also encouraged smokers to try to stop. Provisional figures show that 16,227 people attending cessation services set a quit date between April 2007 and January 2008. The figures for the whole of the 2006/07 and 2005/06 years were 13,795 and 8,702 respectively.
Support for the legislation remains high with 98.2% of over 25,000 premises inspected up to September 2007 compliant with the no smoking requirement and 94.7% displaying correct signage.
In the longer term, I anticipate that major health benefits will accrue from smoke-free legislation and these should be reflected.
Dental Care Provision
Mr B Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give his assessment of the availability of health service dental care provision, particularly in relation to child dental health.
(AQO 2729/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The issue of access to Health Service dental care provision throughout Northern Ireland has become increasingly problematic, with a drift by General Dental Practitioners towards private dentistry. This has been the case since before I assumed responsibility for Health matters.
There are currently no contractual arrangements in place to compel
dentists to accept any patient for health service treatment. However, in the majority of cases, dental practices are still continuing to provide health service dental care provision for children. Child dental registrations have remained constant over the past 4 years.
Support for Midwives
Mr P McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what support is available for midwives, and others working in maternity services, for treating women who do not have English as their first language.
(AQO 2724/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Support is available for all Health and Social Care staff, including midwives and others working in maternity units. In recognition of our changing society and cultural diversity, the Regional Interpreting Service offer courses to instruct staff on the proper use of and access to interpreters for patients who do not have English as their first language. All Trusts offer Equality and Diversity training to staff and innovative projects are underway to produce useful information to staff, including multi-cultural phrasebooks and cultural awareness guides.
Satellite Cancer Care Centre in the North West
Ms M Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline (i) the consideration he has given to the establishment of a satellite cancer care centre in the North West; and (ii) any discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland in relation to such a facility.
(AQO 2694/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: As indicated in my statement to the Assembly on 15 January 2008, I discussed the issue of radiotherapy services in the northwest with Mary Harney at the North South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety Sectoral in November 2007. It was agreed that our departments should assess the potential for cooperation in this area. I have asked commissioners to develop a business case to ensure an increase in radiotherapy provision in Northern Ireland by that time. The business case process will be informed by ongoing discussions with the Department of Health and Children on this issue.
Prescription Charges
Mr T Lunn asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the progress on the review of prescription charges and to give a timescale within which he expects to publish the results and bring forward his proposals.
(AQO 2774/08)
r M McGimpsey: The prescription charge review group have now reported back to me. The report presents a number of options which I am currently considering. I will bring forward proposals to the Assembly when I have concluded my deliberations. In the interim, and in recognition of the fact that I am still considering the options, I have decided to freeze prescription charges at their current level for 2008/09.
MRI Scan Waiting Times
Mr S Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average waiting time for (i) obtaining an MRI scan; and (ii) obtaining the results from such a scan, for patients in each hospital that provides this procedure.
(AQO 2728/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: MRI scans are provided at the Belfast City, Mater, Musgrave Park, Royal Victoria, Antrim Area, Ulster, Craigavon Area, and Altnagelvin hospitals.
I set a target last year to ensure that no patient was waiting longer than 13 weeks for a diagnostic test to be carried out, including an MRI scan, by the end of March 2008. Excellent progress has been made by all Trusts: in June 2007 more than 7,000 patients were waiting more than 13 weeks for a diagnostic test; I am delighted to announce today that, at the end of March, my target was achieved in full and no patient is now waiting longer than 13 weeks for an MRI scan or other diagnostic test.
Furthermore, most patients are seen much more quickly: more than three quarters are now receiving their MRI scan in less than six weeks.
Waiting times for obtaining the results from MRI scans are not currently available. This information will be collected from the end of April 2008 onwards.
Ambulance Response Times
Mr D Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give his assessment of current ambulance response times.
(AQO 2771/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Provisional figures indicate that in the month of March 2008 the Ambulance Service responded to 68% of category A life threatening calls within 8 minutes, falling short of its target of 70% for the month.
The Ambulance Service is engaged in a wide ranging modernisation programme which I anticipate will secure sustained improvement in performance during 2008/2009.
New Fire Stations
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give a timetable for the construction of new fire stations in Coleraine and Limavady.
(AQO 2672/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave during Oral Questions on 25 th February to a supplementary question asked by David McClarty and to the answer given to question AQW 4863/08 asked by Iris Robinson. I indicated that Coleraine and Limavady were on the list of stations for upgrade, but were not listed for priority action for the next three years.
Patients Discharged from Long-Term Mental Health Care
Ms C Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the community support that is available for patients who have been discharged from long-term mental health care.
(AQO 2721/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The support available to a patient on discharge from a psychiatric hospital is through a community care package, tailored to his or her particular needs and circumstances, including consideration of any element of risk to the person or to others.
There is a variety of supports available, which typically include psychological therapy, home treatment services, specific healthcare interventions, access to day care centres, to vocational and leisure opportunities, to supported accommodation, and advice on mental health promotion.
The aim is always to provide patient-centred services, informed by the views of the service user and his or her carer or family, so that the person can achieve the highest standards of living possible and be fully integrated into society.
Bed Blocking
Mr D O'Loan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what measures are being taken to reduce bed blocking in each Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQO 2718/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I have set stringent new targets for delayed discharge, which mean that, by March 2008, non-complex cases should be discharged within 6 hours of being declared fit and complex cases should be discharged within 72 hours of being declared fit. These targets are subject to rigorous monitoring arrangements and I can report that achievement rates for February 2008 are 96% and 83% respectively .
In tandem with improving systems within hospitals, we are also working to expand the range of flexible and responsive intermediate care services in the community. This will ensure that those who need it can be discharged safely and promptly into an appropriate service in the community .
Productivity
Mr A Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the steps he has taken to increase productivity across the health service.
(AQO 2663/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Good progress has been made on improving productivity and I am committed to ensuring that productivity is further increased across the CSR period. Some of the actions that my Department has taken to make better use from existing resources are:
- Efficiency savings - over the period 2005-06 to 2007-08, the Department has realised total annual efficiencies of £260 million of which at least £146 million were resource releasing. Improved productivity has also enabled the Department to meet the non resource releasing efficiency target of £115m by 2007/08.
- Comprehensive Spending Review Efficiency Savings - Over the CSR period 2008/9 to 2010/11 my Department is required to deliver efficiency savings of £118m/£233m/£344m. These savings are cash releasing and will lead to improvements in productivity. My Department has been engaged in identifying efficiencies together with robust options to deliver cash releasing savings of at least 3% of the department’s budget in each year of the CSR period while continuing to improve services for customers. It has also been developing plans to deliver 5% annual real reduction in administration costs over the CSR period.
- Reform and modernisation - across a wide range of healthcare activity. This has facilitated significant reductions in hospital waiting times and is making radical changes in how clinics are managed and how patients are booked into hospital, all aimed at increasing the number of patients that can be seen within existing resources.
- Introduction of Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Services (ICATS) – this provides new integrated multi-disciplinary teams of health care professionals to better manage the transfer of patients between primary and secondary care.
- Reform of A&E – a programme of changes to A&E services has been implemented and from April 2008, 95% of patients who attend A&E should be either treated or admitted within 4 hours of their arrival in the department.
- Benchmarking - Trusts are currently expected to identify, in a register now embedded within each Trust’s Delivery Plan (planning document), the full range of benchmarking activity planned or ongoing, whether initiated as a result of highlighted reference unit cost variations or otherwise.
- Acute Hospital portfolio - The Acute Hospital Portfolio is a performance information and improvement tool consisting of a collection of audits of key services areas allowing detailed comparison against information systematically collected and validated from GB and NI Trusts.
- Departmental value for money audit strategy – The Department has in place a value for money audit strategy and has conducted 2-3 studies each year on a range of topics such as maternity services and statutory residential care. Trusts must take action to deal with the issues arising from these reports.
- Productivity targets - A set of productivity indicators and associated targets are being monitored on a biannual basis to facilitate sharing of best practice and benchmarking across the region. The primary target is hospital activity and supplementary targets include sickness absence reduction, reduction in admin and clerical staff, skill mix ratios for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals and staff turnover.
- Consideration of new finance regime – the current finance regime is being reviewed to consider how to facilitate and incentivise reform and increased productivity. An example of this is the “final offer” scheme which is used to move resources from one Trust to another should a waiting time breach be unmanageable within the original Trust.
Non-Access Related Housing Adaptations
Mr B McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the appropriate assessment route and the criteria applied for non-access related housing adaptations.
(AQO 2752/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: HSC Trust Occupational Therapists have delegated responsibility to undertake statutory assessment of need of disabled and older people for housing adaptations under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons ( Northern Ireland) Act 1978. Section 1.
Occupational therapy assessment of need and recommendations for housing adaptations include access and safety needs of disabled or older people and their carer(s) within their environment.
Bed Blocking
Mr J Craig asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the number of beds that were blocked in Lagan Valley Hospital in 2007; and (ii) the average number of days a bed was blocked.
(AQO 2702/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The number of patients whose discharges were delayed in Lagan Valley Hospital at the end of each month in 2007 and the average number of days a discharge was delayed at the end of each month is given in the table below.
Month |
Number of Delayed Discharges |
Average Number of Days Discharge was Delayed |
|---|---|---|
January 2007 |
9 |
19 |
February 2007 |
6 |
27 |
March 2007 |
7 |
31 |
April 2007 |
4 |
45 |
May 2007 |
1 |
76 |
June 2007 |
3 |
40 |
July 2007 |
4 |
46 |
August 2007 |
1 |
25 |
September 2007 |
1 |
55 |
October 2007 |
2 |
50 |
November 2007 |
2 |
60 |
December 2007 |
4 |
19 |
Source: Departmental Return, DD1.
Notes:
Information is currently provisional and subject to change.
The figures given for the number of delayed discharges and the average number of days that a discharge was delayed reflects the position at the end of each month. Some patients’ discharges will have been delayed for more than one month and will as a result be counted more than once in this table.
Binge Drinking
Mr J McCallister asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the measures he is taking to tackle binge drinking in society.
(AQO 2746/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I recognise the real cost of alcohol misuse in general and binge drinking in particular to Northern Ireland. Addressing the issue of Binge Drinking is therefore a key priority within my Department's New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (NSD). As part of this a Binge Drinking Advisory Group has been established to share best practice and expertise, and to advise on how we can most effectively tackle this issue.
In addition, we have commissioned the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) to continue to develop and roll out the regional public information campaign on the issue which was first launched in 2003. This activity is also supportive of and supported by locally-based campaigns developed as part of the four Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Teams Action Plans. My Department is also in the process of developing a regional action plan to tackle the associated issue of alcohol consumption among children and young people, and it is anticipated that this will be launched later in 2008.
Regional Development
Disability Discrimination
Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the work carried out on public transport facilities as part of Phase 1 of work to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and (ii) the costs associated with this work.
(AQW 5219/08)
Mr C Murphy: Work to upgrade railway stations and halts on the railways network in accordance with Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is being taken forward in conjunction with Translink’s New Rail Vision project. The work includes the following:
- Upgrading platform lighting
- Installation of tactile paving at platform edges
- Resurfacing Platforms
- Adding or adjusting ramps where necessary
- Installation of lifts at manned stations
- The introduction of wheel chair height ticket counters
- The improvement of disabled toilets facilities
- New platform shelters which include a wheelchair space
- Updating station signage
- General tidy up at most locations
Phase 1 of the work covers stations on the Bangor and Cross-Border lines, and will be completed in June 2008. The cost of the Phase 1 contract is in the region of £8 million. Phase 2, covering stations and halts on the rest of the network, should be completed by the end of August 2008; the contract cost for Phase 2 will be over £7million.
Gritted Roads
Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of times main roads in each district council area have not been gritted in spite of weather data predicting freezing conditions in (i) 2005; (ii) 2006; (iii) 2007; and (iv) 2008.
(AQW 5244/08)
Mr C Murphy: Officials from my Department’s Roads Service have advised that there has only been one occasion during the period mentioned, when engineers had sufficient prior warning of icy conditions on roads, but the roads were not salted. This incident occurred in the Moyle Council area in 2007.
As you may know, Roads Service engineers use state of the art technology to assist with the decision making process including ice sensors linked to 20 weather stations across the North, installed in conjunction with the Met Office, and thermal mapping of all roads on the salted network. The Met Office uses information from the stations, along with their own data, to provide forecasts, which are transmitted to engineers, who then make their decisions on whether or not to commence a salting operation in their area.
I should also explain that there can be occasions when roads are, quite rightly, not gritted despite sub zero temperatures being forecast. This is because decisions to treat the network are based on the weather forecast and a range of other information. It is not unusual for a duty engineer to take a decision that gritting is not necessary in conditions when temperatures fall below freezing, provided that no frost or ice is predicted to form on roads, because the roads and atmosphere are both dry. Such a decision would not be made without feedback information from scouting staff on the ground at known cold spots. In addition, circumstances can change very suddenly, without being predicted by the forecasters. A frost can occur without sufficient warning. It may have been predicted by the Met Office but not until it is too late for action to be taken. Roads Service always tries to issue warnings to the media so that the public can be made aware of such occasions.
Despite my Department’s best efforts, it is the case that frost can form where it is not expected. Unfortunately, it is not possible to guarantee ice-free roads. As explained in Roads Service’s Winter Service Leaflet:
- forecasting is not 100% reliable;
- it can take 3 hours or so to salt a route, so a journey may start or end on an untreated section of road;
- rain can wash away the salt before it takes effect.
It is for these reasons that motorists are asked to “drive with care” during wintry conditions.
Gritted Roads
Mr D McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the steps he will take to ensure that (i) main roads are gritted when necessary; and (ii) there is not a repeat of the situation that occurred on 8 March 2007, which resulted the main roads in the Moyle area not being gritted.
(AQW 5246/08)
Mr C Murphy: I can advise that my Department’s Roads Service has arrangements in place to salt through routes, in wintry conditions, by spreading salt at the most effective times. These arrangements have been operating effectively for many years with only minor changes being made from time to time
However, following the tragic events of 8 March 2007, Roads Service immediately carried out a formal internal investigation. The purpose of the investigation was to examine the circumstances surrounding the failure to carry out salting in the Moyle area on that particular morning and to consider whether the procedures in place for Winter Service call outs were adequate.
The investigation concluded that the controls surrounding Roads Service’s Winter Service operations had a good record of success and were generally effective, but recommended that additional safeguards be put in place to assure Duty Engineers that their instructions had been carried out. Accordingly, Roads Service’s Winter Service Policy and Procedures Guide was amended before the start of the 2007/08 Winter Service season and the new arrangements have operated successfully since then.
Spatial Planning
Mr J O'Dowd asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the progress made to date, in relation to the development of a collaborative framework for joined-up spatial planning across the island of Ireland, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the Republic of Ireland.
(AQO 703/08)
Mr C Murphy: The benefit of a collaborative approach to spatial planning across the island of Ireland was identified in the June 2006 Report from the International Centre for Local and Regional Development. Since then, officials from the Department for Regional Development and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have engaged in developing a framework for collaborative action between the two spatial planning strategies on the island. I will shortly be seeking views of the Regional Development Committee and, as spatial planning raises issues across Departments, I will then be bringing forward a draft Framework to the Executive.
Park-and-Ride Facilities
Mr T Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his long-term plans for the development of park-and-ride facilities in the Greater Belfast area.
(AQO 2717/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (2015) contains my Department’s plans for introducing integrated transport systems for the greater Belfast area. The aim is to encourage people travelling into Belfast to use the bus for the final leg of their journey, or to use rail for the most substantial part of their journey, thus relieving the pressure on congested routes into the City.
The Plan proposes local Park-and-Ride sites for each of the six main transport corridors into Belfast. These will be serviced by bus, rail or rapid transit and compliment a number of strategic sites which make use of existing bus services and/or train services along the rail corridors.
In total the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan proposes to provide over 6000 Park-and-Ride spaces for the greater Belfast area by 2015. This includes 1008 railway Park-and-Ride facilities at Ballymartin, Holywood, Carrickfergus, Trooperslane, Greenisland, Jordanstown and Whiteabbey.
Presently, there are two bus based Park-and-Ride sites established at Sprucefield and Blacks Road and my Department’s Roads Service is planning two further local bus based sites at Cairnshill with 750 spaces and at Ballyhenry Road, close to the Sandyknowes roundabout with 92 spaces, subject to planning approval.
A1 Road Intersects
Mr D Kennedy asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of intersects with local roads that remain on the A1 from the border at Newry to the Lisburn-Sprucefield junction.
(AQO 2723/08)
Mr C Murphy: The A1 Belfast to Dublin Road extends from its junction with the M1 Motorway at Sprucefield to the border. Along this length there are numerous junctions, or intersections with the particularly dense network of local roads. These junctions range from simple “T” junctions to flyover type, junctions. In total there are 78 such “T” junctions, 5 flyover type junctions and 7 roundabouts.
The number of junctions/intersections will, of course reduce when the improvement works, currently being undertaken as part of Package 2 of Roads Service’s Public Private Partnership programme, which I announced last December, are completed.
Regional Development Strategy
Mr R McCartney asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) how he plans to; and (ii) the timeframe in which he will, review the Regional Development Strategy.
(AQO 2753/08)
Mr C Murphy: A 5 Year focused assessment of the Regional Development Strategy has been completed and has been discussed with the Regional Development Committee. I propose to publish the report by the summer after discussion with Executive colleagues.
I believe that it is vital that we undertake a more fundamental review to take account of the Programme for Government and to assist in the implementation of our Investment Strategy. This proposal has also been discussed with the Regional Development Committee. I will subsequently be discussing this more fundamental review with Executive colleagues and will then inform the Assembly.
Public Transport Costs
Mr T Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the impact of the increase in fuel prices on public transport costs.
(AQO 2677/08)
Mr C Murphy: Fuel prices have risen sharply over the last year and may increase further. Translink take steps where possible to mitigate the short term impacts of these increases in its costs. However, inevitably they will have to be passed on to the customer and fares will go up as a result.
On average, fares for 2008/09 have gone up by between 3 and 5% compared to last year.
Traffic Congestion in South Belfast
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his plans for tackling traffic congestion in South Belfast.
(AQO 2685/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (BMTP) is proposing a programme of up to 14 Quality Bus Corridors (QBC’s) focused on Belfast, which will build upon those implemented to date. These will include the Lisburn Road, Malone Road and Saintfield Road corridors in South Belfast. The QBC network will be the backbone of the public transport system within Belfast and will feature improved bus frequencies, additional bus priority measures, better enforcement of bus lanes and improved access to bus stops.
An additional 800m of bus lane on the Ormeau Road is planned for implementation shortly and Selective Vehicle Detection, which detects late buses and adjusts the signal timings to assist them, is being provided at all the traffic signals in South Belfast.
Traffic levels are however continuing to grow and as such, improved bus speeds associated with QBC’s will be incremental and may not be fully delivered for some time.
The BMTP also includes proposals to encourage a modal shift from private car to public transport, walking and cycling which my Department is progressing through its Travelwise initiative. Over time these initiatives are expected to contribute to a reduction in private car travel for journeys to the city centre at peak times.
Additional proposals, including a 700 space Park & Ride facility on the Saintfield Road at Cairnshill, effective car parking controls in the city centre, and improvements to walking and cycling facilities are planned for implementation by 2015.
The improvement works to M1/Westlink, which are currently under construction, include the widening of the roundabout and provision of traffic signals at Stockman’s Lane, the provision of underpasses at Broadway Junction and Grosvenor Road Junction, a dedicated bus lane from Broadway Junction to link to the bus lane into the Europa Bus Centre, the widening of the main carriageway between Stockman’s Lane and Grosvenor Road to provide three lanes in each direction and a controlled motorway system to control the speed and headway of traffic on the route using overhead gantries and signs. These significant improvements will provide additional capacity and reduce the pressure on associated routes into Belfast from the South.
My Department is also presently considering the case for a rapid transit network for Belfast, including the feasibility of a pilot route serving the Titanic Quarter to the city centre and onwards to Queen's University and the City Hospital.
As well as the above measures, Roads Service implements an ongoing programme of traffic management improvements throughout Belfast and this work will continue. The Roads Service Traffic Information and Control Centre monitors traffic movement at key junctions across Belfast, on an ongoing basis and adjusts signal timings to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible.
Finally, the developers of the significant housing development on the Saintfield Road corridor will be required to deliver junction improvements at Primrose Hill, Knockbracken Road and Mealough Road to assist with traffic progression.
Light Rail System
Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the progress he has made to develop a light rail system in Belfast.
(AQO 2714/08)
Mr C Murphy: The feasibility study for a pilot rapid transit system for Belfast has been concluded. The study looked at both bus based and light rail systems. I am publishing the study tomorrow so that interested parties can comment before I make my final decision. I will be particularly interested in the comments of the Regional Development Committee.
Derry/Londonderry-to-Belfast Inter-City Rail Service
Mr M Durkan asked the Minister for Regional Development what progress has been made in acquiring land from the Ministry of Defence for a passing loop for the Derry/Londonderry-to-Belfast inter-city rail service.
(AQO 2738/08)
Mr C Murphy: Following a meeting with Ministry Of Defence officials last year, Translink have registered a formal interest in purchasing a strip of land at Ballykelly. Translink are currently undertaking a timetable modelling exercise to identify the requirement and best location for passing facilities on the Coleraine to Derry line. The exercise is expected to be complete in two to three months after which Translink will decide what land is required. If it is decided that the MOD land at Ballykelly is the best location for the passing loop, the process to buy the land will commence.
Road Potholes
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the number of potholes in roads recorded in 2006 and 2007; and (ii) the amount spent in repairing potholes in those years, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQO 2664/08)
Mr C Murphy: Unfortunately, my Departments Roads Service does not hold the information in the format requested. However, Roads Service does maintain a record on the number of defects detected during routine safety inspections. This includes potholes. The table below sets out the total number of defects recorded in each Roads Service Division and the associated expenditure in repairing the defects during the 2005/06 and 2006/07 financial years.
|
2005-2006 |
2006-2007 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roads Service | No Defects Repaired 1 |
Expenditure 2 £k |
No Defects Repaired 1 |
Expenditure 2 £k |
Northern Division |
49209 |
4399 |
45944 |
4259 |
Southern Division |
48500 |
4782 |
48621 |
4953 |
Eastern Division |
53181 |
4733 |
63669 |
4985 |
Western Division |
50916 |
5166 |
52753 |
5309 |
- Defects attracting an R1 (1 calendar day), R2 (5-working days) or R3 (4-weeks) response
Recorded expenditure in relation to carriageway and footway patching repairs (includes all patching repairs)
Rapid Transit Scheme
Mr S Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development what procurement options are being considered for the proposed rapid transit scheme for Greater Belfast.
Mr C Murphy: The feasibility study for a pilot rapid transit system for Belfast has been concluded. The study looked at a range of procurement options including various PPP/PFI solutions. It also identified contributions which could be provided by private developers. I am publishing the study tomorrow so that interested parties can comment before I make my final decision.
Free Travel for Over 60s
Mr M Brady asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm when he expects the extension of free travel to people over 60 to be completed.
(AQO 2747/08)
Mr C Murphy: I intend that the new scheme will commence this October, with the application process and advertising beginning during the summer.
Speed Restrictions
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the criteria used by Translink in applying speed reductions in severe weather; and to detail how quickly these reductions can be imposed in deteriorating weather conditions.
(AQO 2670/08)
Mr C Murphy: Decisions as to speed restrictions due to severe weather conditions are taken by the Track Infrastructure Engineer and Head of Operations for rail and by the Bus Safety Manager for bus. These are based on advanced meteorological information and can be implemented immediately.
Road Potholes
Mr B McElduff asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the circumstances in which Roads Service is liable for damage to vehicles caused by potholes.
(AQO 2743/08)
Mr C Murphy: Roads Service compensation claims are settled by Central Claims Unit, the Department for Regional Development in-house legal unit, if there is a failure to properly conduct inspection and repair procedures in accordance with Article 8 of the Roads ( Northern Ireland) Order 1993. Current maintenance procedures are set out in the 3 April 2006 Road Maintenance Standards for Safety.
Flooding
Mr D Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail how his department plans to improve infrastructure in Carrickfergus to alleviate flooding.
(AQO 2735/08)
Mr C Murphy: During the past year, occasional flooding has occurred in the Marshallstown Road/Oakfield Drive area of Carrickfergus and investigations have identified that the unlawful interference with a stream may have been the primary cause of the flooding. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Rivers Agency is taking the lead in resolving this problem. My Department’s Roads Service has investigated the drainage infrastructure in the area and has plans to increase the capacity of a culvert crossing the Marshallstown Road.
I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it has completed a Drainage Area Study for the Carrickfergus catchment area, which identified deficiencies within the sewerage system. A programme of sewer network improvements has been included in NIW’s Capital Investment Programme. The improvements include structural and hydraulic upgrading work and the rationalisation of sewage pumping stations. This work will reduce the risk of out-of-sewer flooding, meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and ensure that the capacity of the sewerage system is adequate to cater for future development in the area.
NIW is also proposing to introduce measures to reduce the risk of flooding in the Joymount area of Carrickfergus. It plans to commence work during 2008/09 to refurbish Shaftsbury Sewage Pumping Station and upgrade an existing storm sewer at an estimated cost of £500,000.
Discussions are ongoing between NIW and DARD, Rivers Agency to take this work forward in conjunction with DARD Rivers Agency’s proposals to upgrade the Sullatober culvert.
Designation of Culverts
Ms A Lo asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his policy on the designation of culverts; and to explain the circumstances under which taxpayers would be liable for maintenance of undesignated culverts.
(AQO 2780/08)
Mr C Murphy: I should explain that there is no formal “designation of culverts” under public roads and members of the public are not responsible for the maintenance of such road culverts.
My Department’s Roads Service carries out routine safety inspections on all roads structures (including culverts, bridges, retaining walls, gantries, sea defences and other structures), to identify superficial or readily apparent defects.
Maintenance responsibility to ensure free flow of watercourses which are designated under the Drainage (NI) Order 1973 rests with DARD Rivers Agency. In the case of watercourses which are undesignated the maintenance responsibility rests with the relevant riparian landowners.
If the stream or river flowing through the defective culvert/bridge is a “designated waterway”, then Roads Service would generally consult with DARD Rivers Agency to agree the extent and split of funding of any repair works deemed necessary.
Social Development
Funding for Private Landlords
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the amount of money her department has paid to private landlords since April 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 5175/08)
The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): This information is not available in the format requested, as it is held by either by Council area or by Housing Executive District Office area. In addition the figures for Housing Benefit for the financial year 2007/08 have not yet been finalised. This will become available in the next few weeks, and I will arrange for this information to be forwarded.
Hostel Beds
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of hostel beds in the North Belfast constituency; and to provide a breakdown of the length of time people have stayed in hostels before securing social housing.
(AQW 5176/08)
Ms M Ritchie: There are some 600 bed spaces in North Belfast for use as temporary accommodation.
The length of time households spend in temporary accommodation is dependent on their areas of choice for permanent housing, especially where those areas are of exceptionally high demand. However the majority of homeless applicants are housed relatively quickly.
Disability Living Allowance
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Social Security employees currently in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.
(AQW 5231/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The information requested cannot be provided, as the Disability Living Allowance claim form does not ask about the employment status of customers.
Social Security Employees
Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Social Security employees who were, or currently are, the subject of a fraud investigation.
(AQW 5232/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The number of employees in the Social Security Agency who were, or currently are, the subject of a fraud investigation in each of the last three financial years are detailed in the table below.
| Year |
No of employees |
| 2005/2006 |
20 |
| 2006/2007 |
23 |
| 2007/2008 |
15* |
| Total |
58 |
* 6 cases are still under investigation.
Job Seekers Allowance
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 4741/08, to detail, for each of the last 3 years, the number of people who have been in receipt of job seekers allowance for a period in excess of 12 months, broken down by (i) parliamentary constituency; and (ii) District Council area.
(AQW 5245/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is outlined in the attached tables.
Table 1:
Jobseekers Allowance Claimants (for a period of 12 months or over) by Parliamentary
Constituency
| Parliamentary Constituency | JSA Claimants Feb-06 | JSA Claimants Feb-07 | JSA Claimants Feb-08 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast East | 196 |
207 |
168 |
| Belfast North | 800 |
705 |
553 |
| Belfast South | 291 |
238 |
305 |
| Belfast West | 1152 |
1055 |
960 |
| East Antrim | 271 |
233 |
177 |
| East Londonderry | 465 |
356 |
298 |
| Fermanagh and South Tyrone | 439 |
388 |
264 |
| Foyle | 1178 |
1169 |
997 |
| Lagan Valley | 179 |
186 |
128 |
| Mid Ulster | 187 |
175 |
102 |
| Newry and Armagh | 455 |
397 |
318 |
| North Antrim | 329 |
362 |
265 |
| North Down | 207 |
222 |
165 |
| South Antrim | 238 |
230 |
210 |
| South Down | 376 |
303 |
228 |
| Strangford | 305 |
281 |
173 |
| Upper Bann | 236 |
257 |
200 |
| West Tyrone | 618 |
586 |
475 |
| Unallocated Postcode* | 35 |
38 |
58 |
| TOTAL | 7957 |
7388 |
6044 |
In producing this analysis, individual records were attributed to electoral wards and Council areas on the basis of their postcode. Not all records can be correctly allocated to a ward or Council using this method and some cannot be allocated at all.
Figures have been derived from 100% un-validated Jobseekers Allowance Computer Scan at February 2006, 2007 and 2008.
| Table 2: Jobseekers Allowance Claimants (for a period of 12 months or over) by District Council area | |||||
| District Council | JSA Claimants Feb-06 | JSA Claimants Feb-07 | JSA Claimants Feb-08 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 117 |
114 |
108 |
||
| Ards | 262 |
236 |
151 |
||
| Armagh | 145 |
133 |
125 |
||
| Ballymena | 179 |
197 |
129 |
||
| Ballymoney | 58 |
74 |
65 |
||
| Banbridge | 87 |
75 |
49 |
||
| Belfast | 2088 |
1902 |
1707 |
||
| Carrickfergus | 113 |
93 |
71 |
||
| Castlereagh | 85 |
86 |
74 |
||
| Coleraine | 279 |
185 |
154 |
||
| Cookstown | 80 |
74 |
45 |
||
| Craigavon | 187 |
220 |
171 |
||
| Derry | 1178 |
1169 |
997 |
||
| Down | 268 |
231 |
160 |
||
| Dungannon | 121 |
92 |
60 |
||
| Fermanagh | 348 |
322 |
220 |
||
| Larne | 101 |
94 |
64 |
||
| Limavady | 186 |
171 |
144 |
||
| Lisburn | 382 |
352 |
287 |
||
| Magherafelt | 77 |
75 |
41 |
||
| Moyle | 92 |
91 |
71 |
||
| Newry & Mourne | 427 |
349 |
266 |
||
| Newtownabbey | 267 |
234 |
209 |
||
| North Down | 177 |
195 |
143 |
||
| Omagh | 228 |
199 |
158 |
||
| Strabane | 390 |
387 |
317 |
||
| Unallocated postcode* | 35 |
38 |
58 |
||
| Total | 7957 |
7388 |
6044 |
||
In producing this analysis, individual records were attributed to electoral wards and Council areas on the basis of their postcode. Not all records can be correctly allocated to a ward or Council using this method and some cannot be allocated at all.
Figures have been derived from 100% un-validated Jobseekers Allowance Computer Scan at February 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Co-Ownership Housing Scheme
Mr G Savage asked the Minister for Social Development, following the suspension of the Co-ownership Housing Scheme, to detail her plans to implement an interim solution to prevent further exaccerbation of the housing crisis.
(AQW 5272/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Co-ownership Housing Scheme has not been suspended. In line with the pledge given in the Programme for Government, at least 500 applicants will be supported this year. I am significantly increasing the social house building programme over the next 3 years. I will also continue to explore a range of approaches to the delivery of more affordable housing.
Housing Executive Properties
Mr A Ross asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties allocated in the Whitehead area in the last 12 months; and the number of these properties that were bungalows.
(AQW 5284/08)
Ms M Ritchie: During the twelve month period to 31 st December 2007 allocations were made to 21 housing applicants within Whitehead. 15 of the properties allocated were bungalows.
Housing Benefit Claimants
Mrs C McGill asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Housing Benefit claimants resident in each district council area who are (i) Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants; (ii) Housing Association tenants; and (iii) private rental tenants.
(AQW 5299/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The table below provides the total number of Housing Benefit claimants by NIHE district office area detailing the number of NIHE tenants; Housing Association tenants; private rental tenants; and rates only claimants. It has not been possible to give the requested details for the exact geographic area of every district council as the NIHE does not have the information in this format. However, in the majority of cases the administrative areas covered by NIHE district offices correspond to district council areas.
Table 1
Housing Benefit Claimants
|
NIHE |
Housing |
Private |
Rates only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Belfast West |
4543 |
2733 |
2616 |
69 |
Belfast East |
2551 |
1808 |
1720 |
65 |
Belfast South |
2886 |
1140 |
1635 |
44 |
Belfast North |
4858 |
2118 |
2539 |
42 |
* Belfast Shankill |
2714 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Bangor |
1749 |
484 |
1327 |
87 |
Ards |
2707 |
418 |
1085 |
101 |
Castlereagh |
2254 |
298 |
620 |
81 |
Lisburn |
2849 |
509 |
728 |
110 |
Dairyfarm |
1626 |
856 |
230 |
2 |
Downpatrick |
1819 |
356 |
1765 |
135 |
Banbridge |
1262 |
201 |
810 |
126 |
Newry |
2544 |
520 |
2675 |
242 |
Armagh |
1390 |
226 |
1204 |
153 |
Brownlow |
1951 |
363 |
1597 |
127 |
Portadown |
1126 |
353 |
1089 |
59 |
Dungannon |
1441 |
248 |
1147 |
199 |
Fermanagh |
1648 |
365 |
1107 |
188 |
Ballymena |
1960 |
359 |
1160 |
183 |
Antrim |
1633 |
161 |
719 |
93 |
Newtownabbey1 |
1498 |
184 |
638 |
29 |
Newtownabbey2 |
1529 |
218 |
688 |
60 |
Carrickfergus |
1311 |
339 |
637 |
30 |
Larne |
1002 |
231 |
804 |
59 |
Moyle |
664 |
116 |
492 |
52 |
Ballymoney |
1134 |
101 |
613 |
70 |
Coleraine |
2371 |
476 |
1343 |
63 |
Waterloo Place |
1947 |
765 |
1936 |
10 |
Waterside |
1809 |
413 |
1928 |
69 |
Collon Tce |
2098 |
1107 |
1010 |
18 |
Limavady |
1197 |
212 |
787 |
70 |
Magherafelt |
998 |
135 |
664 |
189 |
Strabane |
1889 |
356 |
1303 |
96 |
Omagh |
1471 |
284 |
1523 |
202 |
Cookstown |
840 |
99 |
729 |
130 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
67269 |
18552 |
40868 |
3253 |
* The Housing Association, private rental and rates only claimants for the Belfast Shankill area are included within theBelfast West totals. These claimants fall within this administrative catchment area for the purposes of private Housing Benefit assessments.
Empty Homes in the New Lodge Area
Ms C Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the action her department is taking to address the problem of empty homes in the Long-Streets area of New Lodge, North Belfast.
(AQW 5301/08)
Ms M Ritchie: An economic appraisal has been prepared to consider the options for dealing with unfit housing in this area. T here are currently 13 long term voids in this area, 11of which lie within the area for phase one of the proposals. The other two lie within the area which will form the second phase of the proposals.
Housing Executive
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of staff employed by the Housing Executive for each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
(AQW 5345/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The total number of staff employed by the Housing Executive for the years in question was as follows:
- 3397
- 3416
- 3409
Housing Association Applications
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Housing Association applications in the Ards borough, broken down by electoral ward.
(AQW 5346/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I have interpreted this as referring to new housing schemes within the Social Housing Development Programme, and the number of schemes proposed for the coming five year period. The information is not readily available in the format requested, however the table below details those schemes included in the Programme for 2008/09- 2012/13 for the whole of the Ards Borough Council area.
2008/09 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Housing Association |
Scheme Name |
Units |
Need Group |
BIH |
Regent Street, Newtownards |
45 |
General Needs |
Clanmil |
46 Inisharoan Court , Newtownards |
1 |
General Needs |
Connswater |
73 Bangor Road , Newtownards |
8 |
Singles/Couples |
Connswater |
2-4 Londonderry Avenue , Comber |
12 |
General Needs |
Connswater |
15/19 Ballygowan Road , Comber |
39 |
General Needs |
Connswater |
31-35 Donaghadee Road , Newtownards |
42 |
General Needs |
Connswater |
57 Rosevale Avenue , Newtownards |
15 |
General Needs |
Connswater |
41 Movilla Street , Newtownards |
12 |
General Needs |
Habinteg |
Meeting House Lane, Newtownards |
12 |
Elderly (CAT1) |
Habinteg |
31 The Brae, Ballygowan |
16 |
General Needs |
Rural |
Main Street , Kircubbin |
7 |
General Needs |
Trinity |
Church Street , Newtownards |
20 |
Elderly (CAT1) |
Trinity |
38 Belfast Road , Comber |
14 |
Elderly (CAT1) |
|
|
|
|
2009/10 |
|||
Housing Association |
Scheme Name |
Units |
Need Group |
Fold |
Council Site, Dunsy Way, Comber |
41 |
General Needs |
Fold |
Upper North Street, Ards |
26 |
General Needs |
Oaklee |
Site at Dakota Avenue, Newtownards |
32 |
General Needs |
Trinity |
Beverly Avenue , Newtownards |
38 |
General Needs |
Transfer Scheme |
51 Newtownards Road , Comber |
6 |
General Needs |
|
|
|
|
2010/11 |
|||
Housing Association |
Scheme Name |
Units |
Need Group |
BIH |
2 North Street , Greyabbey |
6 |
General Needs |
BIH |
74A Springfield Road, Portavogie |
12 |
General Needs |
Connswater |
Brownlow Street , Comber |
12 |
General Needs |
Fold |
61 Donaghadee Road , Newtownards |
21 |
General Needs |
Transfer Scheme |
Glenbrook Road , Newtownards |
20 |
General Needs |
|
|
|
|
2011/12 |
|||
Housing Association |
Scheme Name |
Units |
Need Group |
Fold |
West Street , Newtownards |
20 |
General Needs |
Supported |
Downpatrick Single Homeless |
22 |
Homeless |
Ulidia |
Downpatrick Street , Crossgar |
30 |
General Needs |
|
|
|
|
2012/13 |
|||
Housing Association |
Scheme Name |
Units |
Need Group |
Marker |
Newtownards Marker |
140 |
General Needs |
Total Cost Indicator
Mr J Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development to explain why the Total Cost Indicator has been reduced from 30% to 12% for housing associations and funding organisations.
(AQW 5348/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Total Cost Indicators (TCI) are the method by which we establish an all-inclusive forecast of outturn costs for the construction of social dwellings. The TCI is made up of the acquisition or land cost, the works cost and on-costs for fees etc. TCIs are regularly reviewed to take account of movements in such costs. The last review identified an average reduction of 1.4% in TCI and this will be reflected in the revisions to the Housing Association Guide which are currently under consideration.
Portadown Integrated Development Fund
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, for the last financial year, the amount of money spent by Portadown 2000 on the implementation of the Portadown Integrated Development Fund on (i) staff costs; (ii) overheads; (iii) consultancy fees; and (iv) projects.
(AQW 5351/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Integrated Development Funding was allocated to Portadown 2000 via my Department to assist with the delivery of the Portadown Development Framework. For the financial year 07/08 the following money has been drawn down from the Integrated Development Fund in relation to Portadown 2000:
(i) Staff costs - £89,104.64
(ii) Overheads - £10,832.14
(iii) Consultancy fees -£85,194.90
(iv) Projects – Nil.
A bid for one major project developed in the context of the Portadown Development Framework, the Portadown Public Realm Scheme, was made against the Integrated Development Fund. The bid of £3.1m was approved by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and spend should be realised in this financial year.
Masterplan for Omagh Town Centre
Mr P Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development to (i) provide a progress report on the Masterplan for Omagh town centre; (ii) detail the number of 'pipeline' schemes she is aware of; and (iii) detail any contacts with developers who have regeneration proposals in the 'pipeline'.
(AQW 5352/08)
Ms M Ritchie: (i) The Omagh Masterplan is due for completion in June of this year. (ii) DSD officials have been approached directly in respect of 4 prospective “pipeline” schemes in or close to Omagh Town Centre, but are aware of other potential development opportunities where no direct contact has yet been made. (iii) Contacts have been made with two private property developers, a Planning Consultant representing a third, and representatives of Omagh Enterprise Company.
Queens Parade Project
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an update on the progress made by her department in addressing the car parking issue for the new Queens Parade project in Bangor.
(AQW 5395/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Following a detailed consideration of alternative schemes for the site, a number of options exist. The quantum of parking required will ultimately be determined by the final selected development scheme and the Roads Service will apply normal town centre parking standards during their input to the determination of the planning application.
My Department in conjunction with DRD Roads Service is seeking to ensure that the development of the Queen’s Parade site incorporates sufficient car parking to service the final agreed scheme and to contribute to the overall parking strategy for the wider town centre.
Alcohol Purchase
Mr A Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to discuss the issue of raising the age to 21 for the legal purchase of alcohol with other Ministerial colleagues, particularly the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
(AQW 5427/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I will look at the arguments around limiting the right to buy alcohol to those aged 21 or over. My officials liaise regularly with colleagues in DHSSPS and other departments on a range of alcohol and liquor licensing issues and I have asked the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children & Young People to note a motion, agreed by all parties on 1 April, calling on the Sub-Committee “to bring urgently before this Assembly, proposals to combat underage drinking.” I will take the Sub-Committee’s response, and the views of Social Development Committee and Executive colleagues, into account in reaching decisions.
International Development Fund
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to list (i) the development projects being delivered from the International Development Fund by Portadown 2000; and (ii) their timescale for completion.
(AQW 5433/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Integrated Development Funding was allocated to Portadown 2000 via my Department to assist with the delivery of the Portadown Development Framework.
(i) A bid for one major project developed in the context of the Portadown Development Framework, the Portadown Public Realm Scheme, has so far been made against the Integrated Development Fund. The bid of £3.1m was approved by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
(ii) The timescale for completion of the project is 3 years commencing in the 2008 / 2009 financial year with completion by 2010/2011.
Co-Ownership Housing Scheme
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development if money is available for new co-ownership applications this financial year.
(AQW 5445/08)
Ms M Ritchie: £15m has been allocated to Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association this year and co-ownership will be available to at least 500 applicants in the year ahead. This is in line with the targets set out in the Executive’s Programme for Government.
Co-Ownership Housing Scheme
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the consultations that took place with key stakeholders prior to the withdrawal of the Co-Ownership Housing Scheme.
(AQW 5470/08)
Ms M Ritchie: During the month of March 2008 several meetings were held between representatives of the Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association and Departmental officials to discuss funding issues. The co-ownership scheme has not been withdrawn. The Association is starting the current year with a grant of £15m – almost 4 times what its opening grant was last year. The Association will use this grant, and external finance, to help another 500 or so people onto the first rung of the housing ladder. Unfortunately, there are already more than enough applications in the pipe line to use up this year’s overall funding. Clearly, the Association has tried to help as many people as it can.
Press Office
Mr P Weir asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 4679/08, to detail the number of staff working in her department's press office, broken down by grade.
(AQW 5590/08)
Ms M Ritchie: T he Department for Social Development employs one Principal Information Officer, two Senior Information Officers, one Information Officer and one Assistant Information Officer.
Job Losses
Mr C Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development if there are to be job losses in the Armagh city housing executive district office due to cutbacks in the maintenance department.
(AQO 2809/08)
Ms M Ritchie: This is an operational matter for the Housing Executive. The Housing Executive like all Government Departments is required to make efficiency savings. The Armagh City office and all District Offices will have to contribute to these efficiencies.
Rent Guarantee Scheme
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to widen the remit of the private rental sector and the rent guarantee scheme.
(AQO 2808/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The private rented sector is playing an increasingly important role in the housing arena and it complements the social rented sector. I see it as a tenure of choice for individuals rather than last choice. The sector currently represents almost 10% of the total housing stock in Northern Ireland. The evaluation of the rent guarantee scheme which is being piloted in Derry and North Belfast was favourable. Before this type of scheme is extended to other areas, it will be considered along with other initiatives for the sector.
Social Housing
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the number of people currently on waiting lists for social housing in the South Belfast constituency; and (ii) her plans to meet this need.
(AQO 2684/08)
Ms M Ritchie: It is open to anyone to register on the waiting list but the selection scheme establishes the relative priority of those who do register. At 31 December 2007, 2128 persons had put their name on the waiting list for South Belfast and 1146 of these had 30 or more points.
Taken together, projects started in 2007/08 along with those already programmed for the next five financial years will provide for some 692 new dwellings in the area. The projected need over the period, after taking into account the estimated number of relets, is 767.
A number of large schemes will be undertaken in South Belfast; for example 50 homes were started at Annadale in the last financial year, 40 are programmed for Roden Street, 20 at Bladon Drive, 50 at Tates Avenue and a further 50 on the site of the former North Rugby Club.
Projects in Ballykeel, Ballymena
Mr M Storey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the amount spent on projects carried out by her department in relation to Ballykeel, Ballymena, from 2002.
(AQO 2703/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Since 2002, in addition to £2.37 million of expenditure by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on planned improvement schemes, the Department for Social Development has spent a further £2.41 million on projects in Ballykeel, Ballymena. Of this amount, £968,344.42 was provided to 14 projects under Peace II and a further 12 projects have received £1,442,348.65 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.
Homelessness
Mr L Cree asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the co-ordination that exists between local councils and the Housing Executive in dealing with homelessness.
(AQO 2683/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive has statutory responsibility for dealing with homelessness in Northern Ireland.
An information-sharing protocol has been developed which enables the Housing Executive to request information from district councils regarding individuals who have been involved in anti-social behaviour which may have a bearing on their eligibility for assistance under the homelessness legislation.
The Housing Executive is currently liaising with district councils and health and social care trusts in planning for major emergencies that could involve large scale displacement of households. It should also be noted that d istrict councils have an opportunity to contribute to decision-making on housing matters, including homelessness, through the Northern Ireland Housing Council and Housing Council representation on the Housing Executive Board.
Employment Support Allowance
Mr M Brady asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the training programmes that have been put in place for staff involved in interviewing people with mental health problems, given that the proposed Employment Support Allowance (ESA) is due to take effect from October 2008.
(AQO 2796/08)
Ms M Ritchie: In order to support the introduction of the new Employment and Support Allowance the Social Security Agency will deliver a comprehensive training programme to provide staff with the necessary skills and confidence to work with any customer group, including customers with mental health problems, both face to face and by telephone. A two-day training programme will be delivered to all staff who will deal with Employment and Support Allowance customers and in addition to customer service skills, the programme will include a session on health and disability. The key messages around health and disability will encompass an introduction to Disability including interviewing people with mental health issues, Disability Etiquette, experiencing Disability and Disability Discrimination Act and Health Conditions.
The new Work Capability Assessment, which is more robust, accurate and fairer, will replace the current Personal Capability Assessment. As there are revised mental health descriptors in the Work Capability Assessment, training will also be provided for doctors on the assessment of customers and completion of reports for these revised descriptors.
North/South Co-Operation
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the action she is taking to promote North/South co-operation.
(AQO 2803/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I place great importance on working with the Irish Government where there are opportunities to cooperate and share lessons and experiences. At a representational level I meet regularly with Irish Government Ministers through the work being taken forward under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council. I am also in frequent contact with my Irish Government counterparts across the full range of issues for which I, and they, have responsibility.
Pre-Paid Metering
Rev Dr R Coulter asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Housing Association tenants using pre-paid metering for their heating requirements.
(AQO 2682/08)
Ms M Ritchie: This is a private matter for arrangement between the tenant and the supplier. Housing Associations therefore do not have a record of the number of their tenants who use meters.
Urban Regeneration
Dr A McDonnell asked the Minister for Social Development for her assessment of the rate of progress in urban regeneration.
(AQO 2793/08)
Ms M Ritchie: My Department’s Urban Regeneration and Community Development Group has, among other things, responsibility for the Northern Ireland administration’s overall strategy for tackling social, economic and physical regeneration of Northern Ireland’s cities, towns and urban areas.
The priorities set out in the Programme for Government for Urban Regeneration include implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy; delivering the regeneration of former military sites; a range of major developments in Belfast, such as the North East Quarter, St Anne’s Square, Obel and Lanyon Towers; Public Realm work in town and city centres; and Comprehensive Development Schemes across Northern Ireland.
Although a tight Budget settlement has meant that I cannot undertake all the work that I would like to, I am satisfied that my Department will meet its objectives in leading and driving forward the social, economic and physical regeneration of our urban areas.
I am pleased, in particular, with the significant progress that is being made in the implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. Early last month I announced the next steps in tackling deprivation in Northern Ireland’s 36 most disadvantaged communities. I have committed some £60million over the next three years to tackle multiple deprivation - focusing on local needs identified by the communities themselves. My overriding objective for Neighbourhood Renewal is to ensure that we concentrate scarce resources where they will have maximum impact on the ground.
Urban regeneration will provide new jobs and deliver new services. It will provide sustainable living for communities – replacing urban blight with a mix of housing, business, retail, education and leisure facilities. Our cities and towns will increasingly provide a better and safer environment for those who live and work there, and for the increasing numbers of tourists and visitors.
In the coming years I will do what I can to invest in an infrastructure that will unlock the huge potential for private sector investment across Northern Ireland’s cities and towns. Central to this is my aim to see Belfast in the premier league of European regional cities.
The opening of Victoria Square last month is a prime example of what public private partnerships can achieve - enabling us to transform the fortunes of our towns and cities. Our urban areas are once again becoming the engine of economic and social progress in Northern Ireland.
Mortgage Rescue Schemes
Mr R Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the action she has taken to inform home-owners of the risks associated with privately run mortgage rescue schemes.
(AQO 2681/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I have become increasingly concerned at the growing number of companies offering what the member has described as ‘privately run mortgage rescue schemes’. That is why I recently announced plans to bring forward a Government sponsored not for profit mortgage rescue scheme to support those who through no fault of their own find themselves in real danger of having their homes repossessed. This may reduce the private, often unregulated, companies operating in the market place. In the meantime I would urge people who are having problems with their mortgage repayments to consult their lender and to get independent financial advice immediately. These two simple steps will help reduce the likelihood of people losing their homes.
Legahory Travellers' Site
Mr D Simpson asked the Minister for Social Development for her assessment of the future of the Legahory Travellers' site at Craigavon, following her meeting with residents and political representatives on 6 March 2008.
(AQO 2688/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Given the difficulties in securing a permanent Travellers Transit Site, the Housing Executive is making a planning application for the provision of mains electricity at the Legahory Emergency Halting Site and to extend its use beyond February 2009. This is a precautionary measure and the site will close on the opening of a permanent Transit site in Craigavon.
Social Housing
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the models under consideration in relation to the introduction of a developer contribution to boost the supply of social and affordable housing.
(AQO 2798/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I have already visited other jurisdictions to see what models they use to deliver developer contributions to social and affordable housing.
In Great Britain, the delivery mechanism is through Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and in Ireland it is Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 . Both schemes work well in their respective jurisdictions and the model we propose to bring forward will build on good practice from both. I am working closely with my Ministerial colleagues on this issue and we will publish detailed proposals in the coming weeks.
Alcohol Consumption
Mr S Gardiner asked the Minister for Social Development to give her assessment of recent proposals to increase to 21 the legal age at which alcohol can be consumed.
(AQO 2818/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I am aware that 21 is the legal age for consuming alcohol in some countries, that Scotland is contemplating introducing similar provision, that the South of Ireland considered and rejected such a move and that my predecessor’s liquor licensing review did not recommend raising the age limit here. It seems therefore that the arguments for and against a change may merit further study.
The Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children & Young People has been asked by the Assembly “ to bring urgently before this Assembly, proposals to combat underage drinking.” I am presently considering all the issues arising from the Hanson Review and will take the views of the Sub-Committee, the Social Development Committee and Executive colleagues before coming to decisions on the way forward in relation to liquor licensing in general, including underage drinking.