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 02 May 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' Commissioners
Mr Elliott asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail its definition of the word 'victim'; and to outline any advice that has, or may be, issued to the Victims' Commissioners, regarding the definition they will use in the carrying out of their duties.
(AQW 3616/08)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): Under direct rule, a definition of victim and survivor was included in the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. It was envisaged at that time that this would offer guidance to the Victims’ Commissioner as to the definition of a victim. Officials within OFMDFM have advised the Commissioners designate of this legislative definition.
Single Equality Bill
Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide a timescale for bringing forward the Single Equality Bill.
(AQW 5432/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Policy proposals on equality legislation will be considered in consultation with the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Executive. It would not be appropriate to comment on timescales until policy decisions have been taken.
Assembly Questions
Mr Savage asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the delays; and (ii) the costs incurred by the department, in translating answers to written Assembly questions into Irish.
(AQW 5438/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Since the restoration of the Executive, translated answers to Assembly Questions have not been sought and therefore no costs or delays have arisen.
Freedom of Information
Mr K Robinson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if Freedom of Information legislation is applicable to private companies and businesses who (i) have received funding from the public purse; (ii) have received grants from government agencies; and (iii) have received no government funding.
(AQW 5493/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: There are clearly defined criteria for an organisation to be covered by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Section 4 of the Act provides that the body must be established under the royal prerogative, or legislation, or by a Minister or government department, and appointments to the body must be made by the Crown, a Minister or a government department. Bodies that meet these criteria are periodically brought within the scope of the Act by orders made under section 4. If a company is wholly-owned by a public authority, then it is automatically covered by the Act.
The Act also includes provision to extend its coverage to organisations that carry out functions of a public nature, and to contractors, who provide services which are a function of a public authority. This can be done through making an order under section 5. A public consultation to seek views as to whether additional public authorities should be designated under section 5 concluded on 1 February 2008. The responses are being analysed currently and the UK Government aims to publish a report in May 2008.
Commission Procedures
Mr Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, further to its answer to AQW 5330/08, to detail (i) the average timescale for deciding an appeal heard today under the various procedures; (ii) the procedures and thresholds which the Commission has for prioritising casework covering significant housing developments, investment projects and job creating proposals; and (iii) where an appellant can access this information.
(AQW 5703/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Planning Appeals Commission is a tribunal Non-Departmental Public Body. Given its independent tribunal status it is appropriate for its Chief Commissioner to provide a response directly to you, and we understand she has written to you in the following terms:
“ (i) It is difficult to accurately predict the average time that it will take for the Commission to decide upon an appeal that is submitted today. The clearance times for an appeal received in April 2008, will depend greatly on the resources available to the PAC. Based on the present resources available to the Commission, it is anticipated that it will take approximately two and half years to determine an appeal received today.
(ii) & (iii) The Commission has procedures for prioritising casework. These procedures cover significant housing developments, investment projects and job creating proposals. The extent to which a case may be prioritised will depend on the availability of Commissioner resources. This information is available on the Publication page of the Planning Appeals Commission website – www.pacni.gov.uk.
I would be happy to provide any further information you require arising out of this response or to meet with you to discuss the matter if that would be more suitable. ”
The Department has made significant additional financial resources available for the next three years to enable the Chief Commissioner to address the backlog of appeals cases. From 1 April 2008 the Planning Appeals Commission’s budget increased from £1.858 million in 2007-2008 to £2.368 million, a net increase of £510k. Further increases to the 2007-08 budget figure of £520k and £538k respectively will be made in the following years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. In addition the level of receipts which the PAC can retain has increased from £150k in April 2007 to £376k per annum for the next three years.
This additional funding will enable the Chief Commissioner to fund, subject to availability, a significant number of additional Commissioners to deploy against the backlog of planning appeals cases. It is anticipated that this will reduce the average timescale for deciding an appeal once the new Commissioners undertake training and become fully operational. The Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister continues to work with the Chief Commissioner on this issue. We have increased the Commissioner complement of the Planning Appeals Commission and on 28 April 2008 we will appoint two new Principal Commissioners and one new Senior Commissioner to address the increasing complexity of the workload.
In addition the Department will shortly announce a competition for up to ten new part-time Panel Commissioners to further strengthen the capacity of the Planning Appeals Commission. A competition for 6 permanent Commissioners will be advertised later in the year which is the earliest date that the Planning Appeals Commission will have the capacity to train and manage these new appointments.
Family Information Group
Mr Durkan asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the advice and assistance he is providing to the Family Information Group on future funding of the group's advocacy and information role on behalf of families of children with disabilities.
(AQW 5937/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has a policy co-ordination role and does not provide grant funding to the voluntary and community sector. We are not therefore in a position to offer financial assistance to support the work of this group.
We have indicated this in previous correspondence to the Family Information Group and have advised them of a number of organisations which may be able to provide assistance in sourcing future funding.
Gender Equality Strategy
Ms J McCann asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the targets that have been met to date in relation to the Gender Equality Strategy.
(AQW 6018/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We are committed to embedding gender equality across all government policies and programmes, and to this end Departments’ Gender Action Plans 2008-2011 identify targets to address identified gender inequalities. Our focus is very much on identifying and tackling existing gender inequalities, and we will bring forward for Executive endorsement, later this year, cross-departmental gender equality action plans. These will pay particular attention to tackling the causes of gender inequalities in key action areas identified in the Gender Equality Strategy 2006-2016.
To a large extent the success of the Gender Equality Strategy will be judged in the light of progress demonstrated through the cross-departmental action plans, and we will review and report on performance against targets in these plans, annually. Officials are working with departments and in partnership with the Gender Advisory Panel and other representatives to develop the cross departmental Gender Equality Action Plans. The cross departmental approach is reflected in the formation of the Inter Ministerial Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence while the successes of Departments’ partnership with the voluntary and community sector are well illustrated in events like the launch of the Women's Centres Regional Partnership. The strengthening of the voice of the men's sector, and their focus on health and family concerns, has been encouraging. We intend to conduct a mid-term review of the strategy, taking account of relevant research and statistical analysis.
Partnership Body
Mr McElduff asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail its progress towards the establishment of a strong social partnership body empowered to give advice to the Executive and departments on social, economic and cultural matters, as laid down in the Northern Ireland Act.
(AQW 6091/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Following the restoration of devolution in May 2007, we decided to commission a fresh review to examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the structure, operation and membership of the Civic Forum and 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.
Since then, much of the preparatory work for the review has been undertaken by OFMDFM officials. A senior civil servant has recently been appointed to lead the Civic Forum review team .
Departmenatl Land
Mr Weir asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any land sold by its office in the North Down constituency since 2002.
(AQW 6123/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We can confirm that no land has been sold by OFMDFM in the North Down Constituency since 2002.
Civic Forum
Mr Hamilton asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the cost of the Civic Forum in each of the last 10 years.
(AQW 6137/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Civic Forum was established in 2000 and held its inaugural meeting on 9 October 2000. Funding of the Forum ceased on suspension on 14 October 2002. The Forum has not been recalled. The Forum’s expenditure costs from 2000 to the present are as follows:
| Year |
Total Expenditure £k |
|---|---|
| 2000/01 | Not available from accounting system |
| 2001/02 | 425 |
| 2002/03 | 328 |
| 2003/04 – 2007/08 | None |
Initial expenditure, in 2000/2001, consisted mainly of the salaries of the civil servants staffing its secretariat and some setup and operational costs. These were not, at the time, recorded separately from the other costs of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and so a disaggregated figure for that year is not currently available.
Salary and accommodation costs for OFMDFM staff engaged in preparation for the review of the Civic Forum which was announced following restoration of devolution are also not separately identified.
Investment Strategy 2008–2018
Ms Anderson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm that the Executive is committed to (i) using Government procurement to play an active and effective role in the process of tackling patterns of socio-economic disadvantage, including new patterns of infrastructure development that offer equality of opportunity for all; and (ii) mainstreaming the new Guidance on Equality of Opportunity and Sustainable Development in Public Sector Procurement, recently developed by the Equality Commission and the Central Procurement Directorate.
(AQW 6363/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Investment Strategy 2008–2018 agreed by the Executive and the Assembly in January 2008 contains a commitment to seek to maximise, through the procurement process, the social and employment opportunities for all our people, addressing existing patterns of socio-economic disadvantage and using prosperity to tackle poverty.
The guidance on integrating Equality of Opportunity and Sustainable Development in Public Sector Procurement addresses how policy makers and practitioners can integrate equality of opportunity and sustainability into public sector procurement. Implementation of the guidance will therefore support the Executive's approach in delivering its key priorities under the Programme for Government and the relevant commitments contained in the Investment Strategy. Promulgation of the guidance across the public sector was approved by the Executive on 13 March 2008.
Planning Appeals Commission
Mr S Wilson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the average length of time for applications to be considered by the Planning Appeals Commission.
(AQO 3194/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Planning Appeals Commission exercises its functions independently of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister but the Department is responsible for providing the resources needed for the Commission to discharge its responsibilities.
The position at 31 March 2008 in relation to the average length of time for applications as provided by the Planning Appeals Commission shows the average time taken to determine an appeal already heard within that financial year as follows:-
- an appeal by formal hearing took on average 89 weeks;
- an appeal by informal hearing took on average 85 weeks;
- an appeal by written representation with an accompanied site visit took on average 77 weeks; and
- an appeal by written representation with an unaccompanied site visit took on average 84 weeks.
The backlog of planning appeals cases is causing considerable concern and this is why we have made significant additional financial resources available for the next three years to enable the Chief Commissioner to address the backlog of appeals cases. From 1 April 2008 the Planning Appeals Commission’s budget increased to £2.368 million, a net increase of £510k, and further increases will be made in the following years 2009-10 and 2010-11 when the Commission will have a budget of £2.378 million and £2.369 million respectively. In addition, the level of receipts which the Planning Appeals Commission can retain has increased from £150k in April 2007 to £376k per annum for the next three years.
The Department continues to work with the Chief Commissioner on this issue and as a result the Commissioner complement of the Planning Appeals Commission has been increased, and from today two new Principal Commissioners and one new Senior Commissioner have been appointed to address the increasing complexity of the workload.
In addition, arrangements are in hand for further competitions over the following months. The numbers appointed will of course be subject to the availability of suitable people from within a limited and specialised market.
Sectarianism
Mr Attwood asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how it proposes to eliminate sectarianism; and to outline the budget that is available for this.
(AQO 3149/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We would refer the Member to our answers to earlier questions and as stated previously, we are totally committed to the cross-cutting theme of a shared and better future for all: equality, fairness, inclusion and the promotion of good relations are the watchwords for all our policies and programmes across government.
The Programme for Government confirms our commitment to continue to challenge racism, sectarianism, and intolerance which mar our reputation, blight our economic prospects and have a corrosive effect on our society.
We remain fully committed to addressing the divisions within our society and to achieve measurable reductions in sectarianism, racism and intolerance. That is why we are making additional resources available over the incoming Comprehensive Spending Review period to target these very issues.
We have committed an additional ₤7.5m direct expenditure over the next three years – 2008/2011, with a total investment of approximately ₤29m on good relations and good race relations.
Website Review
Mr B McCrea asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if a review of its website, to allow better access for those with disabilities, was completed by March 2008.
(AQO 3088/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness:
We are committed to meeting the World Wide Web Consortium Accessibility Initiative (WAI) AA standard. This is an internationally recognised accessibility standard.
The OFMDFM website has been designed, developed and built to meet this standard. The website was audited against these standards prior to launch in 2005 and is reviewed regularly. The corporate standards for accessibility are adhered to when publishing web content. Staff are trained in writing for the web which covers accessibility issues.
Work has been ongoing through the department’s eMedia team to allow better access for those with disabilities. When publishing to the site, business areas within OFMDFM are encouraged to use web pages rather than pdfs ( Portable Document Format). Web pages are more user friendly for visitors to the site with visual impairments.
Examples of this in the past year include the Policy link and Brussels bulletins. Both previously were only available in a pdf format, which was not easily accessible.
Where pdfs must be used, specialist software is used to make them more accessible prior to publication.
Ministry of Defence Sites
Mr D Bradley asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to report on their discussions with the Ministry of Defence, and other relevant government bodies, on the acquisition of vacated Ministry of Defence sites.
(AQO 3156/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Noting the various debates on this matter in the Assembly and elsewhere, we are fully aware of the huge importance of this issue and the very significant impact that the development of the former military sites could have, economically and socially, for local communities.
However, we first have to secure the sites, and then develop them. Members will be aware that there is no cover within the Budget for these sites.
As a result, our aim is to secure some of these sites free of charge. We can confirm that we, along with the Minister of Finance and Personnel, have both written to and held meetings with the UK Government and the Secretary of State in order to progress this issue. We are continuing to push vigorously on the gifting of a number of sites with the Prime Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Our officials also maintain regular contact with the Ministry of Defence with regard to these matters.
Members would wish to note that the Secretary of State publicly commented on this issue recently to the effect that our case for the gifting of further sites was weakened by the fact that Maze/Long Kesh had not yet been developed.
However, we believe that requiring the Executive to purchase such sites at market value is a retraction from the Joint Declaration position and will, as previously stated, continue to push for the gifting of some of the sites.
Civic Forum
Mr Moutray asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what is its assessment of the cost effectiveness of the Civic Forum.
(AQO 3208/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We have not yet made an assessment of the cost effectiveness of the Civic Forum during its operation. However, the arrangements for the Civic Forum, approved by the Assembly on 16 February 1999, included provision for a formal review. The suspension of the devolved institutions in October 2002 meant that the review, which had commenced in the Spring of 2002, 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 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. That review is now under way.
Civic Forum
Mr McGlone asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the process used to select the senior official to conduct the review of the Civic Forum.
(AQO 3154/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: A member of the Senior Civil Service has now been identified through the normal internal Senior Civil Service management process as Team Leader for the review of the Civic Forum.
Planning Appeals Commission
Mr Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the new Planning Appeals Commissioners; and to detail (i) the amount of money that has been allocated; and (ii) the reasons for the delay in making this appointment.
(AQO 3098/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Planning Appeals Commission exercises its functions independently of OFMDFM but the Department is responsible for providing the resources needed for the Commission to discharge its responsibilities. Appointments to the Commission are made by us.
Significant additional financial resources have been made available for the next three years to enable the Chief Commissioner to address the backlog of appeals cases. From 1 April 2008 the Planning Appeals Commission’s budget increased from £1.858 million in 2007-2008 to £2.368 million, a net increase of £510k. Further increases to the 2007-08 budget figure, of £520k and £538k respectively will be made in the following years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. In addition, the level of receipts which the PAC can retain has increased from £150k in April 2007 to £376k per annum for the next three years.
This additional funding will enable the Chief Commissioner to fund, subject to availability, a significant number of additional Commissioners to deploy against the backlog of planning appeals cases.
Officials in our department continue to work with the Chief Commissioner on this issue. The Commissioner complement of the Planning Appeals Commission has been increased and we have appointed from today two new Principal Commissioners and one new Senior Commissioner to address the increasing complexity of the workload.
In addition, arrangements are in hand for further competitions over the following months. The numbers appointed will of course be subject to the availability of suitable people from within a limited and specialised market.
Constitutional Reform Bill
Mr Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it has engaged with, or has been consulted by, the Office of the Lord Chancellor and Minister of Justice on the draft Constitutional Reform Bill.
(AQO 3099/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has written to us to advise us of the publication of the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill and the White Paper “The Governance of Britain” and to invite our views on his proposed reforms.
Government Advertising
Mr McNarry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the procedures for selection of media outlets, for all Northern Ireland Executive, departmental and government agency advertisements, through the advertising shared service; and (ii) the amount spent on each newspaper and news outlet in the last financial year.
(AQO 3102/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: For classified advertising the selection of media outlets is currently made in accordance with individual departmental equality schemes. In most cases the Irish News, Belfast Telegraph and News Letter are selected for daily newspaper classified advertising. For the selection of weekly newspapers, consideration is given to the geographical representation required, cross community balance and value for money. Also any relevant legislation to the subject being advertised is taken into account, for example planning notices are required to be advertised in at least one newspaper circulating in the locality to which the planning application relates. Work is also ongoing to develop a tender for classified advertising which will be in line with European procurement guidelines.
For campaign advertising, the appointed external advertising agency recommends the selection of the media outlets which will best meet the objectives of the advertising campaign. This recommendation is based on the target audience for the campaign, their media consumption habits, and analysis of each media’s ability to deliver on media efficiency, media reach and media cost effectiveness.
The Department does not hold the financial information in the format requested. Each department holds their individual budgets for advertising. Listed below in table one is the classified advertising expenditure by the eleven government departments and their agencies in 2007/08 by print media group. A breakdown by each newspaper is not available. However, table two contains the classified advertising expenditure by the eleven government departments and their agencies in 2007/08 by the following newspapers: Belfast Telegraph; Irish News; News Letter; and Daily Mirror. Campaign advertising expenditure for 2007/08 is not available.
Table 1
Group |
Expenditure |
| Independent News and Media LTD | £657,999.46 |
| Irish News Group | £400,669.03 |
| Johnston Publishing | £770,214.92 |
| Observer Newspaper Group | £100,002.23 |
| North West of Ireland Print and Publishing Co Ltd | £80,809.27 |
| Alpha Newspaper Group | £274,916.43 |
| Belfast Media Group | £116,941.07 |
| Spectator Newspapers | £32,850.15 |
| Thomas Crosbie Holdings | £3,641.28 |
| Independents | £150,946.18 |
| Others | £282,904.56 |
Table 2
Newspaper |
Expenditure |
| Belfast Telegraph | £652,650.77 |
| Irish News | £385,732.71 |
| News Letter | £426,046.72 |
| Daily Mirror | £8,313.40 |
Victims' Commissioners
Mrs Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm when the four Victims' Commissioners will be fully operational.
(AQO 3198/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We are determined to see the new Victims and Survivors Commission put on a sound and durable legislative footing at the earliest opportunity and hope the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill will complete its passage through the Assembly by mid-May and obtain Royal Assent in June.
It is intended to make formal appointments when the legislation is in place and the Commissioners will then be able to engage fully with the important work that they have been tasked with. This work will include, amongst other things, promoting an awareness of matters relating to the interests of victims and survivors, reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice in this area and reviewing the effectiveness of services provided for victims and survivors.
Ethnic Minorities
Mr Campbell asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what measures are in place to promote greater understanding and awareness of people from ethnic minorities that have newly arrived in Northern Ireland.
(AQO 3093/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We are committed to promoting greater understanding and awareness between people from minority ethnic communities (both new and established) and indigenous people.
As it says in our Programme for Government “it is imperative that we all embrace the opportunity to create a shared and better future based on tolerance and respect for cultural diversity”. Greater understanding and awareness are key steps in achieving this.
In fulfilling this commitment we have just completed the awards process for a new one-year funding scheme for Minority Ethnic Communities. The aim of the scheme is to promote mutual understanding and good relations between people of different ethnic backgrounds, thereby building greater community cohesion between people from minority ethnic communities (both new and established) and indigenous people. We have substantially increased - by 33% - the amount of money available for the fund which will mean more organisations spread across society here will now be funded to do the hard work that needs to be done.
Other departments also have a very significant role to play in this, for example the Department of Education. “Citizenship” is a new part of the revised curriculum, and is currently being phased in. Under this part of the curriculum, young people will explore issues such as cultural identity and heritage, diversity, inclusion and promoting respect for others. In doing this they will look at our indigenous cultures and other cultures, including those of minority ethnic people who live here.
In the near future we will be bringing forward a Programme of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a shared and better future. This will tackle issues of sectarianism and racism and will provide a framework for promoting greater mutual understanding and awareness between people here.
In taking this programme forward we will address the divisions within our society and achieve measurable reductions in sectarianism, racism and hate crime. If we do not take this opportunity now there is a real risk that the divisions of our past will be replicated in the new communities that have come to live and work among us.
Single Equality Bill
Mr Burns asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide a timetable for bringing forward legislation in relation to a Single Equality Bill.
(AQO 3150/08)
Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Policy proposals on equality legislation will be considered in consultation with the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Executive. It would not be appropriate to comment on timescales until policy decisions have been taken.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Satellite Monitoring Equipment
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will waive the charges in relation to the maintenance of satellite monitoring equipment, installed by her department, on registered fishing boats.
(AQW 5808/08)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): I am prepared to help the industry with the compliance costs associated with the operation of the Vessel Monitoring System. I will provide funding to meet the cost of the warranty for a further 2 years and to meet also the transmission costs which each vessel owner has to pay when the vessel is tracked by the satellite monitor.
Direct Fuel Subsidies
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the reasons why fishermen are not benefiting from direct fuel subsidies that have been approved by the European Commission for fishermen in France and Spain.
(AQW 5810/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I raised this issue with Commissioner Borg when I met him on 1 April. He said that he was aware of the Spanish and French aid schemes. His view was that the Spanish scheme which provides payments to their fishermen appeared to fall within the State Aid de minimis provisions. His Directorate are still assessing the aid notified by France.
I have considered carefully the option for de-minimis aid and after discussing this with my Executive colleagues I have decided that it is more appropriate to focus on a longer term strategic plan which I outlined in my statement to the Assembly on 28 th April.
European Fisheries Fund
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will develop and implement a plan using the European Fisheries Fund to address the fuel crisis facing the fishing industry.
(AQW 5813/08)
Ms M Gildernew: In my statement to the Assembly on 28 th April I indicated that I want to ensure that the EFF funding is used in a strategic way to achieve a profitable future for the catching sector. As part of that longer term approach I want to see a focus on improving fuel efficiency in the fleet using EFF as appropriate. There is no one solution which will be the answer for all vessels in the fleet, but there is a body of technical assessment and research on possible fuel efficiency measures and barriers to their uptake. I want to see every opportunity explored to take advantage of this work.
Landing and Marketing Dues
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what consideration she has given to suspending Landing and Marketing dues for locally owned fishing vessels from 1 April 2008 and replacing them with an emergency grant from her department.
(AQW 5815/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Having considered carefully this option I have decided that it is more appropriate to focus on a longer term strategic plan to establish a framework which enables the industry to make whatever changes are necessary to adjust to the new circumstances and to achieve long-term sustainability and prosperity.
Rivers Agency
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (i) what plans Rivers Agency has to protect the 28,000 homes believed to be under threat from flooding; (ii) the funding in place for these measures; (iii) any bids she will make for additional funding; and (iv) to give a timescale within which these measures will be completed.
(AQW 5980/08)
Ms M Gildernew: (i) The figure of 28,000 properties at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea is purely a strategic planning assessment to enable the Agency to effectively manage the risk of flooding through a proactive approach. This assessment is the first stage in a process in that it will identify the areas where more detailed assessments need to be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the European Floods Directive. The final outputs of this process will be in the form of Flood Risk Management Plans which will specify site specific objectives and measures to manage the risk of flooding.
Where the Agency is currently aware of specific flooding problems investigations are carried out as a matter of course which may result in a flood alleviation works being undertaken. The objectives and measures from the Flood Risk Management Plans referred to above, when in place, will identify the need for flood management measures some of which will be in the form of flood alleviation schemes.
(ii)The Rivers Agency has bid for and been allocated capital funding within the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (ISNI) namely £7,381M in 2008-09 £5,971M in 2009-10 and £6,511M in 2011-12. This includes funding for flood alleviation schemes. It also includes funding for wider flood risk management which includes delivery of the European Floods Directive.
(iii) Additional bids will be made to recover reduced allocations for 2009-10 and 2010-11 resulting from recent budget decisions. As the implementation of the Floods Directive is taken forward and the site specific information on flood risk and the associated management measures becomes clearer the need for additional funding will be assessed against current allocations.
(iv) The Agency has an ongoing prioritised programme to investigate flooding from rivers and the sea to identify the scope for and procure viable flood alleviation schemes.
The timescales laid down by the Floods Directive require transposition into Northern Ireland legislation by November 2009; assessments of areas at significant risk to be completed by December 2011; flood hazard and flood risk maps to be completed by December 2013 and Flood Risk Management Plans to be completed by December 2015. Thereafter assessments, mapping and Plans to be reviewed every 6 years. The Agency is required to meet these timescales and where feasible will be seeking every opportunity for earlier delivery.
Flood Protection
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development why only 77 homes will benefit from flood protection measures in the current year.
(AQW 5981/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Flood protection schemes are based on site specific investigations and are prioritised within the Agency programme taking account of available resources within the current year and completion of legal requirements on public consultation and exhibition. The figure of 77 homes is the number expected to benefit from the schemes which will be completed in 2008/2009 financial year.
The number of properties which benefit from flood alleviation measures in any year varies, this year being much lower than last when the Agency completed schemes at Newcastle and Stoneyford which provided protection to over 800 properties. The figure must also be seen in context of the Agency’s overall prioritised portfolio of schemes for 2008/2009 which includes culvert refurbishment, drainage infrastructure provision as well as flood alleviation. All of these schemes contribute to flood risk management.
Animal Cruelty
Mr Wells asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of visits made by departmental staff during 2007 and 2008 to the farm on the Ballyroney Road, Katesbridge, where animals were removed as a result of alleged cruelty.
(AQW 5982/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Apart from the recent visits in April 2008, there were no additional visits during 2008. The Department visited the premises on four occasions between June and December 2007. During these visits a DARD Veterinary Officer was present, accompanied by members of the PSNI.
Official Meetings
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the discussions she has had with Ministers in the European Union in relation to (i) farming issues; and (ii) fishing issues, directly relating to the parliamentary constituency of East Antrim.
(AQW 5991/08)
Ms M Gildernew: Since assuming my responsibilities as Agriculture Minister, I have been proactive in establishing a closer working relationship with the European Commission. To date, I have participated in 6 meetings with the European Commission on farming and fishing issues. Given the nature of these discussions they have to date reflected our regional interests rather than a particular parliamentary constituency.
Coastline Protection
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the progress that Rivers Agency has made in relation to protecting the coastline.
(AQW 6006/08)
Ms M Gildernew: P rotecting the coastline encompasses managing the risk of both coastal flooding and erosion.
Under the Drainage (NI) Order 1973 Rivers Agency has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of sea defences designed to protect against coastal flooding, Currently the Agency has maintenance responsibility for some 26 kilometres of sea defences around the coast of NI. As part of the management of these assets major refurbishment at Strangford and Lough Foyle was undertaken in the last decade.
The assessment of coastal flood risk is taking a significant step forward with the introduction of predictive flood mapping for NI. This will enable a strategic assessment for planning purposes to enable the Agency to more effectively manage the risk of flooding. This assessment is the first stage in a process in that it will identify the areas where more detailed assessments need to be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the European Floods Directive. The final outputs of this process will be in the form of Flood Risk Management Plans which will specify site specific objectives and measures to manage the risk of flooding.
It is intended that flood maps for all of NI will be available in late summer 2008 including allowance for climate change and predicted sea level rise.
With regard to coastal erosion NI does not have any specific legislation. Essential works within the sphere of interest of various Government Departments continue to be dealt with under an historic interdepartmental agreement known as the Bateman Formula.
Under this Formula cost beneficial works, to protect essential infrastructure, may be undertaken by the Department or Authority responsible for the asset at risk. Rivers Agency’s intervention on coastal erosion is limited to those cases which do not fall within the functional areas of other Departments and where works satisfy cost-benefit appraisal criteria.
Future management of the coast is currently under review.
Staff Absent
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of staff in her department that were absent due to stress for more than (i) 5 days; (ii) 10 days; (iii) 15 days; (iv) 20 days; (v) 25 days; (vi) 30 days; (vii) 35 days; and (viii) 40 days, broken down by grade.
(AQW 6008/08)
Ms M Gildernew: For the purpose of answering this question the figures provided relate to DARD staff who submitted medical evidence, which specifically stated stress as the cause of absence.
The 5 years referred to have been taken as the last 5 financial years starting in 2003/2004 and includes science service staff up to 2005/2006, before the establishment of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
The information requested is set out in detail in the attached tables with a summary below.
Total DARD staff absent due to stress by year.
|
03/04 |
04/05 |
05/06 |
06/07 |
07/08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-Industrial |
85 |
63 |
39 |
52 |
61 |
Industrial |
8 |
7 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
Rivers Agency
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will consider extending the Rivers Agency's remit to clearing debris from rivers beyond the current position of solely removing obstructions.
(AQW 6031/08)
Ms M Gildernew: I have no plans to extend Rivers Agency`s current drainage remit. As an Agency within DARD, the drainage authority for NI, it is currently charged with maintaining free flow/drainage function in some 6800 kilometres of designated watercourses. The Agency`s maintenance programme includes the removal of debris which is causing or likely to cause a significant obstruction to flows. This also involves frequent inspection and clearance of over 800 urban grilles where blockage may cause flooding. Extension of maintenance to removal of all observed or reported debris from watercourses could divert staff from essential flood management. Moreover it would mean the Rivers Agency assuming functions on waste management, amenity and water quality enhancement which currently rest with the Department of the Environment and District Councils.
Departmental Land
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any land sold by her department in the North Down constituency since 2002.
(AQW 6119/08)
Ms M Gildernew: My Department has not sold any land in the North Down constituency area in the period since 2002.
Staff Disciplinary Procedures
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of staff in her department who, since 8 May 2007, have (i) received official warnings; and (ii) faced disciplinary procedures.
(AQW 6142/08)
Ms M Gildernew: For the purpose of answering the question, the figures provided relate in (i) to staff issued with formal warnings for unsatisfactory attendance or conduct related issues; and in (ii) to staff that faced formal disciplinary charges relating to misconduct. Where these charges have subsequently resulted in a formal warning, details have been included in both (i) and (ii).
- 110 staff in this Department have received official warnings.
- 14 staff have faced disciplinary procedures.
Farm Nutrient Management Scheme
Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail, as of 30 April 2008, the number of farmers that have yet to receive approval under the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme.
(AQW 6544/08)
Ms M Gildernew: As of 30 April 2008, 770 farmers have yet to receive their Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS) approvals. In 520 of these cases information is awaited from the farmers concerned so that their approvals can be issued.
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Midnight Soccer
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the number of midnight soccer initiatives currently funded by his department; and (ii) the other statutory bodies/agencies working with his department in supporting these services.
(AQW 5878/08)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland and the distribution of funding. While SNI contributed to the start up costs of the Midnight Street Soccer project at the Waterworks Sports Facility, it is not currently providing exchequer funding to any midnight soccer initiatives.
Other statutory bodies/agencies working in support of midnight street soccer include; Larne Borough Council, Castlereagh Borough Council, Lisburn City Council, Belfast City Council, Derry City Council, Craigavon Borough Council, Newtownabbey Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council, Ballymoney Borough Council, the Youth Justice Agency and the PSNI.
Trip to Texas
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the benefits of his recent trip to Texas, where culture and music were on the agenda.
(AQW 5898/08)
Mr E Poots: The focus of my visit to Texas was the South by Southwest music event, at which the Northern Ireland Music Industry Commission (NIMIC) in conjunction with DCAL and Belfast City Council, supported the showcasing of four bands and one solo artist from Northern Ireland. NIMIC also supported ten local music businesses to have delegates at the trade show and conference.
Initial feedback from the musicians and businesses has been very positive and it is expected that they will reap long term benefits from their participation.
Translating Correspondence
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the expenditure on translating correspondence, received by each Government department, that was written in (i) Ulster Scots; (ii) Irish; and (ii) other languages, in the 2007/2008 year.
(AQW 5959/08)
Mr E Poots: I refer you to my answer to AQW4494/08. Records kept by my Department do not specify the type of document translated. My Department will not be in receipt of all the data relating to departmental expenditure on translations for 2007/2008 until June 2008, following accounts for 2007/2008 being finalised. Details on this expenditure will be forwarded to you through the Assembly’s Business Office once all the information has been collated.
Departmental Funding
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the amount of funding provided to rugby, soccer and GAA clubs in each of the Belfast parliamentary constituencies.
(AQW 5967/08)
Mr E Poots: Sport Northern Ireland is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of funding. Details of the exchequer funding provided to rugby, soccer and GAA clubs in each of the Belfast parliamentary constituencies over the last 5 financial years are as follows:
Belfast East
Year |
Applicant Organisation |
Project |
Grant Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
2003/04 |
Glentoran FC The Oval Mersey Street Belfast BT4 1EX |
Safety Management |
6,362.00 |
2004/05 |
Glentoran FC The Oval Mersey Street Belfast BT4 1EX |
Safety Management |
7,135.00 |
2006/07 |
Glentoran FC The Oval Mersey Street Belfast BT4 1EX |
Safety Management |
7,065.70 |
2006/07 |
Glentoran FC The Oval Mersey Street Belfast BT4 1EX |
Safety Management |
4,640.25 |
Belfast North
Year |
Applicant Organisation |
Project |
Grant Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
2003/04 |
Crusaders FC Seaview St Vincent Street Shore Road Belfast BT15 3PL |
Safety Management |
2,360.00 |
2003/04 |
Cliftonville FC Solitude Cliftonville Street Belfast BT14 |
Safety Management |
5,083.00 |
2004/05 |
Cliftonville FC Solitude Cliftonville Street Belfast BT14 |
Safety Management |
4,385.70 |
Year |
Applicant Organisation |
Project |
Grant Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
2004/05 |
Crusaders FC Seaview St Vincent Street Shore Road Belfast BT15 3PL |
Safety Management |
2,250.00 |
2005/06 |
Cliftonville FC Solitude Cliftonville Street Belfast BT14 |
Stadia Safety Programme |
800,000.00 |
2006/07 |
Cliftonville FC Solitude Cliftonville Street Belfast BT14 |
Safety Management |
2,219.90 |
2006/07 |
Cliftonville FC Solitude Cliftonville Street Belfast BT14 |
Safety Management |
1,802.94 |
2006/07 |
Crusaders FC Seaview St Vincent Street Shore Road Belfast BT15 3PL |
Safety Management |
2,134.08 |
2007/08 |
Cliftonville FC Solitude Cliftonville Street Belfast BT14 |
Safety Management |
900.00 |
Belfast West
Year |
Applicant Organisation |
Project |
Grant Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
2006/07 |
Donegal Celtic FC 32a Suffolk Road Belfast BT11 9PE |
Safety Management |
3,150.00 |
2007/08 |
Donegal Celtic FC 32a Suffolk Road Belfast BT11 9PE |
Safety Management |
937.50 |
Belfast South
Year |
Applicant Organisation |
Project |
Grant Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
2003/04 |
Linfield FC Windsor Park Donegall Avenue Belfast BT12 6LW |
Safety Management |
7,121.00 |
Year |
Applicant Organisation |
Project |
Grant Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
2004/05 |
Linfield FC Windsor Park Donegall Avenue Belfast BT12 6LW |
Safety Management |
7,045.00 |
2006/07 |
Linfield FC Windsor Park Donegall Avenue Belfast BT12 6LW |
Safety Management |
5,900.00 |
2006/07 |
Linfield FC Windsor Park Donegall Avenue Belfast BT12 6LW |
Safety Management |
5,728.16 |
2007/08 |
Linfield FC Windsor Park Donegall Avenue Belfast BT12 6LW |
Safety Management |
4,425.00 |
In addition to the above, lottery funding was awarded to the following project during the same period:
Belfast South
Year |
Applicant Organisation |
Project |
Grant Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
2004/05 |
St Brigid’s GAC Musgrave Park Hospital Stockman’s Lane Belfast BT9 |
Construction of full sized gaelic pitch and two training pitches |
161,770.00 |
Armagh Observatory
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to explain the rationale for the reduction of research and development within the Armagh Observatory.
(AQW 6009/08)
Mr E Poots: I am not aware that to date there has not been any reduction in the levels of research and development at Armagh Observatory.
There are issues currently under discussion regarding future funding and my Department is working with the Observatory and Planetarium in an attempt to ensure the Observatory will be able to continue operating at its current level.
Ulster Scots Cultural Office
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has any plans to open an Ulster Scots cultural office in the USA.
(AQW 6135/08)
Mr E Poots: There are no plans at present to open an Ulster-Scots Cultural Office in the United States, but the Ulster-Scots Agency has been asked to present a paper on cultural links with the USA at the next Sectoral meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Language format.
Ulster-Scots Cultural Tourism
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the action he is taking to promote Ulster-Scots cultural tourism in the USA.
(AQW 6136/08)
Mr E Poots: The Chair of the Ulster-Scots Agency has been asked to present a paper on cultural links with the USA at the next Sectoral meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Language Format. I am aware that Tourism Ireland has been involved in an extensive programme of promotional activity aimed at those of Ulster Scots heritage in the United States.
Business Class
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail, since taking up office in May 2007, (i) the number of occasions that he has flown business class in his capacity as Minister; and (ii) the cost incurred by his department; and to confirm if (a) it is standard practice to fly business class; and (b) he is given the choice to fly economy class.
(AQW 6208/08)
Mr E Poots: To date I have flown business class in my capacity as Minister on 8 occasions. The total cost incurred by the Department for these flights is £15,130.21. It is standard practice for Government Ministers to travel business class.
After-School Sports Activities
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether he has had any discussions with the Minister of Education in an attempt to create and aid new after-school sports activities.
(AQW 6235/08)
Mr E Poots: My Department has consulted extensively with the Department of Education on the need to improve after-school sports activities in the context of the development of a new Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation. A draft of this Strategy, which I published for consultation in October 2007, proposed specific targets and actions to give every school child over the age of 8 in Northern Ireland the opportunity to participate in at least 2 hours per week of extra-curricular sport and physical recreation.
Sport NI
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to his answer to AQW 5940/08, to detail the remit and the independent oversight function that Sport NI will have.
(AQW 6290/08)
Mr E Poots: It is currently planned that Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) will carry out the independent oversight function in accordance with its responsibilities under the Recreation and Youth Services (NI) Order 1986. The remit of the independent oversight function will be to provide independent advice and guidance to all interested parties on sports grounds safety issues and to monitor the overall implementation of the sports grounds safety certification scheme.
Work from Home
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of staff in his department, since devolution, who have been able to work from home.
(AQW 6305/08)
Mr E Poots: None
Maze Stadium Site
Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether his departmental accounting officer has signed off on the Maze stadium project business plan.
(AQW 6326/08)
Mr E Poots: The Accounting Officer of my Department is currently engaged with his colleagues in DFP, OFMDFM and SIB to clarify a number of issues before he reaches a definitive Accounting Officer assessment of the PwC Outline Business Plan in respect of the proposed stadium.
Maze Stadium Site
Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if the current business plan for the Maze stadium being considered by the Department of Finance and Personnel encompasses a plan for the entire Maze site or for the development of a stadium complex only.
(AQW 6328/08)
Mr E Poots: The Outline Business Case which my Department forwarded to the
Department of Finance and Personnel, and which the Culture, Arts
and Leisure Committee recently debated, covers the options and
issues around the development of the Multi-Sports Stadium only.
International Practical Shooting Sports
Mr Doherty asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will make representations to the International Practical Shooting Sports body to ensure that participants competing at international level from Northern Ireland can opt to represent Ireland in line with citizenship rights enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement.
(AQW 6340/08)
Mr E Poots: Responsibility for representation and affiliation arrangements within the sport of International Practical Shooting is a matter, in the first instance, for the governing body of the sport, the UK Practical Shooting Association.
Awards for All Funding
Mr Doherty asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the groups in West Tyrone parliamentary constituency who have received 'Awards for All' funding over the last 12 months, and the amount received by each group.
(AQW 6344/08)
Mr E Poots: During the period April 2007 to April 2008, 28 projects in the constituency of West Tyrone received funding from Awards for All totalling £213,889.
These are as follows:
| Applicant Name | Award value |
| Bishop Kelly ABC | 10,000 |
| Omagh Explorer Scout Group | 8,771 |
| Nippers Alley Playgroup | 4,865 |
| Friends Of St Caireall's | 8,220 |
| Kilskeery Parish Senior Citizens Association | 9,475 |
| Easilift Community Transport Ltd | 10,000 |
| Western Education and Library Board - Omagh Youth Centre | 6,980 |
| St Patricks Primary School | 9,838 |
| Omagh Access Forum | 2,700 |
| Rascals Community Playgroup | 10,000 |
| Camowen Partnership Ltd | 6,300 |
| Ballylaw Womens Group | 4,090 |
| Dromore Amateur Boxing Club | 7,500 |
| The Senior Citizens Consortium Sperrin Lakeland | 6,000 |
| Blacksessiagh Regeneration Group | 10,000 |
| The Drummond Centre Project Limited | 5,741 |
| MACCA Youth Group | 4,393 |
| St Brigids Primary School (Cranagh) | 9,375 |
| Dromore Primary School | 10,000 |
| Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band | 6,893 |
| Bready Jubilee Primary School | 10,000 |
| Eskra Childcare Limited | 7,384 |
| Strabane District Basketball Club | 1,500 |
| Drumduff & Drumnakilly Community Association | 10,000 |
| Loreto Convent Primary School | 10,000 |
| Green Elves Playgroup | 9,693 |
| Creggan Education And Research Services Ltd | 9,650 |
| Chatterbox Playgroup | 4,531 |
Belfast Marathon
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the reasons why in the interests of safety roads cannot be closed during the Belfast Marathon.
(AQW 6405/08)
Mr E Poots: Decisions relating to the closure of roads in the interests of safety during the Belfast marathon are a matter for Belfast City Council, the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service and the PSNI.
Education
Social Mobility
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail any studies from European countries that compare the degree of social mobility and whether or not the education system is selective or non-selective at the post primary level.
(AQW 4304/08)
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Studies that comment on education and social mobility do not necessarily draw conclusions that relate explicitly to whether the education system in question is selective or non-selective. A comparative study entitled “Social Segregation in Secondary Schools: How Does England Compare With Other Countries” (Jenkins, Micklewight, Schnepf, 2006) investigated the extent of social segregation in England’s schools with that in schools across 27 countries using data from the 2000 and 2003 rounds of the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA). The north of Ireland was included in this study.
Tugann an staidéar le fios gur féidir an idirdheighilt a mhíniú den chuid is mó de bharr cúlra míchothrom sóisialta na ndaltaí sna scoileanna stáit.
The study concludes that segregation is mostly accounted for by unevenness in social background in the state school sector. Focusing on this sector, it is shown that cross-country differences in segregation are associated with the prevalence of selective choice of pupils by schools. Low segregation countries such as those in the Nordic area and Scotland have negligible selection in schools.
Research produced by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - No more Failures: Ten Steps to Equity in Education (2007)) argues that education systems should, ‘Limit early tracking and streaming and postpone academic selection’ and that ‘Academic selection needs to be used with caution since it poses risks to equity.’ This is based on the following evidence:
- Secondary school systems with large social differences between schools tend on average to have poorer results in mathematics and reading and a greater spread of reading outcomes. Social background is more of an obstacle to educational success than in systems where there are not large socio-economic differences between schools.
- Academic selection by school systems is associated with great social differences between schools and a stronger effect of socio-economic status on performance, but also with a stronger performance at the top end of the scale in mathematics and science.
Evidence on secondary students from PISA (OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment) compared to evidence at primary level from PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) and evidence from countries which have introduced comprehensive schooling suggest that early tracking is associated with reduced equity in outcomes and sometimes weakens results overall.
St Colman's College
Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Education to confirm that children from (i) Kilcoo; (ii) Castlewellan; (iii) Dundrum; and (iv) Annaclone, will have the opportunity to travel to St Colman's College, Newry, for their post-primary education.
(AQW 4880/08)
Ms C Ruane: Leanfaidh mo mholtaí ar aistriú iar-bhunscoile de thabhairt ardtosaíochta do rogha na dtuismitheoirí.
My proposals for post-primary transfer will continue to give a high priority to parental preference. As with any oversubscribed school, places are offered at St Colman’s College, Newry to those children who best meet the school’s admissions criteria. This will continue to be the case in the future.
Class Sizes
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Education to detail her plans to reduce class sizes in primary schools.
(AQW 5289/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education’s policy is to keep classes for the youngest children at30 or fewer pupils. This policy was initiated in 1998 and, from September 2000, has applied to all pupils at Key Stage 1, (ie P1 to P4).
From 2003/04 onwards, Education and Library Boards have been responsible for providing to eligible schools any additional funding to meet the policy from within their overall allocations.
Téann monatóirí RO chun cinn agus lena linn sin, i 2007/8, ní raibh feidhm ag an bheartas ach le maoiniú breise do 31.5 múinteoirí breise.
DE monitors progress and this has been such that, in 2007/8, the policy required additional funding for only 31.5 extra teachers
Conlig Primary School
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail the projected financial cost of closing Conlig Primary School.
(AQW 5353/08)
Ms C Ruane: A Development Proposal to support the South-Eastern Education and Library Board’s (SEELB) intention to close Conlig Primary School was published on 29 January 2008 and the 2-month consultation period ended on 31 March.
Tá BOLOD ag ullmhú eolais faoi láthair ar na costais réamh-mheasta agus scríobhfaidh mé chuig an Aire nuair a bheas an t-eolas sin curtha ar fáil.
The SEELB are currently preparing information on the projected costs and I will write to the Member when it has been provided.
School Transport
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education if she will make representation to the Southern Education and Library Board to restore the 2pm school bus in that board area.
(AQW 5431/08)
Ms C Ruane: Ní mór do Bhoird Oideachais agus Leabharlann cúnamh iompair a chur ar fáil ag tús agus ag deireadh an lá scoile amháin. Níl an tseirbhís ag 2pm mar pháirt den cheanglas sin. Mar sin, faoi Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Deiscirt atá sé a chinntiú cé acu tá sé ag dul a leithéid de sheirbhís a sholáthar nó nach bhfuil.
Education and Library Boards are required to provide transport assistance only at the start and end of the school day. The 2pm service lies outside of that requirement, so it is for the Southern Education and Library Board to determine whether or not to provide such a service.
Capital Building Programme
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Education to detail the amount of funding available for the capital building programme in 2008-09.
(AQW 5523/08)
Ms C Ruane: £229.6 milliún an t-iomlán maidir leis an mhaoiniú caipiteach atá ar fáil don Roinn Oideachais sa bhliain 2008/09.
The total amount of capital funding available to the Department of Education in 2008/09 is £229.6m.
Townland Names
Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education to detail the action her department is taking to use townland names, where applicable, in view of the resolution passed by the first Assembly on 1 October 2001.
(AQW 5540/08)
Ms C Ruane: Nuair a chuireann an Roinn comhfhreagras chuig scoileanna tríd an phost, baintear úsáid as ainmneacha bhailte fearainn a chuireann scoileanna ar fáil agus as cóid phoist. Baintear úsáid as an chur chuige chéanna i gcomhfhreagras le daoine aonair.
When sending correspondence by mail to schools my Department uses townland names provided by schools and postcodes. A similar approach is taken when corresponding with individuals.
Assembly Questions
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of (a) documents; and (b) answers to written Assembly questions, partially and completely translated into the Irish language by her department since taking up her post.
(AQW 5551/08)
Ms C Ruane: 349 documents have been partially or completely translated into the Irish language. This figure includes some that have been translated from Irish to English. 226 written Assembly questions have also been partially or completely translated into the Irish language.
£11,438 an caiteachas go dtí seo ar cháipéisí ar aistríodh cuid dóibh nó iad go hiomlán go Gaeilge.
Expenditure on documents partially or completely translated into the Irish language is £11,438. This figure is from 8 th May 2007 to 11 th April 2008 and includes some documents that have been translated from Irish to English. Expenditure on written Assembly questions partially or completely translated into the Irish language is £1,156.
Assembly Questions
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to provide a breakdown of the amount spent on (a) documents; and (b) answers to written Assembly questions, partially and completely translated into the Irish language by her department, since taking up her post.
(AQW 5553/08)
Ms C Ruane: 349 documents have been partially or completely translated into the Irish language. This figure includes some that have been translated from Irish to English. 226 written Assembly questions have also been partially or completely translated into the Irish language.
£11,438 an caiteachas go dtí seo ar cháipéisí ar aistríodh cuid dóibh nó iad go hiomlán go Gaeilge.
Expenditure on documents partially or completely translated into the Irish language is £11,438. This figure is from 8 th May 2007 to 11 th April 2008 and includes some documents that have been translated from Irish to English. Expenditure on written Assembly questions partially or completely translated into the Irish language is £1,156.
Irish Medium School
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Education to detail any proposal she has received for an Irish medium school in Dungannon and to outline (i) the number of pupils who have indicated they are willing to attend; (ii) the estimated cost of the proposal; and (iii) a timescale within which she intends to make a decision on this proposal.
(AQW 5581/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Southern Education and Library Board (SELB), at the request of the interim school Board of Governors, has published a Development Proposal (DP) for the establishment of a new Irish-medium primary school in Dungannon, to be known as Bunscoil Uí Chléirigh. The proposed opening date of the school is 1 September 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The publication of the DP initiates a statutory 2-month period during which comments including objections may be offered to my Department. The 2-month period in this case will end in mid‑June and I will make a decision on the proposal as soon as possible thereafter.
Níl eolas faighte ag an Roinn go fóill a léiríonn líon na ndaltaí atá toilteanach freastal ar an scoil, nó costais mheasta a bhaineann leis an togra, cé go ndéanfar breithniú orthu sin agus an togra á scrúdú.
The department has not yet got information on numbers of pupils indicating they are willing to attend the school, or estimated costs associated with the proposal, though these will be considered in the examination of the proposal.
School Crossing Patrol Officers
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of school crossing patrol officers employed by each of the Education and Library Boards.
(AQW 5592/08)
Ms C Ruane: Chuir na cúig Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann (na Boird) an t-eolas seo a leanas ar fáil maidir le líon na maor tráchta scoile (SCPOs) a bhí fostaithe ar 1 Eanáir gach bliain ó 2004.
The five Education and Library Boards (the Boards) have provided the following information on the number of school crossing patrol officers (SCPOs) employed at 1 January each year since 2004.
Number of School Crossing Patrol Officers employed by the Education and Library Boards at 1 January in the 5 years commencing 2004
Board |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belfast Board |
132 |
127 |
121 |
114 |
110 |
Western Board |
234 |
182 |
146 |
140 |
139 |
North Eastern Board |
152 |
152 |
150 |
149 |
148 |
South Eastern Board |
149 |
142 |
166 |
118 |
111 |
Southern Board |
220 |
213 |
208 |
155 |
152 |
TOTAL |
887 |
816 |
791 |
676 |
660 |
Irish Language
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the total number of departmental documents that have been fully or partially translated into the Irish language; and (ii) the total cost of these translations.
(AQW 5625/08)
Ms C Ruane: Go nuige seo aistríodh 575 cáipéis, go Gaeilge, cuid dóibh nó iad ar fad. Go dtí seo is é £12,594. an costas a bhaineann leis na haistriúcháin seo.
575 documents have been translated fully or partially into the Irish language. The cost incurred to date in translating these documents is £12,594. These figures are from 8 th May 2007 to 11 th April 2008 and include some documents that have been translated from Irish to English. . Mr Elliott will be pleased to know that my Department is currently in the process of employing an Irish language officer
Sex Education
Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each Education and Library Board, the publications (i) used; and (ii) recommended for use, in (a) sex education; and (b) education about family relationships, in primary schools.
(AQW 5631/08)
Ms C Ruane: My Department does not hold the details of publications used in primary schools in the teaching of Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, which includes Relationships and Sexuality Education. It is the responsibility of individual schools to determine which resources they will use to deliver the revised curriculum. The Department’s Circular 2001/15 provides general guidance on the provision of Relationships and Sexuality Education.
Chuir an Chomhairle Churaclaim, Scrúdúcháin agus Mheasúnaithe acmhainn – Ag Maireachtáil – Ag Foghlaim – Le Chéile – ar fáil chun tacú le Forbairt Phearsanta agus Comhthuiscint a theagasc.
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment has provided a resource – Living - Learning - Together – to support the teaching of Personal Development and Mutual Understanding.
Donaghadee High School
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Education in light of the likely recommendation for the closure of Donaghadee High School by 31 August 2009, will the Minister agree to a meeting with the Parents Action Group and me to discuss the proposal as agreed by her, before any final decision is made on the future of the school.
(AQW 5642/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirdheiscirt i mbun comhairliúcháin faoi láthair maidir le druidim féideartha na scoile sula bhfoilseofar moladh forbartha, rud a chuirfeadh tús le tréimhse chomhairliúcháin dhá mhí. Bheadh lúcháir orm bualadh leat agus le Grúpa Gníomhaíochta Tuismitheoirí leis an togra a phlé.
The South Eastern Education and Library Board is currently consulting on the potential closure of the school prior to publishing a development proposal which would initiate a two‑month consultation period. I would be happy to meet with you and Parents Action Group to discuss the proposal.
Ulster Scots Drama
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail the steps she is taking to promote and encourage Ulster Scots drama in schools.
(AQW 5665/08)
Ms C Ruane: The revised curriculum, which I am introducing, provides greater flexibility for schools to tailor their provision to meet the needs and interests of their pupils and the communities they serve .
Tá an drámaíocht ina cuid éigeantach den churaclam athbhreithnithe ón Bhonnchéim go dtí Eochairchéim 3 agus féadfaidh scoileanna, más mian leo, úsáid a bhaint as drámaíocht Albainis Uladh leis an chuid sin den churaclam a sheachadadh.
Drama is a compulsory part of the revised curriculum from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 3 and schools may, if they wish, provide for Ulster Scots drama in delivering this part of the curriculum.
Children Statemented
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of children who have been statemented for the first time, in each of the five Education and Library Boards in each of the last five years.
(AQW 5674/08)
Ms C Ruane: Chuir Príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne (BOLí) in iúl domh gur seo a leanas líon na bpáistí a ndearnadh ráiteas riachtanais oideachais speisialta ina leith, i ngach ceann de na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne i ngach bliain de na cúig bliana seo caite:-
I have been advised by the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) that the number of children who have been statemented for the first time, in each of the five Education and Library Boards in each of the last five years is as follows:-
|
BELB |
NEELB |
SEELB |
SELB* |
WELB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 224 | 330 | 698 | 476 | 248 |
| 2004 | 254 | 308 | 548 | 418 | 292 |
| 2005 | 287 | 378 | 442 | 353 | 304 |
| 2006 | 320 | 316 | 571 | 568 | 288 |
| 2007 | 389 | 311 | 384 | 532 | 330 |
- SELB data is recorded in financial years – numbers given refer to the financial years 2003/2004 – 2007/2008.
Vetting Systems
Mr McCartney asked the Minister of Education to detail her plans to work with her counterpart in the Republic of Ireland to regulate vetting systems for those working with children and young people throughout the island of Ireland.
(AQW 5691/08)
Ms C Ruane: Baineann Cosaint Páistí le gach duine agus tá an-tábhacht ag baint leis. D’fhreastail mé ar chruinniú de chuid na Comhairle Thuaidh Theas ar na mallaibh.
Child Protection is everyone’s business and collaboration and co operation are of vital importance. I recently attended a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council. The identification of measures to improve child protection, including an examination of an all-island approach, focusing on vetting and exchange of information were discussed. It was agreed that DHSSPS and the Office of the Minister for Children establish and co chair a cross border group to take this forward. My Department will continue to work closely with colleagues in DHSSPS on this and all other child protection matters.
South Eastern Education and Library Board
Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Education to confirm if it is necessary that all previous independent board members express their willingness to serve again on the South Eastern Education and Library Board.
(AQW 5724/08)
Ms C Ruane: On 8 April 2008 I had a very useful meeting with the Council nominees on the Board to discuss their readiness and willingness to take up their former responsibilities and to deliver those effectively.
I met with the Church representatives and General Interest members of the Board on 21 April, to advise them of the outcome of these discussions and to seek their views. Collectively, they are the majority of the membership and their participation will therefore be important if the Board is to be restored and discharge its role effectively.
I ndiaidh na díospóireachta seo beidh sé mar aidhm agam cinneadh deiridh a dhéanamh i dtaca le hathbhunú an Bhoird chomh luath agus is féidir.
Following these discussions it will be my aim to make a final decision on restoration of the Board as soon as possible.
South Eastern Education and Library Board
Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Education to provide a comparison of the current financial state of the South Eastern Education and Library Board with July 2006.
(AQW 5726/08)
Ms C Ruane: Since July 2006 the South Eastern Education and Library Board have continued to contain expenditure within budget whilst making repayments to both the Department and Schools in respect of outstanding deficits.
Táthar ag súil gur £13.6 mhilliún an luach a bheas ar an easnamh neamhíoctha, go dtí go bhfaighfear deimhniú i dtaca leis an staid dheiridh; caithfear fanacht go dtí go ndéanfar iniúchadh ar chuntas dheireadh na bliana 2007-08. Is laghdú £6.1 mhilliún é sin ar an staid airgeadais (easnamh) a tuairiscíodh ar 31 Márta 2006.
The value of the outstanding deficit as at March 2008 is expected to be £13.6 million, pending confirmation of final position following audit of the 2007-08 year end account. This is a reduction of £6.1 million on the reported financial position (deficit) at 31 March 2006.
Parkhall College
Mr Burns asked the Minister of Education to provide a timescale within which the proposed new school building for Parkhall College, Antrim, will be built.
(AQW 5734/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá an phleanáil le haghaidh an fhoirgnimh úire scoile do Choláiste Parkhall breá forbartha; táthar ag fanacht le costais deartha dheiridh ó Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlann an Oirthuaiscirt.
Planning of the new school building for Parkhall College is well advanced, with final design stage costs currently awaited from the North Eastern Education and Library Board. Subject to these being submitted to the Department in the near future and being satisfactory, it is estimated that construction work on the new building could start on site by the end of the year with an estimated two years to completion.
School Transport
Mr Burns asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the amount of money that is spent by her department transporting children to grammar schools outside their own locality; and (ii) the proportion of her department's transport budget that this represents.
(AQW 5735/08)
Ms C Ruane: The information requested is not available in the required format and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, in 2006/07 transport assistance was provided to 26,503 voluntary grammar school pupils at a cost of £15.8 million. (Separate figures are not available for controlled grammar schools.) This equates to 24% of the total school transport budget.
Déarfainn chomh maith nach gnách cuidiú a chur ar fáil ach sa chás nach bhfuil páiste in ann áit a fháil i scoil fhóirsteanach taobh istigh den fhad siúil reachtúil 3 mhíle ó theach na dtuismitheoirí nó sa chás nach bhfuil a leithéid de scoil taobh istigh den fhad sin.
I should add that assistance is normally only provided where a child is unable to obtain a place in a suitable school within the statutory walking distance of 3 miles of the parents’ home or where no such suitable school exists within that distance.
Recycling
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the percentage of waste materials that are currently recycled at (i) Rathgael House; (ii) each Education and Library Board's headquarters; (iii) the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education headquarters; (iv) the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools' headquarters; and (v) each Education and Library Board's Training and Resource Centres.
(AQW 5741/08)
Ms C Ruane:
Tá céatadán an fhuíollábhair mar pháipéar, chairtchlár, phlaisteach, ghloine agus stán, a athchúrsáltar sna heagraíochtaí seo, leagtha amach thíos:
The percentage of waste materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and tin, recycled in these organisations is set out below:
- Rathgael House: 100%
- Education and Library Board Headquarters
- Belfast Education and Library Board Headquarters: 4%
- South Eastern Education and Library Board Headquarters: 8%
- Southern Education and Library Board Headquarters: 65%
- Western Education and Library Board Headquarters: 40%
- North Eastern Education and Library Board Headquarters: 90-95%
- the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education
Headquarters: 95% - the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools’
Headquarters: 35% - Education and Library Board Training and Resource Centres:
- Belfast Education and Library Board: Ulidia - 0%
- South Eastern Education and Library Board: No Training and Resource Centre
- Southern Education and Library Board:
- Newry Teachers’ Centre – 40%
- Armagh Teachers’ Centre – 25%
- Dungannon Teachers’ Centre - 25%
- Western Education and Library Board:
- North West Teachers’ Centre – 75%
- South West Teachers’ Centre – 0%
- Omagh Teachers’ Centre - 80%
- North Eastern Education and Library Board: Antrim Board Centre – 75-85%
Renewable Energy Resources
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail the schools that currently use renewable energy resources to generate (i) electricity; and (ii) heat, broken down by Education and Library Board area.
(AQW 5743/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tugann na táblaí seo a leanas sonraí, de réir cheantar Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne, faoi na scoileanna a bhfuil a n-acmhainn féin fuinnimh in-athnuaite acu le (i) leictreachas; agus (ii) teas a ghiniúint:
The following tables detail, by Education and Library Board area, the schools that have their own renewable energy resource to generate (i) electricity; and (ii) heat:
Board Area : Belfast Education and Library Board Area
| SCHOOL NAME | ENERGY SOURCE | (i) ELECTRICITY | (ii) USEABLE HEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
Cavehill Primary School |
Photovoltaic and wind turbine |
Yes |
No |
In addition, 87% of schools in the Belfast Education and Library Board area are supplied with their mains electricity under an eco energy tariff (i.e. electricity from a renewable source).
Board Area : Western Education and Library Board Area
| SCHOOL NAME | ENERGY SOURCE | (i) ELECTRICITY | (ii) USEABLE HEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooley PS, Sixmilecross | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| St Colmcille’s PS, Claudy | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| St Patrick’s College, Dungiven | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Moat PS, Lisnaskea | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Castlederg HS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Florencecourt PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Newtownstewart Model PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| St Anthony’s PS, Limavady | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Broadbridge PS, Derry | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| St John’s Business & Enterprise College, Dromore, Co. Tyrone | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Knockavoe School & Resource Centre, Strabane | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| St Ronan’s PS , Lisnaskea | Biomass | No | Yes |
| St Comhghall’s HS, Lisnaskea | Biomass | No | Yes |
| St Eugene’s College, Roslea | Biomass | No | Yes |
| St Aidan’s HS, Derrylin | Biomass | No | Yes |
| Edwards PS, Castlederg | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Holy Trinity PS, Enniskillen | Wind | Yes | No |
| Enniskillen Integrated Primary School | Geothermal Heat Pump | No | Yes |
In addition, 89% of schools in the Western Education and Library Board area are supplied with their mains electricity under an eco energy tariff (i.e. electricity from a renewable source).
Board Area : North Eastern Education and Library Area
| SCHOOL NAME | ENERGY SOURCE | (i) ELECTRICITY |
(ii) USEABLE HEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broughshane PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Moneynick PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| New Row PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Damhead PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Gracehill PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Kells and Connor PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Mallusk PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Straidhavern PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Monkstown Community Sch | Solar Water Heating | No | Yes |
| Glengormley High School | Solar Water Heating | No | Yes |
| Dunseverick PS | Wind Turbine Generators | Yes | No |
| Glengormley High School | Wind Turbine Generators | Yes | No |
| Eden PS Carrickfergus | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Ampertaine PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| St Patrick's PS, Loughguile | Wind Turbine Generators | Yes | No |
| Carrickfergus Model PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| St Nicholas PS, Carrickfergus | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Larne Grammar School | Solar Panel | Yes | No |
In addition, 94% of schools in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area are supplied with their mains electricity under an eco energy tariff (i.e. electricity from a renewable source).
Board Area : South Eastern Education and Library Board Area
SCHOOL NAME |
ENERGY SOURCE |
(i) ELECTRICITY |
(ii) USEABLE HEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Columba’s College, Portaferry | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Donaghadee High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Glenlola Collegiate | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Movilla High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Regent House | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Dundonald High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| St Colman’s High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| St Malachy’s High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Saintfield High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Parkview Special School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Lisnagarvey High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| Down High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| De La Salle High School | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| St Colmcille’s | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
| St Patrick’s High School, Lisburn | Thermal Solar Panels | No | Yes |
SCHOOL NAME |
ENERGY SOURCE |
(i) ELECTRICITY |
(ii) USEABLE HEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Caolan’s Primary | Geothermal | No | Yes |
| Glenlola Collegiate | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
| St Malachy’s High School | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
| Saintfield High School | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
| St Colmcille’s High School | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
| Parkview Special School | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
| Moira Primary School | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
| St Mary’s Primary School, Kircubbin | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
| St Mary’s Primary School, Aughlisnafin | PV Panels for Electricity | Yes | No |
In addition, 93% of schools in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area are supplied with their mains electricity under an eco energy tariff (i.e. electricity from a renewable source).
Board Area : Southern Education and Library Board Area
SCHOOL NAME |
ENERGY SOURCE |
(i) ELECTRICITY |
(ii) USEABLE HEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edenderry PS (Banbridge) | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Banbridge HS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Craigavon PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Drumadonnell PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Annalong PS | Photovoltaic Solar water | Yes | Yes |
| Rathfriland HS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Richmond PS, Ballygawley | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Dungannon PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Killylea PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Churchill PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Ballytrea PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Blessed Patrick O'Loughlin | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Donacloney PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Our Lady's & St Mochuas, Derrynoose | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Birches PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Drumhillery PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Bleary PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Bronte PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Lissan PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Fair Hill PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Roan PS | Photovoltaic Ground Source HP | Yes No | No Yes |
| Derrylatinee PS | Photovoltaic Ground Source Heat Pump | Yes No | No Yes |
SCHOOL NAME |
ENERGY SOURCE |
(i) ELECTRICITY |
(ii) USEABLE HEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aughnacloy PS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Fivemiletown HS | Photovoltaic | Yes | No |
| Howard PS | Photovoltaic Wind turbine | Yes | No |
In addition, 89% of schools in the Southern Education and Library Board area are supplied with their mains electricity under an eco energy tariff (i.e. electricity from a renewable source).
Renewable Energy Resources
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the advice; and (ii) the financial support, available to schools that wish to use renewable energy resources.
(AQW 5744/08)
Ms C Ruane: Advice on renewable energy resources is provided to the education sector by the Education and Library Boards’ Energy and Environmental Officers. In addition, in November 2007, the department and the Boards undertook a series of energy awareness seminars for schools, which included advice on renewable energy, were held at venues throughout the North of Ireland. Advice is also provided through school awareness visits undertaken by Action Renewables which has the role of promotion and development of renewable energy.
Tá an Roinn ag maoiniú láithreán gréasáin (http://www.nisustainablelearning.info/) a chuireann comhairle ar fhuinneamh in-athnuaite ar fáil do scoileanna chomh maith.
The Department is funding a website (www.nisustainablelearning.info) which also provides schools with advice on renewable energy.
Financial support is considered on an individual basis dependent upon available resources. Schools have been able to apply for funding through a range of bodies and agencies, such as the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Central Energy Efficiency Fund, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Switched on Schools initiative, NIE, Low Carbon Building Design Programme Phase 1 and 2, and the Department of Education’s Major and Minor Works capital programme.
Vacancy Control Policy
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education for her assessment of the impact her department's vacancy control policy is having on service support and delivery to schools.
(AQW 5753/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Vacancy Control Policy is a requirement arising from the 2 nd Guiding Principle on Managing Vacancies Effectively, issued by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and accepted by the Executive on 17 January 2008. Its objective is to minimise the risk of redundancies arising from the RPA.
The operation of this policy is primarily for existing employers. It is monitored on an ongoing basis by existing employers and the ESA Implementation Team to ensure its operation does not have an adverse impact on service delivery.
Modhnaíodh an beartas i Meán Fómhair 2007 le dáta nua bunaithe ÚOS a léiriú agus le soiléiriú a dhéanamh ar na poist a chuimseofar sa bheartas. Tá poist scoilbhunaithe agus poist túslíne taobh amuigh dá shainchúram agus is féidir iad a líonadh ar an ghnáthdhóigh.
The policy was modified in September 2007 to reflect the new date for the establishment of ESA and to provide clarity on the posts included within the policy. School based and other front-line posts are outside its remit and can be filled as normal.
Welfare Officers
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of vacancies there are for education welfare officers in each Education and Library Board.
(AQW 5754/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is mar seo a leanas atá an cás a thuairiscigh na Boird:
The position reported by the Boards is as follows:
ELB area |
Vacancies* |
BELB |
2 |
WELB |
2 |
NEELB |
0 |
SELB |
0 |
SEELB |
9 |
* All grades
Educational Psychologists
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of vacancies there are for educational psychologists in each Education and Library Board.
(AQW 5755/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá sé curtha in iúl domh ag Príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne (BOLí) gur mar seo a leanas atá líon na gcoibhéiseanna folúntas lánaimseartha i rannán síceolaíochta oideachais gach BOL ar 31 Márta 2008:-
I have been advised by the Chief Executives of the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) that the number of full time equivalent vacancies in each ELB’s educational psychology section, as at 31 March 2008, is as follows:-
BELB - 2
NEELB - 5
SEELB - 3
SELB - 0
WELB - 4
Irish Books
Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education detail the books that are provided for (i) primary; and (ii) post-primary schools for teaching Irish.
(AQW 5757/08)
Ms C Ruane: My department does not hold details of the books provided for the teaching of Irish, as it is for schools to decide which books they use in delivering the curriculum and to provide for them.
Mar fhreagra ar riachtanas a aithníodh, leithdháil mo Roinn £67,000 ar Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt, ar son gach Boird, le hacmhainn fhóirsteanach a fhorbairt a thacódh le teagasc na Gaeilge ag Eochairchéim 3. Cuirfear seo ar fáil do scoileanna amach anseo sa bhliain.
In response to an identified need, my Department has allocated £67,000 to the Southern Education and Library Board, on behalf of all Boards, for the development of a suitable resource to support the teaching of Irish at Key Stage 3. This will be provided to schools later this year.
Educational Welfare Officers
Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each Education and Library Board, the number of (i) educational welfare officers currently employed; and (ii) current vacancies for this position.
(AQW 5759/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is mar seo a leanas atá an cás a thuairiscigh na Boird:
The position reported by the Boards is as follows:
| ELB area | Education and Welfare Officer staff in post* | Vacancies |
| BELB | 33 | 2 |
| WELB | 34 | 2 |
| SELB | 36 | 0 |
| NEELB | 35 | 0 |
| SEELB | 15 | 9 |
* All grades
Teaching Posts
Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each Education and Library Board, the number of vacant teaching posts there are for (i) primary; and (ii) post-primary schools.
(AQW 5760/08)
Ms C Ruane: The recruitment of teachers is the responsibility of teachers’ employers and, under LMS funding arrangements it is a matter for Boards of Governors of individual schools to decide on the level of staffing in the school.
The Education and Library Boards have provided the following information in relation to current teaching vacancies in controlled schools in their respective area:
BOARD |
PRIMARY |
POST-PRIMARY |
BELB |
6 permanent, 3 temporary |
3 permanent, 1 temporary |
WELB |
3 permanent, 2 temporary |
8 permanent, 1 temporary |
SELB |
4 permanent, 4 temporary |
11 permanent, 7 temporary |
NEELB |
6 permanent, 2 temporary |
12 permanent, 7 temporary |
SEELB |
9 permanent, 6 temporary |
19 permanent, 5 temporary |
TOTAL |
42 permanent, 6 temporary |
68 permanent, 5 temporary |
Ní choinníonn na Boird eolas ar fholúntais in earnálacha na scoileanna Caitiliceacha faoi Chothabháil, na scoileanna Deonacha Gramadaí agus na scoileanna Imeasctha faoi
Chothabháil Stáit.
The Boards do not hold information on vacancies in the Catholic maintained, Voluntary Grammar and Grant Maintained Integrated school sectors.
Northgate
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the value of the 5 year contract signed in November 2007 between C2KNI and Northgate; (ii) the services provided by Northgate; and (iii) the breakdown in value of those services provided, under the terms of the contract.
(AQW 5770/08)
Ms C Ruane: No contract was awarded in November 2007. The Chief Executive of the Western Education and Library Board has informed me that a contract worth £31million was signed with Northgate Information Solutions in November 2006. That contract, known as Lot 6, provides for a refresh of primary schools’ Classroom 2000 equipment, including a fully managed service for the 5 year term of the contract.
An option within the contract to provide additional laptops to schools was taken up in May 2007 when I announced that over 20,000 laptops would be distributed to all schools in the current school year.
Cuimsítear 5,000 ríomhaire glúine breise a soláthraíodh do bhunscoileanna i bhfómhar na bliana 2007 le measúnú ríomhchuidithe a éascú, sa rogha seo, ar fiú £18 milliún san iomlán í.
A further 5,000 laptops supplied to primary schools in autumn 2007 to facilitate computer-based assessment also fall within this option, the total value of which is £18million.
ICT Management Services
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the terms of the tendering process under which Northgate successfully bid for the contract to supply ICT management services to C2KNI.
(AQW 5771/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is ar Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Iarthuaiscirt (BOLIT) atá freagracht as na conarthaí do sheirbhís bhainistithe TEC do scoileanna. Chuir Príomhfheidhmeannach BOLIT in iúl domh gur stiúradh próiseas tairisceana an chonartha le seirbhísí TEC a sholáthar do bhunscoileanna, inar éirigh le Northgate Information Systems, de réir Rialachán Soláthair Phoiblí an AE.
The contracts for the ICT managed service to schools are the responsibility of the Western Education and Library Board (WELB). The Chief Executive of the WELB has informed me that the tendering process for the contract to supply ICT services
to primary schools, for which Northgate Information Systems was the successful bidder, was conducted according to EU Public Procurement Regulations.
The contract was awarded in November 2006. I have deposited a detailed history of the procurement process for this contract in the Assembly Library.
Glastry School
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail the timescale for departmental approval to commence work on the new build for Glastry school.
(AQW 5802/08)
Ms C Ruane: Planning of the proposed new school for Glastry College is at the stage of an initial sketch plan which was submitted to the department by the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) in March 2008.
Dheimhnigh an Bord gur dócha go mbeidh earrach na bliana 2009 ann sula gcríochnófar na céimeanna sonraithe pleanála atá fágtha agus na ceaduithe riachtanacha reachtúla faighte le go féidir tús a chur leis an tógáil ar an láithréan sin.
The Board has confirmed that it is likely to be spring 2009 before all the remaining detailed planning stages have been completed and the necessary statutory approvals are in place to allow construction work to start on site.
Movilla High School
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education to detail the timescale for the appointment of the new principal for Movilla High School.
(AQW 5803/08)
Ms C Ruane: The recruitment of a Principal to Movilla High School is a matter for the employing authority which in case is the South Eastern and Education Library Board (SEELB). The board have indicated that two recruitment campaigns were held during the 2007/08 academic year without a successful candidate being appointed.
The Board of Governors in conjunction with the SEELB has recently offered the position, on a fixed term basis for two years, to a currently serving Principal who will take up post at the beginning of the 2008/09 academic year. The school in which this Principal is currently employed will close on 31 August 2008.
Táthar ag súil go gcuirfidh Bord na nGobharnóirí tús le próiseas earcaíochta do Phríomhoide buan go luath sa bhliain 2010 ionas go gceapfar Príomhoide nua do thús na bliana acadúla 2010/11.
It is anticipated that the Board of Governors will commence a recruitment process for a permanent Principal in early 2010 in order that a new Principal is appointed for the beginning of the 2010/11 academic year.
Parkhall College
Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Education to provide (i) an update on the provision of a new school building for Parkhall College; and (ii) a timescale within which the project will be completed.
(AQW 5823/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá pleanáil an fhoirgnimh nua scoile do Choláiste Parkhall ar aghaidh go maith, agus faoi láthair tathar ag fanacht le costais athmheasta Chéim D (céim dheiridh an deartha) ó Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirthuaiscirt.
Planning of the new school building for Parkhall College is well advanced, with final design stage costs currently awaited from the North Eastern Education and Library Board. Subject to these being submitted to the Department shortly in the near future and being satisfactory, it is estimated that construction work on the new building could start on site by the end of the year with an estimated two years to completion.
Integrated Status
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail, by parliamentary constituency, the schools which have current applications for integrated status.
(AQW 5860/08)
Ms C Ruane: Faoi láthair tá ceithre Moltaí Forbartha ann maidir le moltaí le hathrú go stádas rialaithe imeasctha. Is iad na scoileanna:
There are currently four Development Proposals in respect of proposals for transformation to controlled integrated status. The schools are:
Suffolk Primary School which is in the Belfast West constituency,
Donaghadee High School , which is in the Strangford constituency,
Ballymoney Model Primary School, which is in the North Antrim constituency and Staidhavern Primary School in the South Antrim constituency.
Transferors Representative Council
Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of meetings she has held with the Transferors Representative Council.
(AQW 5861/08)
Ms C Ruane: Bhuail mé le Comhairle Ionadaithe na nAistreoirí dhá uair– ar an 14 Bealtaine 2007 agus ar an 17 Nollaig 2007.
To date, I have met with the Transferors Representative Council on two occasions – 14 May 2007 and 17 December 2007.
Rural Proofing
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Education to detail her plans to ensure that all departmental policies are rural-proofed.
(AQW 5869/08)
Ms C Ruane: A key factor in all of the Department's work, including policy development, is to ensure equality of access to educational provision and services, and that includes addressing the needs of those in rural areas. This will be a significant feature, for example, in the arrangements for area-based planning that are currently being developed.
Ta sé fosta ar thiománaithe na gcomharpháirtíochtaí atá mar bhun agus thaca ag soláthar an Chreat Teidlíochta, a bhfuil sé mar aidhm aige réimse i bhfad níos leithne roghanna curaclaim a bhaint amach do dhaltaí ná bheadh ar fáil ar ghnáthmhodhanna.
It is also one of the drivers for the collaborative partnerships underpinning the delivery of the Entitlement Framework, which aims to secure a much wider range of curricular options for pupils than would be available by conventional means.
Employer Liability Cover
Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Education to confirm (i) if all transport providers to Education and Library Boards retain Employer Liability Cover; and (ii) if such liability is specified within the terms and conditions of the tendering process.
(AQW 5884/08)
Ms C Ruane: All Education and Library Boards have confirmed that it is a legal requirement for Private Operators to retain Employer Liability Insurance. With the exception of the Belfast Board, all other Boards specify the requirement to hold Employer Liability Insurance in the terms and conditions of all of their contracts.
Cé go n-éilíonn Bord Bhéal Feirste an tÁrachas seo, ní liostaítear go sainiúil é i dtéarmaí agus i gcoinníollacha a chonarthaí.
While this Insurance is required by the Belfast Board it is not specifically listed in the terms and conditions of its contracts. Instead, the Board includes a clause that states that ‘Contractors shall comply with all statutory and other provisions to be observed and performed in connection with the Service and shall indemnify the Board against all actions, claims demands, proceedings, damages, costs, charges and expenses whatsoever in respect of any breach by the Contractor of this Condition’.
School Transport
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education to detail the reasons why the contract for home to school transport for Ceara Special School, Lurgan, awarded to Eurocoach (NI) Ltd until June 2008, was terminated.
(AQW 5889/08)
Ms C Ruane: Ó chuir Comhalta Fhear Manach agus Thír Eoghain Theas dhá cheist faoi sholáthar iompair do Scoil Speisialta an Cheara, tabharfaidh mé freagra orthu in éineacht.
As the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone has asked two questions in relation to transport provision for Ceara Special School I shall reply to these together.
The Southern Education and Library Board has advised that it currently operates two distinct and different types of home to school transport contracts. Where services are predicted to remain static, fixed term contracts are put in place for periods of up to 3 years. In other situations the Board needs to have flexible contracting arrangements in order to respond to changing demands for home to school transport. This is particularly relevant to the provision of transport to children with Special Educational Needs. The second form of contract permits the Board to terminate any contract by giving one week’s notice only.
The run referred to was awarded to Eurocoach under these more flexible conditions. Due to changing operational circumstance the Board identified spare capacity within its own fleet which could be utilised to operate at Ceara Special School. The operator was originally given 4 weeks notice to terminate the contract. Further to discussions with the operator the Board granted another 4 weeks notice to allow the operator time to identify alternative work.
The Board has also advised that the comparative costings are not available as the service is being operated from within its existing compliment of vehicles and drivers. As a result of the reorganisation of services, the Board has not incurred any additional expenditure and fully expects to realise efficiencies in the region of £24,000 per annum.
School Transport
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education to provide comparative costings including (i) capital; (ii) depreciation; and (iii) revenue, to run and operate the new service, put in place for Ceara Special School, Lurgan, which replaced the home to school transport service held by Eurocoach (NI) Ltd.
(AQW 5890/08)
Ms C Ruane: Ó chuir Comhalta Fhear Manach agus Thír Eoghain Theas dhá cheist faoi sholáthar iompair do Scoil Speisialta an Cheara, tabharfaidh mé freagra orthu in éineacht.
As the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone has asked two questions in relation to transport provision for Ceara Special School I shall reply to these together.
The Southern Education and Library Board has advised that it currently operates two distinct and different types of home to school transport contracts. Where services are predicted to remain static, fixed term contracts are put in place for periods of up to 3 years. In other situations the Board needs to have flexible contracting arrangements in order to respond to changing demands for home to school transport. This is particularly relevant to the provision of transport to children with Special Educational Needs. The second form of contract permits the Board to terminate any contract by giving one week’s notice only.
The run referred to was awarded to Eurocoach under these more flexible conditions. Due to changing operational circumstance the Board identified spare capacity within its own fleet which could be utilised to operate at Ceara Special School. The operator was originally given 4 weeks notice to terminate the contract. Further to discussions with the operator the Board granted another 4 weeks notice to allow the operator time to identify alternative work.
The Board has also advised that the comparative costings are not available as the service is being operated from within its existing compliment of vehicles and drivers. As a result of the reorganisation of services, the Board has not incurred any additional expenditure and fully expects to realise efficiencies in the region of £24,000 per annum.
Nursery Provision
Mr Ford asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each of the last 10 years, the capital funding made available for nursery provision from EU Programme funds for (i) the controlled sector; (ii) the maintained sector; and (iii) the integrated sector.
(AQW 5906/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá an maoiniú caipitil a cuireadh ar fáil do sholáthar na naíscolaíochta ó chistí Chláir AE do (i) an earnáil rialaithe; (ii) an earnáil faoi chothabháil; agus (iii) an earnáil imeasctha do gach ceann de na deich mbliana dheireanacha leagtha amach sa tábla thíos.
Capital funding made available for nursery provision from EU Programme funds for (i) the controlled sector; (ii) the maintained sector; and (iii) the integrated sector for each of the last 10 years is set out in the table below.
|
Controlled |
Maintained |
Integrated |
1998 |
£336,410.00 |
£1,007,921.26 |
£0.00 |
1999 |
£261,741.06 |
£1,048,979.17 |
£0.00 |
2000 |
£706,489.25 |
£881,544.84 |
£36,765.86 |
2001 |
£2,094,728.68 |
£1,347,505.14 |
£60,727.62 |
2002 |
£1,251,089.15 |
£1,036,024.71 |
£111,788.89 |
2003 |
£630,011.14 |
£374,395.87 |
£3,127.50 |
2004 |
£12,001.82 |
£379,948.58 |
£0.00 |
2005 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
2006 |
£0.00 |
£2,999.74 |
£0.00 |
2007 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
Education Village
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) any information pertaining to the financing of the proposed education village on the military site of St Lucia in Omagh; and (ii) the financial requirements that will be placed upon the schools wishing to partake in the venture from (a) the controlled sector; and (b) the maintained sector, should it become a viable option.
(AQW 5929/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is é suíomh Lios an Eala, chan N. Lucia, an láthair atá molta don tsráidbhaile oideachais. Bhí an ChéadAire agus an Leas-ChéadAire ag iarraidh ar Rialtas na Breataine an suíomh a dheonú agus táthar go fóill ag fanacht le freagra.
The proposed location for the educational village is the Lisanelly site not St Lucia. The First Minister and deputy First Minister have been pursuing the gifting of the site from the British Government and a response is still awaited.
This is a very important project and deserves Executive support. A business case will be prepared to examine the options for the development of Lisanelly and the nearby St Lucia which will include the anticipated costs and benefits of an educational campus.
As with any school building project involving a site relocation, and where funding is provided to cover site and building costs, the relevant school authorities would be expected to dispose of their existing sites once the schools had relocated. The receipts realised should offset some of costs of the project. The subsequent development of the sites would also support wider regeneration in Omagh.
Education Village
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Education to confirm if the schools that have shown an interest in the proposed education village in Omagh will be required to sell their current sites and provide this finance for the development of the village.
(AQW 5945/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is é suíomh Lios an Eala, chan N. Lucia, an láthair atá molta don tsráidbhaile oideachais. Bhí an ChéadAire agus an Leas-ChéadAire ag iarraidh ar Rialtas na Breataine an suíomh a dheonú agus táthar go fóill ag fanacht le freagra.
The proposed location for the educational village is the Lisanelly site not St Lucia. The First Minister and deputy First Minister have been pursuing the gifting of the site from the British Government and a response is still awaited.
This is a very important project and deserves Executive support. A business case will be prepared to examine the options for the development of Lisanelly and the nearby St Lucia which will include the anticipated costs and benefits of an educational campus.
As with any school building project involving a site relocation, and where funding is provided to cover site and building costs, the relevant school authorities would be expected to dispose of their existing sites once the schools had relocated. The receipts realised should offset some of costs of the project. The subsequent development of the sites would also support wider regeneration in Omagh.
Education Village
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Education to detail what will happen to finance generated by the sale of the school sites in Omagh, owned by the controlled and maintained sectors, should the schools move to the one site at the proposed education village on the former military site at St Lucia Barracks.
(AQW 5946/08)
Ms C Ruane: Is é suíomh Lios an Eala, chan N. Lucia, an láthair atá molta don tsráidbhaile oideachais. Bhí an ChéadAire agus an Leas-ChéadAire ag iarraidh ar Rialtas na Breataine an suíomh a dheonú agus táthar go fóill ag fanacht le freagra.
The proposed location for the educational village is the Lisanelly site not St Lucia. The First Minister and deputy First Minister have been pursuing the gifting of the site from the British Government and a response is still awaited.
This is a very important project and deserves Executive support. A business case will be prepared to examine the options for the development of Lisanelly and the nearby St Lucia which will include the anticipated costs and benefits of an educational campus.
As with any school building project involving a site relocation, and where funding is provided to cover site and building costs, the relevant school authorities would be expected to dispose of their existing sites once the schools had relocated. The receipts realised should offset some of costs of the project. The subsequent development of the sites would also support wider regeneration in Omagh.
Youth Workers
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of youth workers based in North Belfast who are funded by her department; and (ii) the organisations in which these youth workers are based.
(AQW 5964/08)
Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education currently provides funding to the Belfast and North Eastern Education and Library Boards and the Bytes Project which employ youth workers in the North Belfast constituency.
Chuir Príomhfheidhmeannach Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne Bhéal Feirste agus Stiúrthóir na mBeart an t-eolas seo a leanas ar fáil faoi líon na n-oibrithe don aos óg atá ag obair sa cheantar agus na heagraíochtaí ina bhfuil siad bunaithe: {NEEDS AMEN DED]
The Chief Executives of the Belfast and North 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 posts | Part – time youth workers posts | Youth Workers Posts Funded by | |
| Newlodge Bytes | 2 | 1 | Bytes Project |
| North Belfast Area Project | 8 | 0 | BELB |
| Fortwilliam Youth Club | 1 | 7 | BELB |
| Mountcollyer Youth Club | 0 | 1 | BELB |
| NewLodge Youth Club | 1 | 3 | BELB |
| Ardoyne Youth Club | 1 | 6 | BELB |
| Holy Family Youth Centre | 1 | 6 | BELB |
| JohnPaul II Youth Club | 1 | 5 | BELB |
| CairnLodge Youth Club | 0 | 4 | BELB |
| Mountainhill Youth Club | 0 | 6 | BELB |
| Deanby Youth Club | 0 | 5 | BELB |
| Woodvale Youth Club | 0 | 2 | BELB |
| Newtownabbey Phab | 0 | 3 | NEELB |
| Rathcoole Youth Centre | 1 | 8 | NEELB |
| Millgreen Youth Centre | 1 | 7 | NEELB |
South Eastern Education and Library Board
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education to give a timescale within which she intends to reconstitute the South Eastern Education and Library Board.
(AQW 5993/08)
Ms C Ruane: In the interests of local accountability, it would be appropriate that the members of the SEELB Board should resume their former responsibilities. However, it is essential to ensure that there would be no return to the difficulties which the Commissioners inherited when they were appointed in July 2006 and that the stability which has since been achieved is sustained.
On 8 April 2008 I had a very useful meeting with the Council nominees on the Board to discuss their readiness and willingness to take up their formal responsibilities and to deliver those effectively. I subsequently held a meeting with the other members of the South Eastern Education and Library Board on 21 April 2008, to advise them of the outcome of the 8 April discussions and to seek their views.
I ndiaidh an phlé dhearfaigh ag an dá chruinniú seo, ba mhaith liom anois na ceisteanna éagsúla a thóg comhaltaí boird a bhreithniú go cúramach leis an bealach chun tosaigh a chinneadh. Is é an cuspóir a bheith in ann cinneadh deiridh a dhéanamh a luaithe is féidir; roimh an tsamhradh, de rogha.
Following the constructive discussions at both these meetings, I now want to give careful consideration to the various issues raised by board members in determining the way forward. The objective is to be able to reach a final decision as soon as possible; preferably before the summer.
Children Statemented
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education to detail any change in the statementing process for children in the last three years.
(AQW 5994/08)
Ms C Ruane: The introduction of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order in September 2005 brought about significant changes to the statementing process for children.
The new provisions, which affect the statementing process, are to:
- strengthen the rights of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) to be educated in ordinary schools where parents want this and the interests of other children can be protected;
- specify the circumstances whereby a child, without a Statement of SEN, can be placed in, and remain in, a special school;
- require Boards to provide a means of resolving disputes with parents and schools/Boards;
- require Boards to comply, within prescribed periods as laid down in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005, with orders of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. The Regulations also make other technical changes in support of the Tribunal appeals process and the statementing process;
- allow parents to appeal to the Tribunal where another body has requested a statutory assessment.
To further strengthen the statementing process the Department issued, in September 2005, the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005. These imposed upon Education and Library Boards time limits, subject to exceptions, for the making of statutory assessments and statements.
Bhí treoir shonraithe do Bhoird, do scoileanna agus do thuismitheoirí maidir leis na forálacha úra seo mar pháirt den Fhorlíonadh den Chód Cleachtais chun Riachtanais Speisialta Oideachais a Aithint agus a Mheas, cáipéis a eisíodh i Meán Fómhair 2005 fosta. Tá cóip de sin i Leabharlann an Tionóil.
Detailed guidance, for Boards, schools and parents, to these new provisions was contained in the Supplement to the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs, also issued in September 2005. A copy of this is in the Assembly Library.
Staff Absent
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of staff in her department that were absent due to stress for more than (i) 5 days; (ii) 10 days; (iii) 15 days; (iv) 20 days; (v) 25 days; (vi) 30 days; (vii) 35 days; and (viii) 40 days, broken down by grade.
(AQW 6011/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.
The information requested is detailed in the attached table.
|
WORKING DAYS |
||||||||
| More than 5 | More than 10 | More than 15 | More than 20 | More than 25 | More than 30 | More than 35 | More than 40 | ||
2003 2004 |
|||||||||
Grade |
AA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AO | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| EO2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
| EO1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| SO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| GR 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2004 2005 |
|||||||||
Grade |
AA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AO | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| EO2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| EO1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| SO | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DP | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| GR 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| GR 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2005 2006 |
|||||||||
Grade |
AA | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| EO2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| EO1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| SO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| GR 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2006 2007 |
|||||||||
Grade |
AA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AO | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| EO2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| EO1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| SO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| DP | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2007 2008 |
|||||||||
Grade |
AA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| AO | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| EO2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| EO1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| SO | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| DP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| GR 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GR 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Staff Disciplinary Procedures
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of staff in her department who, since 8 May 2007, have (i) received official warnings; and (ii) faced disciplinary procedures.
(AQW 6042/08)
Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.
The information requested is detailed in the attached table.
| Number of Official Warnings issued | Number of staff who faced disciplinary procedures | ||
| Sickness Absence Warnings | Other Warnings |
Total: 2 |
|
| Written | Final Written | 1 | |
| 15 | 1 | ||
| Total: 16 | Total: 1 | ||
| Total all Warnings: 17 | |||
Sure Start Programme
Mr Burns asked the Minister of Education to detail the catchment area for the Newtownabbey Sure Start programme.
(AQW 6069/08)
Ms C Ruane: Cumhdaíonn suíomhanna Sure Start Bhaile Nua na Mainistreach na scoilcheantar seo a leanas anois:
Newtownabbey Sure Start sites now cover the following catchment areas;
Abbots Cross Site; covering Rathcoole Whitehouse and Dunanney.
St James’ Site; covering Cloghfern, Abbeyville and Glenville.
Mill Green / CLASP Sites; covering Bawnmore, Longlands and Valley.
Monkstown Site; covering the Monkstown Ward.
Revised Curriculum
Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Education to detail the action she will take against any school attempting to divert feeder primary schools from teaching the revised curriculum.
(AQW 6075/08)
Ms C Ruane: I am working to build an education system that gives all children a fair chance of achieving their full potential, and the revised curriculum is a key part of this.
All schools have a statutory duty to deliver the revised curriculum and must discharge this responsibility, irrespective of any other provision which they make. Where a school does not discharge its statutory duty, there are provisions within Education legislation to ensure that it does so.
Bheadh súil agam nach bhféachfadh aon scoil le bunscoileanna a chlaonadh ó theagasc an churaclaim athbhreithnithe agus chuirfinn go mór in aghaidh a leithéid de ghníomhaíocht. Ní cheadóidh mo Roinn aon chur isteach ar sholáthar an churaclaim athbhreithnithe i mbunscoileanna.
I would hope that no school would attempt to divert primary schools from teaching the revised curriculum and would strongly discourage such action. My Department will not allow any interference with the delivery of the revised curriculum in primary schools.
Employment and Learning
Undergraduate Drop-Out Cost
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the estimated cost to universities of undergraduates who failed to complete their courses, in each of the last five years.
(AQW 5466/08)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): Northern Ireland universities receive government funding mainly through block grant allocations from the Department for Employment and Learning. They also obtain income from student fees and external sources. Block grant allocations are in the main linked to target outcomes in terms of student numbers which are measured annually in December.
The universities do not collate information on the costs of students who withdraw from their courses early. Each case is unique and so there are clear difficulties in producing consistent and reliable data. In addition, even where a student withdraws, the institution will already have incurred costs during recruitment and throughout the student’s period of attendance at the university. The following table shows the outcome if an average rate of institutional block grant funding is applied to the number of full – time first degree entrants who are no longer in higher education the following year. Clearly however this approach takes no account of
the length of time a student has been in attendance at an institution and so these figures should be treated as very much an upper limit of the cost to the universities.
| Academic Year | Number of full – time first degree entrants no longer in Higher Education | Number multiplied by average block grant per Full Time Equivalent |
| 2006/07 | Data not yet available | - |
| 2005/06 | Data not yet available | - |
| 2004/05 | 955 | 4,138,970 |
| 2003/04 | 1,020 | 3,930,060 |
| 2002/03 | 850 | 3,080,400 |
| 2001/02 | 740 | 2,652,900 |
| 2000/01 | 585 | 1,982,565 |
Source: HE Performance Indicators HESA and HEFCE
Careers Advice Service
Mrs O'Neill asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the progress being made by the department towards putting in place a careers advice service to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
(AQW 5955/08)
Sir Reg Empey: Through the Careers Service, my Department currently provides an all-age careers information, advice and guidance service throughout Northern Ireland. This is delivered by professionally qualified Careers Advisers including a number who are specially trained to support people with disabilities. A joint Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Strategy is currently being finalised with the Department of Education. The strategy aims to develop effective career decision makers leading to increased participation in education, training and employment and has a priority focus on clients who are at risk of social exclusion, including those with a disability. The final strategy and implementation plan are due to issue in early summer 2008.
Skills Base
Mr Ross asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail how Northern Ireland's skill base compares with other regions of the United Kingdom.
(AQW 5988/08)
Sir Reg Empey: Using level of qualification as a proxy measure for skills it is possible to make comparisons between Northern Ireland and the other regions of the United Kingdom.
The following table sets out the population of working age by highest qualification attained for each UK region.
Population of Working age 1 by highest equivalent NVQ qualification attained and UK region, October – December 2007
Region |
No Qualifications |
NVQ Level 1 |
NVQ Level 2 |
NVQ Level 3 |
NVQ Level 4+ |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North East |
13% |
17% |
24% |
23% |
23% |
100% |
North West |
13% |
17% |
23% |
20% |
27% |
100% |
Yorkshire & Humber |
13% |
19% |
23% |
20% |
25% |
100% |
East Midlands |
13% |
21% |
23% |
20% |
24% |
100% |
West Midlands |
15% |
18% |
22% |
18% |
26% |
100% |
Eastern |
11% |
20% |
23% |
19% |
27% |
100% |
London |
12% |
17% |
18% |
15% |
37% |
100% |
South East |
9% |
18% |
22% |
20% |
31% |
100% |
South West |
8% |
18% |
22% |
23% |
29% |
100% |
Wales |
15% |
16% |
24% |
20% |
26% |
100% |
Scotland |
12% |
13% |
20% |
20% |
34% |
100% |
Northern Ireland |
21% |
11% |
23% |
19% |
26% |
100% |
UK |
12% |
18% |
22% |
19% |
29% |
100% |
1 Working age refers to ages 16 to 59 for females and 16-64 for males
Source: Labour Force Survey, October – December 2007
Staff Absent
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of staff in his department that were absent due to stress for more than (i) 5 days; (ii) 10 days; (iii) 15 days; (iv) 20 days; (v) 25 days; (vi) 30 days; (vii) 35 days; and (viii) 40 days, broken down by grade.
(AQW 6013/08)
Sir Reg Empey: A total of 123 DEL employees reported that their sickness absence was due to stress during the 5 years commencing April 03.
Please see the table attached which provides a yearly breakdown by duration of absence and grade.
SIR REG EMPEY MLA
Minister for Employment and Learning
|
|
PERIOD OF ABSENCE ( in days) |
|
|
|||||||
| Year | Grade | 5-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25 | 26-30 | 31-35 | 36-40 | 41+ | Total number of staff | |
| 03/04 | Cas AA | 0 | |||||||||
| AA | 0 | ||||||||||
| AO | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | ||||||
| EO2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||
| EO1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||
| SO | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| DP | 0 | ||||||||||
| G7+ | 0 | ||||||||||
| 04/05 | Cas AA | 0 | |||||||||
| AA | 0 | ||||||||||
| AO | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||
| EO2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | ||||||
| EO1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| SO | 0 | ||||||||||
| DP | 0 | ||||||||||
| G7+ | 0 | ||||||||||
| 05/06 | Cas AA | 0 | |||||||||
| 05/06 | Cas AA | 0 | |||||||||
| AA | 0 | ||||||||||
| AO | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||
| EO2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | ||||||
| EO1 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| SO | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| DP | 0 | ||||||||||
| G7+ | 0 | ||||||||||
| 06/07 | Cas AA | 0 | |||||||||
| AA | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| AO | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 14 | ||||||
| EO2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 14 | |||||
| EO1 | 0 | ||||||||||
| SO | 0 | ||||||||||
| DP | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||
| G7+ | 0 | ||||||||||
| 07/08 | Cas AA | 0 | |||||||||
| AA | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||
| AO | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 18 | |||||
| EO2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 12 | |||||
| EO1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||
| SO | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | |||||||
| DP | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| G7+ | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Total | 123 |
PhD Projects
Mr McClarty asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the PhD projects he intends to fund in universities from 2008 to 2009.
(AQW 6081/08)
Sir Reg Empey:
Each year my Department makes available funding to the Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster for research and for certain approved courses of study leading to higher degrees (Masters and PhDs). Under existing arrangements the Department funds a total of 495 PhD places (165 new entrants per annum).
As stated in the Programme for Government, the Department is also committed to increasing the number of PhD research places it funds by 300 (to 795) by 2010. The additional places must be targeted at areas of economic relevance.
For Academic Year 2008-09, these additional 100 places will be allocated to research that addresses issues of economic relevance in any of the following economic and skills priority areas: Agri-food, life and health sciences (including behavioural), advanced materials, engineering, information and communication technologies, electronics, software engineering, construction, creative media and financial services. The focus of the additional places, for future academic years, will be subject to the outcome of the current review of Postgraduate Policy and Funding due to report by end July 2008.
Further Education Colleges
Mr Newton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) the financial cost of merging the Further Education colleges into six bodies; and (ii) the financial savings that have been achieved through these mergers.
(AQW 6124/08)
Sir Reg Empey:
The position remains largely as stated in my response to the honourable member’s Assembly Question (Written) 79/08. While the six colleges merged formally on 1 August 2007, the restructuring process has only been completed at senior management levels. The wider re-organisation of the colleges is still being implemented during the course of the current academic year. A business case, which would enable colleges to make some 240 staff redundant using the Teachers’ Premature Retirement Scheme, is currently under consideration. While these redundancies would have an initial cost, they would also deliver significant future efficiency savings. Therefore, a complete analysis of the financial cost and savings is not yet available.
It is still anticipated that costs associated with the college mergers will be offset by efficiency savings in subsequent years.
Stranmillis University College
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the number of meetings he has held with representatives from Stranmillis University College in the last 6 months.
(AQW 6316/08)
Sir Reg Empey: I have held no meetings with representatives from Stranmillis University College in the past six months to discuss Departmental related business. I met with senior college management during a visit to the college on 27 September 2007.
Proposed Merger
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail, for the last 6 months, the meetings his department has had with representatives from (i) Queen's University, Belfast; and (ii) Stranmillis University College, in relation to a possible merger between the 2 institutions.
(AQW 6319/08)
Sir Reg Empey: As you would expect my Department has regular discussions with both Queen’s University Belfast and Stranmillis University College about a range of issues. One meeting was held between senior officials of the Department and Queen’s University Belfast about potential options for the College and one meeting between senior officials of the Department and Stranmillis University College about potential options for the College.
Proposed Merger
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail all the meetings he has attended in the last 6 months in relation to the proposed merger of Queen's University, Belfast and Stranmillis University College.
(AQW 6320/08)
Sir Reg Empey:
I have attended no meetings in the last six months in relation to the proposed merger of Queen’s University Belfast and Stranmillis University College.
Proposed Merger
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail when he was made aware that a meeting was scheduled to take place on Thursday 17 April 2008, at which a proposed merger between Queen's University, Belfast and Stranmillis University College was to be discussed.
(AQW 6321/08)
Sir Reg Empey: I was made aware at the beginning of April 2008 that a meeting of the Governing Body of Stranmillis College was to be held on 17April at which a number of options for the future direction of the College were to be discussed.
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment and Renewable Energy Fund
Mr B Wilson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the amount of funding that was available through the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund; (ii) the expenditure to date, explaining the full allocation of funds to all projects; and (iii) the cut off date for the fund.
(AQW 5533/08)
- The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): The Environment and Renewable Energy Fund (EREF), a direct rule initiative, had available a budget of £59.2 million.
- The expenditure to date is £35.055 million, with 2007/08 payments still being accrued. A breakdown of allocation to all projects is detailed in the attached table.
- The cut off date for the ring-fenced fund was 31 March 2008.
Electricity Generators
Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (i) the public consultation that was carried out in establishing the bidding code of practice for electricity generators, seeking to supply electricity to the new single electricity market; and (ii) the public consultation that would be required should the Utility Regulator wish to alter the bidding code that has been agreed.
(AQW 5752/08)
Mr N Dodds: Consultation on the draft Bidding Code of Practice for generation companies in the Single Electricity Market (SEM) was carried out by the two Regulatory Authorities from 18 May 2007 to 15 June 2007 as part of the development of the trading arrangements for the SEM. This drew on an earlier paper by the Regulatory Authorities on Market Power Mitigation in the SEM: Bidding Principles and local market power that was issued on 6 July 2006 and discussions with the industry. A total of ten interested parties responded to the consultation paper of 18 May 2007, including NIE, Premier Power and Viridian Power and Energy.
No changes to the Bidding Code of Practice have been proposed at this stage. The SEM Committee of the Regulatory Authority has a responsibility to consult with all interested parties in advance of any decisions, in keeping with best regulatory practice, if any changes to the Bidding Code of Practice are proposed.
Private Sector Deal
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the action he intends to take to help the private sector deal with the slowdown in the economy.
(AQW 5787/08)
Mr N Dodds: I recognise that the current global economic conditions present us with enormous challenges, and have recently commented on these in the spring edition of DETI’s Quarterly Economic Review.
The slowdown being experienced in many of the world’s developed economies once again emphasises the importance of ensuring the competitiveness of businesses locally. It was in the context of this slowdown, that I made increasing private sector productivity my Department’s top priority when the Executive was developing the Programme for Government (PfG). The actions and targets contained in the PfG were framed in the light of the prevailing economic conditions and the uncertainties in the financial markets at that time.
Over the lifetime of the PfG, DETI will target investment to increase innovation and exports, and improve energy and telecoms infrastructure. The Department will also seek to promote enterprise and attract Foreign Direct Investment which will provide further business opportunities for the private sector locally. I believe that these, and other initiatives flowing from the PfG, will help place Northern Ireland based businesses in a stronger competitive position to deal with the current economic slowdown.
Tourist Board Advertising
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of money spent by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) in advertising each county in Northern Ireland; and to confirm if the NITB recently advertised Northern Ireland in Dublin based newspapers without mentioning County Tyrone.
(AQW 5841/08)
Mr N Dodds: Between January and March 2008 NITB undertook a fully integrated marketing campaign in the Republic of Ireland, drawing on the findings of recent research in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and taking account of available product including bed stock. It is not possible to provide county by county expenditure figures. NITB spent £868,000 on this campaign as a whole.
The campaign was structured to include generic Northern Ireland features that promoted the destination as a whole, region-specific features in association with the Regional Tourism Partnerships which provided more in depth information on a region by region basis, and Signature Project features that were designed to provide consumer focused interpretation of these developments.
Within the region-specific features NITB worked with the Western Regional Tourism Partnership to develop individual area-specific features for their members.
Co Tyrone and the Sperrins received significant coverage:
- Within Northern Ireland, generic features including coverage in press advertorials, press inserts and direct mail.
- Region-specific features as part of the Western Regional Tourism Partnership in national press in the Irish Republic.
- Area-specific features on Tyrone and the Sperrins in regional press in the Irish Republic.
An article appeared recently in the local press which wrongly claimed that NITB had ran adverts in the Irish Times which ignored County Tyrone. In fact the advert in question listed the Sperrins under the ‘Don’t Miss’ section.
Tyrone and the Sperrins have received substantial positive coverage within this campaign, and NITB will continue to work with the Regional Tourism Partnership to grow business in this key market.
Northern Ireland Produce
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the action his department has taken to promote Northern Ireland produce locally, since May 2007.
(AQW 5842/08)
Mr N Dodds: My Department is precluded by EU State Aid rules to directly promote locally processed food within the Northern Ireland region. Instead the focus is to promote locally processed food to the priority near markets of Great Britain, Scotland and the Irish Republic and also to International markets.
Since May 2007, my Department, through Invest NI, has continued to work indirectly with locally and nationally based retail multiples and food service organisations to assist with local sourcing initiatives for Northern Ireland processed food. Officials have also jointly approved with DARD approximately 40 applications from locally based food trade associations such as the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association, the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum, the Livestock and Meat Commission, Dairy Council for funding from an EU approved Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme. This programme allows financial support for specified local promotion initiatives.
Village Tourism
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the action his department is taking to promote small village areas to tourists, such as Ballycarry in the East Antrim constituency.
(AQW 5855/08)
Mr N Dodds: NITB recognises that the diversity and character of Northern Ireland’s small villages add to the overall positive experience of the cultural visitor to Northern Ireland.
The Causeway Coastal Route, completed in October 2007, passes through or adjacent to numerous small villages, including Ballycarry. As such these villages will receive increased visitor traffic and the associated benefits of providing services to visitors.
The Causeway Coast & Glens Regional Tourism Partnership, in partnership with NITB is about to complete a major technical assessment of interpretation, visitor facilities and services along the Causeway Coastal Route. This major piece of work will inform the next stage of infrastructure development at key sites, including small village areas, to identify the next delivery phase and bring the route up to world class standards.
A further major initiative is underway to provide a full interpretative solution at these key sites which will compel visitors to stay longer in the region through a mix of traditional interpretative solutions, cultural animation and events, public art and enhancements to the public realm. These projects will go some way to enhancing the visitor appeal of the region.
By investing in high quality, baseline infrastructure, it is anticipated that this will stimulate and encourage private sector entrepreneurship and investment, focused on villages and towns along the Causeway Coast Route
Northern Ireland Produce
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline his department's position in relation to the promotion of locally produced food.
(AQW 5862/08)
Mr N Dodds: My Department is precluded by EU State Aid rules to promote locally produced food within the Northern Ireland region. Instead the focus is to promote locally produced food to the priority near markets of Great Britain, and the Irish Republic and also to International markets.
DE TI recognises the size and importance of the Northern Ireland food processing sector and Invest NI have committed additional resource and appointed Food Marketing advisors in Great Britain, and the Irish Republic with their sole remit being promoting locally produced food in these markets.
My Department, through Invest NI, also deliver a comprehensive programme of food promotion activity with multiple customised buyer events with major retailers and food service organisations, United Kingdom based and International Trade exhibitions and Trade Missions.
Locally Produced Food
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the co-operation that exists between his department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in relation to the promotion of locally produced food.
(AQW 5863/08)
Mr N Dodds: DE TI , through Invest NI, continue to work closely with DARD in delivering the agreed Fit for Market strategy for the food sector and its recommendations on the promotion of locally produced food. In compliance with EU regulations on state aid, the focus is promoting locally produced food externally to the Northern Ireland marketplace.
In addition to regular meetings between Invest NI and DARD officials, details of co operation include joint membership of the “Domestic Marketing Industry Group” which developed the promotional campaign “Good food is in our Nature” now being taken forward by Food Promotion NI Limited, joint membership of the “International Image Industry Group” which produced an international image strategy for the sector, joint membership of the assessment panel for the “Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme”, joint membership of the “Taste of Ulster Management Steering Committee.”
Invest NI currently has a memorandum of agreement with DARD for co operation on delivery of the “The Agricultural and Forestry Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme (PMG)” for 2007 – 2013 with Invest NI and DARD officials co operating on the assessment of all eligible applications from food processing companies undertaking financial and business appraisal and technical assessment respectively. Officials from Invest NI and DARD are members of the awards panel. This co operation has existed for many years.
Invest NI are jointly funding and managing a number of international trade promotions with DARD agency the Livestock and Meat Commission with recent successful trade promotions of locally produced red meat to Italy, Sweden, and Denmark and planned joint missions to Spain and Czech Republic for locally produced pork. The Italian mission has produces £10m sales to date.
I have also recently agreed with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development to establish an Interdepartmental Group of senior officials to maintain the momentum and co operation and to liaise with an Industry Advisory Panel.
Bio-Fuel
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the amount of bio-fuel that has been imported in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
(AQW 5885/08)
Mr N Dodds: Until the introduction of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) throughout the UK on 15 April 2008 there was no requirement on transport fuel suppliers to provide information about the origins of the biofuels they supply. The information is therefore not available for NI or even for the UK as a whole. Under the reporting requirements of the RTFO, transport fuel suppliers who wish to earn Renewable Transport Fuel certificates will now be required to submit reports to the UK Renewable Fuels Agency. These reports will cover matters such as the country of origin and the wider sustainability aspects of the biofuels supplied.
Hightown Road Bridge
Mr Burns asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of businesses from the Glengormley/Mallusk area that have contacted his department to report a negative impact on their trading operations as a result of the closure of the Hightown Road Bridge.
(AQW 5932/08)
Mr N Dodds: Invest Northern Ireland has not been contacted by any of its client companies to report a negative impact on their trading operations or made aware of any adverse affect caused by the closure of the Hightown Road Bridge
Euro-Friendly
Mr Brady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the action he is taking to encourage local businesses to become more Euro-friendly.
(AQW 5953/08)
Mr N Dodds: A key objective of Invest NI is to help Northern Ireland companies compete successfully in international markets. To achieve this it encourages its clients to participate in a range of trade promotion and marketing activities. These activities, however, cover key markets worldwide and do not have a particular emphasis on the Euro-zone.
In recognition of the importance of European markets, Invest NI currently has offices located in Düsseldorf and Brussels. During the year ending March 2008, Invest NI organised and helped local companies participate in a range of exhibition stands and visits to major trade shows in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the Irish Republic
Tourist Board
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the criteria used by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in drawing up its register of outstanding visitor attractions for marketing purposes.
(AQW 5956/08)
Mr N Dodds: NITB does not maintain a register of outstanding visitor attractions for marketing purposes. Each year the Northern Ireland Tourist Board undertakes a segmentation strategy to determine which customer groups will deliver the best return on investment for Northern Ireland tourism and the economy as a whole.
In addition, NITB delivers an annual research programme that identifies the types of experiences and products that the customer best enjoys. Having analysed the research and identified the best prospect segments, plans are developed for each segment.
Each plan outlines the development and communications’ initiatives required to maximise return on investment. For example, an initiative targeting families from Republic of Ireland will include information on:
- Accommodation requirements
- Things to see and do that are suitable for children
- Family friendly restaurants etc
NITB Campaigns are developed to provide potential visitors with an idea of what there is to see and do on a targeted visit to Northern Ireland. Each campaign has a call to action encouraging visits to the website which provides up to the minute details of all visitor attractions and tourism products in Northern Ireland and also has links to a range of other websites.
In addition, on a monthly basis NITB disseminates targeted market intelligence on best prospect customers for private sector industry and the tourist information centre network identifying the type of holiday experience that the majority of Northern Ireland’s visitors wish to experience. This provides the network with market intelligence to enable them to promote the most relevant visitor attractions to visitors when in Northern Ireland
Thompson Solutions
Mr Wells asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the assistance his department has given to Thompson Solutions to establish a new facility at Moor Road, Kilkeel.
(AQW 5979/08)
Mr N Dodds: J Thompson Solutions Ltd has received financial assistance from Invest NI in the past for their existing business but has not provided any assistance to Thompson Solutions to establish a new facility at Moor Road, Kilkeel. This company has held initial discussions with Invest NI but as yet no business plan has been received
Gas Prices
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for his assessment of the effect of gas prices on industry.
(AQW 5983/08)
Mr N Dodds: International wholesale gasprices have been rising steadily during the past year. This has led to price increases being announced by gas companies in Great Britain, and more recently in Northern Ireland. For example, Phoenix Natural Gas announced a 28% price increase for domestic and smaller business customers on 24 April to take effect from 1 May 2008 for their licence area of Greater Belfast and Larne. Increasing energy prices are unwelcome, but the impact of price rises on industry will depend on the nature, terms and duration of contracts which individual companies have with their gas supplier.
firmus energy , who are taking natural gas to 10 towns and cities outside Greater Belfast have a price cap in place until 1 January 2009, and industrial customers will be subject to the particular terms of their agreed contracts.
Economically Inactive
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide an estimate of the percentage of working age population that is currently economically inactive, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 6056/08)
Mr N Dodds: Economic inactivity rates for the working age population for each Parliamentary Constituency Area in Northern Ireland are shown in the table below. These estimates are sourced from the January to December 2006 Labour Force Survey.
Economic Inactivity Rate, January - December 2006
Parliamentary Constituency Area |
Working Age 1 Economic Inactivity rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Belfast East | 17% |
| Belfast North | 29% |
| Belfast South | 25% |
| Belfast West | 51% |
| East Antrim | 19% |
| East Londonderry | 32% |
| Fermanagh & South Tyrone | 37% |
| Foyle | 33% |
| Lagan Valley | 21% |
| Mid Ulster | 32% |
| Newry & Armagh | 27% |
| North Antrim | 26% |
| North Down | 27% |
| South Antrim | 21% |
| South Down | 28% |
| Strangford | 22% |
| Upper Bann | 29% |
| West Tyrone | 31% |
| Northern Ireland | 28% |
1 The term working age refers to females aged 16 to 59 and males aged 16 to 64.
Estimates for Parliamentary Constituency Areas are based on relatively small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution.
Source: Labour Force Survey, January – December 2006
Economically Inactive
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the level of economic inactivity, broken down by age and parliamentary constituency and identifying the number of students included in the figures, for each of the past five years.
(AQW 6107/08)
Mr N Dodds: Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates detailing Northern Ireland economic inactivity levels by age group in each of the last five years can be found in the table below. These estimates are not available at parliamentary constituency level, as the LFS sample size and design does not support the production of sufficiently reliable estimates by age and reason for economic inactivity at constituency level.
Breakdown of the NI Economically Inactive population by age group and reason for economic inactivity, Quarter 4 2003 – Quarter 4 2007
Reference Period |
Economic Status |
Age Group |
Total |
|||||
16 - 24 |
25 - 34 |
35 - 44 |
45 - 54 |
45 - 64 |
65+ |
|||
| Q4 2003 | Econ Inactive | 87,000 | 44,000 | 60,000 | 51,000 | 83,000 | 206,000 | 532,000 |
| Of which: Students | 69,000 | 6,000 1 | 2,000 1 | * | * | * | 78,000 | |
| Q4 2004 | Econ Inactive | 90,000 | 36,000 | 48,000 | 57,000 | 86,000 | 209,000 | 527,000 |
| Of which: Students | 72,000 | 3,000 1 | 1,000 1 | * | * | * | 76,000 | |
| Q4 2005 | Econ Inactive | 87,000 | 37,000 | 59,000 | 50,000 | 94,000 | 208,000 | 534,000 |
| Of which: Students | 72,000 | 3,000 1 | 2,000 1 | * | * | * | 78,000 | |
| Q4 2006 | Econ Inactive | 98,000 | 34,000 | 46,000 | 55,000 | 90,000 | 214,000 | 538,000 |
| Of which: Students | 82,000 | 3,000 1 | 1,000 1 | * | * | * | 87,000 | |
| Q4 2007 | Econ Inactive | 93,000 | 34,000 | 46,000 | 58,000 | 98,000 | 224,000 | 553,000 |
| Of which: Students | 74,000 | 3,000 1 | 2,000 1 | * | * | * | 78,000 | |
1 Estimates are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a higher than usual degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution.
* Estimates are not shown as they are potentially disclosive.
Source: Labour Force Survey, Quarter 4 (October-December) of each year.
Unemployment Rates
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail employment rates in each parliamentary constituency for the last five years.
(AQW 6109/08)
Mr N Dodds: Labour Force Survey estimates of the working age employment rate in each parliamentary constituency, 2002 to 2006, are shown in the table below.
Working Age 1 Employment Rate, 2002 - 2006
Parliamentary Constituency Area |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belfast East |
75% |
70% |
72% |
75% |
81% |
Belfast North |
63% |
61% |
56% |
59% |
64% |
Belfast South |
70% |
70% |
64% |
69% |
71% |
Belfast West |
42% |
48% |
53% |
48% |
43% |
East Antrim |
76% |
80% |
78% |
79% |
79% |
East Londonderry |
68% |
71% |
64% |
67% |
62% |
Fermanagh & South Tyrone |
66% |
67% |
68% |
68% |
62% |
Foyle |
56% |
50% |
54% |
60% |
61% |
Lagan Valley |
69% |
70% |
78% |
80% |
77% |
Mid Ulster |
68% |
66% |
68% |
69% |
67% |
Newry & Armagh |
61% |
64% |
67% |
67% |
68% |
North Antrim |
71% |
72% |
73% |
74% |
72% |
North Down |
75% |
75% |
73% |
73% |
71% |
South Antrim |
81% |
81% |
75% |
71% |
76% |
South Down |
70% |
73% |
70% |
69% |
69% |
Strangford |
70% |
71% |
68% |
74% |
74% |
Upper Bann |
67% |
66% |
72% |
70% |
67% |
West Tyrone |
62% |
62% |
59% |
58% |
65% |
Northern Ireland |
68% |
68% |
67% |
69% |
69% |
1 The term working age refers to females aged 16 to 59 and males aged 16 to 64.
Estimates for Parliamentary Constituency Areas are based on relatively small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution and, in particular, changes from year to year should not be used in isolation from the figures for a run of years.
Source: Labour Force Survey, Annual dataset 2002- 2006
Petrol Service Station Closures
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total number of independent petrol service stations that have closed in the last five years; and to give his assessment of this development.
(AQW 6188/08)
Mr N Dodds: My Department does not hold this information and, therefore, no assessment on independent petrol service station closure has been made.
Economically Active
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the total number of people aged over 80 years who remain economically active, and to compare this to the figure ten years ago.
(AQW 6200/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the main source of statistics on the total number of people who are economically active. However, the LFS is a sample survey and the sample size does not support the production of sufficiently reliable estimates for the age group requested
Staff Working from Home
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of staff who have been authorised to work from home since May 2007.
(AQW 6222/08)
Mr N Dodds: No staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment have been authorised to work formally from home since May 2007. However, line managers may, in certain circumstances, permit an ad hoc working from home arrangement.
People with Disabilities
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the targets his department has set in relation to the employment of people with disabilities in his department over the next 5 years.
(AQW 6262/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment does not have targets in relation to the employment of people with disabilities
Invest NI
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment which specific industry sectors are identified as having growth or new introduction potential for the Foyle constituency.
(AQW 6333/08)
Mr N Dodds: Invest NI works with those NI businesses in the manufacturing and tradeable services industry sectors that demonstrate the greatest potential for growth through increasing exports and improving productivity by becoming more internationally competitive.
With regards to the Foyle Parliamentary Constituency, Invest NI is working with a significant number of clients operating in the advanced manufacturing, lifesciences, ICT and services sectors and in the period 1 st April 2002 to 31 st March 2007 provided over £63m of assistance to them to undertake growth projects. This assistance leveraged total investment of over £320m.
In addition to enhancing the competitiveness of existing businesses, Invest NI also seeks to attract value-added foreign direct investment (FDI) in higher productivity sectors to Northern Ireland. The Foyle constituency, in common with the rest of Northern Ireland, has a number of key selling points which makes the region attractive to inward investors, particularly those operating in the ICT, Business Services and Financial Services Sectors. These key selling points include a highly educated workforce, competitive operating costs, advanced telecoms infrastructure, excellent university / business linkages and a pro-business environment. The attractiveness of the Foyle constituency is demonstrated by the fact that the region secured 13 FDI projects between 1 st April 2002 and 31 st March 2007 which promoted nearly 1,800 new jobs and over £239m of investment.
Invest NI works with Northern Ireland’s public and private research bases to support the commercialisation of intellectual property. Specifically in relation to the Foyle constituency, the agency’s major investment in the University of Ulster’s Intelligent Systems Research Centre, based at the Magee Campus, has the potential to deliver exciting new developments and opportunities in the ICT sector
Electronic Distribution of Publications
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether mechanisms are in place to monitor the extent to which his Department's (i) internal; and (ii) external, (a) correspondence; and (b) distribution of publications, is carried out electronically.
(AQW 6378/08)
Mr N Dodds: The Department does not monitor the extent to which correspondence both internal and external and the distribution of publications is carried out electronically. Significant use is made of e-mail and other electronic media. Some external correspondence and publications are produced in paper format to facilitate the reader.
Environment
Planning Approvals
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the number of planning approvals that have been granted for apartments in (a) Newtownabbey; (b) Carrickfergus; and (c) Larne, in each of the past five years; and (ii) the number of proposed units in each application.
(AQW 5584/08)
The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): I regret that the Planning Service’s current IT system does not record applications in sufficient detail to provide the information requested. Accurate figures for the years in question could only be provided through a manual exercise at a disproportionate cost.
Enforcement Case
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the latest number of enforcement cases and the average length of time taken to process an enforcement case, broken down by divisional planning office.
(AQW 5696/08)
Mrs A Foster: The number of enforcement cases by divisional planning office is as follows
DIVISION |
Number of Outstanding Enforcement Cases |
| Ballymena | 494 |
| Belfast | 785 |
| Craigavon | 1403 |
| Downpatrick | 1595 |
| Headquarters | 504 |
| Londonderry | 626 |
| Omagh | 464 |
The numbers refer to cases outstanding on the Departments live enforcement case list.
Data on the average length of time taken to process an enforcement case is not available because of the many possible outcomes of an individual case.
Where it is found, for example, that no breach of planning regulations has occurred the case may be closed within a few days. However, often a breach leads to the submission of an application which must be processed by Planning Service and if permission is refused this can lead to an appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission. Depending on the outcome of the appeal there may be further enforcement action and the possible court proceeding. This obviously takes a considerable length of time to conclude.
Planning Applications
Mr Butler asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, for each of the last 3 years, the number of planning applications for (i) new houses; and (ii) new apartments, in the Dunmurry area.
(AQW 5944/08)
Mrs A Foster: Nine applications were received for new houses in Dunmurry in 2006/07. The Planning Service's current IT system does not record applications in sufficient detail to provide information on apartments. Accurate figures for the years in question could only be provided through a manual exercise at a disproportionate cost.
Data outside the 2006/07 period is not available at present due to the new statistical reporting system outlined in my letter to Members in December 2007.
Larne Marina
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the progress on the Larne Marina proposal.
(AQW 5984/08)
Mrs A Foster: My officials issued a Notice of Opinion to Refuse planning permission for the original Larne Marina planning application (F/1999/0465) on the 15 November 2007. The applicant subsequently requested a hearing with the Planning Appeals Commission. A date for this hearing has not been set. As a result of this the Department has not concluded it’s determination of this application.
In November 2007 the applicant submitted a second planning application for a Marina Development which was similar to the original application although the site location varied slightly. My officials have sought legal advice and are currently in discussion with the applicant’s representatives regarding the processing of two applications which are substantially the same.
Planning Applications
Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the number of planning applications referred to the Management Board in the last three years; and (ii) the number of cases in which the original planning opinion was reversed.
(AQW 5995/08)
Mrs A Foster: Below is a table of statistics for referrals received over the last 3 financial years:
Year |
Referred by Council |
Accepted as a Referral |
Planning Opinion reversed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005/06 | 174 | 17 | 3 |
| 2006/07 | 58 | 4 | 0 |
| 2007/08 | 43 | 1* | 0 |
| Total | 275 | 22 | 3 |
* A further 21 applications are still under consideration and includes those that may not meet the referral criteria.
Foreign Road Users
Mr Spratt asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the measures she has planned to aid foreign road users in relation to road safety.
(AQW 6022/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department has a responsibility to ensure road safety messages are heard by all members of society, and work has been progressing in this area.
The current portfolio of successful television and radio advertisements, along with five new instructional TV edits, which will provide all drivers with a reminder of the rules of the road, have been translated into Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese and Mandarin.This information will be distributed to target groups through broadcast media and ethnic community groups around Northern Ireland.
The need for printed information in these languages has also been addressed and three leaflets have been produced:
- one providing information on the effects of alcohol on driving skills entitled ‘Just One’;
- a second, providing details of courses for drink drive offenders; and
- a third providing guidance on the legal requirement to use the correct car seat for your child.
Hard copies of leaflets will issue to targeted ethnic groups and downloadable versions will shortly be made available on the Road Safety website.
My Department is also examining the possibility of providing copies of the newly revised Highway Code to ethnic groups.
Vacant Industrial Buildings
Mr Irwin asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her plans to relax restrictions on the development of listed vacant industrial buildings to allow viable redevelopment and avoid such buildings becoming derelict.
(AQW 6027/08)
Mrs A Foster: There are no plans to relax such restrictions. Officials in my Department liaise closely with developers to secure a suitable outcome for such buildings, in keeping with our existing policies as detailed in Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 6 - Planning, Archaeology and the Built heritage. There are many examples of this, such as the refurbishment of Conway Mill in Belfast or the Star Factory in Londonderry. In both cases this work has also helped the regeneration of an area.
Department Wages
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to outline her plans to increase planning department wages to stop the drift of staff towards private companies.
(AQW 6033/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Department is conscious of the significant numbers of experienced planners who have resigned in recent years, particularly during 2006/07, when the Planning Service lost an unprecedented 47 specialist planners.
However, 2007/08 has seen a significant slowdown in the level resignation of specialist planners with only 20 officers leaving. Whilst still a significant loss of experience, this represents a much more acceptable attrition rate of 4% and is less than the overall NICS staff turnover rate during 2006/07, of 5.3% (latest figure available).
Consequently, I am not convinced of the need at this time to introduce proposals for a retention/incentive scheme aimed specifically at specialist planners. However, my Department will continue to monitor the level of resignations on a regular basis and keep the need for a retention/incentive scheme under review.
I have however, already taken one step aimed at recognising the positive recognition specialist planners make to the work of the Planning Service. With effect from 1 January 2008, the Department has agreed to pay the professional fees of its specialist planners. This announcement has been very well received by specialist planners who have benefited.
Off Sales
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment to detail any plans to review the current planning policy in relation to the location and number of 'off sales'.
(AQW 6051/08)
Mrs A Foster: Although there is planning policy for retail development there is no specific policy for ‘off sales’. Planning permission is not required for a change of use from a shop to an ‘off sales’ as these fall within the same use class, Class A1, under the Planning (Use Classes) Order (NI) 2004 and such a change is therefore not considered development.
Leylandii Hedges
Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment whether any public consultation was carried out on any proposed legislation in relation to high hedges and Leylandii between 2001 and 2007.
(AQW 6058/08)
Mrs A Foster: In 2005 my Department undertook a public consultation to assess the scale and geographical spread of problems with nuisance high hedges with a view to determining whether legislation was required. On the basis of the findings I made a commitment to introduce legislation to address this problem as soon as possible, starting with a policy consultation on the detailed operation of the legislation. However, the timing will be subject to consideration of the other competing priorities facing my Department.
Cars Registered
Mr Easton asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of cars registered in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 6063/08)
Mrs A Foster: At 31 March 2008, there were 735,457 licensed cars in Northern Ireland and 47,374 unlicensed cars, which are the subject of a valid statutory off road notification.
Planning Service
Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm if the Planning Service has a policy of refusing applications for windfarms located in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
(AQW 6074/08)
Mrs A Foster: Current policy for assessing windfarm proposals is contained in PSU 12 of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland published in September 1993. Policy PSU 12 contains a general presumption against wind farm development in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
My Department has recently consulted on draft Planning Policy Statement 18 ‘Renewable Energy’. Draft PPS18 proposes the removal of the general presumption against windfarm development in AONBs. To ensure that landscape impacts are adequately considered, I am currently consulting on complementary guidance to PPS18 on the sensitivity of Northern Ireland’s landscapes to wind energy development.
Planning Applications
Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the action her department is taking to expedite the processing of the planning application submitted by Thompson Solutions to build a new factory at Moor Road, Kilkeel.
(AQW 6076/08)
Mrs A Foster: A valid planning application for this proposal was received on 31 March 2008. Immediately upon receipt this application was allocated to a case officer, given the economic implications and the level of political and media interest in the application. The senior planner for the area is processing the application personally. The application has already been site inspected and discussed internally; however, there are a number of outstanding consultation responses. My officials and Roads Service representatives met the applicant and agent on 22 April to discuss the proposal. Roads Service had indicated verbally that there may be issues regarding the proposed access, and this was discussed in some detail. The agents still need to submit a Transport Assessment which will deal with traffic and related issues. One objection has been received.
The site for the proposed factory is on zoned industrial land, therefore, the proposal is acceptable in principle. My officials will continue to deal with the application in a timely manner and work to resolve outstanding matters as quickly as possible. However, any delay by the agents in the submission of the Transport Assessment will impact on processing times.
Tree Preservation Orders
Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the Tree Preservation Orders that currently apply to properties in Newcastle, Co Down.
(AQW 6077/08)
Mrs A Foster: There are currently 7 TPOs in place in the Newcastle area with 2 further provisional TPOs in place that have yet to be confirmed. The details are as follows:
Address |
Date of Provisional Order |
Date Order confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Slieve Donard Nursery, Newcastle | Not in effect | 14/08/1976 |
| Navan House, Tollymore Road, Newcastle | Not in effect | 07/07/1993 |
| St Mary’s Girls School, Shanslieve Drive, Newcastle | Not in effect | 01/08/2003 |
| Strathern Manor (formerly Navan House), 10 Tollymore Road, Newcastle | 15/04/2004 | 14/10/2004 |
| 98 Bryansford Road , Newcastle | 21/03/2005 | 20/09/2005 |
Address |
Date of Provisional Order |
Date Order confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Lands at Shimna House, Bryansford Road, Newcastle | 26/07/2007 | 21/11/2007 |
| Land at Myrtle Lodge, 88 Bryansford Road, Newcastle | 18/09/2007 | 18/03/2008 |
| 9 Tollymore Road , Newcastle | 30/01/2008 | Still to be confirmed |
| Land at 13 Tullybrannigan Road, Newcastle | 20/03/2008 | Still to be confirmed |
There is currently 1 application under consideration on land at Donard Park, Newcastle.
Tree Preservation Orders
Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of Tree Preservation Orders that were issued in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 6079/08)
Mrs A Foster:
Year |
TPOs issued |
2003 |
14 |
2004 |
74 |
2005 |
97 |
2006 |
138 |
2007 |
99* |
*19 of these are provisional TPOs and have yet to be confirmed.
Northern Ireland Water
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment (i) to detail the sequence of events that led to a discharge from the Whiteabbey waste water facility into the Three Milewater river on the afternoon of 16 April 2008; (ii) to give her assessment of this incident and the impact on this river; and (iii) to confirm that the alarm mechanism, which alerts the Northern Ireland Water service of a pollution incident, was operative at that time.
(AQW 6082/08)
Mrs A Foster: Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) received a report at 14:05 hrs on the 16 April 2008 regarding a pollution incident on the Three Mile Water River. EHS staff were immediately tasked to attend and contacted Northern Ireland Water (NIW), at approximately 14:30 hrs, to report a discharge from Whiteabbey Pumping Station’s emergency overflow. NIW staff discovered a problem with the pumps, which were quickly reset and began operating normally. The discharge to the river ceased by 16:00 hrs.
Screens on the emergency overflow at the pumping station prevented the discharge of significant quantities of sewage related debris into the river and as a result, the visual impact of the incident was low. EHS staff also assessed the environmental impact of the incident as low severity.
It was subsequently discovered that the problem had started on 14 April 2008. The alarm reporting system did not alert NIW field engineers to the problem and an investigation by NIW is underway. In the meantime, the overflow alarm system at the site has been further enhanced.
Sick Leave
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the number of staff at Rathkelter House, Downpatrick, who have taken sick leave in the last year; and (ii) whether the sick leave taken is short-term or long-term.
(AQW 6089/08)
Mrs A Foster: During the period 31 March 2007 - 1 April 2008, 60 of the 101 departmental staff working in Rathkelter House, Downpatrick have taken sick leave. 55 staff have taken short term sick leave and 20 staff have taken long term sick leave.
Fast Food Applications
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning applications for fast food and take-away cafés in the Carrickfergus area that have been (i) lodged; and (ii) granted, over the last three years.
(AQW 6111/08)
Mrs A Foster: I regret that the Planning Service does not identify fast food and take away cafes separately from shops and is therefore unable to provide the information required without carrying out a manual exercise at a disproportionate cost.
Departmental Spending
Mr Easton asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the amount of money her department has spent on (i) equality impact assessments; and (ii) consultations, over the last three years.
(AQW 6114/08)
Mrs A Foster: The table below sets out the total cost of consultations (which include EQIA costs) in my Department in each of the last three years. As the EQIA’s form part of the actual consultation process separate costs cannot be identified for them except at disproportionate cost. The significant drop in expenditure between 2006-07 and 2007-08 is due to reducing costs in respect of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan as well as certain other area development plans being subject to judicial reviews.
Department - DOE |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
Consultation Costs |
£573,308 |
£432,341 |
£114,663 |
Driving Licences
Mr Storey asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of 'R' drivers with six or more penalty points whose licences have been revoked within three years of having passed the practical driving test.
(AQW 6125/08)
Mrs A Foster: Since 14 December 1998, with the introduction of the New Drivers Order, the number of drivers whose licences have been revoked is as follows (only those for category B, motorcar, with a Test Pass Date since 01/01/1999 have been included):
Year |
Total Drivers Category B pass |
Total Revoked within 12 months |
Total Revoked 12- 24 months |
Total Disq within 25 - 36 months |
Total Number still with Licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 21443 | 155 | 129 | 135 | 21064 |
| 2000 | 19355 | 142 | 116 | 159 | 18978 |
| 2001 | 18004 | 139 | 124 | 155 | 17626 |
| 2002 | 18509 | 125 | 118 | 184 | 18112 |
| 2003 | 20781 | 143 | 82 | 193 | 20383 |
| 2004 | 18594 | 132 | 107 | 185 | 18210 |
| 2005 | 24993 | 185 | 105 | 164 | 24539 |
| 2006 | 26998 | 180 | 54 | 4 | 26760 |
| 2007 | 24333 * | 33 | 0 | 0 | 24300 |
*In considering the 2007 figures it should be noted that for many drivers it will be less than 12 months since they passed their test, only a small percentage will be over 12 months and none will be over 25 months.
Voltage Power Lines
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the current planning restrictions in place for building homes in the vicinity of high voltage power lines.
(AQW 6131/08)
Mrs A Foster: At present there is no guidance or policy in Northern Ireland that places restrictions on building homes in close proximity to high voltage power lines.
All applications are assessed on their individual merits in accordance with all relevant plans, polices and material considerations. As with all planning applications, the proposal will also be assessed within the context of the surrounding environment. Normal development control considerations, such as those relating to the proximity of proposed housing units to overhead lines, will form part of this assessment.
Planning Application
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if she will issue, as a matter of urgency, the Green Paper for Planning Application X/2007/0964/F which has been approved.
(AQW 6134/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Department is currently dealing with a representation received following the council meeting and does not propose to issue the decision notice until the issues raised are satisfactorily concluded.
Staff Disciplinary Procedures
Mr Savage asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of staff in her department who, since 8 May 2007, have (i) received official warnings; and (ii) faced disciplinary procedures.
(AQW 6143/08)
Mrs A Foster: Within the Department, since 8 May 2007, a total of:
- 101 staff have received official warnings; and
- 13 staff have faced disciplinary procedures.
Compost Collection Service
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of local councils who have a compost collection service, either directly or indirectly.
(AQW 6162/08)
Mrs A Foster: All local councils offer green waste collection at their civic amenity sites. 18 councils collect green waste at the kerbside, while 8 (Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Derry, Fermanagh, Limavady, Moyle and Strabane) do not.
Recycling Targets
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the targets for recycling for 2007/2008, broken down by each local council.
(AQW 6163/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department did not set targets for recycling for 2007/8. The NI Waste Management Strategy 2006-2020 sets targets for recycling and composting of household waste at 35% by 2010, 40% by 2015 and 45% by 2020. The targets for non-municipal wastes require that 60% of Commercial & Industrial waste be recycled, and 75% of Construction, Demolition & Excavation waste be recycled or reused by 2020.
These targets are non statutory and are set for Northern Ireland as a whole. Individual District Councils may set annual targets but these are not held centrally by the Department.
Tree Preservation Orders
Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of Tree Preservation Orders granted in each of the last three years, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 6185/08)
- Mrs A Foster: Statistics for the number of TPOs issued in each of the last 3 years, broken down by parliamentary constituency, are unavailable as they are not recorded in that format, however, below is a table detailing breakdown by District Council area:
Year |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Council Area |
No of TPOs |
No of TPOs |
No of TPOs |
Total |
| Antrim | 8 | 7 | 9 (2 to be confirmed) | 24 |
| Ards | 2 | 3 | 5 (3 to be confirmed) | 10 |
Year |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
Council Area |
No of TPOs |
No of TPOs |
No of TPOs |
Total |
| Armagh | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Ballymena | 6 | 10 | 8 (1 to be confirmed) | 24 |
| Ballymoney | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Banbridge | 4 | 21 | 2(1 to be confirmed) | 27 |
| Belfast | 13 | 10 | 15 (2 to be confirmed) | 38 |
| Carrickfergus | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Castlereagh | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Coleraine | 15 | 2 | 4 | 21 |
| Cookstown | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Craigavon | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Derry | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Down | 3 | 2 | 8 (1 to be confirmed) | 13 |
| Dungannon | 0 | 4 | 3 (1 to be confirmed) | 7 |
| Fermanagh | 0 | 3 | 2 (1 to be confirmed) | 5 |
| Larne | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| Limavady | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Lisburn | 7 | 6 | 9 (2 to be confirmed) | 22 |
| Magherafelt | 1 | 2 | 5 (2 to be confirmed) | 8 |
| Moyle | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Year |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
Council Area |
No of TPOs |
No of TPOs |
No of TPOs |
Total |
| Newry & Mourne | 4 | 26 | 3 | 33 |
| Newtownabbey | 4 | 8 | 3 | 15 |
| North Down | 5 | 6 | 10 (1 to be confirmed) | 21 |
| Omagh | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Strabane | 1 | 1 | 4 (2 to be confirmed) | 6 |
Total |
97 |
138 |
99 (19 to be confirmed) |
334 |
Departmental Land
Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the land sold by her department in the North Down constituency since 2002.
(AQW 6247/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department has sold two parcels of ground in the North Down constituency since 2002: 70 square meters and 0.46 acres, both on the edge of Crawfordsburn Country Park.
Neighbourhood Renewal Areas
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of the Environment to detail, in addition to her 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 6284/08)
Mrs A Foster: In addition to my department’s mainstream responsibilities, no further resources were allocated to (i) Neighbourhood Renewal Areas; or (ii) the Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal Area, in each of the last 2 years.
District Councils
Mr Butler asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her plans to introduce within district councils (i) pilot power-sharing; and (ii) proportionality proposals.
(AQW 6295/08)
Mrs A Foster: As I indicated in my statement to the House on 31 March, the development and testing of new governance models, with appropriate checks and balances, will be taken forward by the Strategic Leadership Board as an urgent and integral part of the implementation of the decisions on the future shape of local government.
Work from Home
Mr Savage asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of staff in her department, since devolution, who have been able to work from home.
(AQW 6306/08)
Mrs A Foster: There is no formal home working policy within the NICS or the Department of the Environment. However, in practice there can be short term local arrangements in specific circumstances. There are no central figures retained.
Planning Law
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of the Environment to outline what plans her department has to introduce legislation to revise planning law in conjunction with the stated intention of the Minister for Social Development to introduce a 'developer contribution' to alleviate social housing need.
(AQO 3132/08)
Mrs A Foster: I have agreed with the Minister for Social Development that I will cooperate with her to consider policy options for the introduction for developer contributions after revised draft PPS 14 has issued for consultation.
I will consider the need for legislative change as part of that process.
Bin Collection
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of local councils that have signed up to bi-weekly bin collection.
(AQO 3085/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department does not have regulatory control over bin collections and therefore does not hold this information.
District Councils have powers under the Waste and Contaminated Land (NI) Order 1997 to determine a timetable for bin collection that best enables them to meet recycling and landfill targets under the EU Waste Framework Directive.
Landfill Sites
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to review safety at landfill sites; and what action she is taking to deal with the growing number of illegal landfill sites.
(AQO 3145/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department has no legislative powers to review safety at landfill sites. Responsibility for enforcing health and safety at these sites rests with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. HSENI inspects and carries out investigations of serious incidents at landfill sites such as the one that occurred recently at a landfill site in County Fermanagh.
My Department takes the waste crime associated with illegal landfill sites very seriously. EHS has achieved considerable progress to date in targeting environmental criminals and has been equally successful in ‘spreading the message’, through the courts and the media, that criminals will not benefit from the proceeds of illegal activity.
In the last five years, EHS has overseen almost 300 successful prosecutions against illegal waste offenders, charges which have generated fines of £670,615. In addition, 6 custodial sentences have been imposed, ranging from 2 to 12 months.
In the last year, the number of reported incidents of illegal dumping – 1,184 - dropped by almost 17% compared with the previous financial year. In the same period, 93 cases were referred to the Public Prosecution Service, with 63 successful convictions in the courts.
EHS is also moving towards a more intelligence-led strategy, working with the Assets Recovery Agency/Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to both develop officials’ financial and investigative skills and to refer cases for confiscation hearings. I was very pleased to see EHS become the first UK agency to obtain a criminal confiscation for environmental offences, in November 2007. Since then, four further confiscation orders have been achieved, totalling £833,120.
Bus Safety
Mr Gardiner asked the Minister of the Environment, in light of recent problems with bus safety, what assessment she has made of bus safety measures in other developed countries.
(AQO 3094/08)
Mrs A Foster: In developing new measures aimed at increasing the safety of children travelling to and from school my Department continues to research and learn from what works in other countries, in other parts of the UK, in the Republic of Ireland, and farther afield – particularly in the United States, Canada and Australasia.
Planning Applications
Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of the Environment if procedures are in place to ensure that planning applications which will have a significant impact on the economy are prioritised.
(AQO 3187/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Programme for Government refers to a six month target being applied to large scale planning proposals. These are proposals which are considered to have significant economic or social implications for the whole or a substantial part of Northern Ireland. They will be handled by the Strategic Projects Division of Planning Service and the six month target is now being applied provided there have been pre-application discussions with an agreed outcome.
Within the Strategic Projects Division I have recently agreed to the creation of two multi-disciplinary teams –teams which are comprised of planning staff as well as professionals from other relevant disciplines – to help to further enhance the efficiency of the service that is provided.
I am hopeful these multi-disciplinary teams will be in place within the next couple of months.
Where the potential economic significance of a development proposal is not considered to extend to the whole or a significant part of Northern Ireland, then it is likely that the planning application in question will be handled by the local Divisional Planning Office as opposed to the Strategic Projects Division. Nonetheless, priority will still be given to the application in terms of the staff resources that are applied to its processing. Guidance on prioritisation of applications was issued to all Divisional Planning Offices in July 2006.
My officials have also published guidance for prospective developers/applicants on pre-application discussions. This will assist in the development of procedures for meaningful pre-application engagement between the Planning Service, our key consultees – some of whom will be represented in our multi-disciplinary teams – and applicants. As part of the pre-application discussions, an indicative timescale for processing the application will be provided. Clearly, if this is to be a success in terms of speeding up the process there will be obligations on everyone involved in the planning process, including agents, through a mutual commitment to improve the quality of applications and maximise the prospects of getting through the statutory process quickly.
Glass Bottles
Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of the Environment to detail her plans to establish a refundable deposit system on all glass bottles, especially for alcoholic drink.
(AQO 3071/08)
Mrs A Foster: I do not have any plans to establish a refundable deposit system on all glass bottles.
Planning Applications
Mr Moutray asked the Minister of the Environment what action she is taking to ensure that planning applications are not unduly delayed by the Environment and Heritage Service.
(AQO 3210/08)
Mrs A Foster: Response times to planning applications is a key priority both for me and for the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS). One of the objectives I set for the Agency last year was to provide quality and timely responses to planning consultations; the key target for the year was to respond to 75% of consultations within 30 working days of receipt. I regret that this target was not met, as only 69% of consultations were returned within 30 days.
I have asked EHS to re-double its efforts to improve this record. This is a very resource intensive area of work for the Agency with almost 700 consultations received on average each month; indeed, in January alone, 915 consultations were received. It is always possible that a development in a planning application may have an adverse impact on sites which are under statutory protection; it is often necessary therefore to carry out site visits to assess properly that impact. This is very time consuming and there are no shortcuts, if we want to protect our environment. However, I also recognise that we need to improve our performance in this area if we are to maintain an efficient and effective planning system.
EHS has changed its procedures where appropriate; improved and increased its staff training; and sought to strengthen its working arrangements with the Planning Service at all levels.
I have also set aside an additional £500k to enable EHS to recruit more staff dedicated to this area of work. To reflect that investment I have increased the key target for response times from 75% in the current year to 90% by 2010.
Driver Vehicle Testing Agency
Mr McCallister asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the percentage of Driver Vehicle Testing Agency centres that are meeting their targets for vehicle testing times.
(AQO 3080/08)
Mrs A Foster: The target for the 2007/08 year was an average waiting time of 21 days. 93% of centres achieved this target. The target for 2008/09 has been revised to 85% of vehicle tests appointed within 21 days or on a later date requested by the customer. Reports on 2008/09 performance will be available on a monthly basis throughout the year.
Sea Pollution
Mr Ford asked the Minister of the Environment to report on the reduction levels in sea pollution that her department hopes to achieve.
(AQO 3178/08)
Mrs A Foster: The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) aims to reduce, by 2015, the levels of pollution in rivers, estuaries and coastal waters to achieve ‘good status’, or higher, under the terms of the EC Water Framework Directive. There is already evidence that pollution levels are reducing in coastal waters, particularly where new Waste Water Treatment Works have been installed. EHS also has a target to achieve, by 2016, 90% compliance with consents issued under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. The compliance figure for 2006 was 85%.
Wind Farms
Mr Gallagher asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning applications for wind farms currently awaiting decisions.
(AQO 3130/08)
Mrs A Foster: There are currently 50 applications under consideration for wind farms.
Ards and Down Area Plan Inquiry
Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm when the Ards and Down Area Plan Inquiry will be published.
(AQO 3176/08)
Mrs A Foster: I can confirm that the Department has now received the PAC report on the Ards and Down Area Plan Public Inquiry. Planning Service is currently considering the implications of the report in consultation with key consultees and will shortly provide guidance on a possible date for adoption. This depends on the nature of the PAC recommendations on each objection. We cannot provide a firm indication on timescales at this stage but our intention is to complete the adoption stage as quickly as possible.
The PAC report can only be made available by the Department when it completes the adoption process and publishes the adopted plan, with or without modifications and its content is confidential until that time.
Plastic Bags
Mrs Long asked the Minister of the Environment what plans she has to encourage shops to reduce the number of plastic bags used.
(AQO 3175/08)
Mrs A Foster: My Department continues to support voluntary initiatives aimed at reducing carrier bag usage (plastic bags and paper bags) 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.
I am encouraged by the various initiatives brought forward by major supermarket chains to reduce usage of carrier bags.
In last month’s budget speech the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that legislation would be introduced to impose a charge on single-use carrier bags if we have not seen sufficient progress on a voluntary basis. This is obviously a very significant development and my officials are currently liaising with colleagues in GB to obtain more detailed information on initial legislative proposals and we are also considering any possible implications for Northern Ireland.
Finance and Personnel
Claims of Discrimination
Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the total number of claims of discrimination based on each of the Section 75 categories which were brought by members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and settled (a) in court; and (b) out of court, in each of the last five years; and (ii) the total amount of compensation paid in each category.
(AQW 5419/08)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 serves as a vehicle for mainstreaming equality of opportunity considerations into public authorities’ policies and practices. The focus is on groups of people and whether policy and practice is sensitive to differences in needs and experiences as well as opportunities for access to employment, progression etc. Anti-discrimination legislation gives rights to individuals which they may choose to exercise at a tribunal or a court of law.
Information has therefore been provided on those Section 75 categories which are covered by anti-discrimination legislation ie, complaints of discrimination on the grounds of equal pay, sex (including gender re-assignment) disability, race, religious belief and or political opinion, sexual orientation and age.
The information is set out in the attached tables and covers staff working in the 11 Northern Ireland Departments and their executive agencies. In many cases where a claim was settled out of court the terms of the settlement are confidential. In order to ensure this is maintained information on the amount of compensation paid has been withheld where there are 5 cases or less.
Equal Pay
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
1 |
|
2005 |
|
|
1 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
Sex Discrimination
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
1 |
|
2006 |
|
|
3 |
|
2005 |
|
|
1 |
|
2004 |
|
|
3 |
|
2003 |
|
|
4 |
|
Gender Reassignment
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
Disability
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
5 |
|
2006 |
|
|
3 |
|
2005 |
|
|
3 |
|
2004 |
|
|
6 |
£27,000 |
2003 |
3 |
£33,564.73 |
1 |
|
Race
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
Religious Belief and/or Political Opinion
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
1 |
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
3 |
|
2004 |
|
|
3 |
|
2003 |
|
|
5 |
|
Sexual Orientation
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
Age
|
Settled in court |
Settled out of court |
||
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
Total no. of cases |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
Non-Domestic Ratepayers
Dr Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the percentage of non-domestic ratepayers broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency; and (b) district council area, that benefit from industrial de-rating.
(AQW 5846/08)
Mr P Robinson: Industrial derating is awarded to non-domestic property that meets the qualifying criteria. The attached table shows –
- the number of non-domestic properties in each district council area;
- the number of industrial derated properties in each district council area, and;
- the industrial derated properties as a percentage of the non-domestic properties.
The rating system does not hold this information by parliamentary constituency.
DISTRICT COUNCIL |
NUMBER OF NON-DOMESTIC PROPERTIES |
NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL DERATED PROPERTIES |
% |
Antrim |
1,868 |
155 |
8.3 |
Ards |
2,599 |
193 |
7.43 |
Armagh |
2,501 |
186 |
7.44 |
Ballymena |
2,516 |
160 |
6.36 |
Ballymoney |
1,110 |
75 |
6.76 |
Banbridge |
1,772 |
116 |
6.55 |
Belfast |
16,121 |
604 |
3.75 |
Carrickfergus |
1,053 |
81 |
7.69 |
Castlereagh |
1,473 |
139 |
9.44 |
Coleraine |
2,660 |
140 |
5.26 |
Cookstown |
1,639 |
161 |
9.82 |
Craigavon |
3,442 |
294 |
8.54 |
Down |
2,656 |
134 |
5.05 |
Dungannon and South Tyrone |
2,683 |
291 |
10.85 |
Fermanagh |
3,148 |
193 |
6.13 |
Larne |
1,240 |
63 |
5.08 |
Limavady |
1,162 |
72 |
6.2 |
Lisburn |
3,598 |
354 |
9.84 |
Derry |
3,807 |
220 |
5.78 |
Magherafelt |
1,855 |
186 |
10.03 |
Moyle |
830 |
19 |
2.29 |
Newry and Mourne |
3,984 |
323 |
8.11 |
Newtownabbey |
2,444 |
204 |
8.35 |
North Down |
2,435 |
159 |
6.53 |
Omagh |
2,277 |
145 |
6.37 |
Strabane |
1,517 |
80 |
5.27 |
TOTAL |
72,390 |
4,747 |
|
Industrial De-Rating
Dr Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of businesses in each (a) parliamentary constituency; and (b) district council area, that benefit from industrial de-rating.
(AQW 5848/08)
Mr P Robinson: Industrial de-rating is awarded to non-domestic property that meets the appropriate criteria . The attached table shows details of the number of non-domestic properties in each district council area, and the number of industrial derated properties in each district council area.
The rating system does not hold this information by parliamentary constituency.
DISTRICT COUNCIL |
NUMBER OF NON-DOMESTIC PROPERTIES |
NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL DERATED PROPERTIES |
Antrim |
1,868 |
155 |
Ards |
2,599 |
193 |
Armagh |
2,501 |
186 |
Ballymena |
2,516 |
160 |
Ballymoney |
1,110 |
75 |
Banbridge |
,772 |
116 |
Belfast |
16,121 |
604 |
Carrickfergus |
1,053 |
81 |
Castlereagh |
1,473 |
139 |
Coleraine |
2,660 |
140 |
Cookstown |
1,639 |
161 |
Craigavon |
3,442 |
294 |
Down |
2,656 |
134 |
Dungannon and South Tyrone |
2,683 |
291 |
Fermanagh |
3,148 |
193 |
Larne |
1,240 |
63 |
Limavady |
1,162 |
72 |
Lisburn |
3,598 |
354 |
Derry |
3,807 |
220 |
Magherafelt |
1,855 |
186 |
Moyle |
830 |
19 |
Newry and Mourne |
3,984 |
323 |
Newtownabbey |
2,444 |
204 |
North Down |
2,435 |
159 |
Omagh |
2,277 |
145 |
Strabane |
1,517 |
80 |
TOTAL |
72,390 |
4,747 |
Industrial De-Rating
Dr Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the qualifying criteria for a business to benefit from industrial de-rating.
(AQW 5849/08)
Mr P Robinson: To benefit from industrial derating, a property must be shown in the Valuation List as an industrial hereditament under the provisions of Article 43 of The Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 and used as a mine, a quarry or a factory.
A property qualifies as a factory if it is a place where manual labour is employed for the purpose of gain in making, altering, repairing or adapting an article for sale. There are exclusions, for example, if the property is mainly used as a private dwelling, a shop, for storage or for other non factory purposes.
This is a complex area of rating law and each case needs to be decided on its merits against a background of these general principles, statute and case law.
Non-Domestic Ratepayers
Mr Burns asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of businesses from the Glengormley/Mallusk area that have applied for the hardship relief fund for non-domestic ratepayers, as a result of the impact on their trading operations of the closure of the Hightown Road Bridge.
(AQW 5930/08)
Mr P Robinson: Land and Property Services administer the Hardship Relief scheme.
One application is currently being processed in relation to the closure of the Hightown road bridge.
Sick Leave
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm whether a permanent employee of the Civil Service who has been off work on sick leave, due to stress caused by work, is entitled to be transferred to a different position of a similar grade on return to work.
(AQW 6112/08)
Mr P Robinson: A permanent employee who has been off work on sick leave, due to work related stress, can be considered for a transfer to another post, in their existing grade.
Overhead Power Lines
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline the reduced rates available to householders whose properties are located in the vicinity of high voltage overhead power lines.
(AQW 6132/08)
Mr P Robinson: Householders living in the vicinity of high voltage power lines will be entitled to a reduction in their rates if the capital value of their house is adversely affected because of the proximity of these lines. An application can be made to the District Valuer at any time to have the capital value reviewed. Each case is considered on its merits.
Advice Centre
Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he is satisfied that the rates-exempt advice centre at 142a Main Street, Bushmills (i) has charitable status; and (ii) is a cross-community operation with no party political ties.
(AQW 6189/08)
Mr P Robinson: The rates exempt status in the Valuation List is based on the evidence provided to the District Valuer (Land and Property Services) in 1998.
The District Valuer is reviewing the current situation; the premises have recently been inspected and discussions have taken place with the occupiers. I am advised that the District Valuer’s decision is imminent.
Staff Home Work
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of staff who have been authorised to work from home since May 2007.
(AQW 6220/08)
Mr P Robinson: There is no Departmental Homeworking Policy at present and the information requested is not held centrally. Departmental Personnel Division have not received any formal requests for homeworking since May 2007 and would not necessarily know if homeworking on an ad hoc basis had been granted, for whatever reason, as it is normally approved at a local level.
Land Disposals
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the effect of the current drop in property values and the credit crunch on the land disposals contained with this year's Budget.
(AQO 3127/08)
Mr P Robinson: Although there has been a softening of the property market it is nevertheless essential that NI departments secure the planned level of capital receipts set out in the Budget document in order that capital investment projects such as the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick, the Westlink upgrade, and the new build social housing programme can be taken forward as planned this year.
Although there are pressures in the residential market in particular, I am confident that departments, working with the support of the Capital Assets Realisation Team, will be able to deliver the planned level of capital receipts.
It is also worth noting that any drop in property values also means that the cost of public sector capital projects, and in particular the land element, should also reduce.
Financial Services Industry
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of recent developments in the local financial services industry.
(AQO 3111/08)
Mr P Robinson: On the 14 th April I met with Finance Minister Cowan to discuss cooperation on financial services. He has now publicly announced that the Irish Government has indicated to the regulatory authority that it would be favourably disposed to financial institutions relocating some functions to Northern Ireland.
This significant announcement now allows finance companies currently located in the Republic of Ireland to transfer middle and back office services to Northern Ireland in order to alleviate skills shortages.
These are valuable, well-rewarded jobs in a key sector that Northern Ireland needs to encourage. This is an important step in developing our financial services sector.
Varney 2 Report
Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an update on the Varney 2 Report.
(AQO 3167/08)
Mr P Robinson: I met recently with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Sir David Varney to review progress on this second review. I expect the report to be finalised and published within the next week.
Sir David and his team have undertaken an extensive analysis of the Northern Ireland economy. They have highlighted how there exists significant potential to develop our economy further. The report will also identify policy areas that need to be reassessed and structured better to assist economic growth.
There will not however be a single ‘silver bullet’ recommendation in this second Varney Study. The report will be a strategic roadmap for economic development.
Executive's Review of Rating
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline the further work being carried out following the outcome of the Executive's review of rating.
(AQO 3115/08)
Mr P Robinson: There has been significant progress in advancing the decisions arising from the Executive’s Review of Rating and I am delivering on my commitment to implement change.
Measures to provide further help to pensioners have already been introduced. This includes a 20% reduction in rates for those aged 70 and over living alone, as well as an increase in the savings limit for rate relief purposes.
In addition, research and consultation is underway to progress other key policy changes.
I am currently consulting on reducing the maximum capital value from £500 000 to £400 000. Further consultation papers will issue over the coming months on the detail of other new policies that I agreed to implement, including:
- the rating of empty homes;
- a deferment scheme for pensioners;
- an energy efficiency rate rebate; and
- enhanced data-sharing powers.
I have also received a study from Age Concern and Help the Aged, which my Department commissioned, into ways in which the take up of reliefs could be improved. I will be examining their recommendations over the coming weeks.
There is to be an evaluation of the rate relief scheme for those in full-time education and training and my Department is in the process of engaging consultants to undertake this important work.
Examination of the case for the rating of formerly developed land derelict commercial buildings is underway and I will involve other Departments in this work very shortly.
Finally, I have already taken the necessary steps to peg industrial derating at 30%.
I believe this package of measures, together with the decision to freeze the regional rate, will deliver a better rating system for us all and one that gains greater acceptance from the ratepaying public and the business sector.
Distribution of Jobs
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what action he is taking to ensure that the distribution of jobs, following the new arrangements arising from the Review of Public Administration, is undertaken in a balanced and equitable manner, given that some employees are not able to travel long distances to work.
(AQO 3166/08)
Mr P Robinson: An independent Review of policy on the location of public sector jobs is currently underway. The Review, chaired by Professor Sir George Bain, was approved by the Executive before Christmas and is due to report by the summer. The aim of the Review is to recommend a distribution of public sector jobs that best enhances the sustainable social and economic development of Northern Ireland. In doing so I would fully expect Professor Bain to look at the recent announcements on the RPA and the potential implications for public sector employment.
However, following Executive approval, a framework to underpin decision making relating to the RPA was published last autumn. It sets out very clearly the principles and methodology to be followed when coming to decisions on location of RPA bodies. The framework contains five guiding principles one of which is ensuring that staff interests such as mobility, travel to work and work life balance are taken into account. Departments are required to use the framework when making decisions on the RPA and apply it to the decision making process.
Peace III Expenditure
Mr Ford asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an update on the co-ordination of Peace III expenditure with other public expenditure.
(AQO 3170/08)
Mr P Robinson: Budget provision for PEACE III expenditure is shown in the Executive’s budget alongside all other public expenditure so that such relationships are visible to all when approving the budget. Furthermore all applications for PEACE III funding are assessed using the selection criteria agreed last year by the Northern Ireland Executive. Under these criteria, applicants must show how their proposed project links with or complements government strategies or initiatives. In implementing the PEACE III Programme, the Special EU Programmes Body meets regularly with Government Departments and relevant statutory bodies such as the Victims’ Commissioners and the Community Relations Council. This ensures that Programme actions are coordinated with wider publicly funded strategy.
Rates Debt
Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the total rates debt at 31 March 2008 and how it compares with the figure of the previous year.
(AQO 3120/08)
Mr P Robinson: The total rates debt at the 31 st March 2008 was £124.2m. This compares to £88.3m rates debt at the previous financial year end. The increase in debt is £35.9m or 40.7%.
Cross-Border Mobility
Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what action he is taking to address obstacles to cross-border mobility that fall within the remit of his department.
(AQO 3164/08)
Mr P Robinson: Public sector pensions and banking are two areas which fall within my remit.
At the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting in Institutional format in October 2007, Ministers agreed that the NSMC Joint Secretariat should convene two working groups of officials from relevant departments, including the two finance departments, to explore options for going forward on the cross-border transfer of pensions rights, to examine cross-border banking issues, including transaction charges and to report back to a future NSMC meeting.
Officials from my department are members of both working groups which are currently evaluating the extent and impact of the pensions and banking issues.
A report will be brought to a future meeting of the NSMC.
Performance & Efficiency Delivery Unit
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the work of the Performance & Efficiency Delivery Unit.
(AQO 3078/08)
Mr P Robinson: The work of PEDU will assist the Executive, Ministers and Departments in ensuring that the commitments and targets set out in the Programme for Government are realised. Thus the focus of PEDU will be on the Executive’s priorities and, where funding is not translating into the desired outcomes, PEDU will be used as a tool by the Executive to take direct action to identify problems and implement solutions.
As I previously announced, the Minister of the Environment and I have agreed that PEDU might usefully be used to improve our performance in the planning process – a key facilitator of the Executive’s top priority of growing the economy.
I also believe that PEDU can make a useful contribution within my own Department. The new Land & Property Services (LPS) is facing a number of challenges, not least significant rate arrears, and I am keen that PEDU work with LPS to ensure that a robust plan is in place to delivery measurable improvements in their performance.
Rate Relief
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to report on the level of take-up of rate relief for 2008/09 compared to the level in 2007/08.
(AQO 3165/08)
Mr P Robinson: New claims for Rate Relief arise when entitlement to Housing Benefit is assessed and the award of benefit leaves an outstanding rate balance owing. Land and Property Services experiences a substantial increase in new claims for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief following the issue of annual rate bills.
In the six working days following the issue of rate bills for 2007/08, some 215 claim forms for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief were received. In the six working days since rates bills issued for 2008/09, 370 claim forms for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief have been received. This is an increase of 72% on last year. No new claims for Rate Relief have as yet been assessed for 2008/09.
Interreg IV Funding
Mr Bresland asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline the role of the community and voluntary sector in the implementation of Interreg iv funding.
(AQO 3136/08)
Mr P Robinson: Implementing the INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme is the role of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Voluntary and community sector organisations are encouraged to apply for INTERREG IVA funding. Any project proposals they put forward will be assessed on the basis of the selection procedures agreed by the Executive at the end of last year.
Local Produce
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline his position in relation to the procurement of local produce.
(AQO 3103/08)
Mr P Robinson: All procurements are subject to the EU Treaty which requires freedom of movement, transparency and non-discrimination on the basis of nationality. Public sector buyers therefore cannot restrict their purchases to specific locations or suppliers.
However, Central Procurement Directorate is working on bringing forward new public procurement guidance for procurers, allowing them to develop specifications which will deliver fresh, seasonal produce and for which local producers can compete.
Ministerial Directions
Lord Browne asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the number of Ministerial Directions that have been received by his department since 8 May 2007.
(AQO 3126/08)
Mr P Robinson: There was one Ministerial Direction issued during the period. This related to a decision by the DARD Minister on 28 February 2008 in relation to suspending imports of certain animals susceptible to Bluetongue disease.
Departmental Funding
Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the funding opportunities available for organisations offering support or advocacy services on behalf of children, young people and families who do not fit the remit or priorities of a department which has been allocated 'ring-fenced funding' for children.
(AQO 3076/08)
Mr P Robinson: As part of the 2007 Budget process the Executive agreed that projects previously supported by Central Funds should be mainstreamed into departmental budgets. Therefore departments did not receive specific ring-fenced funding allocations for children’s services, which allowed non ring-fenced allocations to be greater than they otherwise would have been.
In terms of the specific services in question, the ambits of a number Northern Ireland departments, as set out in the Main Estimates and Spring Supplementary Estimates, provide the legal authority, regardless of whether a Budget allocation is ring-fenced or not, to fund a broad range of public services including support for advocacy services on behalf of children, young people and families.
It is a matter for the respective departments to determine whether funding should be provided for specific support and advocacy projects or programmes in light of competing priorities and the overall level of resources available.
Budget Spending Plans
Rev Dr Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if it has considered a revision of all Executive programmes in light of recent increases in fuel prices.
(AQO 3101/08)
Mr P Robinson: On 29 January 2008 the Assembly approved the programme of expenditure proposals for 2008-09 to 2010-11 as set out in the Budget document, laid before the Assembly on 22 January 2008.
These spending plans reflected the position at that time and will be subject to review as more up to date information becomes available and any pressures emerge.
Through the in-year monitoring process departments will be able to put forward proposals to manage emerging pressures from within their existing resources. They will also have the opportunity to submit bids to my department for additional resources if they are unable to manage the pressure within their overall budget allocation.
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
General Practitioner Surgery
Mr Spratt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his plans to encourage a general practitioner surgery to open on the Donegal Road in south Belfast.
(AQW 5700/08)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): The Eastern Health and Social Services Board have advised that there is currently a GP practice at 15a Donegall Road, a further 5 practices located within half a mile of the Donegall Road and 15 practices within 1 mile. All offer home visits where a patient’s condition is such that they cannot attend the surgery. GP practices are independent businesses, and it is a matter for the GPs concerned where they establish. However, Health and Social Services Boards monitor GP accessibility and will work to encourage local GPs to establish a presence where accessibility is insufficient.
Wet Macular Regenerative Eye Disease
Lord Browne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that patients receiving treatment for Wet Macular Regenerative Eye Disease will not be disadvantaged as a result of any financial constraints.
(AQW 5776/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The allocation of funding for specialist hospital drugs and therapies is a matter for Health and Social Services Boards, as commissioners of services. The 2008-2011 budget settlement includes additional funding for hospital and specialist drugs of £39 million by 2010/11, which will allow the health service to improve access to specialist therapies for a range of conditions, including sight preserving treatments for people affected by wet age-related macular degeneration consistent with the emerging evidence base for the treatment of this condition.
The health service currently provides specialist argon laser and photodynamic therapy for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration who are clinically suitable for these treatments. Boards are also currently providing funding for treatment with anti-VEGF drugs for patients with the greatest clinical priority.
Daisy Hill Hospital
Lord Browne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average length of time from X-rays being taken until they are made available to out-patients at Daisy Hill hospital.
(AQW 5777/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The average length of time between an x-ray being taken and made available to out-patients at Daisy Hill Hospital is 12.3 days. However, urgent referrals are examined and reported on the same day.
I recently announced that all Trusts had met the target set last year that no patients should wait longer than 13 weeks for any diagnostic test, including x-rays. New targets have now been set that by March 2009, patients should wait no longer than 9 weeks for diagnostic tests. I have also set a new diagnostic reporting time target that by March 2009 all urgent diagnostic tests are reported on within two days of the tests being undertaken, and 75% of all routine tests reported on within two weeks, and all within four weeks.
Wet Macular Degenerative Eye Disease
Lord Browne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his policy in relation to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations on the treatment for Wet Macular Degenerative Eye Disease.
(AQW 5778/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising ranibizumab (Lucentis) and pegaptanib (Macugen) for the treatment of wet age related macular degeneration (wet AMD), and issued its Final Appraisal Determination on the 1 st April 2008. Subject to appeals against this determination, final guidance is expected to be published in June 2008.
My Department has established a link with NICE whereby all guidance published by the Institute from 1 July 2006 is reviewed locally for its applicability to Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, is endorsed by the Department for implementation in Northern Ireland. The guidance on Lucentis and Macugen will be considered under these arrangements when NICE publishes its final guidance in June 2008.
Rural Proofing
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his plans to ensure that all departmental policies are rural-proofed.
(AQW 5799/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: My Department recognises that the needs of people and communities in rural areas may vary from those in urban settings and implements the current guidance provided in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister’s Policy Toolkit on Rural Screening and Impact Assessment. Where our screening and impact assessment processes identify an impact on rural communities, relevant questions are included in public consultation documents. My Department will continue to work with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement any future changes to the rural proofing of policies.
Ards Hospital Minor Injuries Unit
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people aged (i) 0-18 years; (ii) 18-30 years; (iii) 30-50 years; and (iv) over 50 years, who have attended the Ards Hospital Minor Injuries Unit in each of the last three years.
(AQW 5801/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The number of people aged (i) 0-18 years; (ii) >18-30 years; (iii) >30-50 years; and (iv) over 50 years, who have attended the Ards Hospital Minor Injuries Unit, in each of the last three years, is detailed in the table below.
Year |
0-18 Years |
>18-30 Years |
>30-50 Years |
Over 50 Years |
Total Attendances |
2004/05 |
2,186 |
1,744 |
2,699 |
2,715 |
9,344 |
2005/06 |
2,452 |
1,916 |
2,882 |
2,774 |
10,024 |
2006/07 |
2,647 |
1,880 |
2,807 |
2,868 |
10,202 |
Source: South Eastern HSC Trust
High Dependency Unit
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm the date of the latest hygiene audit of the High Dependency Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
(AQW 5811/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The most recent Environmental Cleanliness audit of the High Dependency Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital was carried out on Tuesday 15 April 2008.
High Dependency Unit
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm if complaints were received by the Royal Victoria Hospital High Dependency Unit from members of the public, in relation to the unsatisfactory state of the men's toilets.
(AQW 5812/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Belfast HSC Trust has informed me that no complaints have been received from members of the public in the last 4 months in relation to the state of the men's toilets in the Royal Victoria High Dependency Unit.
High Dependency Unit
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm if a cleaning chart was displayed in the men's toilets in the Royal Victoria Hospital High Dependency Unit, over the last 2 weeks.
(AQW 5814/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Trust has informed me that a cleaning schedule was not displayed in the men's toilets in the Royal Victoria Hospital High Dependency Unit over the last two weeks. The use of such cleaning schedules is not standard practice in HSC Trusts although we will be exploring the introduction of such measures across HSC Trusts.
Royal Victoria Hospital
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the guidelines in place, in relation to the (i) cleaning of exterior public areas; and (ii) emptying of rubbish bins, at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
(AQW 5817/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: All entrances to the hospital are cleared daily by a two person team that operates Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. This team also ensures that bins within the immediate vicinity of all main hospital entrances are emptied every 2 hours. At the weekend between 7.30am and 4.00pm one member of staff cleans all entrances.
Between 2.00pm-8.00pm a mechanised sweeper cleans entrances roads and hard surfaces on the hospital site.
A grounds contactor is on site Monday to Friday to litter pick and tend to the soft grounds area and certain hard surfaces. An additional two litter pickers have been recently employed.
High Dependency Unit
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm if he will implement a full review of hygiene levels at the High Dependency Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
(AQW 5818/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I have placed renewed emphasis on the need for high hygiene standards in all of our hospitals. To focus on specific departments would not achieve sustained improvement in standards across all parts of our hospitals. The ongoing programme of independent unannounced inspections of hygiene standards by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority is therefore designed to challenge and improve hygiene practice on the ground in our healthcare facilities.
Disinfection Mats
Mr McQuillan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his plans to introduce disinfection mats at the public entrances to all hospitals.
(AQW 5819/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: There are no plans to introduce disinfection mats at public entrances to hospitals, as there is no evidence to indicate that these would be effective in the prevention and control of healthcare associated infection.
Royal Victoria Hospital
Mr McQuillan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the guidelines that are in place in relation to carrying open plates of food on to wards at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
(AQW 5820/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Belfast HSC Trust has confirmed that food is not carried to wards on open plates and that the Trust complies with the necessary food safety legislation and Environmental Health guidelines regarding transportation of food at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Diabetes
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people that are diagnosed with diabetes.
(AQW 5833/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information is not available in the form requested. However, under the Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF) of the General Medical Services contract, the total number of GP-registered patients aged 17 and over with diabetes mellitus is recorded. Table 1 shows the total number of people on the QOF diabetes register, as at 14 February 2008.
Table 1: Number of patients on Diabetes Register (aged 17 and over)
|
Number of patients on Diabetes Register (aged 17 and over) |
As at 14 February 2008 |
60,822 |
Source: Payment Calculation and Analysis System (PCAS).
Arthritis
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people diagnosed with arthritis.
(AQW 5834/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is not possible to provide the number of people that suffer from arthritis.
It is possible however to provide the number of admissions to hospital where a diagnosis of arthritis was recorded in any diagnostic position.
The number of admissions to Health and Social Care Hospitals in Northern Ireland for patients with a diagnosis of arthritis in the year 2006/07 (the latest for which figures are available) was 7469.
It is estimated that these admissions relate to approximately 4482 individuals.
Asbestoses
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people that suffer from asbestoses.
(AQW 5836/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is not possible to provide the number of people that suffer from asbestosis.
It is possible however to provide the number of admissions to hospital where an asbestos related diagnosis was recorded in any diagnostic position.
For this analysis asbestos related illnesses have been defined, using the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), as Mesothelioma, Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibres, and Pleural Plaque including pleural thickening with the presence of asbestos.
The number of admissions to Health and Social Care Hospitals in Northern Ireland for patients with an asbestos related diagnosis in the year 2006/07 (the latest for which figures are available) was 415.
It is estimated that these admissions relate to approximately 269 individuals.
Heart Disease
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of people diagnosed with heart disease.
(AQW 5843/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information is not available in the form requested. However, under the Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF) of the General Medical Services contract, the total number of GP-registered patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is recorded. Table 1 shows the total number of people on the QOF CHD register, as at 14 February 2008.
Table 1: Number of patients on the coronary heart disease register.
|
Number of patients on CHD Register 1 |
As at 14 February 2008 |
75,984 |
Source: Payment Calculation and Analysis System (PCAS).
1 Only patients with coronary heart disease are recorded on the QOF CHD register. Patients with other forms of heart disease such as rheumatic heart disease, inflammatory heart disease, and congenital heart disease are not included.
Flattened Head Syndrome
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of cases of flattened head syndrome that have been diagnosed in the last five years.
(AQW 5844/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is not possible to provide the number of cases of flattened head syndrome that have been diagnosed in the last five years.
It is possible however to provide the number of children admitted to hospital where a diagnosis of flattened head syndrome (plagiocephaly) was recorded in any diagnostic position.
The number of admissions to Health and Social Care Hospitals in Northern Ireland for children with a diagnosis of flattened head syndrome in each of the last five years is shown in the table below.
Year |
Number of *Admissions |
2002/03 |
26 |
2003/04 |
28 |
2004/05 |
34 |
2005/06 |
18 |
2006/07 |
31 |
Source: Hospital Inpatient System
* Discharges and Deaths are used as an approximation for admissions. It is possible that any individual could be admitted to hospital more than once in any year and will thus be counted more than once as an admission.
Medical Secretaries
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the reasons why the completion date for pay scale allocation for medical secretaries has been put back to June 2008; and to confirm if this will be the final date by which staff can expect to have their pay scale finally resolved.
(AQW 5866/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Following discussions with staff representatives, I agreed that, in order to maintain the robustness of the Agenda for Change implementation process and to preserve the partnership arrangements, I would extend the deadline for all staff to be on Agenda for Change rates of pay to 30 June 2008. This change of deadline applies to all groups, not only medical secretaries, and was in recognition of the need to complete a time consuming process. I expect Health and Social Care employers to meet this target for all staff including medical secretaries.
Accident and Emergency Vehicles
Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each ambulance station, (i) the age; and (ii) the recorded mileage, of each accident and emergency vehicle.
(AQW 5874/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The table below provides the ambulance station location, age and recorded mileage at 31 March 2008 for each Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Accident and Emergency (A&E) ambulance.
Station |
A&E Ambulances |
Vehicle Age (years) |
Individual Recorded Mileages |
Altnagelvin |
9 |
1x1 2x3 1x4 1x5 1x6 2x7 1x9 |
31,862 115,085 and 45,738 113,159 110,110 66,579 78,176 and 79,009 134,777 |
Antrim |
4 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
47,778 134,118 71,422 |
Ardoyne ( Belfast) |
4 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 5 1x 7 |
28,121 68,642 115,747 58,514 |
Armagh |
4 |
1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 9 |
123,365 164,241 138,804 181,697 |
Ballycastle |
3 |
1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
131,628 176,636 239,158 |
Ballymena |
4 |
2x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
197,973 and 180,107 241,242 227,996 |
Ballymoney |
3 |
2x 4 1x 9 |
107,571 and 169,488 157,164 |
Banbridge |
2 |
1x 5 1x 8 |
168,205 179,222 |
Bangor |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 6 1x 7 |
63,449 194,365 138,308 119662 |
Bridge ( Belfast) |
5 |
3x 5
1x 6 1x 7 |
112,123, 124,537 and169,109 98,476 127,203 |
Broadway ( Belfast) |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
23,406 51,349 93,677 66,846 69,348 |
Carrickfergus |
3 |
1x 1 2x 4 |
23,577 182,138 and 224,496 |
Castlederg |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
25,344 104,056 |
Coleraine |
5 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 2x 9 |
58,713 195,104 111.816 160,662 and 184,241 |
Cookstown |
2 |
1x 1 1x 5 |
52,679 130,928 |
Craigavon |
8 |
2x 1 1x 4 2x 5 1x 6 2x 7 |
28,538 and 30,487 119,730 126,133 and 149,030 168,732 73,231 and 77,829 |
Derriaghy |
2 |
2x 5 |
125,758 and 128,398 |
Downpatrick |
5 |
1x 2 1x 3 2x 4 1x 6 |
132,552 179,186 196,700 and 199,832 95,542 |
Dungannon |
6 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
53,266 and 59,525 156,713 and 213,701 312,758 154,168 |
Enniskillen |
5 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 1x 9 |
24,127 126,226 125,062 176,819 205,938 |
Knockbracken ( Belfast) |
3 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
24,108 177,112 95,804 |
Kilkeel |
2 |
1x 4 1x 6 |
107,904 120,433 |
Larne |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 |
81,433 128,166 220,230 146,537 |
Limavady |
2 |
1x 5 1x 9 |
156,869 208,962 |
Lisburn |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 5 1x 6 1x 8 |
42,464 119,022 137,264 66,420 54,387 |
Magherafelt |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
86,055 98,165 130,027 112,707 182,107 |
Newcastle |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
51,081 224,873 |
Newry |
7 |
1x 1 1x 4 2x 6 2x 8 1x 9 |
24,861 126,733 79,022 and 181,858 161,787 and 207,956 136,309 |
Newtownards |
5 |
4x 5
1x 6 |
167,033, 172,043, 174,352 and 192,004 106,177 |
Omagh |
7 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 5 1x 6 1x 9 |
39,314 and 40,525 100,097 and 114,354 113,366 118,906 122,103 |
Strabane |
2 |
1x 4 1x 7 |
169,583 162,684 |
Whiteabbey |
4 |
1x 1 2x 4 1x 7 |
57,447 112,317 and 165,654 136,328 |
The table below shows the number of new A&E ambulances delivered to each NIAS ambulance station from 2003 to 2007.
Ambulance Station |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
| Altnagelvin | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Antrim | 1 | 1 | |||
| Ardoyne | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Armagh | 1 | 1 | |||
| Ballycastle | 1 | 1 | |||
| Ballymena | 1 | 2 | |||
| Ballymoney | 2 | ||||
| Banbridge | 1 | ||||
| Bangor | 1 | 1 | |||
| Bridge ( Belfast) | 3 | ||||
| Broadway ( Belfast) | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Carrickfergus | 2 | 1 | |||
| Castlederg | 1 | ||||
| Coleraine | 1 | 1 | |||
| Cookstown | 1 | 1 | |||
| Craigavon | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Derriaghy | 2 | ||||
| Downpatrick | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Dungannon | 2 | 2 | |||
| Enniskillen | 1 | 1 | |||
| Knockbracken ( Belfast) | 1 | ||||
| Kilkeel | 1 | ||||
| Larne | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Limavady | 1 | ||||
| Lisburn | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Magherafelt | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Newtownards | 4 | ||||
| Newcastle | 1 | ||||
| Newry | 1 | 1 | |||
| Omagh | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Strabane | 1 | ||||
| Whiteabbey | 2 | 1 |
It is a matter for NIAS to determine when its vehicle fleet should be replaced. NIAS is currently preparing a Fleet Strategy which will determine the replacement cycle for its A&E ambulances during the lifetime of the current Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Number of Ambulances
Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of ambulances based at each ambulance station.
(AQW 5875/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The table below provides the ambulance station location, age and recorded mileage at 31 March 2008 for each Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Accident and Emergency (A&E) ambulance.
Station |
A&E Ambulances |
Vehicle Age (years) |
Individual Recorded Mileages |
Altnagelvin |
9 |
1x1 2x3 1x4 1x5 1x6 2x7 1x9 |
31,862 115,085 and 45,738 113,159 110,110 66,579 78,176 and 79,009 134,777 |
Antrim |
4 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
47,778 134,118 71,422 |
Ardoyne ( Belfast) |
4 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 5 1x 7 |
28,121 68,642 115,747 58,514 |
Armagh |
4 |
1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 9 |
123,365 164,241 138,804 181,697 |
Ballycastle |
3 |
1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
131,628 176,636 239,158 |
Ballymena |
4 |
2x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
197,973 and 180,107 241,242 227,996 |
Ballymoney |
3 |
2x 4 1x 9 |
107,571 and 169,488 157,164 |
Banbridge |
2 |
1x 5 1x 8 |
168,205 179,222 |
Bangor |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 6 1x 7 |
63,449 194,365 138,308 119662 |
Bridge ( Belfast) |
5 |
3x 5
1x 6 1x 7 |
112,123, 124,537 and169,109 98,476 127,203 |
Broadway ( Belfast) |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
23,406 51,349 93,677 66,846 69,348 |
Carrickfergus |
3 |
1x 1 2x 4 |
23,577 182,138 and 224,496 |
Castlederg |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
25,344 104,056 |
Coleraine |
5 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 2x 9 |
58,713 195,104 111.816 160,662 and 184,241 |
Cookstown |
2 |
1x 1 1x 5 |
52,679 130,928 |
Craigavon |
8 |
2x 1 1x 4 2x 5 1x 6 2x 7 |
28,538 and 30,487 119,730 126,133 and 149,030 168,732 73,231 and 77,829 |
Derriaghy |
2 |
2x 5 |
125,758 and 128,398 |
Downpatrick |
5 |
1x 2 1x 3 2x 4 1x 6 |
132,552 179,186 196,700 and 199,832 95,542 |
Dungannon |
6 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
53,266 and 59,525 156,713 and 213,701 312,758 154,168 |
Enniskillen |
5 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 1x 9 |
24,127 126,226 125,062 176,819 205,938 |
Knockbracken ( Belfast) |
3 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
24,108 177,112 95,804 |
Kilkeel |
2 |
1x 4 1x 6 |
107,904 120,433 |
Larne |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 |
81,433 128,166 220,230 146,537 |
Limavady |
2 |
1x 5 1x 9 |
156,869 208,962 |
Lisburn |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 5 1x 6 1x 8 |
42,464 119,022 137,264 66,420 54,387 |
Magherafelt |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
86,055 98,165 130,027 112,707 182,107 |
Newcastle |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
51,081 224,873 |
Newry |
7 |
1x 1 1x 4 2x 6 2x 8 1x 9 |
24,861 126,733 79,022 and 181,858 161,787 and 207,956 136,309 |
Newtownards |
5 |
4x 5
1x 6 |
167,033, 172,043, 174,352 and 192,004 106,177 |
Omagh |
7 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 5 1x 6 1x 9 |
39,314 and 40,525 100,097 and 114,354 113,366 118,906 122,103 |
Strabane |
2 |
1x 4 1x 7 |
169,583 162,684 |
Whiteabbey |
4 |
1x 1 2x 4 1x 7 |
57,447 112,317 and 165,654 136,328 |
The table below shows the number of new A&E ambulances delivered to each NIAS ambulance station from 2003 to 2007.
Ambulance Station |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Altnagelvin |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
1 |
Antrim |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Ardoyne |
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
Armagh |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Ballycastle |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Ballymena |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
Ballymoney |
|
2 |
|
|
|
Banbridge |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Bangor |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
Bridge ( Belfast) |
3 |
|
|
|
|
Broadway ( Belfast) |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Carrickfergus |
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
Castlederg |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Coleraine |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Cookstown |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Craigavon |
2 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
Derriaghy |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Downpatrick |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dungannon |
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
Enniskillen |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
Knockbracken ( Belfast) |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Kilkeel |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Larne |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Limavady |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Lisburn |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
Magherafelt |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Newtownards |
4 |
|
|
|
|
Newcastle |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Newry |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
Omagh |
1 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
Strabane |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Whiteabbey |
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
It is a matter for NIAS to determine when its vehicle fleet should be replaced. NIAS is currently preparing a Fleet Strategy which will determine the replacement cycle for its A&E ambulances during the lifetime of the current Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Accident and Emergency Vehicles
Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of new accident and emergency vehicles that were delivered to ambulance depots.
(AQW 5876/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The table below provides the ambulance station location, age and recorded mileage at 31 March 2008 for each Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Accident and Emergency (A&E) ambulance.
Station |
A&E Ambulances |
Vehicle Age (years) |
Individual Recorded Mileages |
Altnagelvin |
9 |
1x1 2x3 1x4 1x5 1x6 2x7 1x9 |
31,862 115,085 and 45,738 113,159 110,110 66,579 78,176 and 79,009 134,777 |
Antrim |
4 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
47,778 134,118 71,422 |
Ardoyne ( Belfast) |
4 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 5 1x 7 |
28,121 68,642 115,747 58,514 |
Armagh |
4 |
1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 9 |
123,365 164,241 138,804 181,697 |
Ballycastle |
3 |
1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
131,628 176,636 239,158 |
Ballymena |
4 |
2x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
197,973 and 180,107 241,242 227,996 |
Ballymoney |
3 |
2x 4 1x 9 |
107,571 and 169,488 157,164 |
Banbridge |
2 |
1x 5 1x 8 |
168,205 179,222 |
Bangor |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 6 1x 7 |
63,449 194,365 138,308 119662 |
Bridge ( Belfast) |
5 |
3x 5
1x 6 1x 7 |
112,123, 124,537 and169,109 98,476 127,203 |
Broadway ( Belfast) |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
23,406 51,349 93,677 66,846 69,348 |
Carrickfergus |
3 |
1x 1 2x 4 |
23,577 182,138 and 224,496 |
Castlederg |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
25,344 104,056 |
Coleraine |
5 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 2x 9 |
58,713 195,104 111.816 160,662 and 184,241 |
Cookstown |
2 |
1x 1 1x 5 |
52,679 130,928 |
Craigavon |
8 |
2x 1 1x 4 2x 5 1x 6 2x 7 |
28,538 and 30,487 119,730 126,133 and 149,030 168,732 73,231 and 77,829 |
Derriaghy |
2 |
2x 5 |
125,758 and 128,398 |
Downpatrick |
5 |
1x 2 1x 3 2x 4 1x 6 |
132,552 179,186 196,700 and 199,832 95,542 |
Dungannon |
6 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
53,266 and 59,525 156,713 and 213,701 312,758 154,168 |
Enniskillen |
5 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 1x 9 |
24,127 126,226 125,062 176,819 205,938 |
Knockbracken ( Belfast) |
3 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
24,108 177,112 95,804 |
Kilkeel |
2 |
1x 4 1x 6 |
107,904 120,433 |
Larne |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 |
81,433 128,166 220,230 146,537 |
Limavady |
2 |
1x 5 1x 9 |
156,869 208,962 |
Lisburn |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 5 1x 6 1x 8 |
42,464 119,022 137,264 66,420 54,387 |
Magherafelt |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
86,055 98,165 130,027 112,707 182,107 |
Newcastle |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
51,081 224,873 |
Newry |
7 |
1x 1 1x 4 2x 6 2x 8 1x 9 |
24,861 126,733 79,022 and 181,858 161,787 and 207,956 136,309 |
Newtownards |
5 |
4x 5
1x 6 |
167,033, 172,043, 174,352 and 192,004 106,177 |
Omagh |
7 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 5 1x 6 1x 9 |
39,314 and 40,525 100,097 and 114,354 113,366 118,906 122,103 |
Strabane |
2 |
1x 4 1x 7 |
169,583 162,684 |
Whiteabbey |
4 |
1x 1 2x 4 1x 7 |
57,447 112,317 and 165,654 136,328 |
The table below shows the number of new A&E ambulances delivered to each NIAS ambulance station from 2003 to 2007.
Ambulance Station |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Altnagelvin |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
1 |
Antrim |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Ardoyne |
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
Armagh |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Ballycastle |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Ballymena |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
Ballymoney |
|
2 |
|
|
|
Banbridge |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Bangor |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
Bridge ( Belfast) |
3 |
|
|
|
|
Broadway ( Belfast) |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Carrickfergus |
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
Castlederg |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Coleraine |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Cookstown |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Craigavon |
2 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
Derriaghy |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Downpatrick |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dungannon |
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
Enniskillen |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
Knockbracken ( Belfast) |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Kilkeel |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Larne |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Limavady |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Lisburn |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
Magherafelt |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Newtownards |
4 |
|
|
|
|
Newcastle |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Newry |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
Omagh |
1 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
Strabane |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Whiteabbey |
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
It is a matter for NIAS to determine when its vehicle fleet should be replaced. NIAS is currently preparing a Fleet Strategy which will determine the replacement cycle for its A&E ambulances during the lifetime of the current Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Accident and Emergency Vehicles
Mr Wells asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm if his department replaces accident and emergency vehicles if they are no longer fit for purpose.
(AQW 5877/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The table below provides the ambulance station location, age and recorded mileage at 31 March 2008 for each Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Accident and Emergency (A&E) ambulance.
Station |
A&E Ambulances |
Vehicle Age (years) |
Individual Recorded Mileages |
Altnagelvin |
9 |
1x1 2x3 1x4 1x5 1x6 2x7 1x9 |
31,862 115,085 and 45,738 113,159 110,110 66,579 78,176 and 79,009 134,777 |
Antrim |
4 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
47,778 134,118 71,422 |
Ardoyne ( Belfast) |
4 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 5 1x 7 |
28,121 68,642 115,747 58,514 |
Armagh |
4 |
1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 9 |
123,365 164,241 138,804 181,697 |
Ballycastle |
3 |
1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
131,628 176,636 239,158 |
Ballymena |
4 |
2x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
197,973 and 180,107 241,242 227,996 |
Ballymoney |
3 |
2x 4 1x 9 |
107,571 and 169,488 157,164 |
Banbridge |
2 |
1x 5 1x 8 |
168,205 179,222 |
Bangor |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 6 1x 7 |
63,449 194,365 138,308 119662 |
Bridge ( Belfast) |
5 |
3x 5
1x 6 1x 7 |
112,123, 124,537 and169,109 98,476 127,203 |
Broadway ( Belfast) |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
23,406 51,349 93,677 66,846 69,348 |
Carrickfergus |
3 |
1x 1 2x 4 |
23,577 182,138 and 224,496 |
Castlederg |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
25,344 104,056 |
Coleraine |
5 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 2x 9 |
58,713 195,104 111.816 160,662 and 184,241 |
Cookstown |
2 |
1x 1 1x 5 |
52,679 130,928 |
Craigavon |
8 |
2x 1 1x 4 2x 5 1x 6 2x 7 |
28,538 and 30,487 119,730 126,133 and 149,030 168,732 73,231 and 77,829 |
Derriaghy |
2 |
2x 5 |
125,758 and 128,398 |
Downpatrick |
5 |
1x 2 1x 3 2x 4 1x 6 |
132,552 179,186 196,700 and 199,832 95,542 |
Dungannon |
6 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 6 1x 7 |
53,266 and 59,525 156,713 and 213,701 312,758 154,168 |
Enniskillen |
5 |
1x 1 1x 4 1x 6 1x 7 1x 9 |
24,127 126,226 125,062 176,819 205,938 |
Knockbracken ( Belfast) |
3 |
1x 1 1x 5 1x 6 |
24,108 177,112 95,804 |
Kilkeel |
2 |
1x 4 1x 6 |
107,904 120,433 |
Larne |
4 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 |
81,433 128,166 220,230 146,537 |
Limavady |
2 |
1x 5 1x 9 |
156,869 208,962 |
Lisburn |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 5 1x 6 1x 8 |
42,464 119,022 137,264 66,420 54,387 |
Magherafelt |
5 |
1x 1 1x 3 1x 4 1x 5 1x 9 |
86,055 98,165 130,027 112,707 182,107 |
Newcastle |
2 |
1x 1 1x 7 |
51,081 224,873 |
Newry |
7 |
1x 1 1x 4 2x 6 2x 8 1x 9 |
24,861 126,733 79,022 and 181,858 161,787 and 207,956 136,309 |
Newtownards |
5 |
4x 5
1x 6 |
167,033, 172,043, 174,352 and 192,004 106,177 |
Omagh |
7 |
2x 1 2x 4 1x 5 1x 6 1x 9 |
39,314 and 40,525 100,097 and 114,354 113,366 118,906 122,103 |
Strabane |
2 |
1x 4 1x 7 |
169,583 162,684 |
Whiteabbey |
4 |
1x 1 2x 4 1x 7 |
57,447 112,317 and 165,654 136,328 |
The table below shows the number of new A&E ambulances delivered to each NIAS ambulance station from 2003 to 2007.
Ambulance Station |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Altnagelvin |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
1 |
Antrim |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Ardoyne |
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
Armagh |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Ballycastle |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Ballymena |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
Ballymoney |
|
2 |
|
|
|
Banbridge |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Bangor |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
Bridge ( Belfast) |
3 |
|
|
|
|
Broadway ( Belfast) |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Carrickfergus |
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
Castlederg |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Coleraine |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Cookstown |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
Craigavon |
2 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
Derriaghy |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Downpatrick |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dungannon |
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
Enniskillen |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
Knockbracken ( Belfast) |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Kilkeel |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Larne |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Limavady |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Lisburn |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
Magherafelt |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
Newtownards |
4 |
|
|
|
|
Newcastle |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Newry |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
Omagh |
1 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
Strabane |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Whiteabbey |
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
It is a matter for NIAS to determine when its vehicle fleet should be replaced. NIAS is currently preparing a Fleet Strategy which will determine the replacement cycle for its A&E ambulances during the lifetime of the current Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Supporting People Programme
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to explain how his department is progressing accommodation as part of the 'Supporting People' programme with the Department for Social Development.
(AQW 5879/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: One of my top priorities is to resettle long stay patients from Mental Health and Learning Disability hospitals into appropriate places in the community. This process is being taken forward by the Health and Social Care Trusts who provide the service. In some cases this involves the Trust entering into contract with colleagues in the Department for Social Development ( DSD) to provide appropriate housing under the “Supporting People” programme. My Department continues to liaise with DSD to ensure that the accommodation needed for Trusts to continue with the resettlement programme is available.
Suicide Prevention Strategy
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the reasons why the Protect Life suicide prevention strategy was not subject to an equality impact assessment.
(AQW 5881/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Suicide Prevention Strategy “Protect Life – A Shared Vision” was equality screened during its development, in keeping with the Equality Commission’s guidance. On the basis of the outcome of the equality screening exercise the Department determined that the policy should impact positively on the health and emotional wellbeing of the general population. The Department also determined that the Strategy and Action Plan does not adversely impact on any of the Section 75 groups, and therefore a full equality impact assessment was not required. The majority of responses to public consultation on the draft strategy supported this decision. The forthcoming evaluation of the Strategy will provide a further opportunity to review equality issues.
Budget Allocation
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current budget allocation for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 5893/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The budgets for the Health and Social Care Trusts for 2007 – 08 were as follows:
Trust |
£M |
Belfast |
997.0 |
Northern |
476.0 |
Southern |
371.6 |
South Eastern |
416.0 |
Western |
415.1 |
At this time I am unable to advise on 2008/09 budgets as Trusts are still in ongoing negotiations with their commissioners.
Budget Allocation
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current budget allocation for the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 5894/08)
Mr M McGimpsey:
The budgets for the Health and Social Care Trusts for 2007 – 08 were as follows:
Trust |
£M |
Belfast |
997.0 |
Northern |
476.0 |
Southern |
371.6 |
South Eastern |
416.0 |
Western |
415.1 |
At this time I am unable to advise on 2008/09 budgets as Trusts are still in ongoing negotiations with their commissioners.
Budget Allocation
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current budget allocation for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 5895/08)
Mr M McGimpsey:
The budgets for the Health and Social Care Trusts for 2007 – 08 were as follows:
Trust |
£M |
Belfast |
997.0 |
Northern |
476.0 |
Southern |
371.6 |
South Eastern |
416.0 |
Western |
415.1 |
At this time I am unable to advise on 2008/09 budgets as Trusts are still in ongoing negotiations with their commissioners.
Budget Allocation
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current budget allocation for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 5896/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The budgets for the Health and Social Care Trusts for 2007 – 08 were as follows:
Trust |
£M |
Belfast |
997.0 |
Northern |
476.0 |
Southern |
371.6 |
South Eastern |
416.0 |
Western |
415.1 |
At this time I am unable to advise on 2008/09 budgets as Trusts are still in ongoing negotiations with their commissioners.
Budget Allocation
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current budget allocation for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 5897/08)
Mr M McGimpsey:
The budgets for the Health and Social Care Trusts for 2007 – 08 were as follows:
Trust |
£M |
Belfast |
997.0 |
Northern |
476.0 |
Southern |
371.6 |
South Eastern |
416.0 |
Western |
415.1 |
At this time I am unable to advise on 2008/09 budgets as Trusts are still in ongoing negotiations with their commissioners.
Minor Injuries Unit
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each of the last 3 years, (i) the number of cases at the Minor Injuries Unit at the Ards Hospital that have had to be referred to another hospital for further treatment; and (ii) the percentage of total cases that these figures represent.
(AQW 5901/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The number of patients referred to another hospital for further treatment following an attendance at the Minor Injury Unit at Ards Hospital, and the percentage of total patients treated that this figure represents, for the last three years, is contained in the table below:
Year |
No. of patient attendances at Ards MIU |
No. of patients referred to another hospital for further treatment |
% of total attendances referred to another hospital for further treatment |
2004/05 |
9,344 |
1,434 |
15.3% |
2005/06 |
10,024 |
1,363 |
13.6% |
2006/07 |
10,202 |
1,314 |
12.9% |
Source: Departmental Return KH09 (Part 2) and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Parental Disciplining
Mr Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the legal rights of parents in relation to disciplining their children.
(AQW 5911/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Your question relates to the operation of the criminal law, which is a matter for the NIO. There is no law detailing the disciplinary "rights" of parents. The criminal law offers a defence to a charge of assault, which applies in limited circumstances.
Community Psychiatric Nurses
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of community psychiatric nurses that are currently working in the North Down constituency.
(AQW 5916/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information is not available in the form requested. The North Down area is serviced by the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust. The South Eastern Trust reports that there are 17 community psychiatric/mental health nurses (15.7 whole-time equivalents) working within their North Down & Ards sector.
Graduate Dentists
Mr Spratt asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the action he is taking to assist graduate dentists to find employment in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 5935/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: On graduation, every aspiring dentist must undergo a Vocational Training year in a dental practice before they are qualified to practise on their own and hold a health service contract number in the future. Alternatively, they may undergo a two-year period of General Professional Training in a variety of settings such as dental practices, health centres and hospitals.
There are currently 40 dentists graduating annually from Queen’s University. In order to match the number of training places to graduate numbers, my Department has provided additional funding over the past 2 years to increase the number of training places from 30 to 40. In recent years there has been some difficulty in attracting sufficient numbers of high street dentists to become trainers willing to train our new graduates within the Health Service. In order to attract additional trainers into the scheme, I provided £500k additional funding to increase significantly the grants and allowances paid to trainers.
Pellet Guns
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of people treated in hospitals following incidents involving pellet guns.
(AQW 5942/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information is not available on the number of people treated in hospitals following incidents involving pellet guns.
Search and Rescue Services
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm if he will table the issue of search and rescue services at the next appropriate meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.
(AQW 5952/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The agenda for the next meeting of the NSMC in the Health & Food Safety Sectors has not yet been finalised however, the issue of search and rescue services as such are not within the ambit of the North/South areas of co-operation in health.
Domestic Violence
Mr Simpson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline what assistance is available for victims of domestic violence.
(AQW 5957/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: There are a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies providing assistance to victims of domestic violence.
Victims of domestic violence can access support services through the 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline. They are also able to seek assistance locally from GPs, Women’s Aid offices and social services and should it be necessary, emergency accommodation for women and children can be accessed through Women’s Aid offices and also through the NIHE emergency accommodation service.
Regarding the law and legal processes, victims can be assisted by PSNI officers, all of whom now receive domestic violence training. There is also access to specially-trained PSNI Domestic Violence Officers in each police district. Specially-trained court officers can assist victims by helping them through legal processes involving, for example, restraining orders, non-molestation orders and occupation orders.
NHS Dental Services
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of dentists providing NHS dental services in each Health Board area in each of the last three years.
(AQW 5973/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is shown in table 1 below:
Table 1 Number of dentists 1 registered to provide NHS dental services by Board 2
|
April 2006 |
April 2007 |
April 2008 |
EHSSB |
331 |
336 |
351 |
NHSSB |
190 |
189 |
195 |
SHSSB |
151 |
155 |
165 |
WHSSB |
124 |
124 |
123 |
Northern Ireland 3 |
753 |
768 |
798 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Notes:
1. Figures include Principal dentists only - excludes assistants and Vocational Dental Practitioners.
2. In order to obtain a split by Board, dentist numbers are taken from the list of dentists who have NHS contracts with the Health Boards.
3. Dentists may work in more than one Health Board, therefore the total for all Health Boards may not equal the Northern Ireland figure.
NHS Dental Services
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of dentists who have stopped providing NHS dental services in each Health Board area in each of the last three years.
(AQW 5974/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is shown in table 1 below:
Table 1 Number of dentists 1 who have stopped providing NHS Dental Services by Board 2,3.
|
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
EHSSB |
20 |
32 |
25 |
NHSSB |
13 |
15 |
11 |
SHSSB |
6 |
9 |
10 |
WHSSB |
6 |
16 |
8 |
Northern Ireland 4 |
44 |
69 |
53 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Notes:
1. Figures include Principal dentists only - excludes assistants and Vocational Dental Practitioners.
2. In order to obtain a split by Board, dentist numbers are taken from the list of dentists who have NHS contracts with the Health Boards.
3. The statistics represent dentists who have ceased their contract with a Health Board during the financial year specified. This includes dentists who have left the NHS completely for example due to retirement, maternity, moving solely into private practice, or leaving Northern Ireland to work elsewhere. It also includes dentists who may have ceased work in one Health Board area, but continue to practice NHS work within another Board area.
4. Dentists may work in more than one Health Board therefore the total for all Health Boards may not equal the Northern Ireland figure.
NHS Dental Services
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (i) number; and (ii) percentage change, in NHS dental patients in each Health Board area in each of the last three years.
(AQW 5975/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is shown in the tables below:
Table 1 Number of NHS dental patients 1,2 registered with practices located in each Health Board area.
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
EHSSB |
368,749 |
362,868 |
352,749 |
NHSSB |
228,987 |
231,389 |
223,620 |
SHSSB |
181,769 |
177,498 |
164,883 |
WHSSB |
129,048 |
124,145 |
115,391 |
Northern Ireland |
908,553 |
895,900 |
856,643 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Table 2 Percentage change in NHS dental patients 1,2 registered with practices located in each Health Board area.
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
EHSSB |
-0.19% |
-1.59% |
-2.79% |
NHSSB |
0.37% |
1.05% |
-3.36% |
SHSSB |
0.67% |
-2.35% |
-7.11% |
WHSSB |
-0.78% |
-3.80% |
-7.05% |
Northern Ireland |
0.04% |
-1.39% |
-4.38% |
Source: Central Services Agency
Notes:
1. Figures are quoted as at April of the relevant year.
2. The figures shown relate to patients registered with dental practices located within the specified Boards. It should be noted that these patients do not necessarily reside in the Board in which they are registered.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Mrs Hanna asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each of the last 3 years, the number of emergency hospital admissions for diabetic ketoacidosis, broken down by (i) age; (ii) gender; (iii) type of diabetes; and (iv) Health and Social Services Board.
(AQW 6003/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: (i) The number of emergency *admissions to Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis, in each of the last three years, broken down by age is shown in the table below.
Age |
06/07 |
05/06 |
04/05 |
0 |
<5 |
0 |
0 |
1-4 |
6 |
<5 |
8 |
5-9 |
16 |
20 |
29 |
10-14 |
63 |
59 |
56 |
15-19 |
105 |
84 |
94 |
20-24 |
81 |
62 |
53 |
25-29 |
59 |
29 |
36 |
30-34 |
51 |
50 |
46 |
35-39 |
41 |
39 |
35 |
40-44 |
45 |
38 |
33 |
45-49 |
39 |
27 |
22 |
50-54 |
23 |
23 |
20 |
55-59 |
18 |
21 |
14 |
60-64 |
12 |
18 |
13 |
65-69 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
70-74 |
24 |
16 |
6 |
75-79 |
17 |
16 |
15 |
80-84 |
17 |
13 |
7 |
85-89 |
5 |
<5 |
<5 |
90-94 |
<5 |
<5 |
6 |
95-99 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
100-104 |
0 |
0 |
<5 |
105+ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Source: Hospital Inpatient System
(ii) The number of emergency *admissions to Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis, in each of the last three years, broken down by gender is shown in the table below.
Gender |
06/07 |
05/06 |
04/05 |
Male |
299 |
242 |
246 |
Female |
335 |
294 |
260 |
Source: Hospital Inpatient System
(iii) The number of emergency *admissions to Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis, in each of the last three years, broken down by type of diabetes is shown in the table below.
Type of Diabetes |
06/07 |
05/06 |
04/05 |
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
548 |
464 |
434 |
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
64 |
52 |
55 |
Malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Other specified diabeted mellitus |
<5 |
0 |
<5 |
Unspecified diabetes mellitus |
21 |
20 |
16 |
Source: Hospital Inpatient System
(iii) The number of emergency *admissions to Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis, in each of the last three years, broken down by Health and Social Services Board of residence is shown in the table below.
Health Board of Residence Name |
06/07 |
05/06 |
04/05 |
Eastern |
234 |
235 |
299 |
Northern |
131 |
150 |
171 |
Southern |
64 |
97 |
73 |
Western |
74 |
51 |
87 |
Other |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
Source: Hospital Inpatient System
* Discharges and Deaths are used as an approximation for admissions. It is possible that any individual could be admitted to hospital more than once in any year and will thus be counted more than once as an admission.
Outpatient Clinic Appointments
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of outpatient clinic appointments missed at (i) the Ulster hospital; and (ii) the Ards hospital, in each of the last three years.
(AQW 6016/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The number of outpatient clinic appointments missed in Ards and Ulster hospitals, in each of the last three years, is provided in the table below. These figures represent the number of outpatient appointments where a patient did not attend and failed to give advance warning to the hospital.
Hospital |
Year |
||
2004-2005 |
2005-2006 |
2006-2007 |
|
Ards |
2,969 |
2,917 |
3,148 |
Ulster |
15,073 |
15,022 |
14,499 |
Source: Departmental Return KH09 (Part 1)
2007/08 data are currently being compiled.
Outpatient Clinic Appointments
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of outpatient clinic appointments cancelled at (i) the Ulster hospital; and (ii) the Ards hospital, in each of the last three years.
(AQW 6017/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information on the number of outpatient clinic appointments cancelled in Ards and Ulster hospitals is not available centrally.
Dental Graduates
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of dental graduates who (i) have; and (ii) have not, been able to find a training place in Northern Ireland for each of the past five years.
(AQW 6035/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Figures available are for the academic years 2002-03 to 2006-07.
Academic Year |
No of Graduates |
No of training places accepted |
2002-03 |
29 |
18 QUB out of 24 recruited |
2003-04 |
35 |
21 QUB out of 25 recruited |
2004-05 |
40 |
21 QUB out of 25 recruited |
2005-06 |
39 |
21 QUB out of 28 recruited |
2006-07 |
38 |
22 QUB out of 28 recruited |
(i)
Source:QUB
(ii) In total two QUB graduates have been unable to take up a training place in the United Kingdom in the last five years. Both were unsuccessful in their selections for the local Vocational Training Scheme and they were not prepared to leave Northern Ireland to consider a place on GB schemes.
One graduate in the 2006/07 year was taken on as a dental assistant in a predominantly NHS practice and was subsequently successful in his application to the Vocational Training Scheme in 2007/08.
Another graduate in the 2007/08 year was likewise taken on as a dental assistant in a strong NHS practice and has re-entered the Vocational Training Scheme for the 2008/09 year.
Dental Graduates
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the steps he is taking to help dental graduates find training places in Northern Ireland.
(AQW 6036/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Independent Recruitment and Selection Panels are set up and operated by the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency for trainers and trainees in the Vocational Training Scheme in Northern Ireland. The training practices are located throughout Northern Ireland. Graduates who do not obtain a place within their preferred practice, and who are not prepared to take up places in GB, are encouraged to accept dental assistant positions. They can then re-apply for the Vocational Training Scheme in open competition the following year.
Dental Graduates
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of students who have graduated in dentistry from universities in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years.
(AQW 6037/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Dental School at Queens University, Belfast is the only institution in Northern Ireland that teaches dentistry. The graduate numbers for the periods 2002 to 2007 are listed in the table below. Figures are not available as yet for the academic year 2007/08.
Academic Year |
No of Graduates |
2002-03 |
29 |
2003-04 |
35 |
2004-05 |
40 |
2005-06 |
39 |
2006-07 |
38 |
Source:QUB
Staff Disciplinary Procedures
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of staff in his department who, since 8 May 2007, have (i) received official warnings; and (ii) faced disciplinary procedures.
(AQW 6040/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is outlined in the table below.
NO OF STAFF WHO HAVE RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL WARNING |
NO OF STAFF WHO HAVE FACED DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES |
| 27 | 0 |
All staff who receive an official warning as a result of sickness absence are automatically excluded from applying from promotion for a period of six months. Occupational sick pay is also withdrawn for those on a final written warning. None of the staff who received an official warning applied for promotion during the six month exclusion period and those on a final written warning did not have any periods of sickness absence during the six month period.
Community and Voluntary Sector
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) the groups funded by his department to provide counselling within the community and voluntary sector; and (ii) the specific function (e.g. suicide prevention, drug counselling etc) these groups are funded to provide.
(AQW 6046/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: My Department funds a large number of voluntary and community groups through either core or project funding, many of whom provide a range of counselling services. Core funding for regional infrastructure organisations are currently offered for the purposes of advancing policy development and delivery through activities such as advocacy, lobbying and training. Project funding is awarded for a maximum of three years and is non recurrent. While this funding does not necessarily directly fund the counselling service provided by those groups, without this provision, the service provided would not be possible, or would be greatly reduced.
The list below details those voluntary and community groups that provide counselling services, and the specific functions these groups provide:
Organisation |
Specific Function |
Funding Stream |
NEXUS |
Counselling for adult survivors of sexual abuse; Therapeutic intervention for victims of sexual abuse. The project works with children/young people aged 13-25 year olds and their families. |
Core |
ChildLine |
Counselling helpline for children and young people up to the age of 18. |
Core |
Church of Ireland Adoption Society |
Counselling for those affected by adoption; Infertility counselling. |
Core |
Family Care Society |
Counselling for those affected by adoption |
Core |
Fostering Network |
Counselling and Support services for carers, social workers and anyone else involved in foster care. |
Core |
Relate |
Relationship Counselling |
Core |
Accord |
Relationship Counselling |
Core |
Presbyterian Board of Social Witness |
Marriage Counselling |
Core |
Alzheimer's Society |
Counselling for those affected by alzheimer’s |
Core |
Life (NI) |
Pregnancy Loss Counselling Service, including counselling after abortion and counselling or support after miscarriage or stillbirths. |
Core |
Rainbow Project |
Gay-male-specific counselling service for gay and bisexual men |
Project |
Institute of Counselling and Personal Development |
Funding of the salary of a qualified Counsellor, specialising in Learning Disability |
Core |
Downs Syndrome Association |
Counselling training, through ICPD, to 14 parents who engage with new parents, if required, to provide advice and guidance. Counselling is also provided to people who are considering termination. |
Core |
Autism NI |
Counselling service of advice and guidance to parents whose children have been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. |
Core |
Barnardo’s |
Counselling children and young people aged between 5 and 12 years who have experienced domestic violence. |
Children’s Fund |
Threshold |
Applied psychotherapy for children and young people to help alleviate the psychological and emotional distress which affects 10-20% of people aged 6-18 years residing in the Northern Board area. |
Children’s Fund |
Wave Trauma |
Provides a range of support and personal development programmes to children, young people and adults who have been directly bereaved or traumatised as a result of the Troubles in NI. |
Children’s Fund |
Contact Youth |
Counselling services for children and young people aged between 11 and 25 years in the Northern Board area. |
Children’s Fund |
Details of every grant made to a voluntary or community group in Northern Ireland by NI Departments are listed on the Government Funders Database. Members of the public can interrogate this database through the following website: http://www.volcomgrantsni.gov.uk.
Community and Voluntary Sector
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the groups currently funded by his department to provide counselling within the community and voluntary sector, who will no longer receive funding in the 2009/2010 financial year.
(AQW 6048/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: My Department funds a large number of voluntary and community groups through either core or project funding, many of whom provide counselling services. Core funding follows a three year funding cycle and there are no plans to cease core funding to those groups already in receipt of same.
In relation to those projects providing counselling services that have been previously supported by the Children’s Fund, DHSSPS will continue to support them in 2008/09 through a combination of funding secured through my Departments budget and centrally earmarked funds. I will consider funding some organisations beyond this date, but decisions on funding beyond March 2009 will be based on a detailed appraisal of each project and the benefit it accrues. Arrangements for this appraisal will be made clear in the coming weeks.
Consultants Vacancy
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current level of vacancy for Consultants.
(AQW 6059/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The latest information available is provided in the table below.
|
Vacancies as at 30 th September 2007 |
|||
Consultants |
Headcount |
Headcount rate |
WTE |
WTE rate |
Current vacancies |
39 |
2.95% |
38.0 |
3.04% |
Long-term vacancies |
25 |
1.91% |
23.5 |
1.90% |
Source: Health & Social Care Trusts
Notes:
- WTE = whole-time equivalent.
- A current vacancy is defined as an unoccupied post which the organisation was actively trying to fill. A long-term vacancy is an unoccupied post which had been vacant for three months or more and which the organisation was actively trying to fill.
- The vacancy rate is the total number of vacancies expressed as a percentage of the total staff complement (i.e. vacancies plus staff in post).
- Includes both medical and dental consultants.
Nurses Vacancy
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the current level of vacancy for nurses.
(AQW 6060/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The latest information available is provided in the table below.
|
Vacancies as at 30 th September 2007 |
|||
Nurses |
Headcount |
Headcount rate |
WTE |
WTE rate |
Current vacancies |
300 |
1.8% |
269.88 |
1.9% |
Long-term vacancies |
146 |
0.9% |
134.47 |
1.0% |
Source: Health & Social Care Trusts
Notes:
- WTE = whole-time equivalent.
- A current vacancy is defined as an unoccupied post which the organisation was actively trying to fill. A long-term vacancy is an unoccupied post which had been vacant for three months or more and which the organisation was actively trying to fill.
- The vacancy rate is the total number of vacancies expressed as a percentage of the total staff complement (i.e. vacancies plus staff in post).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his plans to put Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners in all major hospitals.
(AQW 6061/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: My Department does not purchase magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners; it is the responsibility of individual Trusts to determine and provide diagnostic imaging services and equipment consistent with their hospitals' service profiles .
There are currently 11 MRI scanners in Northern Ireland, located at Belfast City, Mater, Musgrave Park, Royal Victoria, Antrim Area, Ulster, Craigavon Area and Altnagelvin Area hospitals.
Director of Public Health
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail his plans for a Director of Public Health.
(AQW 6062/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I am not in position to detail plans for a Director of Public Health until the current consultation on the Proposals for Health and Social Care Reform has ended and the responses considered. The consultation is due to end on 12 May 2008.
Dental Care
Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will consider free dental care to all persons aged over 65 years.
(AQW 6071/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I currently have no plans to consider making dental care free to all persons aged over 65 years.
The Department’s policy on entitlement to help with health service charges is based on the principle that those who can afford to contribute should do so, while those who are likely to have difficulty in paying should be protected. People who are exempt from dental charges include the vulnerable members in the community such as children under 18, young people under the age of 19 who are in full-time education and also pregnant and nursing mothers.
People receiving Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (income based) and Pension Credit Guarantee Credit are automatically entitled to full remission of Health Service charges, as are those people named on a valid HC2 certificate (an HC2 certificate is a certificate issued to people on a low income which exempts them from Health Service charges during the period for which it is valid).
For anyone who is not exempt or automatically entitled to full remission of Health Service charges but who may, nevertheless, have difficulty in paying, full or partial remission of Health Service charges is available through the Health Service Low Income Scheme. Assistance from the scheme is income-related and is based on an assessment of each person’s ability to pay in the light of their financial circumstances at the time a claim is made or a charge was paid. Claims are made on an HC1 form and are assessed by the Social Security Agency.
Health Service Dentists
Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of Health Service dentists in the Omagh and Strabane areas and within the West Tyrone constituency.
(AQW 6072/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is shown in table 1 below:
Table 1 Number of dentists 1 registered to provide NHS dental services.
|
Number of dentists |
Omagh LGD |
25 |
Strabane LGD |
15 |
West Tyrone constituency |
40 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Notes:
1. Figures include Principal dentists only - excludes assistants and Vocational Dental Practitioners.
Health Service Dentists
Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment on the number of dentists accepting new Health Service patients in the Omagh and Strabane areas.
(AQW 6073/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: I am aware that there is at present, a lack of dental practices in the Omagh and Strabane areas willing to actively accept new Health Service patients to their practice lists. The Department however is unable to detail exactly what practices in these areas are willing to accept new health service patients as this information can change daily.
Currently there are 10 dental practices employing 24 dentists in Omagh and 5 dental practices employing 13 dentists in Strabane who are all registered on the dental list of the Central Services Agency (CSA) to facilitate the undertaking of health service dentistry . The decision as to whether a dentist is willing to accept or discontinue health service work is a matter for the individual dentist, who is free to decide to increase or decrease the numbers of health service patients he or she is prepared to take at any given time.
There is no obligation on dentists to accept a patient for health service treatment, nor do current contractual arrangements permit Health and Social Services Boards to compel dentists to provide Health Service dental services. Dental practices in Omagh and Strabane are under no obligation to inform the Western Health Board of which patients they are treating under the Health Service or under a private contract.
AQW 6073/08: The number of Dentists 1 Accepting New 2 Health Service Patients |
||||
in the Omagh and Strabane Areas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. NHS Dentists 1 Accepting |
|
|
|
Town |
New 2 Health Service Patients |
|
|
|
OMAGH |
22 |
|
|
|
STRABANE |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Principal dentists that are registered on the Dental List. Excludes assistants and Vocational |
||||
Dental Practitioners (VDPs). |
|
|
|
|
2. A new Health Service patient is defined as a patient registered with a NHS dentist at March |
||||
2008, but not at April 2007. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statistics are at 21st April 2008 and are based on the location of the dental surgery where |
||||
the dentist is employed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not all patients receiving health service dental treatment are exempt from paying dental fees. Those patients who aren’t automatically exempt will be required to pay 80% of the cost of the treatment, up to a maximum of £384. Unlike health service dentistry however, the charges for private dental treatment are not regulated by the Department and are generally speaking more expensive than health service charges.
Ambulance Cover
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the level of ambulance cover in the East Derry/Londonderry constituency.
(AQW 6080/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Western and Northern Health and Social Services Boards are responsible for commissioning ambulance services in the East Londonderry constituency area from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The level of cover commissioned is determined on the same basis as for other parts of Northern Ireland and takes into account such factors as the rural nature of the area and local patterns of demand for emergency ambulances. Ambulance cover is provided primarily by resources operating from ambulance stations as follows:
Limavady Ambulance Station
Monday to Sunday: 1 x A&E resource 24 hours per day
Coleraine Ambulance Station
Monday to Sunday: 1 x A&E resource 24 hours per day
Monday to Sunday: 1 x A&E resource 0800 to 1600hours
(finishes at 1700 hours on a Monday)
Monday to Sunday: 1 x RRV 0800 to 2000hours
These resources are deployed on the basis of NIAS’s tactical deployment plan for the Western and Northern Board areas. The plan enables ambulance control to predict the basis of historical data, where demand for ambulances is most likely to originate and deploy ambulances accordingly.
Local Commissioning Groups
Mr McClarty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will include dentists on local commissioning groups.
(AQW 6083/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The inclusion of a dentist in the composition of local commissioning groups will be considered as part of the response to the public consultation which closes on 12 May 2008.
Staff Absent
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the disciplines within his department with the highest sickness absence records.
(AQW 6085/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The disciplines in DHSSPS with the highest sickness absence in 2006/07 were the general service grades.
Staff Absent
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the sick absence costs in his department for (i) 2005 to 2007 inclusive; and (ii) the first three months of 2008.
(AQW 6086/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Information on absence statistics is held in financial years. The costs of absence in the 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08 years is outlined below.
YEAR |
COSTS |
2005/06 |
£1.1 million |
2006/07 |
£1.2 million |
1 April 2007-29 February 2008 |
£983,000 |
Staff Absent
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the policies and provisions that have been made by his department to manage sickness absence among Health Service employees in relation to (i) ill health retirement; (ii) rehabilitation in the workplace; and (iii) other support services.
(AQW 6087/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: It is the responsibility of individual employers to develop local policies and procedures for the management of sickness absence within their own organisation.
The Department does set absenteeism targets and assists Health and Social Care employers in the development of policies and guidance on best practice.
Staff Absent
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each of the last 3 years, (i) the average number of days per ward staff member lost to sickness in his department; and (ii) the primary reasons cited by health workers as the main causes for sick absence.
(AQW 6088/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: Data on staff sick absence is collected by staff group, by Trust and is not broken down to ward level. The reason for sick absence is not collected.
Efficiency Targets
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how his department and the health trusts will achieve efficiency savings, and to outline the services that will be affected by these savings.
(AQW 6104/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: All Departments must achieve 3% efficiency targets per annum across the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) period in line with Executive agreement. For DHSSPS this amounts to £118/£233/£344m expressed cumulatively and therefore all services and all provision must be kept under review. It is incumbent on us to take the opportunity now to look across the new Trusts and to reshape services where they can be provided more efficiently and effectively. Where monies are freed up, we will invest them into new service developments for the benefit of patients and clients across Northern Ireland.
I anticipate making savings from RPA, from further pharmaceutical savings and from increased productivity. Detailed proposals are still being developed. Given the extent of the savings required, I am looking for efficiency across the whole of the departmental baseline.
Drug Addiction
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of registered drug addicts, broken down either by parliamentary constituency or Health Board area.
(AQW 6105/08)
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 drug addictions in Northern Ireland on the 31 st December 2007 by Health and Social Services Board area.
|
31 st December 2007 |
Eastern HSSB |
114 |
Northern HSSB |
102 |
Southern HSSB |
12 |
Western HSSB |
16 |
Northern Ireland |
257 1 |
1 This figure includes 13 individuals for whom Health and Social Services Board could not be established.
Number of Alcoholics
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of alcoholics, broken down either by parliamentary constituency or Health Board area.
(AQW 6106/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is not available.
Alcohol and Drug Misuse
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the assistance currently available for (i) alcoholics; and (ii) drug addicts.
(AQW 6108/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: There are a wide range of addiction services currently offered to those experiencing the effects of alcohol and drug misuse in Northern Ireland, covering types of treatment such as detoxification, rehabilitation, substitute prescribing and therapeutic counselling (both for adults and young people). These services are provided in a range of setting including peoples’ homes, the community and voluntary sector, health and social care facilities, and hospital in-patient units.
DHSSPS Spend on EQIA and Consultations
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of money his department has spent on (i) equality impact assessments; and (ii) consultations, over the last three years.
(AQW 6118/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: In the 3 year period from 1st April 2005 to 31 st March 2008 the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s spend on (i) Equality Impact Assessments; and (ii) Consultations, was as follows:
Financial Year |
Equality Impact Assessments |
Consultations |
2005/06 |
£6,491 |
£133,121 |
2006/07 |
£10,516 |
£52,382 |
2007/08 |
£14,299 |
£74,303 |
It should be noted that the consultation costs are based purely on hard charges incurred through, for example, advertising, publicity and workshops, whereas the Equality Impact Assessment costs are notional based on estimated staff time.
Ulster Hospital
Lord Browne asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail any proposals to refurbish and modernise the Ulster hospital, Dundonald, over the next three years.
(AQW 6152/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The redevelopment and modernisation of the Ulster Hospital is progressing rapidly with work on the Renal Unit, Maternity Unit and terraced car park now complete. Work on the multi-storey Critical Care Complex is underway and is expected to be completed in 2010. In addition, the refurbishment of the Care of the Elderly building will be completed later this year and will provide enhanced wards for Elderly medicine, a Dementia Assessment Unit and an In-Patient Psychiatric Unit. All of these projects involve a capital investment of £100 million.
Drug and Alcohol Dependencies
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail to detail how his department will provide treatment through Health and Social Care facilities for young people with drug and alcohol dependencies.
(AQW 6269/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The four local Health & Social Services Boards commission and fund a number of specialist services that provide treatment through Health and Social Care facilities for young people with drug and alcohol dependencies based on a 4-tier model. These typically consist of:
- Tier 2/3 Counselling, Support & Mentoring Services for young people under 18; and
- Tier 3/4 specialist treatment services for young people under 18;
Young people also have access to generic primary/secondary care services who will meet other physical/mental health needs that may arise because of dependency to drugs and/or alcohol.
Health Service Dental Treatment
Mr Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to his answer to AQW 5954/08, to detail, for each year since 2004, the number of patients who received Health Service dental treatment, broken down by Health Board.
(AQW 6347/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is shown in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Number of patients who received health service dental treatment 1 by Health Board 2
|
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
EHSSB |
305,538 |
302,693 |
298,453 |
288,392 |
NHSSB |
180,705 |
180,408 |
181,054 |
172,176 |
SHSSB |
138,986 |
139,079 |
137,010 |
127,308 |
WHSSB |
102,548 |
100,547 |
96,659 |
87,821 |
Northern Ireland 3 |
722,133 |
717,325 |
707,986 |
670,298 |
Source: Central Services Agency
Notes:
- Patients receiving health service dental treatment is defined as those patients who have had claims for dental treatments submitted to the Central Services Agency by their dentist in the year specified. Where only a check-up has taken place with no further work, this is also counted as a treatment.
- Health Board of patient is determined by the location of the dental surgery where the patient is treated.
- Patients may be treated by more than one dentist in more than one Health Board throughout the year and therefore the sum of the Health Boards may be greater than the Northern Ireland total.
Newry Ambulance Station
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, from the beginning of April 2008, (i) the number of occasions; (ii) the dates, that ambulances were not readily available in Newry Ambulance Station; (iii) the reasons for this; and (iv) the action he is taking to ensure that the situation will not be repeated.
(AQW 6477/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The table below sets out the information requested.
Vehicle |
Number of Occasions Unavailable |
Dates Unavailable |
Reason |
A |
4 |
1 – 3 April 8 – 9 April 18 – 23 April 24 – 25 April |
Air suspension fault Ramp repair Rear step and N/S door repair N/S door problem Ramp repair |
B |
2 |
2 April 15 – 17 April |
Side door repair Air suspension fault |
C |
3 |
4 – 5 April 8 – 10 April 17 – 18 April
|
Drugs cupboard door fault Horn and exhaust fault Air suspension and communication radio faults |
D |
2 |
8 -25 April 27 -28 April |
Clutch repair and Service/MOT Wrong fuel fill |
E |
1 |
15 – 17 April |
Air suspension problem |
F |
2 |
6 – 18 April 21 April |
Starter problem Ignition key problem |
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has procedures in place to manage the reassignment of vehicles between stations in the event of breakdowns or maintenance. The application of these procedures ensured that emergency response times in Newry did not fall during this period.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is developing a fleet strategy with the aim of providing a framework which will underpin the development and replacement of a fit for purpose and cost effective ambulance fleet. In support of this I have made available £14.5m towards capital funding in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) period up to 2011 which will provide for a programme of vehicle replacement as well as address other priorities across the Ambulance Service.
Newry Ambulance Station
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the mechanical condition of ambulances currently in use in Newry Ambulance Station; and to detail the average mileage on these vehicles to date.
(AQW 6479/08)
Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has advised me that all its vehicles are maintained and serviced regularly. The seven Accident and Emergency ambulances based at Newry Ambulance Station have valid MOT certificates and are, therefore, roadworthy. Their average mileage at 31 March 2008 was 138,374.
Regional Development
Road Bridges
Mr Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the width of the Annaghroe and Knockaginny approach roads and the cost of any widening scheme to accommodate two new road bridges.
(AQW 5792/08)
The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): The widths of the running surface on the Annaghroe Road and Knockaginny Road are approximately 5m and 3.5m respectively. These widths will be increased over short distances on the approaches to the bridges to 6m over Annaghroe Bridge and 5.5m over Knockaginny Bridge. These widths will allow vehicles to pass freely and safely on the bridges. The costs of the localised widening on the approaches to the bridges are included in the overall reinstatement costs to be paid by the Southern Government.
Road Bridges
Mr Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development whether a road bridge across the Blackwater at Annaghroe would necessitate the removal or major alteration of the nineteenth century cut stone bridge that straddles the road on the Glaslough side, and to detail any alterations that would be necessary.
(AQW 5793/08)
Mr C Murphy: The removal or alteration of the bridge referred to, is a matter for Monaghan County Council. My information to date is that they have no plans to remove or alter the bridge.
Road Bridges
Mr Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development whether, in promoting the plan to build road bridges across the Blackwater at Annaghroe and Knockaginny, the cross border Natural Resource Tourism Strategy launched in May 2001 was fully considered and to detail any action he intends to take in relation to this.
(AQW 5794/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Natural Resource Tourism Strategy has not yet been considered, but will be as the scheme is progressed.
Road Bridges
Mr Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he is aware that Annaghroe Meadows are officially designated as an international wildlife sanctuary and to detail the environmental impact of widening the Annaghroe Road to accommodate a new road bridge.
(AQW 5795/08)
Mr C Murphy: As it is not proposed to widen the Annaghroe Road, other than minor localised widening at the immediate approaches to the bridge, there will be no environmental impact on the Annaghroe Meadows.
Road Safety
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the steps being taken to improve road safety at New Line Crescent, Killyleagh.
(AQW 5804/08)
Mr C Murphy: I understand that you met with an official from my Department’s Roads Service, on 5 March 2008, to discuss possible safety measures at this location.
As a result of that meeting, a classifier will be placed on the road to quantify the volume and speed of traffic.
In the meantime, the hazard warning line on the centre of the road will be upgraded to a width of 150 mm to make it more conspicuous.
Road Accidents
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he will implement an independent review of the Mountstewart Road, Carrowdore, to ascertain the reasons for the high number of accidents on that road.
(AQW 5805/08)
Mr C Murphy: In response to accidents occurring on the Mountstewart Road, my Department’s Roads Service enhanced signage and recently completed resurfacing work on the section of the Mountstewart Road, between the Portaferry Road and the bend close to house No 24, to help improve driver awareness and driving conditions.
Speed and inattention by drivers are considered to be the most likely cause of accidents at this locality and an independent review is not considered necessary or appropriate.
However, Roads Service will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with the PSNI. Should further work be required, this will be considered, subject to finance being available and the relative priority of other demands in the Ards Council area.
Parking Tickets
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the number of parking tickets issued in South Belfast.
(AQW 5845/08)
Mr C Murphy: As my Department’s Roads Service took over responsibility for on-street parking enforcement in October 2006 I therefore do not have figures for Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued prior to this.
Under the new arrangements PCNs were first issued on 13 November 2006, however PCNs issued in Belfast are not collated on a constituency basis and I am, therefore, unable to give you figures for South Belfast.
However, the table below provides details the number of tickets issued in Belfast from 13 November 2006 to 31 March 2008.
Period |
Number of Parking Tickets Issued in Belfast |
13 November 2006 to 31 March 2007 |
14,797 |
1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 |
47,876 |
Kinnegar Wastewater Treatment Works
Mr McFarland asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, for the last 2 years, (i) the number of occasions that the contract for the Kinnegar Wastewater Treatment Works has been broken, in relation to the odour emission limits; and (ii) the financial penalties that have been incurred by the contractor.
(AQW 5870/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that, during the two year period to the end of February 2008, there were 21 occasions when Kinnegar Wastewater Treatment Works exceeded the odour emission requirements of the contract.
The financial penalties incurred by the contractor as a result of these failures are deemed to be commercially sensitive information which Northern Ireland Water is unable to release.
Northern Ireland Railways
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, for each of the last 10 years, the total value of the subsidy to Northern Ireland Railways.
(AQW 5904/08)
Mr C Murphy:
Details of the total value of subsidy paid to Northern Ireland Railways for each of the last 10 years are set out below:
Years |
Subsidy |
|---|---|
| 98/99 |
10.4 |
| 99/00 |
12.6 |
| 00/01 |
23.4 |
| 01/02 |
49.1 |
| 02/03 |
62.0 |
| 03/04 |
39.7 |
| 04/05 |
67.4 |
| 05/06 |
57.4 |
| 06/07 |
32.3 |
| 07/08 |
51.6 |
Plant Equipment
Mr McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total value of Roads Service plant equipment.
(AQW 5913/08)
Mr C Murphy: The current total asset value for my Department’s Roads Service plant and vehicle equipment is £9 million.
Plant Equipment
Mr McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the amount of money Roads Service has spent on purchasing plant equipment.
(AQW 5914/08)
Mr C Murphy: The amount spent (rounded to the nearest £100k) by Roads Service on purchasing plant and vehicle equipment, for each of the last five years, is as follows:
2003/04 £3.7m
2004/05 £4.2m
2005/06 £2.7m
2006/07 £2.5m
2007/08 £2.6m
Plant Equipment
Mr McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, for each of the last 5 years, the amount of money Roads Service has spent on plant hire.
(AQW 5915/08)
Mr C Murphy: The amount of money my Department’s Roads Service has spent (rounded to the nearest £100k) on plant and vehicle hire, for each of the last five years, is as follows:
2003/04 £1.4m
2004/05 £1.3m
2005/06 £1.4m
2006/07 £1.2m
2007/08 £1.3m
Departmental Land
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the land owned by the Roads Service in Moneymore.
(AQW 5922/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department's Road Service owns a small parcel of land within the Moneymore development limit. This land is approximately 225 square metres in area and is located on the east side of the Station Road, approximately 800 metres north of the High Street/Lawford Street/Smith Street junction.
Glenariff Road
Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total cost of providing a new footpath along the Glenariff Road outside Waterfoot.
(AQW 5950/08)
Mr C Murphy: I can confirm that the scheme to construct a footway along Glenariff Road, Waterfoot, is programmed to be completed by the end of June 2008 and the total estimated cost of the scheme is £216,000.
Glenariff Road
Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the amount of compensation paid to householders along the Glenariff Road for the use of their land during construction of a new footpath; and to confirm if this compensation included the construction of boundary walls for all of the affected properties.
(AQW 5951/08)
Mr C Murphy: The amount paid in compensation to householders along the Glenariff Road, including costs associated with land acquisition and disturbance is approximately £9,400. I can confirm that the compensation paid did not include the construction of boundary walls. Where appropriate, boundary walls or fences were, or will be constructed as part of the agreed accommodation works for the scheme.
Ballagh and Cortynan Crossings
Mr McCallister asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to the answer to AQW 5055/08, to detail the process and methodology used, and factors considered, in calculating these figures.
(AQW 6026/08)
Mr C Murphy: As I advised in my previous response to the Member (AQW 5055/08), my Department’s Roads Service does not have any traffic monitoring information pertaining to the Ballagh and Cortynan crossings. The figures provided are estimates based upon the experience and local knowledge of the officials concerned.
Newcastle to Hilltown Road
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will consider upgrading the Newcastle to Hilltown road, County Down.
(AQW 6032/08)
Mr C Murphy: Officials from my Department’s Roads Service have advised that the Newcastle to Hilltown road has recently been the subject of extensive maintenance works, which have included the resurfacing of approximately 0.5 kilometres of the B8 Castlewellan Road, Hilltown; and 1.5 kilometres of the B180 Bryansford Road. Roads Service also plans to resurface an additional 1.5 kilometres of the B180 Bryansford Road. However, commencement of this work will be dependant on the availability of funding.
Roads Service has no plans to carry out any further works to upgrade this road at present. Officials will, however, continue to carry out regular inspections, to ensure that the road is maintained in accordance with approved maintenance standards. Any defects identified, will be prioritised and repaired accordingly.
Francis Street, Newtownards
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to give a timescale within which work will be carried out to repair a large hole in the surface outside the new development at Francis Street, Newtownards.
(AQW 6070/08)
Mr C Murphy:
My Department’s Roads Service is aware of a depression of the carriageway surface around an existing manhole cover outside a new development at Frances Street, Newtownards and I am advised that this has been noted for repair.
However, as the depression is not considered to be hazardous to traffic, it does not fall into the category of defect, (within Roads Service’s maintenance guidelines) commanding an immediate response. I am advised that a repair will be carried out when it can be fitted into the work programme around other repairs of a more urgent nature. Consequently, I regret that I cannot provide you with a timescale for the execution of the work at this time.
Railway Halt in Ballykelly
Mr McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will consider forming a departmental working group with the Ministry of Defence to develop plans for a railway halt in Ballykelly.
(AQW 6084/08)
Mr C Murphy: The possibility of a railway halt at Ballykelly is being considered as part of a Belfast to Derry Infrastructure Capacity Study project which Translink are conducting. The project is aimed at developing an infrastructure strategy to facilitate improved frequency of services on the line from 2012.
The review will consider the optimum location of a halt serving the Limavady/Ballykelly area. A halt at Ballykelly would be one option to be considered.
This study is at a high level and will be considered further during the Feasibility stage of the Coleraine to Derry track relay project. Translink will engage with key stakeholders as part of the Feasibility and Preliminary Design process.
In these circumstances I am not considering forming a working group to develop plans for a halt at Ballykelly.
Departmental Spending
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the amount of money his department has spent on (i) equality impact assessments; and (ii) consultations, over the last three years.
(AQW 6117/08)
Mr C Murphy: The money spent is set out in the table below. In one case in 2005/06 and one case in 2006/07 it was not possible to disaggregate the costs of the equality impact assessment from the wider consultation costs. The total costs of these consultations have been included in the Equality Impact Assessment column.
Financial Year |
Equality Impact Assessments Costs |
Consultations Costs |
Total Costs |
2005/06 |
£23,348 |
£3,369 |
£26,717 |
2006/07 |
£45,570 |
£79,806 |
£125,376 |
2007/08 |
Nil |
£12,408 |
£12,408 |
Departmental Land
Mr Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any land sold by his department in the North Down constituency since 2002.
(AQW 6122/08)
Mr C Murphy: While my Department does not collate details of land sold on a constituency basis, I am able to provide you with details of land sold by the Department in the North Down Borough Council area since 2002. This information is set out in the table below:
YEAR |
ADDRESS |
AREA (Hectares) |
Negotiated Price(£k’s) |
|---|---|---|---|
2002/03 |
Land adjacent to Cayman Avenue, Balloo Road, Bangor |
0.326 |
275 |
| 7 Balloo Road , Bangor |
0.013 |
0.4 |
|
| Plot 1, East Circular Road, Bangor |
0.155 |
0.2 |
|
| 52 Main Street , Conlig |
0.024 |
8 |
|
2003/04 |
6 Balloo Road , Bangor |
0.025 |
0.5 |
2004/05 |
2 & 8 Balloo Road, Bangor |
0.001 |
0.65 |
| East Circular Road , Bangor |
0.035 |
5 |
|
2005/06 |
138 Ballycrochan Road , Bangor |
0.003 |
0.6 |
| 48 Bangor Road , Holywood |
0.016 |
1.5 |
|
| 5 Donaghadee Road , Bangor |
0.018 |
107.5 |
|
| Plot 2, East Circular Road, Bangor |
0.031 |
0.25 |
|
| 39 Primacy Road , Bangor |
0.023 |
0.5 |
|
| 21A Windermere Drive, Bangor |
0.015 |
4.75 |
|
2006/07 |
51 Bangor Road , Conlig |
0.014 |
5.5 |
| 171 Gransha Road , Bangor |
0.008 |
1 |
|
| 21 Seahill Road , Holywood |
0.001 |
0.45 |
|
2007/08 |
121 Hamilton Road , Bangor |
House |
182.5 |
| 115 Hamilton Road , Bangor |
0.045 |
270 |
|
| 1 Rockport Rise, Craigavad |
0.010 |
3.25 |
|
| 19 Seahill Road , Craigavad |
0.019 |
17.5 |
|
| 15 Seahill Road , Craigavad |
0.020 |
17.5 |
|
| 17 Seahill Road , Craigavad |
0.017 |
17.5 |
|
| The Vennel, Bangor |
0.207 |
550 |
|
| 13 Windrush, Groomsport |
0.010 |
1 |
Ambulance Travel
Mr Storey asked the Minister for Regional Development if his department has plans to work with the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on a joint policy for improving emergency ambulance travel at peak times on the busy motorway routes within the catchment area of Antrim hospital.
(AQW 6126/08)
Mr C Murphy:
My Department’s Roads Service has advised that there are no current plans to work with the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety ( DHSSPS) on a joint policy for improving emergency ambulance travel at peak times on the busy motorway routes, within the catchment area of Antrim Area Hospital.
While the motorway in the vicinity of Antrim Area Hospital is a busy stretch of road, Roads Service is not aware of any specific problems or undue delays being experienced by emergency vehicles, such as ambulances. No approach has been made by the DHSSPS to highlight issues, or request discussion on traffic related matters.
Roads Service has made a number of recent improvements that impinge directly on traffic to and from the hospital, including the construction of slip roads from the hospital to the motorway and the provision of part-time traffic signals on the approach to the A26/M22 junction (Dunsilly roundabout), where queuing back onto the motorway was occurring. You will also be aware that a significant improvement scheme is currently being progressed to improve traffic flow on the M2 Ballymena by-pass at the Larne Road roundabout where the motorway is being extended under the roundabout to join up with the A26 Ballee Road West.
Roads Service staff are available to discuss traffic issues with representatives of the DHSSPS should an approach be made.
Roads Service Safer Roads
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the schools in the East Antrim constituency that have taken part in the Roads Service Safer Roads to School Initiatives in the 2007/2008 academic year.
(AQW 6133/08)
Mr C Murphy:
There are a limited number of places available on the Travelwise Safer Routes to School Programme each year.
In the 2007/08 academic year, two schools in the East Antrim constituency, Carrickfergus Grammar and Carrickfergus College, have taken part in the Programme.
Senior Smartpass Holders
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the (i) number; and (ii) percentage increase of journeys undertaken by senior Smartpass holders for each year since it was introduced in 2002.
(AQW 6138/08)
Mr C Murphy: The information requested is set out in the table below.
Financial Year |
Senior SmartPass |
Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|
2002-03 |
6,469,735 |
Not applicable |
2003-04 |
7,477,619 |
15.6% |
2004-05 |
7,633,437 |
2.1% |
2005-06 |
7,585,338 |
(0.6%) |
2006-07 |
7,720,354 |
1.8% |
2007-08 |
8,213,819 |
6.4% |
Senior Smartpass Holders
Mr S Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the (i) number; and (ii) percentage increase in first time senior Smart passes issued during each year since its introduction in 2002.
(AQW 6139/08)
Mr C Murphy:
The information requested is set out in the table below.
Financial Year |
First time Senior SmartPasses Issued |
Percentage Increase (minus figures are shown in brackets) |
|---|---|---|
2002-03 |
98,795 | Not applicable |
2003-04 |
14,966 | (85%) |
2004-05 |
10,735 | (28%) |
2005-06 |
11,412 | 6% |
2006-07 |
12,902 | 13% |
2007-08 |
14,957 | 16% |
Staff Disciplinary Procedures
Mr Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of staff in his department who, since 8 May 2007, have (i) received official warnings; and (ii) faced disciplinary procedures.
(AQW 6145/08)
Mr C Murphy: Within the Department for Regional Development, the figures^ for the period 8 May 2007 to 25 April 2008 inclusive are as follows:
Number of staff who have received official warnings: 79*
Number of staff who have faced disciplinary procedures: 14
Note: ^ These figures relate to written warnings only, as verbal warnings do not form part of the written personnel record and would only be retained locally by individual line managers
* In the case of 73 of these staff, the relevant warnings related to sickness absence.
Land Abandonment
Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail why the objectors to the abandonment of a section of the Old Belfast Road, Bangor, were not provided with a report of the inquiry held on 27 and 28 June 2006.
(AQW 6149/08)
Mr C Murphy: It is normal practice for my Department’s Roads Service to release the inspector’s report to all objectors, and any person who appeared or was represented at the inquiry, when the Department formally announces its decision on the outcome of the inquiry. In relation to the proposed abandonment of land adjacent to 265 Old Belfast Road, Bangor, it is my Department’s intention to make that announcement following receipt of the comments of the Assembly Departmental Committee.
Land Abandonment
Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the correspondence with Hutchenson Partnership regarding the acquisition of land at the Old Belfast Road, Bangor.
(AQW 6150/08)
Mr C Murphy: I am advised that my Department’s Roads Service responded to the Hutcheson Partnership on 31 October 2003 about the potential disposal of land at Old Belfast Road, Bangor, outlining the need for the abandonment and highlighting, in general terms, the disposal procedures.
Sale of Land
Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm that if the land at the Old Belfast Road, Bangor, is to be abandoned, any sale will be widely advertised and put out to public tender.
(AQW 6151/08)
Mr C Murphy: I can confirm that any land offered for sale by my Department’s Roads Service is subject to Government guidelines to ensure that the sale is fair and provides best value to the Department. Final decisions on the best method of sale are decided on a case by case basis in conjunction with Departmental Solicitors and Department of Finance and Personnel’s Land and Property Service. Whilst the disposal method for the site at Old Belfast Road, Bangor, has yet to be confirmed, it is likely that any sale will be advertised on the open market.
Springhill Shopping Centre
Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide full details of the investigations carried out on the impact of redevelopment of Springhill Shopping Centre on traffic volumes and flow, as required by the inquiry on the abandonment of the open space at the Old Belfast Road, Bangor.
(AQW 6153/08)
Mr C Murphy: I can confirm that, in November 2005, my Department’s Roads Service was consulted by Planning Service on a planning application to redevelop the then existing Springhill Shopping Centre. In order to assess the likely impact of traffic, generated by the application proposal, on the public road network, Roads Service requested the applicant to submit a Transport Assessment including a Traffic Impact Assessment. This was evaluated by Roads Service and found to be acceptable. The application was subsequently granted planning approval by Planning Service in June 2006.
In April 2007, Roads Service was consulted by Planning Service on a revised planning application to add mezzanine floors to the previously approved application. Again Roads Service requested a Transport Assessment, to take account of traffic generated by the original application together with the extra traffic that would be generated by the revised application. This further Assessment was evaluated by Roads Service and found to be acceptable.
In relation to the proposed abandonment of a portion of land adjacent to 265 Old Belfast Road, I am advised that the Transport Assessments carried out for the aforementioned planning applications, did not require the inclusion of this land in any road improvements associated with the shopping centre redevelopment proposals.
Springhill Shopping Centre
Mr B Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development, in investigating the traffic flow at the new Springhill Shopping Centre, to confirm if account was taken of the increase in the size of the Tesco store and the newly submitted plans to add a mezzanine floor to the new units.
(AQW 6158/08)
Mr C Murphy: I am advised that my Department’s Roads Service was consulted by Planning Service with regard to the revised planning application and that, in reaching its decision, it took account of the increase in the size of the store and the plans to add a mezzanine floor to the new units.
A4 Road Works
Mr Elliott asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (i) the amount of privately owned land that was purchased in the process of upgrading the A4 in the Dungannon area; and (ii) the cost of these acquisitions.
(AQW 6201/08)
Mr C Murphy: The A4 dualling between the M1 and Ballygawley and the improvement works at the A4 at Annaghilla and the A5 at Tullyvar, required the acquisition of a total of 253 hectares of private land, at an estimated cost of £23.5million.
The total area of land can be broken down as follows:
- A4 Dualling: 214 hectares;
- A4Annaghilla: 24 hectares; and
- A5 Tullyvar: 15 hectares.
Enterprise Rail Link
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm if he will be seeking European funding for the development of the Belfast to Dublin Enterprise rail link.
(AQW 6214/08)
Mr C Murphy: A s with any major project my Department will look to all available funding, including EU and make applications as appropriate in accordance with EU guidelines
Enterprise Rail Link
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm if he will seek funding from every source possible to secure the future of the Belfast to Dublin Enterprise rail link.
(AQW 6215/08)
Mr C Murphy: I would refer the member to the answer I have given for AQW 6214/08.
Enterprise Rail Link
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm if he is aware of planned investment in the Belfast to Dublin Enterprise rail link by the Government of the Republic of Ireland; and to detail this investment.
(AQW 6216/08)
Mr C Murphy: A Business Case looking into improvements to, and the costs of, the Belfast to Dublin services is being jointly prepared by NIR and Iarnrod Eireann and will be considered at the North South Ministerial Committee meeting later this month.
Enterprise Rail Link
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the action he is taking to secure future investment for the Belfast to Dublin Enterprise link.
(AQW 6217/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Programme for Government announced in January 2008 that planned capital investment in the Railways for the years 2008-11 would be in excess of £137m. In relation to the Belfast – Dublin line t here are a number of major capital projects either under way or planned to improve services. Work started in February 2008 on a new £14.6m railway station at Newry and planning is underway to relay an 11 mile stretch of the track between Knockmore and Lurgan at a cost of £40m, with work programmed to start in 2009. In addition my Department recently approved a £950,000 capital programme to overhaul the Enterprise Trains; this entailed various engineering and safety measures along with a new corporate livery for the service .
Traffic Calming Measures at Movilla Road, Newtownards
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to implement traffic calming measures outside Abbey Primary School, Newtownards, to enhance the safety of pupils of this school.
(AQW 6234/08)
Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times, traffic on the Movilla Road has to travel slowly to negotiate cars parked outside the Abbey Primary School, Newtownards.
In view of this and the relatively good accident history at this location, Roads Service does not have any plans to implement traffic calming measures at this time.
Toome Bypass
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail why the Toome bypass needs resurfacing only four years after it was opened.
(AQW 6273/08)
Mr C Murphy: The carriageway surface on the Toome Bypass has performed significantly less well than expected and is being replaced, under warranty, by the bypass contractor.
Toome Bypass
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail how much the resurfacing of the Toome bypass will cost, and to outline who will pay for the forthcoming programme of works.
(AQW 6274/08)
Mr C Murphy: The bypass contractor will resurface the bypass under warranty, at no cost to the public purse.
Toome Bypass
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the steps that will be taken to ensure the new surface on the Toome bypass will last longer than the original surface, which is now in need of repair.
(AQW 6276/08)
Mr C Murphy: The bypass will be resurfaced using traditional hot rolled asphalt surface course and will be laid in accordance with current specifications and requirements.
Toome Bypass
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the effectiveness of the 'low noise' surface originally laid on the Toome bypass.
(AQW 6279/08)
Mr C Murphy: While the proprietary ‘noise-reduced’ road surfacing used on the Toome Bypass has been used successfully elsewhere, it has performed significantly less well than expected on the Toome Bypass.
Car Clubs
Mr Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development if he is aware of the forthcoming launch of Northern Ireland's first ever car club and if he is aware of the success of this concept in other parts of the United Kingdom.
(AQW 6291/08)
Mr C Murphy: C ar clubs are regarded as a form of sustainable transport and are an effective tool in the campaign to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
I will be attending the launch of the Whizzgo Car Club initiative on 13 May 2008 and I am aware of the success of the car clubs run by a number of different operators in Britain.
Northern Ireland Water (NIW) water meters
Mr McNarry asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of abandoned or disused water meters in Newtownards.
(AQW 6294/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that all water meters installed on customer supplies are used either for billing purposes or for monitoring purposes to assess demand in a particular area. NIW is not aware of any abandoned or disused water meters in Newtownards.
DRD Spending on Publicity and Advertising
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail how much he spent on publicity and advertising in 2007-2008.
(AQW 6318/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Department for Regional Development spent £443,410 on publicity and advertising in 2007 – 2008.
Sewerage System
Mr Irwin asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) to detail any plans to upgrade the sewerage system in Richill; and (ii) for his assessment of the adequacy of the sewerage system in Derryhale, given the increasing development in these areas.
(AQW 6404/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that a Drainage Area Study is currently well advanced for Richhill, which will assess the adequacy of the sewerage system in the area and identify parts of the system that need to be upgraded. The sewer improvement recommendations resulting from the Study will be prioritised by NIW and included in its capital works programme. However, due to competing priorities, it is unlikely that any improvements could commence before 2011.
Small catchments such as Derryhale are not included in the major drainage area study programme, but are assessed on an individual basis. These assessments take into account the existing capacity of the sewerage network and future projected requirements, including development plans for the area. In the case of Derryhale, an assessment found that the sewerage system is operating effectively and the capacity of the network in the area is adequate.
Independent Review of Water and Sewerage Services
Mr Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration is being given to allow people to have water meters installed and to allow metering to form part of their water bill.
(AQW 6469/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Independent Review of Water and Sewerage Services commissioned by the Executive provided an overall set of proposals for domestic water and sewerage payments including the suggestion that there should be no further action taken on metering until and unless a policy of universal domestic metering is introduced. They also recommended that the installation of metering facilities in new buildings could continue to advance the provision of universal metering at some point in the future.
These points are currently under consideration and the Executive will decide the way forward on metering and other recommendations of the Independent Review Panel’s Strand 2 report. It will then consult on its proposals.
Ulsterbus Goldline Express
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, for each of the last 12 months, the number of passengers using Ulsterbus Goldline Express services between Randalstown and Belfast.
(AQW 6489/08)
Mr C Murphy: Translink has advised that a total of 13,438 passenger trips were made on Ulsterbus Service 210 between Randalstown and Belfast during the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. Details of each month’s trips are outlined in the table below.
Month |
Number of trips |
|---|---|
| April 2007 | 1,207 |
| May 2007 | 1,326 |
| June 2007 | 1,197 |
| July 2007 | 787 |
| August 2007 | 825 |
| September 2007 | 1,238 |
| October 2007 | 1,227 |
| November 2007 | 1,092 |
| December 2007 | 1,096 |
| January 2008 | 1,127 |
| February 2008 | 1,186 |
| March 2008 | 1,130 |
Ulsterbus Goldline Express
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the reasons why Ulsterbus Goldline Express services between Randalstown and Belfast have been reduced.
(AQW 6491/08)
Mr C Murphy: I have been informed by Translink that as part of the Ulsterbus Strategic Review, changes were made to the Goldline service that links Randalstown to Belfast. These changes involve substituting off-peak Goldline services with a service that stops more frequently. The Ulsterbus Strategic Review was undertaken to increase the effectiveness, efficiency and integration of Ulsterbus services
The Independent Water Review Panel
Mr Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the total cost of the Independent Water Review Panel, from its establishment until 28 April 2008.
(AQW 6534/08)
Mr C Murphy: The Independent Water Review Panel was appointed in June 2007 and since that date it incurred expenditure of £378,482 for Panel member’s fees and expenses, salary costs of support staff and general running costs including consultancy support.
Independent Review of Water and Sewerage Services
Mr McQuillan asked the Minister for Regional Development to confirm if he will undertake to establish an Output Monitoring Group, as per paragraph 5.21 of the Strand Two Report by the Independent Water Review Panel.
(AQW 6536/08)
Mr C Murphy: This issue is currently under consideration and the Executive will decide the way forward on this and other recommendations of the Independent Review’s Strand 2 report.
Social Development
Supported Living Schemes
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how much has been committed to Supported Living Schemes for the 2008/2009 financial year.
(AQW 5782/08)
The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): I have provided £61m to t he Supporting People revenue budget for the 2008/2009 financial year.
Supported Housing Schemes
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Supported Housing Schemes she will make available this year, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 5783/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is not readily available by parliamentary constituency. I have however set out by District Council area in the following table those supported housing schemes which are planned to start in 2008. I have taken Supported Housing to mean that which is specially designed, managed or adapted to meet the needs of people for whom standard housing is unsuitable or inappropriate.
District Council Area |
Housing Association |
Support Provider |
Scheme Name |
Client Group |
Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newry | Habinteg | Southern Health & Social Care Trust | Patrick Street/Needham | Learning Disabilities | 2 |
| Carrickfergus | Oaklee | Northern Health & Social Care Trust | Ellis Street | Learning Disabilities | 6 |
| Antrim | Oaklee | Oaklee | Oriel | Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| Belfast | Oaklee | St John of God | 143 Glen Road (Re-hab) | Learning Disabilities | 2 |
| Craigavon | Ulidia | Southern Health & Social Care Trust | 1 Bowens Close | Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| Down | Oaklee | Autism Initiatives | Ruby House | Learning Disabilities | 11 |
| Carrickfergus | BIH | Cithra Foundation | Victoria Street , Carrickfergus | Domestic Violence | 5 |
| Lisburn | Trinity | Praxis | St Pauls | Dementia | 8 |
| Newry | BIH | Southern Health & Social Care Trust | Father Cullen / Ardaveen Park | Learning Disabilities | 12 |
| Fermanagh | Fold | To be decided | Castlecoole Road | Homeless | 11 |
| Lisburn | Triangle | Positive Futures | Ballymacoss Central Ph 3 | Learning Disabilities | 10 |
| Belfast | Oaklee | East Belfast Mission | Hosford House | Homeless | 4 |
| Craigavon | South Ulster | Praxis | Thomas Street , Portadown | Mental Health | 12 |
| Dungannon | BIH | De Paul Trust | Castlehill Market Square | Homeless | 22 |
In addition existing schemes at Hollybank in Magherafeltfor the mental health client group are being restructured and will provide 12 places. The support provider is the Northern Health & Social Care Trust.
Eastvale Avenue Housing Estate
Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, for each of the last 15 years, (i) her department's expenditure on Eastvale Avenue housing estate, Dungannon; and (ii) how this compares with expenditure on estates of a similar size in the Dungannon area.
(AQW 5809/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The table below shows the total amount of Housing Executive expenditure on planned schemes for the last 15 years in the Eastvale area of Dungannon.
The remaining tables detail the expenditure levels for similar sized estates in the Dungannon area.
Eastvale Estate 26 NIHE owned Properties
| Date |
Scheme Type |
Average unit cost |
Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1994 | Heating replacement | N/A | £ 91,051.00 |
| April 1997 | External Cyclical Maintenance (ECM) | £ 3,690.00 | £ 95,940.00 |
| November 2004 | ECM | £ 1,362.00 | £ 35,412.00 |
| Total spend | £ 222,403.00 |
Data held on estates of a similar size to Eastvale:
Victoria Way 20 NIHE owned Properties
| Date |
Scheme Type |
Average unit cost |
Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1997 | ECM | £ 3690.00 | £ 73,800.00 |
| November 2002 | ECM | £ 1664.00 | £ 33,280.00 |
| Total spend | £ 107,080.00 |
Dunlea Vale 28 NIHE owned properties
| Date |
Scheme Type |
Average unit cost |
Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1993 | Heating replacement | N/A | £ 63,565.00 |
| March 2005 | Kitchen replacement | £ 4788.00 | £ 134,064.00 |
| November 1997 | ECM | £ 2069.00 | £ 57,932.00 |
| January 2003 | ECM | £ 1139.00 | £ 31,892.00 |
| Total spend | £ 287,453.00 |
Moygashel Park 26 NIHE owned properties
| Date |
Scheme Type |
Average unit cost |
Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1996 | Single Element Scheme | £ 7466.00 | £ 194,116.00 |
| January 1994 | ECM | £ 1973.00 | £ 51,298.00 |
| November 1998 | ECM | £ 1897.00 | £ 49,322.00 |
| October 2005 | ECM | £ 3107.00 | £ 80,782.00 |
| Total spend | £ 375,518.00 |
Springdale Estate 27 NIHE owned properties
| Date |
Scheme type |
Average unit cost |
Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2004 | Heating replacement | N/A | £ 81,481.00 |
| April 1997 | ECM | £ 3690.00 | £ 99,630.00 |
| November 2004 | ECM | £ 1362.00 | £ 36,774.00 |
| Total | £ 217,885.00 |
Neville Drive/Terrace 19 NIHE owned properties
| Date |
Scheme type |
Average unit cost |
Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1994 | ECM | £ 1973.00 | £ 37,487.00 |
| November 1998 | ECM | £ 1897.00 | £ 36,043.00 |
| October 2005 | ECM | £ 3107.00 | £ 59,033.00 |
| Total | £ 132,563.00 |
Note:
- External cyclical maintenance and kitchen schemes are generally programmed on a cyclical basis. Improvement schemes are programmed on the basis of age and condition.
Housing Executive
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties in the Cookstown District Council area, broken down by house type.
(AQW 5821/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive had the following stock in the Cookstown District Council area at March 2008.
|
Bungalow |
Flat |
House |
Maisonette |
Cottage |
Total |
Stock |
214 |
130 |
684 |
12 |
12 |
1052 |
Housing Executive
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties in the Magherafelt District Council area, broken down by house type.
(AQW 5822/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive had the following stock in the Magherafelt District Council area at March 2008.
|
Bungalow |
Flat |
House |
Maisonette |
Cottage |
Total |
Stock |
513 |
112 |
644 |
10 |
30 |
1309 |
Energy Performance Certificates
Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the obligations to be placed on estate agents when mandatory energy performance certificates are introduced.
(AQW 5831/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The introduction of Energy Performance Certificates does not place any obligations on estate agents.
Annadale Flats Improvement Scheme
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an update on the progress of the proposed Annadale Flats Improvement Scheme.
(AQW 5851/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Preparations for the Multi Element Improvement scheme to 54 properties at an estimated cost of £2.25m are progressing satisfactorily and the scheme is currently programmed to commence in November 2008.
Housing Executive
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the guidance her department has given the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in relation to the purchase of properties, currently for sale on the open market, to be used for social housing.
(AQW 5854/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Association Guide enables Housing Associations to acquire new dwellings as “off the shelf” purchases or existing dwellings under the “Existing Satisfactory Purchase Scheme”. The benefit of these procurement options is that dwellings can be acquired and occupied quickly. The disadvantage is that they are likely to fall short of the Department’s standards and more expensive than houses built in the traditional manner. In terms of the 2007/08 social housing development programme the Housing Executive was advised that the priority was to achieve the annual starts target within the budget available and secure best value for money.
Rural Proofing
Mr McKay asked the Minister for Social Development to detail her plans to ensure that all departmental policies are rural-proofed.
(AQW 5868/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Ensuring that the development and implementation of policy takes account of the particular needs and circumstances of people in rural areas is already an important issue for my department. The Department of Agricultural and Rural Development is also currently leading on work to enhance the rural- proofing process. My Department will take account of the recommendations coming out of that work, which is being taken forward under the Programme for Government Public Services Agreement 17 and which is due to conclude at the end of 2008.
Disability Living Allowance
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people who have lost entitlement to disability living allowance over the last 6 months, in comparison to the previous 6 months.
(AQW 5891/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is set out in the table below.
|
Total Number of Decisions |
Entitlement Ended * |
October 2007 – March 2008 |
19,508 |
3016 |
April 2007 – September 2007 |
18,879 |
2441 |
* It is not possible to provide a detailed breakdown of the specific reasons as to why these customers are no longer entitled to the benefit. Typically these circumstances could include change of circumstances, death, expiry of award and review by the Agency.
Housing Executive
Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, for each of the last 3 years, the number of Northern Ireland Housing Executive allocations in (i) Groomsport; (ii) Rathgill; (iii) Willowbank/Balloo; (iv) Breezemount/Conlig; (v) Whitehill; (vi) Kilcooley; (vii) Bloomfield; (viii) Crawfordsburn; (ix) Helen's Bay; (x) Holywood; (xi) Donaghadee; (xii) Millisle; and (xiii) any other area in the North Down constituency.
(AQW 5920/08)
Ms M Ritchie: This information is not held in the precise format requested. The following table details all allocations from the common waiting list whether by the Housing Executive or Housing Associations.
Area |
Year to December 2005 |
Year to December 2006 |
Year to December 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|
Groomsport |
4 | 1 | 8 |
Bloomfield Road/Balloo |
46 | 33 | 41 |
Conlig |
11 | 8 | 13 |
Whitehill |
22 | 14 | 21 |
Kilcooley |
1 | 1 | 8 |
Crawfordsburn |
0 | 0 | 2 |
Helen’s Bay |
1 | 1 | 6 |
Holywood Central |
|||
Spencer Street |
7 | 10 | 14 |
Strand |
3 | 0 | 4 |
Woodlands |
1 | 2 | 1 |
Holywood Outer |
|||
Redburn |
3 | 3 | 6 |
Loughview/White City |
23 | 32 | 19 |
Donaghadee |
25 | 38 | 37 |
Millisle |
6 | 14 | 9 |
OTHER: |
|||
Bangor |
|||
Skipperstown/Tughan Court |
6 | 12 | 10 |
Bangor Central |
21 | 17 | 19 |
Clandeboye Road |
6 | 0 | 1 |
Clanmorris |
0 | 0 | 1 |
Bangor East |
|||
Churchill |
0 | 3 | 1 |
Donaghadee Road |
9 | 9 | 10 |
Common Housing Selection Scheme
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development for her assessment of the point system that is used in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to allocate homes.
(AQW 5949/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The primary principle of the current Common Housing Selection Scheme, which was introduced in November 2000 following extensive consultation, is the recognition that priority for housing is relative to need. This is established by the award of points that take into account many material factors.
Feedback from applicants and tenants confirms high levels of satisfaction with the Scheme in relation to its aim of ensuring that those in most need are ranked highest on the Waiting List.
Youth Workers
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the number of youth workers based in West Belfast who are funded by her department; and (ii) the organisations in which these youth workers are based.
(AQW 5962/08)
Ms M Ritchie: My Department, through its Belfast Regeneration Office, currently supports 9 youth worker posts in the West Belfast parliamentary constituency. The posts are funded under the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. Details of each are provided in the following table:
Organisation |
No. of Posts |
Description |
Upper Springfield Development Co. Ltd (Ballymurphy Intervention Project) |
5 |
1 Full-time Youth Co-ordinator |
4 Part-time Youth Workers |
||
Blackmountain Action Group |
1 |
1 Full-time Youth Worker |
Streetbeat Youth Project |
1 |
1 Full-time Youth Worker |
Stadium Youth & Community Project |
2 |
2 Full-time Youth Workers |
DSD Funding for Counselling Services
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) the groups funded by her department to provide counselling within the community and voluntary sector; and (ii) the specific function (e.g. suicide prevention, drug counselling) these groups are funded to provide.
(AQW 6047/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The table below details the information requested .
Table – Organisations presently funded by DSD to provide counselling
Name of organisation (i) |
Specific Function (ii) |
Cancerlifeline |
Counselling cancer patients/families during and after illness |
New Life Counselling |
Counselling for youth, Adults and therapeutic Counsellor |
Ardoyne Women’s Group |
Counselling with regard to Alcohol, Drugs and Suicide |
North Belfast Women’s Initiative and Support Group |
Counselling with regard to alcohol, drugs, prescription medication and stress |
Good Morning Ballysillan |
Counselling to Senior Citizens regarding health matters, safety issues etc |
Tar Isteach |
Counselling to ex prisoners and their families |
Benview Community Group |
Counselling to teenagers through schools |
Forum for Action on Substance Abuse |
Drug / Alcohol misuse, suicide and self-harm |
Ashfield Boys High School |
Counselling to pupils covering behavioural and emotional problems |
Community Drugs Awareness |
Training in Drug Awareness, Counselling, Parenting Skills and techniques to combat substance misuse |
Windsor Women |
Stress Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselling, Refuge and Advice to Women and Children of Abuse |
Corpus Christi Services |
Mental Health Counselling |
WHSSB - The Nexus Institute |
Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling Services. |
Centre of Creative Energy |
Providing a Centre Co-ordinator to facilitate the promotion of positive mental health. |
Greater Shantallow Area Partnership |
Community drugs and alcohol project. |
This table provides details of the groups presently funded by DSD through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy to provide counselling services. In line with my announcement of 10 March 2008 regarding future Neighbourhood Renewal funding arrangements, support will be provided through to March 2009 to a range of projects that are the statutory responsibility of other Government Departments. Officials are currently involved in discussions with other Departmental and statutory agency representatives regarding potential future funding arrangements, beyond the current 2008/09 financial year.
DSD Funding for Counselling Services
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the groups currently funded by her department to provide counselling within the community and voluntary sector, who will no longer receive funding in the 2009/2010 financial year.
(AQW 6049/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The table below details the information requested .
Table – Organisations presently funded by DSD to provide counselling
Name of organisation (i) |
Specific Function (ii) |
Cancerlifeline |
Counselling cancer patients/families during and after illness |
New Life Counselling |
Counselling for youth, Adults and therapeutic Counsellor |
Ardoyne Women’s Group |
Counselling with regard to Alcohol, Drugs and Suicide |
North Belfast Women’s Initiative and Support Group |
Counselling with regard to alcohol, drugs, prescription medication and stress |
Good Morning Ballysillan |
Counselling to Senior Citizens regarding health matters, safety issues etc |
Tar Isteach |
Counselling to ex prisoners and their families |
Benview Community Group |
Counselling to teenagers through schools |
Forum for Action on Substance Abuse |
Drug / Alcohol misuse, suicide and self-harm |
Ashfield Boys High School |
Counselling to pupils covering behavioural and emotional problems |
Community Drugs Awareness |
Training in Drug Awareness, Counselling, Parenting Skills and techniques to combat substance misuse |
Windsor Women |
Stress Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselling, Refuge and Advice to Women and Children of Abuse |
Corpus Christi Services |
Mental Health Counselling |
WHSSB - The Nexus Institute |
Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling Services. |
Centre of Creative Energy |
Providing a Centre Co-ordinator to facilitate the promotion of positive mental health. |
Greater Shantallow Area Partnership |
Community drugs and alcohol project. |
This table provides details of the groups presently funded by DSD through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy to provide counselling services. In line with my announcement of 10 March 2008 regarding future Neighbourhood Renewal funding arrangements, support will be provided through to March 2009 to a range of projects that are the statutory responsibility of other Government Departments. Officials are currently involved in discussions with other Departmental and statutory agency representatives regarding potential future funding arrangements, beyond the current 2008/09 financial year.
Incapacity Benefit
Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of people currently claiming incapacity benefit, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 6057/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is set out in the Table below. The figures show the number of claims for Incapacity Benefit where either an amount of Incapacity Benefit was in payment, or National Insurance credits only were awarded, at 5 April 2008.
Incapacity Benefit Claimants by Parliamentary Constituency at 5 April 2008
Belfast East |
4,692 |
Belfast North |
8,464 |
Belfast South |
4,949 |
Belfast West |
9,406 |
East Antrim |
4,618 |
East Londonderry |
5,630 |
Fermanagh and Ssouth Tyrone |
5,477 |
Foyle |
9,917 |
Lagan Valley |
4,783 |
Mid Ulster |
6,166 |
Newry and Armagh |
7,461 |
North Antrim |
6,120 |
North Down |
3,651 |
South Antrim |
4,928 |
South Down |
6,876 |
Strangford |
5,053 |
Upper Bann |
7,691 |
West Tyrone |
7,391 |
Unallocated Postcodes* |
942 |
Total Claimants |
114,215 |
* 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.
Co-Ownership Scheme
Mr McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development if she was aware of funding restrictions within the Co-ownership scheme before or at the time she made her Ministerial statement on 26 February 2008.
(AQW 6092/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I have given Co-ownership at the start of this year, a grant of £15m, which will help 500 people onto the first rung of the housing ladder. Since I came into office, funding for co-ownership has increased significantly and I am very much on course to achieve the goals set out in my New Housing Agenda
Council District
Mr McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 5445/08, to provide a breakdown by council district area of the £15 million.
(AQW 6093/08)
Ms M Ritchie: £15m has been allocated to Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association (NICHA) this year. I am unable to provide a breakdown of how the grant will be allocated.
Co-Ownership Scheme
Mr McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development to confirm whether this financial year’s funding of £15 million for new co-ownership customers has already been allocated to existing customers, and whether funding is still available for those who may wish to take advantage of the co-ownership scheme this year.
(AQW 6094/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Co-ownership’s scheme started this year with a grant of £15m, which will help 500 people onto the first rung of the housing ladder. The Co-ownership scheme has already received more than enough applications to use up this year’s overall funding and achieve the targets set out in the Programme for Government
Co-Ownership Scheme
Mr McElduff asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 5272/08, to clarify what her statement "no new applications to purchase with co-ownership possible at this time" means for potential co-ownership customers this year.
(AQW 6095/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association who administer the co-ownership scheme announced on 18 March 2008 that it would be unable to accept any further applications due to demand outstripping available resources. The Association will use the £15 million grant from Government along with external finance to achieve the Programme for Government target of 500 applicants this year. It is not possible to say when the Association may be in a position to accept further applications. I will continue to explore ways of delivering more affordable housing.
Official Meetings
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development if she has met with her counterpart in the Republic of Ireland, as she indicated in a recent Assembly debate; and to detail the topics discussed at, and outcomes of, this meeting.
(AQW 6101/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The agenda for the meeting will include discussion of the r eport from the Alcohol Advisory Group which my counterpart, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, commissioned to look at sale and consumption of alcohol in the South. The report was published on 23 April and a suitable date for a detailed meeting is now being arranged. I have already had initial discussions regarding this issue with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the South of Ireland.
Underage and Public Drinking
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development if she has raised the issue of underage and public drinking with either the Ministerial Sub-group on Children and Young People or with Executive Ministers.
(AQW 6102/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I raised the issue of underage and public drinking with the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People which involves all Executive Ministers. I also drew it to the attention of the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey MLA. In response the Sub-Committee considered the issues at its meeting on 10 April during which I again addressed the topic.
Liquor Licensing Laws
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an update and timescale on taking forward the recommendations on liquor licensing laws.
(AQW 6103/08)
Ms M Ritchie: I wrote to you on 24 April 2008 replying to a similar request which you made during the Private Members’ Motion on underage drinking on 1 April. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Assembly Library.
Urban Regeneration
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the action she is taking to promote urban regeneration in Carrickfergus and Larne town centres.
(AQW 6110/08)
Ms M Ritchie: In both towns I have agreed to fund town centre Masterplans which will identify how the full regeneration potential of the town centres can be realised. I anticipate that the masterplans will be completed before the end of this year
Draft Social Housing Development Programme
Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how many of the 5,200 new homes referred to in her recent statement, will be built in the East Antrim constituency.
(AQW 6113/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The draft Social Housing Development Programme makes provision for a total of 90 new dwellings in East Antrim in the next three years. The full five year draft programme can be accessed on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s website at www.nihe.gov.uk
DSD Spend on EQIA and Consultations
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the amount of money her department has spent on (i) equality impact assessments; and (ii) consultations, over the last three years.
(AQW 6115/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Information is not available on the precise costs of Equality Impact Assessments because they are carried out as part of my Department’s normal policy-making process and information on cost is not collected separately..
The table below sets out the total cost of consultations carried out by my Department in the last three financial years.
|
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
Consultation Costs |
£24,527.87 |
£60,083.28 |
£103,192.22 |
Co-Ownership Schemes
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of applications for co-ownership schemes awaiting a response; and to advise how she proposes to respond to these applications.
(AQW 6178/08)
Ms M Ritchie: So far this year 83 households have been assisted through the Co-ownership scheme which is operated by the Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association (NICHA). There are a further 213 applications to which NICHA are contractually committed and are awaiting completion. In addition there are another 284 applications to be processed. NICHA will use the £15m grant funding from the Department and external finance to assist 500 people in line with the Programme for Government target.
Housing Executive Expenditure
Mr Storey asked the Minister for Social Development to detail, for each of the last 15 years, her department's expenditure on each Northern Ireland Housing Executive estate in the North Antrim constituency.
(AQW 6204/08)
Ms M Ritchie: This information requested is not readily available, either in the detailed geographical form or for the period requested. However, the following information outlines the Housing Executive’s expenditure within three of its Ballymena, Ballymoney and Moyle District office areas which comprise the North Antrim constituency.
| Ballymena | Ballymoney | Moyle | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
£m |
|
|
£m |
|
|
£m |
| 2001/02 | 5.4 | 2001/02 | 3.9 | 2001/02 | 2.1 | ||
| 2002/03 | 6.6 | 2002/03 | 4.16 | 2002/03 | 2.5 | ||
| 2003/04 | 7.6 | 2003/04 | 4.5 | 2003/04 | 2.3 | ||
| 2004/05 | 6.3 | 2004/05 | 3.2 | 2004/05 | 3.9 | ||
| 2005/06 | 7.7 | 2005/06 | 2.1 | 2005/06 | 2.7 | ||
| 2006/07 | 6.9 | 2006/07 | 3.0 | 2006/07 | 2.4 | ||
| 2007/08 | 5.2 | 2007/08 | 2.8 | 2007/08 | 1.9 |
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail how the Urban Renewal Area status is being progressed in the Upper Long Streets of the New Lodge area in North Belfast.
(AQW 6266/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is reappraising the area in the light of changing market conditions and plans in adjacent areas. When this report is available it will be considered by the Housing Executive and subsequently discussed with my Department.
Renewing Communities Funds
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) how Renewing Communities funds are being delivered in North Belfast; and (ii) the groups receiving funding.
(AQW 6268/08)
Ms M Ritchie: My Department had responsibility for co-ordinating the Renewing Communities action plan for this cross-departmental funding programme which ran for 2 years from 2006 to 2008. Funding for the Renewing Communities programme came to an end on 31st March 2008 as there was no centrally designated budget available to continue after that date.
Social Security Agency
Mr Storey asked the Minister for Social Development to provide an update on the Strategic Business Review for the Social Security Agency.
(AQW 6282/08)
Ms M Ritchie: T he Social Security Agency is carrying out a Strategic Business Review to determine how best to deliver services via its network of local offices in the future. A number of options for a new service delivery model have been identified and each of these is currently subject to economic appraisal in the Outline Business Case (OBC) in order to identify a preferred model. It is anticipated that the OBC will be referred to the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) for approval in late June 2008. Until approved, the Agency does not have an agreed service delivery model that can be used as a firm basis for public consultation. The response from DFP is expected in late July/early August 2008 following which an 8 -12 week period of public consultation will commence.
Off-Road Bikes
Mr Butler asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 5829/08, to detail the number of complaints received by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in relation to off-road bikes, broken down by Housing Executive District.
(AQW 6289/08)
Ms M Ritchie: This information is not available. The Housing Executive cannot disaggregate its figures on anti social behaviour, to identify only those involving off-road vehicles.
Heating Replacement Programme
Mr Butler asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the steps her department is taking to (i) replace Economy 7 heating; and (ii) glass fronted fires, in Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings.
(AQW 6292/08)
Ms M Ritchie: 70% of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s tenanted stock has already been upgraded to oil or natural gas heating systems. The heating replacement programme primarily targets solid fuel roomheaters, but Economy 7 has also been included in relevant schemes.
In the current financial year it is proposed to upgrade a further 2,300 dwellings to natural gas, where available, or oil.
Ligoniel Improvement Association
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to provide details of how her Department is intending to respond to the current crisis for Ligoniel Improvement Association; and will the Minister bring forward arrangements that will protect the job losses and services to that community.
(AQW 6392/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The member will be aware that a PSNI investigation is currently ongoing and it would be improper to comment on the detail of this, pending the outcome. Until the outcome of this is known, I cannot give any assurances on job losses. I can, however, assure the member that my Department will seek to protect the employment of staff where we are able to do so.
Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association
Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development if there are sufficient funds to complete all applications for Co-ownership which were registered before the announcement that the scheme was to be suspended.
(AQW 6444/08)
Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association who administer the co-ownership scheme announced on 18 March 2008 that it would be unable to accept any further applications due to demand outstripping available resources. The Association will use the £15 million grant from Government along with external finance to achieve the Programme for Government target of 500 applicants this year. It is not possible to say when the Association may be in a position to accept further applications. I will continue to explore ways of delivering more affordable housing.
Areas at Risk Programme
Mr Boylan asked the Minister for Social Development who will be responsible for allocation and control of any funding from her department in relation to the 'Areas at Risk' project to be implemented in the Lisanally/Alexander areas of Armagh city.
(AQW 6473/08)
Ms M Ritchie: Allocation of funding under the Areas at Risk Programme is dependent on the needs identified within the participant community following an independent community audit of the area. All funding is directly managed and administered by officials in the Voluntary and Community Unit of my department.