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 06 June 2008

Written Answers to Questions

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development

CORRIGENDA

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

China and Tibet

Mr McKay asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm if it has used its diplomatic connections with China to voice its condemnation of the Chinese Government's oppressive treatment of the people of Tibet.

(AQW 5378/08)

The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness): We have no formal diplomatic channels with the Chinese government.

Contracts for Consultancy Services

Mr Kennedy asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide, for each of the last 4 years, (i) how many contracts for consultancy services it has awarded, which did not have to go out to public tender; (ii) a brief description and value of each contract; and (iii) to whom these contracts have been awarded.

(AQW 6862/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Information on (i) the number of contracts for consultancy services awarded by OFMDFM, which did not have to go out to public tender; (ii) a brief description and value of each contract; and (iii) to whom these contracts have been awarded in each of the last four years has been placed in the Assembly library. The period covered includes the financial years, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08.

	04/05	05/06	06/07	07/08
(i) How many contracts for consultancy services have been awarded which did not have to go out to public tender	9	9	19	7
(ii) A brief description and value of each contract	Review of Equality Commission NI to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the operation of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and to examine the delivery of services and functions conferred on the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland - £11,000 Organisational Development: team development event to promote corporacy across Executive Information Service and to address issues highlighted in staff and customer surveys - £2450 A review of the existing OFMDFM Information Systems (IS) Strategy and OFMDFM eBusiness Strategy to produce a combined IS & eBusiness Strategy for OFMDFM for the period 2005-08 - £35,000 KN Health Check - The Knowledge Network Health Check is a mandatory security audit of the KN system to ensure that appropriate security levels are maintained - £7,200 Software consultancy to assist in the development of application and server software for the Knowledge Network system - £25,000 Review of Physical Security in the Stormont Estate: Stormont Estate Evacuation Plan - £875 Review of Physical Security in the Stormont Estate: Stormont Estate Evacuation Plan - £7700 Consultancy fees in relation to the appointment process for the Commissioner for Children and Young People £2,309.20 Supplementary work on earlier study of Cross Border Obstacles to Employment Mobility. Value - £10,382	Single tender action for the appointment of Independent Board Members for several NICS departments. Registration Fee - £2,000 Placement Fee - £4,000 per each appointment made paid on appointment by the appointing department To produce Regulatory Impact Assessments on two sets of anti-discrimination Regulations - £4,200 Software consultancy to assist in the development of application and server software for the Knowledge Network system - £1,800 Development Phase in respect of Participation Network - £10,000. Facilitation of Minister for Children Roundtable event with Key Children’s Organisations in Parliament Buildings - £635. A consultation regarding the mechanisms already in place for children and young people - £5,850. A comparative analysis of public expenditure on children in Northern Ireland - £8,511. Play Policy Working Group - £10,508.20 Provision of training and project related GIS/Data consultancy together with work in relation to Play Policy - £2,250.	Knowledge Network (KN) Health Check - The KN Health Check is a mandatory security audit of the KN system to ensure that appropriate security levels are maintained -£8,800 Software consultancy to assist in the development of application and server software for the KN system - £6,900 Provision of training and project related GIS/Data consultancy together with work in relation to strategic Play Provision - £5,378. Play Policy Working Group - £15,419.33. Consultancy fees for Commissioner Appointment process - £2,092 Consultancy fees for Commissioner Appointment process - £3,180 Consultancy fees for Commissioner Appointment process - £3,204.20 Independent assessor fees for Commissioner appointment process - £2,962.20 Consultancy fees for Commissioner appointment process - £3,000 Play Policy Working Group - £8,091.45 Fees for writing the text for the children’s version of the ten year strategy for Children and Young People - £2,400 Recruitment process for Commissioner for Children and Young People - £33,200. Consultancy fees for Commissioner for Children and Young People Appointment Process - £2,196.60. Consultancy fees for Commissioner for Children and Young People’s appointment process - £3,547.60 Development of Participation Network - £52,000 Fees for drafting, approval and amendments of children’s version of the UNCRC report and consultancy work with NGO sector - £18,000. A comparative analysis of public expenditure on children in Northern Ireland - £10,000. Consultation with parents on Play Policy - £1,250 Consultant fees for UNCRC report - £13,753.39.	Development of a Draft Communications Strategy for the Sustainable Development Strategy - £77,280 KN Health Check - The KN Health Check is a mandatory security audit of the KN system to ensure that appropriate security levels are maintained - £10,000 Software consultancy to assist in the development of application and server software for the Knowledge Network system - £2,400 Facilitator’s version text for OFMDFM comic, preparation and recording of ‘Super Six’ comic and launch - £4,183.70. Mapping information preparation for Play Policy consultation document - £3,375. Recruitment process for Commissioner for Children and Young People - £208.70 Young people’s version of the Strategy - £13,039.31.
(iii) To whom these contracts have been awarded	BMG Associates Ltd HMC Communications Tim Thorne Sopra, Newell and Budge (tendered through CPD) Bluewave/BT (through a contract service with CPD) Richard Buchanan Consulting Limited. Police Rehabilitation & Retraining Trust. RG Consultants Price Waterhouse Coopers	Whitehall and Industry Group Economic, Planning and Environmental Consultants Limited Bluewave/BT (through a contract service with CPD) NI Youth Forum Second Nature Paula Keenan Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland PlayBoard / NIPPA PSC Ltd	Sopra, Newell and Budge ( tendered through CPD Bluewave/BT (through a contract service with CPD) PSC Ltd PlayBoard Patrick Higgins Cathy Bell Rodney Green Gwen Savage Kevin McKenna NIPPA Liz Weir Veredus (Capita Resourcing Ltd) Lynne Peyton Gerry Gilpin NI Youth Forum Paula Keenan The Institute for Fiscal Studies Parents Advice Centre Deena Hayden	Central Office of Information (COI) Deloitte (tendered through CPD) Bluewave/BT (through a contract service with CPD) Liz Weir PSC Ltd Veredus National Children’s Bureau

Economic Investment Conference

Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what role did Ian Paisley Jnr MLA play during the recent Economic Investment Conference.

(AQW 6991/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Ian Paisley Jnr MLA had no formal involvement in the recent US NI Investment Conference. He did attend a number of the organised events to offer his support for the Conference alongside Executive Ministers and other MLAs.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) how many visits the First Minister and deputy First Minister have made outside Northern Ireland since devolution; (ii) the method and cost of transportation for each trip; and (iii) the type and cost of accommodation for each trip, including details for accompanying officials.

(AQW 7298/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: Since 8 May 2007 the First Minister and deputy First Minister have made 4 such visits. The method and cost of transportation, and the type and cost of accommodation for Ministers and officials is set out in the table below. (Where appropriate, costs have been converted into sterling at rates effective 2 June 2008.)

Dates	Destination	Method and cost of transportation	Type and cost of accommodation
2 – 7 December 2007	Washington and New York	Aeroplane / Train Ministers £6,411.80 Officials £13,825.80	Hotel Ministers £2,797.72 Officials £5,764.38
9 – 10 January 2008	Brussels	Aeroplane / Eurostar Ministers £1,049.40 Officials £2,725.65	Hotel Ministers £289.28 Officials £578.56
20 - 21 February 2008	Edinburgh	Aeroplane Ministers £108.95 Officials £445.95	Hotel Ministers £280 Officials £395
10 – 11 April 2008	New York	Aeroplane Ministers £6,230.50 Officials £7,123.40	Hotel Ministers £436.76 Officials £1,067.61

Emerald Fund Investments

Dr Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to make a statement to the Assembly on the potential Emerald Fund investments.

(AQW 7340/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: There are no plans for a statement on potential private investments by the Emerald Fund. Emerald Development Managers LLC will manage the Fund and seek investment opportunities.

Draft Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

Dr Farry asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what factors are delaying the publication of the draft Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

(AQW 7341/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We are now at an advanced stage of development of the detailed proposals for a ‘Programme of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a shared and better future,’ which was signalled in the Programme for Government.

The new programme will tackle issues affecting both the established communities as well as new arrivals. It will build on some of the excellent work which is already being done, particularly by district councils and community organisations, to address the challenges which local communities are facing. Action to tackle sectarianism, racism and intolerance will be at the core of these proposals.

We have repeatedly stated our commitment to working towards building a society at ease with itself – a society that is integrated, cohesive and where everyone who lives here is regarded as of equal status and is treated as such – the new programme will work towards this.

OFMDFM officials briefed the Committee of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the current position regarding development of the proposed Programme in early April. The consultation document will be put to the Committee of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister shortly.

Planning Applications

Mr McGlone asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to clarify the position on the admissibility of unverifiable objections with bogus names and addresses in Planning Appeals Commission cases.

(AQW 7374/08)

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:

"In cases where the Planning Appeals Commission is aware that an objection contains either a bogus name or address the evidence from that objection will not be admissible by the Planning Appeals Commission. The Planning Appeals Commission can however consider an objection which does not have a named contact but has a verifiable address.

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."

Cohesion Sharing and Exclusion Strategy

Ms J McCann asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what steps it is taking to ensure that the new Cohesion Sharing and Inclusion strategy will not just focus on racial attacks, but challenge and combat all forms of racial inequality.

(AQW 7433/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: As we have made very clear on many occasions, we oppose and are committed to tackling racism, sectarianism and intolerance in any of their manifestations.

We are committed to tackling racism in all its forms – and the racial inequalities that racism gives rise to.

We are finalising detailed proposals for the ‘Programme of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a shared and better future’. This programme will provide for, amongst other things, the delivery of the Racial Equality Strategy which was endorsed by the motion made by the Assembly on 3 July 2007.

We consider that the six shared aims set out in the Racial Equality Strategy (Elimination of Racial Inequality, Equal Protection, Equality of Service Provision, Participation, Dialogue and Capacity Building) are robust and comprehensive. Moreover, the aims have been endorsed by representatives of minority ethnic people.

We remain open, of course, to suggestions as to how we might strengthen these six shared aims.

We will re-visit the six shared aims following the launch of the ‘Programme of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a shared and better future’ in the light of the results of the consultation on the Programme. This will be done in close consultation with minority ethnic groups, the wider community and the OFMDFM Committee. We are committed to the partnership process which developed the six shared aims originally.

Sustainable Development Indicators

Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to publish the Sustainable Development Indicators for each Department; and what guidance it has put in place in relation to a Sustainable Development Statutory Duty as exists in the Republic of Ireland and in the rest of the UK.

(AQW 7512/08)

Rt Hon I Paisley and Mr M McGuinness: We have considered the draft Indicators, and in light of our recent decision to develop a new Sustainable Development Strategy, we have decided to postpone the immediate publication of these. We are aware of the importance of accurately assessing progress, however there is a clear need for us to ensure that published Indicators are capable of expressing progress against any new targets that may emanate from a review of the Strategy and its associated Implementation Plan. We are also considering draft guidance in relation to the Statutory Duty.

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Working Farms in the North Down Area

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many working farms there are in the North Down parliamentary constituency.

(AQW 7166/08)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): The annual Agricultural and Horticultural Survey recorded 134 farms in the North Down parliamentary constituency in June 2007.

Departmental Electrical Equipment

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many (i) laptops; and (ii) mobile phones, have been bought by her Department since devolution; and to detail the cost of each category of equipment.

(AQW 7224/08)

Ms M Gildernew: (i) 144 laptops have been purchased by DARD since devolution.

- The total cost of purchase for laptops was £112,872.

(ii) 161 mobile phones have been purchased by DARD since devolution.

- The total cost of purchase for mobile phones was £7,992.46.

Funding for Community and Voluntary Groups

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many community and voluntary groups her Department is currently funding; the amount of funding given to each project; and where these projects are based.

(AQW 7313/08)

Ms M Gildernew: My department is currently funding capital projects promoted by three such groups in the Portavogie, Annalong and Kilkeel areas.

Funding of £295,000 has been allocated to the Portavogie & District Community Development Group for Portavogie Business Units, and funding of £250,000 has been allocated to Annalong Community Development Association in respect of the Annalong Coastal Path. In addition, Kilkeel Development Association is undertaking 3 distinct capital works on the Nautilus Centre Car Park and Environmantal Improvement Scheme, the Nautilus Centre Maritime & Tourism Project and the Binnian Developments (Phase II) which have received allocations of £86,000, £243,000 and £185,000 respectively.

In addition through the Rural Development Programme, funding is currently being provided to over 70 community and voluntary groups, taking forward a wide range of projects. The total amount of funding is £14, 245, 598.41, which includes just over £4 million of Peace II (extension) funding.

This overall figure includes an element of core funding to the 12 Rural Support Networks, the Rural Community Network RCN, NI Rural Womens Network NIRWN, and the Rural Development Council who deliver a large number of projects on our behalf.

Clea Lakes in Killyleagh

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that the controllers of Clay Lakes, Killyleagh, are content to pass control to the Rivers Agency; and whether the Rivers Agency, on taking control, will give priority to addressing the low water levels.

(AQW 7336/08)

Ms M Gildernew: DARD Rivers Agency has received written confirmation that the current controllers of the water levels of Clea Lakes are prepared to relinquish their water rights specific and pertaining to the Clea Lakes.

Once formal transfer has been completed, and subject to Drainage Council approval control of water levels by Rivers Agency should provide for more consistent water management for drainage purposes. However the Agency cannot be responsible for low water levels during periods of extreme drought.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) how many visits she has made outside Northern Ireland since devolution; (ii) the method and cost of transportation for each trip; and (iii) the type and cost of accommodation for each trip, including details for accompanying officials.

(AQW 7344/08)

Ms M Gildernew: Since devolution I have made 11 visits outside of the North in my capacity as Minister. Details are set out in the table below. Costs for trips made by official car are not held by the Department.

When travelling by air I have travelled economy class on all but one occasion. On this occasion there were no seats available on the British Midlands flight in the economy section so in order to catch the later flight to Washington there was no option but to take the Business class seat. However, I can confirm that flying business class is not standard practice, nor do my officials provide the option of flying business class when other seating options are available.

Date	Visit	Transportation		Accomodation
		Method	Cost	Type	Cost
21/05/07	Washington Folklife Festival	*Minister – Flights, Train, Car 1 Official – Flights	£3,858.91 £1,210.85	*Minister -Hotel 1 Official Hotel	£1479.79 £190.33
14/06/07	Brussels Meeting with ONIEB and Cabinet Members	*Minister - Flights, Car 3 Officials – Flights	£1,508.69 £1,488.10	*Minister - Hotel 3 Officials – Hotel	£311.92 £481.10
18/06/07	London Meeting with Retailers & Devolved Ministers	*Minister–Flight, Train, Tube 1 Officials – Flight, Train, Tube	£1,192.30 £314.95
05/10/07	Edinburgh UK Fisheries Ministerial Meeting	*Minister– Flights 2 Officials – Flights	£1,011.89 £628.67
14/10/07	Dusseldorf ANUGA Food Fair& Brussels Meeting with Commissioner Borg and Fisheries Council	*Minster Party-Flight, Car, Train 2 Officials – Flights	£1,701.08 £924.16	*Minister - Hotel 2 Officials – Hotel	£446.20 £427.68
13/12/07	Brussels Meeting with Commissioner Borg	*Minister -Flights 1 Official – Flights	£1,088.07 £962.10	*Minister - Hotel	£287.49
17/12/07	Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council	*Minister -Flight, Train 2 Official- Flight, Taxis	£1,610.20 £819.27	*Minister - Hotel 1 Official – Hotel	£716.91 £364.00
10/01/08	Brussels Accompanying FM and dFM	*Minister - Flights,Car	£4,819.34	*Minster - Hotel	£246.86
05/02/08	LondonDevolved Administration Ministerial Meeting	*Minister - Flight, Train 2 Officials – Flight	£1,062.30 £640.32	*Minister - Hotel	£666.24
14/03/08	Brussels Meeting with Commissioner Boel	*Minster - Flight, Car 1 Official – Flight	£1,653.37 £334.72	*Minister - Hotel 1 Official – Hotel	£275.46 £93.83
01/04/08	Brussels Meeting with Commissioner Borg and MEPs	*Minister -Flight 1 Official – Flight, Taxi	£2,274.60 £811.27	*Minister - Hotel 1 Official – Hotel	£384.24 £129.04

* Costs for "Minister" also include Special Adviser and Private Secretary.

Financial Cost of Division

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what conclusions have been drawn from the report of Deloitte and Touche into the financial cost of the Northern Ireland divide (i) on her Department's work; and (ii) in relation to potential efficiency savings.

(AQW 7362/08)

Ms M Gildernew: I do not believe that the NI divide has had a significant bearing on the operating efficiency of this Department, though we have operated several measures to tackle the social and economic consequences of this divide in rural areas. No specific policy development has been based on this report.

Storage and Transport of Chicken Litter

Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if her Department has any remit in specifying how chicken litter is (i) stored; (ii) transported; and (iii) spread, given the rising number of cases of botulism in cattle.

(AQW 7405/08)

Ms M Gildernew: On average, there were 91 suspect cases of botulism in cattle each year since 2002. Numbers in recent years are below average, and approximately 16% of suspect cases are confirmed as botulism following laboratory analysis.

There are no regulatory requirements in relation to the storage or transport of chicken litter, and it can be spread on land. However the Animal By-Products Regulations (NI) 2003 prohibit on-farm burial or landspreading of carcases of birds that have died during production. These carcasses are regarded as the likely source of the toxin.

My Department provides advice to farmers in the Biosecurity Code and on the DARD website, and in a leaflet which was sent to all farmers, that they should prevent access by animals to contaminated feedstuffs and bedding. We advise against spreading litter on pasture, and recommend that, if litter must be spread, it is deep-ploughed into arable ground.

Rural Women

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what consultation her Department has had with other Departments to ensure that adequate resources and funding opportunities are available to meet the needs of rural women, as outlined in her discussions with the Executive on the proposed White Paper.

(AQW 7432/08)

Ms M Gildernew: The Executive has agreed to work with me on the development of a Rural White Paper. This means a commitment to look at ways in which government departments can enhance their contribution to rural areas, including looking at how resources or funding opportunities can be identified to meet the needs of rural women. I intend to reinvigorate the current interdepartmental Rural Proofing Steering Group into an Interdepartmental Group on Rural Policy, which I would chair. This group would be made up of senior policy makers from all departments and would provide the main vehicle for development and agreement of proposals for a Rural White Paper. My Department currently co-funds the Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network with DSD. My officials will be liaising with DSD to examine opportunities to continue to support rural women as part of ongoing Community Development work.

CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Departmental Grants

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for the details of all grants available through his Department.

(AQW 7322/08)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr E Poots): The bulk of grant funding for which DCAL is responsible is distributed through the Department’s NDPBs. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Sport NI, will receive total Departmental funding of £25.3m and £28.9m respectively in the 2008/09 financial year. Both bodies determine specific budgets from which grants will be paid to applicants who meet the required conditions and criteria.

Northern Ireland Screen can pay grants from its overall budget of £1.4m and is also responsible for allocation of grants from the £3m Irish Language Broadcasting Fund.

The Ulster Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge also distribute grants, from their respective budgets of £2.5m and £3.5m, to support projects in the indigenous languages field. A sum of £450,000 is distributed through Local Councils to provide funding for Community Festivals.

Applications for grants to Colmcille are being considered on a case by case basis although at present no formal funding round has been launched.

In addition to these grants paid through NDPBs, the DCAL Events Unit has allocated £350,000 to the Events Growth Fund and £550,000 to the Major Events Fund in the 2008/09 financial year.

The Department also retains a budget of £6,000 for its Lough Neagh Boat Grants scheme.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (i) how many visits he has made outside Northern Ireland since devolution; (ii) the method and cost of transportation for each trip; and (iii) the type and cost of accommodation for each trip, including details for accompanying officials.

(AQW 7343/08)

Mr E Poots: I have made 18 visits outside of Northern Ireland since devolution. The breakdown of the information that you have requested is attached.

MINISTER					OFFICIALS
VISIT	TRANSPORTATION	COST OF TRANSPORTATION	ACCOMMODATION	COST OF ACCOMMODATION	NUMBER	COST ( travel & accommodation)
Belgium	Air, Rail and Taxi	696.05	Hotel (1 night)	54.00	1	694.81
London	Air and Rail	347.45	Hotel (1 night)	259.00	1	606.45
Washington	Air, Rail and Car	3995.45	Hotel (5 nights)	1147.00	4	8004.32
Dublin	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	-	-
France	Air and Rail	645.75	Hotel (1 night)	120	-	-
New York	Air	1672.65	Hotel (2 nights)	783.00	2	4904.75
Cavan	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	9	681.80
Dublin	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	2	-
Dublin	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	5	245.46
London	Air and taxi	359.15	No overnight stay	0	1	339.15
Dundalk	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	2	-
Dublin	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	2	40.80
Texas, Tennessee	Air	4765.15	Hotel (5 nights)	470.00	2	10483.30
LA and Sacramento	Air	5502.60	Hotel (5 nights)	693.00	2	12381.20
Edinburgh	Air	270.45	No overnight stay	0	4	1081.80
Cardiff	Air	352.55	Hotel (1 night)	120	2	945.10
Dublin	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	2	-
Monaghan	Ministerial car	*	No overnight stay	0	2	48.00

* Ministerial car costs are not charged to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Departmental Electrical Equipment

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many (i) laptops; and (ii) mobile phones, have been bought by his Department since devolution; and to detail the cost of each category of equipment.

(AQW 7420/08)

Mr E Poots: Since the date of Devolution on 8 May 2007 the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has purchased three Laptops at a total cost of £2136.00.

Two Mobile Phones have been purchased by the Department since 8 May 2007 at a cost of £78.00.

Development of the Gaeltacht Quarter

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what consultation he has had with the community and voluntary sector in West Belfast, in relation to the development of the Gaeltacht Quarter.

(AQW 7434/08)

Mr E Poots: Over the last five years, Departmental officials, along with others from DSD and DETI, have been involved with the community and voluntary sector in West Belfast, in relation to the development of the Gaeltacht Quarter. During that time a Shadow Board was established, an Economic Appraisal was prepared, the Dutton Report was published and the Gaeltacht Quarter Development Company (An Cheathru Ghaeltachta Teo) assisted by a Steering Group has been established.

Multi-Purpose Community Centre in Glenravel

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to explain the reasons for the delay in a decision being made on the application for a multi-purpose community centre in Glenravel that was submitted by the Glenravel Community Development Association in February 2008.

(AQW 7601/08)

Mr E Poots: The application from the Glenravel Community Development Association was originally assessed under the Lottery funding stream by Sport NI however, following the outcome of the CSR process and a review of the Sport Capital Expenditure Programme the matter was transferred for consideration under exchequer funding along with several other major projects. A decision on those projects is imminent.

Multi-Purpose Community Centre in Glenravel

Mr McKay asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure when his Department will make a decision on the application for a multi-purpose community centre that was submitted by the Glenravel Community Development Association in February 2008.

(AQW 7602/08)

Mr E Poots: The application from the Glenravel Community Development Association was originally assessed under the Lottery funding stream by Sport NI however, following the outcome of the CSR process and a review of the Sport Capital Expenditure Programme the matter was transferred for consideration under exchequer funding along with several other major projects. A decision on those projects is imminent.

EDUCATION

Taskforce on Protestant Working Class Communities

Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail all the projects she has funded as a result of the "Taskforce on Protestant Working Class Communities" and the United Kingdom Government's response paper.

(AQW 5652/08)

The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Tá sonraí faoi na tionscadail a mhaoiníonn mo Roinnse san Aguisín iniata.

The projects funded by my Department are detailed in the attached Annex.

Annex

Measure 1.2/1.4 Supporting Special Educational Needs in Schools and Developing Management Standards – allocation 2006-08 £1,100k. Aims to support SEN interventions in the schools by classroom teachers and to develop leadership skills.

Measure 1.5 Curriculum Advisory and Support Services (CASS) – Special Educational Needs support Pilot – allocation 2006-08 £60k (now mainstreamed by BELB). Providing specialist training in autism, dyslexia and behavioural issues.

Measure 1.6 Integrated Children’s Services – allocation 2006-08 £814k (now mainstreamed by DE). This programme supports the delivery of integrated services to children in order to enhance early years provision and support other children’s developmental and learning activities.

Measure 1.7 Healthy Schools Initiative – allocation 2006-08 £400k. Pilot of new approaches to promoting health and well-being in children including the development of active schools and food in schools programmes, complemented by community based skills development.

Measure 2.11 Sports Development in Community and Schools – allocation 2006-08 £150k. A new community sports project incorporating and building on a schools sport programme, led by a Community Sports Development Officer.

Measure 1.8 Full Service School Demonstration Project – allocation 2006-08 £660k (now mainstreamed by DE). Two post primary schools selected and established as a full service school demonstration project.

Measure 1.12 Alternative Education Project – allocation 2006/08 £200k (now mainstreamed by BELB). An extension of the Pathways Project which provides a programme of personal development and structured learning to young people who are excluded from or who are experiencing difficulty in mainstream education.

Measure 3.1 Strengthening Governance – allocation 2006-08 £100k – Funding has provided training of suitable individuals from targeted areas to become school governors, to improve the strength and quality of leadership within the school and provide support to school principals and staff in relation to long term planning.

Measure 3.3 Detached Youth Work Teams – allocation 2006-08 £500k – An innovative way of reaching disaffected youth in order to engage them in meaningful activities and divert them from becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

Measure 3.6 Role Models and Mentoring – allocation 2006-08 £70k – To raise the expectations of pupils and encourage them to aim higher in their educational qualifications, increase their self-confidence and assist them in addressing issues affecting them.

Measure 5.1 Summer Intervention Programme – allocation 2006-08 £200k (now mainstreamed by DE). Groups within the Belfast area working with young people across the city will benefit from the Summer Intervention Programme. Early distribution of funds targeted at disadvantaged areas aim to reduce the migration towards flashpoints.

New Build Project for Down Academy

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) when she was made aware of the proposals by the South Eastern Education and Library Board in relation to a new build project for Down Academy; and (ii) the reasons why her officials have refused to attend a site meeting at the current site as part of the process towards submission of a valid economic appraisal.

(AQW 6346/08)

Ms C Ruane: In September 2004, following a request from the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) and a site visit from the Department’s professional advisors, Down Academy was recognised as having serious accommodation inadequacies.

The SEELB produced an economic appraisal which recommended that Down Academy be rebuilt on the site of Down High School, following the relocation of Down High to a greenfield site. Planning permission was not however forthcoming for the greenfield site and the economic appraisal was not, therefore, approved.

In May 2007, the Board published a Review of Controlled Provision in the Mid and South Down Area in order to provide a strategic framework in which to progress a prioritised programme of capital schemes. The review recognised that the projected long-term enrolment for Down Academy was likely to be in the region of 242-251 and the Board did not make a recommendation on the future of the school.

Ní heol dom achainí ar chruinniú láithreáin a bheith déanta ná gur dhiúltaigh an Roinn ná an Bord freastal ar chruinniú dá leithéid.

I am not aware of a request for a site meeting nor that officials from either the department or the Board have refused to attend such a meeting.

St Mary's University College

Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education whether she has reached a decision on the initial teacher education intakes for St Mary's University college for the academic year 2008-09.

(AQW 6396/08)

Ms C Ruane: Ní dhearnadh cinneadh deireanach go fóill faoi líon na n-ionad oiliúna múinteoireachta do na hinstitiúidí don bhliain acadúil 2008/09

The number of teacher training places for the institutions for the 2008/09 academic year has not yet been finally determined.

Extended School Scheme

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education to confirm that funding under the Extended Schools scheme is to be cut from the beginning of the next school year.

(AQW 6408/08)

Ms C Ruane: I very much regret the fact that the level of funding provided for education this year, and the decision to discontinue the separate funding stream for the Children and Young People projects, has meant that I have not been able to maintain Extended Schools funding at 2007-08 levels.

As is the case in any budget process there are never sufficient resources to address all of the issues we would want to address and difficult choices have to be made. I have had to consider very carefully the allocation of

the education budget across a range of competing priorities to ensure that key priority areas were addressed and at the same time core services maintained. In doing so I ensured that the £16m which had been provided direct to schools under the CYPfP was mainstreamed within school delegated budgets. That funding is therefore being maintained on a recurrent basis as part of schools delegated budgets. In addition to this I have made provision for other elements of former CYPfP funding including £8m a year for the early years programmes and counselling services in schools.

As regards the extended schools programme I would have liked to have maintained funding at previous levels but with the resources available I was unable to do so. Despite finding efficiencies from other areas I have only been able to continue funding at 60% of the level available to schools over the last two years meaning a massive cut from £10m to £5.8m.

I have raised the difficulties and registered most strongly my concerns, as far back as 20 September 2007 in a meeting with the Finance Minister and through correspondence on 8 separate occasions since, that the shortfall in funding presents. I am very disappointed that to date there has been an inadequate response.

Agus tacaíocht an Tionóil san áireamh nuair a bhí an moladh leis an chlár tábhachtach seo a thabhairt ar ais á phlé ar 20 Bealtaine, leanfaidh mé d’iarraidh acmhainní breise gach deis dá bhfaighidh mé i rith na bliana.

I will continue to press at every available opportunity during the year for additional resources, given the endorsement by the Assembly during the motion on 20 May, to restore this important programme.

Extended Schools Scheme

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline how she will fund school programmes that were previously supported by the Extended Schools scheme, if these programmes fall outside the newly imposed eligibility criteria.

(AQW 6411/08)

Ms C Ruane: Schools in the North of Ireland have been offering extended school activities for many years through a variety of methods – voluntary effort then LMS budget, grants from external sources or parental contributions. The finance available under the Extended Schools Programme enables the most disadvantaged schools to offer activities.

As is the case in any budget process there are never sufficient resources to address all of the issues we would want to address and difficult choices have to be made. I have had to consider very carefully the allocation of the education budget across a range of competing priorities to ensure that

key priority areas were addressed and at the same time core services maintained. In doing so I ensured that the £16m which had been provided direct to schools under the CYPfP was mainstreamed within school delegated budgets. That funding is therefore being maintained on a recurrent basis as part of schools delegated budgets. In addition to this I have made provision for other elements of former CYPfP funding including £8m a year for the early years programmes and counselling services in schools.

As regards the extended schools programme I would have liked to have maintained funding at previous levels but with the resources available I was unable to do so. Despite finding efficiencies from other areas I have only been able to continue funding at 60% of the level available to schools over the last two years meaning a massive cut from £10m to £5.8m.

I have raised the difficulties and registered most strongly my concerns, as far back as 20 September in a meeting with the Finance Minister and through correspondence on 8 separate occasions since, that the shortfall in funding presents and will continue to press at every available opportunity during the year for additional resources, given the endorsement by the Assembly during the motion on 20 May, to restore this important programme. I am very disappointed that to date there has been an inadequate response.

Tá súil agam go dtig leis na scoileanna siúd, nach bhfuil i dteideal maoinithe do Scoileanna Sínte faoi láthair, leanúint ar aghaidh agus leibhéal áirithe gníomhaíochta a sholáthar ar mhaithe le leas a gcuid daltaí go díreach mar atá déanta ag go leor scoileanna eile le roinnt mhaith blianta.

I hope that those schools, not now eligible for Extended Schools funding can continue to offer some level of extended schools activity for the benefit of their pupils in the same way as many other schools have done for many years.

Extended Schools Scheme

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Education to detail her plans to bridge the funding gap for the Extended Schools programme.

(AQW 6495/08)

Ms C Ruane: I very much regret the fact that the level of funding provided for education this year, and the decision to discontinue the separate funding stream for the Children and Young People projects, has meant that I have not been able to maintain Extended Schools funding at 2007-08 levels.

As is the case in any budget process there is never sufficient resources to address all of the issues we would want to address and difficult choices have to be made. I have had to consider very carefully the allocation of the education budget across a range of competing priorities to ensure that key priority areas were addressed and at the same time core services

maintained. In doing so I ensured that the £16m which had been provided direct to schools under the CYPfP was mainstreamed within school delegated budgets. That funding is therefore being maintained on a recurrent basis as part of schools delegated budgets. In addition to this I have made provision for other elements of former CYPfP funding including £8m a year for the early years programmes and counselling services in schools.

As regards the extended schools programme I would have liked to have maintained funding at previous levels but with the resources available I was unable to do so. Despite finding efficiencies from other areas I have only been able to continue funding at 60% of the level available to schools over the last two years meaning a massive cut from £10m to £5.8m.

I have raised the difficulties and registered most strongly my concerns, as far back as 20 September 2007 in a meeting with the Finance Minister and through correspondence on 8 separate occasions since, that the shortfall in funding presents. I am very disappointed that to date there has been an inadequate response.

Agus tacaíocht an Tionóil san áireamh nuair a bhí an moladh leis an chlár tábhachtach seo a thabhairt ar ais á phlé ar 20 Bealtaine, leanfaidh mé d’iarraidh acmhainní breise gach deis dá bhfaighidh mé i rith na bliana.

I will continue to press at every available opportunity during the year for additional resources, given the endorsement by the Assembly during the motion on 20 May, to restore this important programme.

After-School Clubs

Mr Spratt asked the Minister of Education if she funds any after-school clubs.

(AQW 6510/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá gníomhaíochtaí iarscoile á dtairiscint ag formhór mór na scoileanna deontaschúnta i dtuaisceart na hÉireann le blianta fada.

The vast majority of grant-aided schools in the north of Ireland have been offering after school activities for many years.

Arrangements differ from school to school but may involve voluntary effort, using resources from the school’s delegated budget, parental contributions or indeed a combination of these.

In addition the Extended Schools programme provides further funding to the most socially disadvantaged schools and 386 schools are being funded in this way in 2008/9.

Educational Advisor from the Republic of Ireland

Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Education to detail (i) the rationale behind having an educational adviser from the Republic of Ireland sitting on the Northern Ireland central group; (ii) the powers of this adviser; and (iii) the benefits of having an adviser with a background in a different educational system sitting on the central group.

(AQW 6848/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá roinnt réamhoibre déanta ar phleanáil bunaithe ar limistéar i bPoblacht na hÉireann agus táthar ag súil go rachaidh an taithí sin chun tairbhe an ghrúpa lárnaigh.

There has been some preliminary work on area based planning in the south of Ireland and it is hoped that the central group will benefit from that experience. The role of the nominee from the Department of Education and Science is to bring expertise developed in that work to benefit the deliberations of the central group in relation to the area based look at post primary provision in the north of Ireland.

Teacher Training Places

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of teacher training places that need to be provided in (i) Queen's University Belfast; (ii) Stranmillis University college; and (ii) St. Mary's University college, in each of the next three years.

(AQO 3514/08)

Ms C Ruane: Ní dhearnadh cinneadh deireanach go fóill faoi líon na n-ionad oiliúna múinteoireachta do na hinstitiúidí don bhliain acadúil 2008/09

The number of teacher training places for the institutions for the 2008/09 academic year has not yet been finally determined. It is practice to determine these places each year rather than for three years due to the nature and number of factors that have to be taken into account and the changing education environment.

Surplus and Deficit in Primary and Post-Primary Schools

Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Education for the current average surplus or deficit of (i) primary schools; and (ii) secondary schools.

(AQW 6957/08)

Ms C Ruane: Sa bhliain airgeadais 2006/2007, ba é an meánbharrachas do bhunscoileanna ná £18,152 agus an meánbharrachas do mheánscoileanna ná £97,780.

In the 2006/2007 financial year, the average surplus of primary schools was £18,152 and for secondary schools the average surplus was £97,780.

Autism

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education, in light of the Welsh Assembly's decision to appoint Autism Cymru as its implementation agent for the National Strategy for Wales and to initiate primary legislation for autism spectrum disorder in Wales, if she will initiate urgent dialogue with Welsh colleagues to ensure the development of legislation as well as strategic co-operation.

(AQW 7017/08)

Ms C Ruane: Officials from the Department of Education (DE) have already entered into discussion with officials and inspectors from the education sector in Wales. In March 2008 DE hosted an Autism Stocktake event in Belfast to learn more about autistic spectrum disorder developments in Wales, Scotland and the south of Ireland.

Leanann RO d’oibriú le comhghleacaithe i ndlínsí eile le tabhairt faoi riachtanais pháistí a bhfuil uathachas orthu go straitéiseach.

DE continues to work with colleagues in other jurisdictions to strategically address the needs of children with autism.

Extended Schools Funding

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education what funding is available per school in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area for extended schools in 2007-2008, and what those schools are expected to receive in the 2008-2009 academic year.

(AQW 7049/08)

Ms C Ruane: Details are set out in the annexes:-

Annex 1 - lists the schools in the South Eastern Education and Library Board Area that have qualified for extended schools funding in 2007/08 and 2008/09 and details the level of funding in each financial year.

Annex 2 - lists those schools that no longer meet eligibility criteria and exit the programme.

I very much regret the fact that the level of funding provided for education this year, and the decision to discontinue the separate funding stream for the Children and Young People projects, has meant that I have not been able to maintain Extended Schools funding at 2007-08 levels.

As is the case in any budget process there are never sufficient resources to address all of the issues we would want to address and difficult choices have to be made. I have had to consider very carefully the allocation of the education budget across a range of competing priorities to ensure that key priority areas were addressed and at the same time core services maintained. In doing so I ensured that the £16m which had been provided direct to schools under the CYPfP was mainstreamed within school delegated budgets. That funding is therefore being maintained on a recurrent basis as part of schools delegated budgets. In addition to this I have made provision for other elements of former CYPfP funding including £8m a year for the early years programmes and counselling services in schools.

As regards the extended schools programme I would have liked to have maintained funding at previous levels but with the resources available I was unable to do so. Despite finding efficiencies from other areas I have only been able to continue funding at 60% of the level available to schools over the last two years meaning a massive cut from £10m to £5.8m.

I have raised the difficulties and registered most strongly my concerns, as far back as 20 September 2007 in a meeting with the Finance Minister and through correspondence on 8 separate occasions since, that the shortfall in funding presents. I will continue to press at every available opportunity during the year for additional resources, given the endorsement by the Assembly during the motion on 20 May, to restore this important programme.

Tá £5.826m de mhaoiniú le fáil don bhliain airgeadais 2008/09 do Scoileanna Sínte; is laghdú 40% é sin i gcomparáid le maoiniú na bliana 2007/08. Tiocfaidh an laghdú sin in éifeacht ó 1 Aibreán 2008.

			ANNEX 1
School ReferenceNumber	SCHOOL NAME	Eligible Funding 2007/08	EligibleFunding 2008/09
4010743	LARGYMORE PS	£16,450	£ 5,719
4010885	TONAGH PS	£17,125	£ 11,984
4011632	CREGAGH PS	£21,419	£ 13,034
4013013	BELVOIR PARK PS	£24,950	£ 17,150
4013023	BLOOMFIELD ROAD PS	New	£ 16,870
4013038	TULLYCARNET PS	£15,554	£ 9,128
4013309	DERRIAGHY PS	£8,300	£ 6,608
4013334	KNOCKMORE PS	£17,725	£ 6,223
4016002	KILCOOLEY PS	£15,850	£ 10,934
4016083	WEST WINDS PS	£17,200	£ 11,606
4016144	OLD WARREN PS	£15,025	£ 10,514
4031384	CONVENT OF MERCY PS	£24,725	£ 7,018
4031644	ST PATRICK'S BOYS' PS	£29,469	£ 17,626
4033306	ST ALOYSIUS PS	£23,700	£ 8,243
4036081	ST LUKE'S PS	£25,070	£ 14,770
4036134	ST MARK'S PS	£35,294	£ 21,070
4036182	ST COLMCILLE'S PS	£24,208	£ 14,560
4036285	THE GOOD SHEPHERD PS	£31,223	£ 18,508
4036480	ST KIERAN'S PS	£33,264	£ 19,327
4036591	OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PS	£30,159	£ 18,697
4036618	CHRIST THE REDEEMER PS	£35,972	£ 22,386
4046600	SCOIL NA FUISEOIGE	£17,883	£ 11,186
4136286	GOOD SHEPHERD NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,545	£ 7,168
4136368	ST LUKE'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,168
4136481	ST KIERAN'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,112
4136606	ST THERESE NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,112
4210030	LISNASHARRAGH HIGH SCHOOL (3mths, closing)	£19,975	£ 2,016
4210051	LISNAGARVEY HIGH SCHOOL	£29,958	£ 16,800
4210194	DUNMURRY HIGH SCHOOL	£30,073	£ 17,710
4210262	DUNDONALD HIGH SCHOOL	£31,481	£ 18,172
4230223	ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL	£37,674	£ 24,038
4310008	BEECHLAWN SPECIAL SCHOOL	£25,530	£ 15,190
4310019	ARDMORE HOUSE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£4,000	£ 4,872
4316022	BROOKFIELD SPECIAL SCHOOL	£15,468	£ 10,514
4316273	LONGSTONE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£18,325	£ 6,517

South Eastern Education and Library Board – Extended Schools

Schools in blue are those in the "buffer zone"

NB The buffer zone – due to the change in eligibility criteria some previously funded schools may slip below the qualifying criteria one year and then qualify the next. Therefore a "buffer zone" has been created to allow previously funded schools falling a few percentage points below the threshold to be funded for 2 years at a reduced amount, (50%) if eligibility has not been re-established after 2 years, these schools will exit the programme.

			ANNEX 2
School Reference Number	Schools Exiting 2008/09	Funding Allocation 2007/08	Funding Allocation 2008/09
4010762	BROWNLEE PS	£17,050	£ 2,200
4010807	LISBURN CENTRAL PS	£20,900	£ 2,525
4011373	KIRKISTOWN PS	£15,036	£ 2,082
4011462	CASTLE GARDENS PS	£26,600	£ 3,223
4011488	VICTORIA PS (BALLYHALBERT)	£18,055	£ 2,340
4011507	PORTAVOGIE PS	£21,074	£ 2,711
4011587	DUNDONALD PS	£36,053	£ 4,591
4011588	COMBER PS	£26,575	£ 3,238
4011634	KILLYLEAGH PS	£14,835	£ 1,932
4011646	VICTORIA PS	£31,310	£ 3,995
4011657	LISNASHARRAGH PS	£21,850	£ 2,513
4011681	MILLISLE PS	£17,538	£ 2,297
4013308	FORT HILL PS	£22,000	£ 2,744
4016004	LONDONDERRY PS	£29,699	£ 3,658
4016235	DOWNPATRICK PS	£23,633	£ 2,968
4016503	BROOKLANDS PS	£36,490	£ 4,525
4030897	ST JOSEPH'S PS	£24,200	£ 3,050
4031671	ST PATRICK'S PS	£7,700	£ 1,210
4033008	ST ANNE'S PS	£6,400	£ 1,090
4033017	ST FINIAN'S PS	£17,193	£ 2,211
4033036	ST MARY'S PS	£17,193	£ 2,211
4036036	ST MALACHY'S PS	££14,350	£ 1,915
4036148	ST MALACHY'S PS	£26,400	£ 3,094
4036530	ST MARY'S PS	£24,898	£ 2,983
4050618	HILDEN INTEGRATED PS	£9,315	£ 1,277
4051601	PORTAFERRY INTEGRATED PS	£12,995	£ 1,794
4110035	NEWTOWNARDS NURSERY SCHOOL	£8,200	£ 1,270
4116018	BARBOUR NURSERY SCHOOL	£8,200	£ 1,270
4116176	DOWNPATRICK NURSERY SCHOOL	£6,440	£ 1,162
4116216	KING'S ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4116240	CASTLEREAGH NURSERY SCHOOL	££8,200	£ 1,270
4116307	GLENBROOK NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136211	ST COLMCILLE'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136212	ST PATRICK'S CONVENT NURSERY	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136317	HOLY TRINITY NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,660	£ 1,461
4230165	ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL	£29,383	£ 3,680
4230224	DE LA SALLE SECONDARY SCHOOL	£31,510	£ 3,771
4310013	KILLARD HOUSE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£20,470	£ 2,625
4316516	KNOCKEVIN SPECIAL SCHOOL	£11,960	£ 1,748

Extended Schools Funding

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education which schools in the South Eastern Education and Library Board will no longer qualify for extended schools funding in 2008-2009.

(AQW 7050/08)

Ms C Ruane: Details are set out in the annexes:-

Annex 1 - lists the schools in the South Eastern Education and Library Board Area that have qualified for extended schools funding in 2007/08 and 2008/09 and details the level of funding in each financial year.

Annex 2 - lists those schools that no longer meet eligibility criteria and exit the programme.

I very much regret the fact that the level of funding provided for education this year, and the decision to discontinue the separate funding stream for the Children and Young People projects, has meant that I have not been able to maintain Extended Schools funding at 2007-08 levels.

As is the case in any budget process there are never sufficient resources to address all of the issues we would want to address and difficult choices have to be made. I have had to consider very carefully the allocation of the education budget across a range of competing priorities to ensure that key priority areas were addressed and at the same time core services maintained. In doing so I ensured that the £16m which had been provided direct to schools under the CYPfP was mainstreamed within school delegated budgets. That funding is therefore being maintained on a recurrent basis as part of schools delegated budgets. In addition to this I have made provision for other elements of former CYPfP funding including £8m a year for the early years programmes and counselling services in schools.

As regards the extended schools programme I would have liked to have maintained funding at previous levels but with the resources available I was unable to do so. Despite finding efficiencies from other areas I have only been able to continue funding at 60% of the level available to schools over the last two years meaning a massive cut from £10m to £5.8m.

I have raised the difficulties and registered most strongly my concerns, as far back as 20 September 2007 in a meeting with the Finance Minister and through correspondence on 8 separate occasions since, that the shortfall in funding presents. I will continue to press at every available opportunity during the year for additional resources, given the endorsement by the Assembly during the motion on 20 May, to restore this important programme.

Tá £5.826m de mhaoiniú le fáil don bhliain airgeadais 2008/09 do Scoileanna Sínte; is laghdú 40% é sin i gcomparáid le maoiniú na bliana 2007/08. Tiocfaidh an laghdú sin in éifeacht ó 1 Aibreán 2008.

			ANNEX 1
School ReferenceNumber	SCHOOL NAME	Eligible Funding 2007/08	EligibleFunding 2008/09
4010743	LARGYMORE PS	£16,450	£ 5,719
4010885	TONAGH PS	£17,125	£ 11,984
4011632	CREGAGH PS	£21,419	£ 13,034
4013013	BELVOIR PARK PS	£24,950	£ 17,150
4013023	BLOOMFIELD ROAD PS	New	£ 16,870
4013038	TULLYCARNET PS	£15,554	£ 9,128
4013309	DERRIAGHY PS	£8,300	£ 6,608
4013334	KNOCKMORE PS	£17,725	£ 6,223
4016002	KILCOOLEY PS	£15,850	£ 10,934
4016083	WEST WINDS PS	£17,200	£ 11,606
4016144	OLD WARREN PS	£15,025	£ 10,514
4031384	CONVENT OF MERCY PS	£24,725	£ 7,018
4031644	ST PATRICK'S BOYS' PS	£29,469	£ 17,626
4033306	ST ALOYSIUS PS	£23,700	£ 8,243
4036081	ST LUKE'S PS	£25,070	£ 14,770
4036134	ST MARK'S PS	£35,294	£ 21,070
4036182	ST COLMCILLE'S PS	£24,208	£ 14,560
4036285	THE GOOD SHEPHERD PS	£31,223	£ 18,508
4036480	ST KIERAN'S PS	£33,264	£ 19,327
4036591	OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PS	£30,159	£ 18,697
4036618	CHRIST THE REDEEMER PS	£35,972	£ 22,386
4046600	SCOIL NA FUISEOIGE	£17,883	£ 11,186
4136286	GOOD SHEPHERD NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,545	£ 7,168
4136368	ST LUKE'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,168
4136481	ST KIERAN'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,112
4136606	ST THERESE NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,112
4210030	LISNASHARRAGH HIGH SCHOOL (3mths, closing)	£19,975	£ 2,016
4210051	LISNAGARVEY HIGH SCHOOL	£29,958	£ 16,800
4210194	DUNMURRY HIGH SCHOOL	£30,073	£ 17,710
4210262	DUNDONALD HIGH SCHOOL	£31,481	£ 18,172
4230223	ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL	£37,674	£ 24,038
4310008	BEECHLAWN SPECIAL SCHOOL	£25,530	£ 15,190
4310019	ARDMORE HOUSE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£4,000	£ 4,872
4316022	BROOKFIELD SPECIAL SCHOOL	£15,468	£ 10,514
4316273	LONGSTONE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£18,325	£ 6,517

South Eastern Education and Library Board – Extended Schools

Schools in blue are those in the "buffer zone"

NB The buffer zone – due to the change in eligibility criteria some previously funded schools may slip below the qualifying criteria one year and then qualify the next. Therefore a "buffer zone" has been created to allow previously funded schools falling a few percentage points below the threshold to be funded for 2 years at a reduced amount, (50%) if eligibility has not been re-established after 2 years, these schools will exit the programme.

			ANNEX 2
School Reference Number	Schools Exiting 2008/09	Funding Allocation 2007/08	Funding Allocation 2008/09
4010762	BROWNLEE PS	£17,050	£ 2,200
4010807	LISBURN CENTRAL PS	£20,900	£ 2,525
4011373	KIRKISTOWN PS	£15,036	£ 2,082
4011462	CASTLE GARDENS PS	£26,600	£ 3,223
4011488	VICTORIA PS (BALLYHALBERT)	£18,055	£ 2,340
4011507	PORTAVOGIE PS	£21,074	£ 2,711
4011587	DUNDONALD PS	£36,053	£ 4,591
4011588	COMBER PS	£26,575	£ 3,238
4011634	KILLYLEAGH PS	£14,835	£ 1,932
4011646	VICTORIA PS	£31,310	£ 3,995
4011657	LISNASHARRAGH PS	£21,850	£ 2,513
4011681	MILLISLE PS	£17,538	£ 2,297
4013308	FORT HILL PS	£22,000	£ 2,744
4016004	LONDONDERRY PS	£29,699	£ 3,658
4016235	DOWNPATRICK PS	£23,633	£ 2,968
4016503	BROOKLANDS PS	£36,490	£ 4,525
4030897	ST JOSEPH'S PS	£24,200	£ 3,050
4031671	ST PATRICK'S PS	£7,700	£ 1,210
4033008	ST ANNE'S PS	£6,400	£ 1,090
4033017	ST FINIAN'S PS	£17,193	£ 2,211
4033036	ST MARY'S PS	£17,193	£ 2,211
4036036	ST MALACHY'S PS	££14,350	£ 1,915
4036148	ST MALACHY'S PS	£26,400	£ 3,094
4036530	ST MARY'S PS	£24,898	£ 2,983
4050618	HILDEN INTEGRATED PS	£9,315	£ 1,277
4051601	PORTAFERRY INTEGRATED PS	£12,995	£ 1,794
4110035	NEWTOWNARDS NURSERY SCHOOL	£8,200	£ 1,270
4116018	BARBOUR NURSERY SCHOOL	£8,200	£ 1,270
4116176	DOWNPATRICK NURSERY SCHOOL	£6,440	£ 1,162
4116216	KING'S ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4116240	CASTLEREAGH NURSERY SCHOOL	££8,200	£ 1,270
4116307	GLENBROOK NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136211	ST COLMCILLE'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136212	ST PATRICK'S CONVENT NURSERY	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136317	HOLY TRINITY NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,660	£ 1,461
4230165	ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL	£29,383	£ 3,680
4230224	DE LA SALLE SECONDARY SCHOOL	£31,510	£ 3,771
4310013	KILLARD HOUSE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£20,470	£ 2,625
4316516	KNOCKEVIN SPECIAL SCHOOL	£11,960	£ 1,748

 

Extended Schools Funding

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education which schools in the South Eastern Education and Library Board qualified for extended schools funding in 2007-2008.

(AQW 7051/08)

Ms C Ruane: Details are set out in the annexes:-

Annex 1 - lists the schools in the South Eastern Education and Library Board Area that have qualified for extended schools funding in 2007/08 and 2008/09 and details the level of funding in each financial year.

Annex 2 - lists those schools that no longer meet eligibility criteria and exit the programme.

I very much regret the fact that the level of funding provided for education this year, and the decision to discontinue the separate funding stream for the Children and Young People projects, has meant that I have not been able to maintain Extended Schools funding at 2007-08 levels.

As is the case in any budget process there are never sufficient resources to address all of the issues we would want to address and difficult choices have to be made. I have had to consider very carefully the allocation of the education budget across a range of competing priorities to ensure that key priority areas were addressed and at the same time core services maintained. In doing so I ensured that the £16m which had been provided direct to schools under the CYPfP was mainstreamed within school delegated budgets. That funding is therefore being maintained on a recurrent basis as part of schools delegated budgets. In addition to this I have made provision for other elements of former CYPfP funding including £8m a year for the early years programmes and counselling services in schools.

As regards the extended schools programme I would have liked to have maintained funding at previous levels but with the resources available I was unable to do so. Despite finding efficiencies from other areas I have only been able to continue funding at 60% of the level available to schools over the last two years meaning a massive cut from £10m to £5.8m.

I have raised the difficulties and registered most strongly my concerns, as far back as 20 September 2007 in a meeting with the Finance Minister and through correspondence on 8 separate occasions since, that the shortfall in funding presents. I will continue to press at every available opportunity during the year for additional resources, given the endorsement by the Assembly during the motion on 20 May, to restore this important programme.

Tá £5.826m de mhaoiniú le fáil don bhliain airgeadais 2008/09 do Scoileanna Sínte; is laghdú 40% é sin i gcomparáid le maoiniú na bliana 2007/08. Tiocfaidh an laghdú sin in éifeacht ó 1 Aibreán 2008.

			ANNEX 1
School ReferenceNumber	SCHOOL NAME	Eligible Funding 2007/08	EligibleFunding 2008/09
4010743	LARGYMORE PS	£16,450	£ 5,719
4010885	TONAGH PS	£17,125	£ 11,984
4011632	CREGAGH PS	£21,419	£ 13,034
4013013	BELVOIR PARK PS	£24,950	£ 17,150
4013023	BLOOMFIELD ROAD PS	New	£ 16,870
4013038	TULLYCARNET PS	£15,554	£ 9,128
4013309	DERRIAGHY PS	£8,300	£ 6,608
4013334	KNOCKMORE PS	£17,725	£ 6,223
4016002	KILCOOLEY PS	£15,850	£ 10,934
4016083	WEST WINDS PS	£17,200	£ 11,606
4016144	OLD WARREN PS	£15,025	£ 10,514
4031384	CONVENT OF MERCY PS	£24,725	£ 7,018
4031644	ST PATRICK'S BOYS' PS	£29,469	£ 17,626
4033306	ST ALOYSIUS PS	£23,700	£ 8,243
4036081	ST LUKE'S PS	£25,070	£ 14,770
4036134	ST MARK'S PS	£35,294	£ 21,070
4036182	ST COLMCILLE'S PS	£24,208	£ 14,560
4036285	THE GOOD SHEPHERD PS	£31,223	£ 18,508
4036480	ST KIERAN'S PS	£33,264	£ 19,327
4036591	OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PS	£30,159	£ 18,697
4036618	CHRIST THE REDEEMER PS	£35,972	£ 22,386
4046600	SCOIL NA FUISEOIGE	£17,883	£ 11,186
4136286	GOOD SHEPHERD NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,545	£ 7,168
4136368	ST LUKE'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,168
4136481	ST KIERAN'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,112
4136606	ST THERESE NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 7,112
4210030	LISNASHARRAGH HIGH SCHOOL (3mths, closing)	£19,975	£ 2,016
4210051	LISNAGARVEY HIGH SCHOOL	£29,958	£ 16,800
4210194	DUNMURRY HIGH SCHOOL	£30,073	£ 17,710
4210262	DUNDONALD HIGH SCHOOL	£31,481	£ 18,172
4230223	ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL	£37,674	£ 24,038
4310008	BEECHLAWN SPECIAL SCHOOL	£25,530	£ 15,190
4310019	ARDMORE HOUSE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£4,000	£ 4,872
4316022	BROOKFIELD SPECIAL SCHOOL	£15,468	£ 10,514
4316273	LONGSTONE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£18,325	£ 6,517

South Eastern Education and Library Board – Extended Schools

Schools in blue are those in the "buffer zone"

NB The buffer zone – due to the change in eligibility criteria some previously funded schools may slip below the qualifying criteria one year and then qualify the next. Therefore a "buffer zone" has been created to allow previously funded schools falling a few percentage points below the threshold to be funded for 2 years at a reduced amount, (50%) if eligibility has not been re-established after 2 years, these schools will exit the programme.

			ANNEX 2
School Reference Number	Schools Exiting 2008/09	Funding Allocation 2007/08	Funding Allocation 2008/09
4010762	BROWNLEE PS	£17,050	£ 2,200
4010807	LISBURN CENTRAL PS	£20,900	£ 2,525
4011373	KIRKISTOWN PS	£15,036	£ 2,082
4011462	CASTLE GARDENS PS	£26,600	£ 3,223
4011488	VICTORIA PS (BALLYHALBERT)	£18,055	£ 2,340
4011507	PORTAVOGIE PS	£21,074	£ 2,711
4011587	DUNDONALD PS	£36,053	£ 4,591
4011588	COMBER PS	£26,575	£ 3,238
4011634	KILLYLEAGH PS	£14,835	£ 1,932
4011646	VICTORIA PS	£31,310	£ 3,995
4011657	LISNASHARRAGH PS	£21,850	£ 2,513
4011681	MILLISLE PS	£17,538	£ 2,297
4013308	FORT HILL PS	£22,000	£ 2,744
4016004	LONDONDERRY PS	£29,699	£ 3,658
4016235	DOWNPATRICK PS	£23,633	£ 2,968
4016503	BROOKLANDS PS	£36,490	£ 4,525
4030897	ST JOSEPH'S PS	£24,200	£ 3,050
4031671	ST PATRICK'S PS	£7,700	£ 1,210
4033008	ST ANNE'S PS	£6,400	£ 1,090
4033017	ST FINIAN'S PS	£17,193	£ 2,211
4033036	ST MARY'S PS	£17,193	£ 2,211
4036036	ST MALACHY'S PS	££14,350	£ 1,915
4036148	ST MALACHY'S PS	£26,400	£ 3,094
4036530	ST MARY'S PS	£24,898	£ 2,983
4050618	HILDEN INTEGRATED PS	£9,315	£ 1,277
4051601	PORTAFERRY INTEGRATED PS	£12,995	£ 1,794
4110035	NEWTOWNARDS NURSERY SCHOOL	£8,200	£ 1,270
4116018	BARBOUR NURSERY SCHOOL	£8,200	£ 1,270
4116176	DOWNPATRICK NURSERY SCHOOL	£6,440	£ 1,162
4116216	KING'S ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4116240	CASTLEREAGH NURSERY SCHOOL	££8,200	£ 1,270
4116307	GLENBROOK NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136211	ST COLMCILLE'S NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136212	ST PATRICK'S CONVENT NURSERY	£9,430	£ 1,461
4136317	HOLY TRINITY NURSERY SCHOOL	£9,660	£ 1,461
4230165	ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL	£29,383	£ 3,680
4230224	DE LA SALLE SECONDARY SCHOOL	£31,510	£ 3,771
4310013	KILLARD HOUSE SPECIAL SCHOOL	£20,470	£ 2,625
4316516	KNOCKEVIN SPECIAL SCHOOL	£11,960	£ 1,748

Truancy Levels in Schools

Mr Burns asked the Minister of Education to provide figures on truancy levels in schools; and how many parents have had sanctions imposed on them by the courts due to their children being habitual truants, in each of the last 5 years

(AQW 7060/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department does not collect the requested information. Information about referrals, because of concerns about attendance, by schools to the Education Welfare Service is collected from each of the Education and Library Boards on an annual basis. Referrals can be for a variety of reasons, including truancy. In the 2006/07 school year, there were 5,083 pupils referred to the Education Welfare Service.

When a referral is received, the Education Welfare Service will go through a protracted process of trying to engage children and their families in developing coping strategies and mechanisms that will enable them to ensure children are educated appropriately. They also work closely with a range of other agencies to ensure the complex needs that families may have, are addressed in the best way possible. Parent Only Prosecutions are used as a last resort where parents fail to engage with the service and continue to ignore their child’s educational and welfare needs; however this is only one of many avenues explored.

Ta sé tugtha le tuigbheáil domh ag na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne gurb é seo a leanas líon na dtuismitheoirí ar chuir na cúirteanna smachtbhannaí orthu i ngach bliain de na 5 bliana seo caite:

I understand from the Education and Library Boards that the number of parents who have had sanctions imposed on them by the courts in each of the last 5 years is as follows:

School Year	No of parents
2002/03	51
2003/04	48
2004/05	42
2005/06	72
2006/07	78

Irish Medium Schools

Mr McCausland asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 6366/08, whether Irish medium schools are required to send a copy of the minutes of their Board of Governors' meetings to the Education and Library Board or to any other body.

(AQW 7061/08)

Ms C Ruane: Caithfidh Gaelscoileanna an riachtanas céanna a chomhlíonadh maidir leis an cheist seo taobh istigh den achar chéanna ama le scoileanna eile rialaithe agus scoileanna eile deonacha faoi chothabháil.

Yes, Irish Medium schools must fulfil the same requirement in relation to this issue within the same timescale as other controlled and voluntary maintained schools.

Mobile Phones in Schools

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Education if she has any plans to ban mobile phones from schools.

(AQW 7062/08)

Ms C Ruane: Baineann sé le Bord Gobharnóirí gach scoile glacadh le polasaí maidir le húsáid fhón póca ag páistí agus ag daoine óga ar áitreabh scoile.

It is a matter for the Board of Governors of each school to adopt a policy regarding the use of mobile phones by children and young people on school premises.

Football Pitches on the Bloomfield Road in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Education to outline any plans for the football pitches on the Bloomfield Road, Bangor that are owned by the Department.

(AQW 7089/08)

Ms C Ruane: Chuir Príomhfheidhmeannach Bhord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt (BOLOD) in iúl domh gur le BOLOD an talamh seo agus go bhfuil sé ar léas ag Comhairle Baile Thuaisceart an Dúin mar pháirceanna imeartha. Níl aon athrú úsáide beartaithe don talamh seo ag an am seo.

I have been advised by the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) that this land is owned by SEELB and leased to the North Down Borough Council as playing pitches. At this time there are no plans for any change of use of this land.

Transport Assistance for Children with Special Educational Needs

Lord Morrow asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 5889/08 and AQW 5890/08, (i) why the SELB did not know at the beginning of term it would be able to carry out the service; (ii) why the SELB cannot identify costs if a service is being operated from within its existing complement of vehicles and drivers; (iii) if a comparative costing was not completed why did the SELB decide to use the vehicle on this particular service; and (iv) what criteria was used to make the decision to end the contract if it was not based on savings.

(AQW 7094/08)

Ms C Ruane: Maidir leis na fiosrúcháin a rinneadh tá curtha in iúl ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt:

In relation to the queries asked the Southern Education and Library Board has advised that:

(i) It provides transport assistance to nearly 29,000 pupils, of whom 1,400 are categorised as having Special Educational Needs.  The start of each school term brings fluctuations in numbers travelling across all routes which always requires some level of reorganisation of transport services to ensure effective provision.  Additionally, the requirement to abolish the use of the 3-for-2 seating concession meant that throughout September 2007 the Board significantly reorganised its transport provision including the removal of concessionary transport on a number of routes.

(ii) The Board vehicle being used was not new to the fleet and the driver is an existing member of staff.  The Board’s operating costs for this driver and vehicle have not changed through the reorganisation of the service.

(iii) The reorganisation of the Board’s services created spare capacity within the Board’s own fleet which, for reasons of efficiency, needed to be fully utilised.  Bearing in mind the differing contractual obligations the Board had with private operators, officers undertook to identify areas of the service where this capacity could be utilised.  

(iv) During October/November 2007 officers identified that, through the reorganisation of transport to Ceara Special School, the run operated by Eurocoach could be replaced by spare capacity in the Board’s fleet.  This would result in immediate savings of £4,800 in the financial year 2007/08 with a further full year saving of £24,000 for the financial year 2008/09.  

Youth Workers in North Down

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Education how many youth workers are provided by the South Eastern Educaton and Library Board in the Conlig, Breezemount and Rathgill areas of North Down.

(AQW 7111/08)

Ms C Ruane: The Department of Education currently provides funding to the South Eastern Education and Library Board for youth provision in the Conlig, Breezemount and Rathgill areas of North Down. The Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board provided the following information.

There are no full-time or part-time youth workers employed by the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) in the Conlig, Breezemount and Rathgill areas at present. The following steps are currently being taken by the SEELB to provide youth workers in the area:

• Negotiations are ongoing with North Down Borough Council for the development of a new Youth and Community Centre in Breezemount.

• A full-time youth outreach worker post is currently being recruited for the area.

• 6 Part time Youth Worker posts are currently being recruited for the area.

• The appointment of a Senior Youth Worker for Conlig, Breezemount, Rathgill and Kilcooley will be made before the end of May 2008.

Táthar ag súil go mbeidh gach post ar tagraíodh dó thuas líonta faoi Mheán Fómhair 2008.

It is anticipated that by September 2008 all posts referred to above will have been filled.

Funding for Children

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Education, further to AQW 6181/08 and the omission of detailed figures for 2008-2009, what funding, by individual project, has been allocated for 2008-2009 for those projects that had been previously funded through The Children and Young People's Fund or The Children's Fund in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.[R]

(AQW 7133/08)

Ms C Ruane: Of those projects previously funded through the Children and Young Peoples Fund and the Childrens Fund the following are receiving funding in 2008–2009:-

DE PROJECTS	2008/09 Funding £k
Pre-School Education Expansion Programme	822
Pre-School Education Expansion Programme – 2007/08 in-year addition	576
School based Counselling Support	1,849
School based Counselling Support – Primary School Expansion	100
Direct Addition to Special Schools	339
Early Years - Sure Start - Programme for two year olds - Day Care - Pre-School (Early Years Organisation)	7,509
Youth Initiatives	1,294
Collaboration Between School Staff and Social Services and Helpline	134
Children’s Centres	125
Extended Schools	5,826
Run Out of Existing Projects	250
Totals

DHSSPS PROJECTS	2008/09 Funding £k
Supporting and Equipping Foster Carers	1040
Support Young People Not Ready for Independence	750
Rapid Response Child Protection Teams	1050
Child Contact Centres	500
Empowering Children and Young People in Care	660
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services	1000
After School Provision	195
English as an additional language	75
Multi-disciplinary support teams	4000
Transition into Adulthood	900
Mental Health /Learning Disability Services – Crises Response Teams	1000
Support in the community for children from Muckamore Abbey Hospital	600
Life Skills Training	100
Family and Parenting	2292
Speech and Language Therapy Provision	1000
Young Carers	500
Wheelchair Provision	500
Totals	16,162

DCAL PROJECTS	2008/09 Funding £k
Creative Learning Centres	500
Totals	500

DSD PROJECTS	2008/09 Funding £k
Women’s Centres	850
Totals	850

CHILDREN’S FUND AVAILABLE FUNDING 2008/09

Organisation	Project Title	2008-09 Available Funding
ACET - Agencies in Consortium for Education & Training	ACET - Transitions	£35,496.00
Adoption U.K	Adoptive Parents Support Modules	£40,061.00
Armagh Travellers Support Group	Children & Families Project	£38,674.00
Artability	After School Projects for Children With Disabilities	£61,359.00
Arthritis Care	Positive Futures for Children & Young People With Arthritis	£28,968.00
Aware Defeat Depression	Mood Matters	£23,908.00
Ballymena Women’s Aid	Domestic Violence Interagency & Community Development Worker	£37,671.00
Ballymurphy Women's Centre	Yahoo Project	£44,969.00
Barnardo's	Family Group,Conference Scheme	£261,709.00
Barnardo's	Parents & Children Together	£68,973.00
Barnardo's	Young Parents Advice Information Bureau	£35,983.00
Barnardo's	Carrick Child & Parent Project	£57,635.00
Barnardo's	Parent Support Project	£48,608.00
Barnardo's	Home from Home Project	£169,880.00
Barnardo's	Young Carers Scheme	£121,812.00
Barnardo's	Pyramid Plus (Northern Area)	£121,433.00
Barnardo's	Domestic Violence Outreach Scheme	£38,505.00
Belfast Door/Challenge for Youth	Talk Of The Town	£91,752.00
Brook Belfast	Clinic Service Provision	£31,094.00
Camowen Partnership Ltd	Smart Kids After School Project	£71,347.00
Coleraine(Causeway) Womens Aid	Domestic Violence & Children - A Prevention and Intervention Project	£71,087.00
Contact a Family	Information Officer	£41,793.00
Contact Youth Counselling Services	Youth Counselling Service in the Northern Board Area	£59,397.00
Cookstown & Dungannon Women's Aid	Childrens Project	£42,688.00
Craigavon Travellers Support Committee	Early Years Initiative	£79,995.00
Family Planning Association	Sexual Health Programme for Young Homeless	£31,042.00
Fermanagh Women's Aid	Refuge and community based aftercare children's services	£50,500.00
Gasyard Development Trust	Gasyard Family Centre	£58,412.00
Home-Start, Ards Peninsula & Comber	Supporting Young Families	£43,805.00
Home-Start, Armagh & Dungannon	Home-Start Outreach	£22,589.00
Home-Start, Down District	Home-Start Down Project	£85,159.00
Home-Start, Newry & Mourne	Kilkeel Scheme	£36,080.00
Include Youth	Building For The Future (New Leaf)	£53,186.00
Larne Community Care Centre	Childcare Development Worker	£34,232.00
Lenadoon Community Forum	Fresh Start	£83,220.00
Mencap	Shout Out	£43,072.00
Mid-Ulster Child Contact Centre	Child Contact Centre	£20,973.00
Nexus Institute	Outreach Trauma Counsellor	£70,453.00
Nexus Institute	Personal & Social Education Programme	£31,405.00
Cancer Fund for Children	Family Dynamics Project	£44,550.00
Death Youth Association	Mentor Service	£47,792.00
Music Therapy Trust	ARIOSO	£147,867.00
North Down & Ards Women's Centre	Children & Domestic Violence	£12,810.00
North West Community Support Partnership	Waterside Family Resource Centre	£332,621.00
NSPCC	Chance for Change	£136,657.00
PAPA	Support for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder	£69,050.00
Parent's Advice Centre	Positive Parenting in Areas of Social Need	£58,733.00
Springwell Centre	Family Support	£17,731.00
Stars	Early Years Initiative	£61,098.00
Threshold	Applied Psychotherapy for Children & Young People	£47,952.00
Upper Springfield Development Trust	Action on Disability Project	£61,549.00
VOYPIC	Shaping the Changes	£61,784.00
Wave Trauma	Wave Youth	£134,613.00
Westville Family Resource Centre	Lifestart, Enniskillen	£20,473.00
YMCA, Lisburn	Small Talk Single Programme	£14,633.00
YMCA, North Down - Bangor	Parents & Kids Together	£38,028.00
Barnardo's	Newry Adolescent Partnership	£41,394.00
Corrymeela Community	Children & Youth in Need	£42,498.00
Extern West	Sperrin Janus Project	£141,703.00
Harmony Community Trust	Glebe House Respite Project	£71,765.00
NIACRO	Child Diversion Project	£252,469.00
NIACRO	Mentoring Scheme	£149,939.00
NIACRO	Preventing risk of developing an offending career	£102,220.00
Ocean Youth Trust	Development Through Sail Training	£36,719.00
Ulster Quaker Service Committee	Quaker Cottage Teen Programme.	£45,657.00
Arts Providers Partnership	Teen Age	£28,290.00
Belfast Travellers Support Group (An Munia Tober)	Gayla Expression	£44,358.00
Down Community Arts	Art For All	£109,560.00
An Tearmann	Project Co-Ordinator	£41,262.00
Artillery Steering Group	New Lodge Area Project	£54,517.00
Belfast Community Circus School	Circus in the City	£31,086.00
Bridge Community Association	Woodstock Area Project	£48,347.00
Council for Homeless NI	The Whole Shebang NI Homelessness Project	£38,322.00
Derry Travellers Support Group	Traveller Childcare Project	£18,679.00
Derry Women's Centre	Moving Up Mothers (MUM)	£48,590.00
Drumgor Detached Youth	Tackling real issues & assessing learning	£35,627.00
Early Years	Toybox	£197,955.00
Falls Women's Centre	Special Needs Children's Project	£35,844.00
Link Family and Community Centre	Link Youth Project	£22,046.00
Marrowbone Community Association	Marrowbone Youth Club	£35,164.00
Newry & Mourne Travellers Partnership	Travellers Partnership	£23,283.00
Old Warren Community Association	Putting the Children First	£34,836.00
Taughmonagh Community Forum	Vision Five	£38,311.00
Tiny Tots	Pre-school Playgroup	£15,372.00
Triangle Housing Association	Triangle Supported Employment Service	£69,163.00
Upper Andersonstown Community Forum	Tullymore Children & Young Peoples Project	£61,682.00
Vine Centre	Vine Family Playgroup	£19,410.00
Youth Action	Moving on - an opportunity for young mothers	£84,912.00
	Total	£5,717,846.00

Leithdháileadh maoiniú agus déanfaidh gach Roinn monatóireacht air de réir moltaí reatha airgeadais agus iniúchta.

Funding has been allocated and will be monitored by each Department in keeping with current finance and audit recommendations.

Pupil Funding in Primary and Post-Primary Schools

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education when equality of pupil funding in the primary and post-primary sectors will be achieved.

(AQW 7171/08)

Ms C Ruane: De réir socruithe na Foirmle Comh-mhaoinithe um Bainistíocht Áitiúil Scoileanna, faigheann scoileanna, arb ionann riachtanais agus saintréithe dóibh, an maoiniú céanna, ar neamhchead dá suíomh ná den chineál bainistíochta atá acu.

Under the Local Management of Schools Common Funding Formula arrangements, schools with similar needs or characteristics receive similar funding, regardless of their location or management type.

The differential in funding for primary and post-primary schools reflects in large part the additional costs associated with delivery of the post-primary curriculum. Whilst providing the same level of funding per pupil for primary to that for post-primary pupils is therefore not appropriate, I have already signalled that I will be seeking to reduce the scale of the current differential in a way that would allow additional funding to go into primary schools without presenting difficulties for their post-primary counterparts.

Pupil Funding in Primary and Post-Primary Schools

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Education why there continues to be a difference in the educational funding per pupil in the primary and post-primary sectors.

(AQW 7172/08)

Ms C Ruane: The differential in funding for primary and secondary schools reflects the greater cost demands which arise for post-primary schools in the delivery of the curriculum.

The provision of a wider range of subjects by post-primary schools results in additional cost in areas such as teaching, materials and equipment, specialist facilities and examination fees. Practical classes must be conducted within specified maximum class sizes and in addition, post-16 classes tend to be small generally. Different weightings are therefore applied for funding purposes to primary and post-primary pupils and this creates the differential in the average per-pupil for a primary school compared to a post-primary school.

Aithním an tábhacht atá le tacaíocht chuí lena chinntiú go gcuirtear an tús is fearr le scoilbhlianta ár bpáistí.

I recognise the importance of adequate support to ensure that our children get the best start to their school years. Action has been taken to increase the level of funding directed to primary learning, and I am committed to continuing to increase the proportion of available funding to primary, within finite resources, in a way which does not create undue impacts on the other phases of education.

Early Retirement for Primary School Teachers

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Education (i) how many primary school teachers have been granted early retirement over the last five years; and (b) how many of these teachers are now employed in the primary school sector to cover vacancies and absences.

(AQW 7191/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table.

Number of Primary School Teachers who were granted early retirement in the last five years.

	01/09/02 - 31/08/03	01/09/03 - 31/08/04	01/09/04 - 31/08/05	01/09/05 - 31/08/06	01/09/06 - 31/08/07
ED	26	20	21	25	22
R	125	133	227	205	135
TOTAL	151	153	248	230	157

The number of teachers now employed in the primary school sector to cover vacancies and absences is 440. This total of 440 is made up as follows - 20 retired on the grounds of Efficient Discharge and 420 retired on the grounds of Redundancy.

Sure Start Scheme

Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of Education for her assessment of widening the catchment areas that currently offer services provided by the Sure Start scheme in the South Antrim constituency.

(AQW 7194/08)

Ms C Ruane: Is é beartas reatha na Roinne Oideachais cumhdach Sure Start 20% de na ceantair bharda is mó díothacht i dtuaisceart na hÉireann, de réir mar a rangaítear iad faoi Scór Tomhasta Ildíothachta TÉ, a choinneáil.

The current policy of the Department of Education is to maintain Sure Start coverage of the 20% most deprived ward areas in the north of Ireland, as ranked by the Multiple Deprivation Measure Score.

Ulster-Scots Medium Schools

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Education what plans she has to open Ulster-Scots medium schools.

(AQW 7217/08)

Ms C Ruane: Níl aon mholtaí faighte ag an Roinn a bhaineann le rún Scoil Ultaise a oscailt.

The Department has not received any proposals relating to an intention to open an Ulster-Scots medium school.

Entrepreneurship Classes in Primary Schools

Mr Newton asked the Minister of Education how many primary schools have entrepreneurship as a subject in the school curriculum.

(AQW 7230/08)

Ms C Ruane: Employability, including entrepreneurship, is a key theme underpinning the revised curriculum, currently being introduced on a phased basis for all schools. While entrepreneurship lessons are not formally timetabled at primary level, the aim of employability at this stage is to enable young people to develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, attitudes and personal qualities related to enterprise and entrepreneurship. As the entrepreneurs of the future, this will give them a strong foundation for lifelong learning and work.

Glac mo Roinnse fosta freagracht orthu féin ar na mallaibh as Fiontraíocht don Óige, a reachtálann clár do bhunscoileanna, ag díriú ar fhorbairt scileanna agus tuigbheála ar ‘shaol na hoibre’ agus ar fhiontraíocht áitiúil.

My Department has also recently assumed responsibility for Young Enterprise, which runs a programme for primary schools, focussing on developing skills and an understanding of the ‘world of work’ and local enterprise. Young Enterprise provided programmes in a total of 181 primary schools during the 2006/07 school year.

Deaf Teacher Training and Support

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education what support and training is given to teachers when preparing profoundly deaf children for assessment for secondary level education.

(AQW 7245/08)

Ms C Ruane: Chuir Príomhfheidhmeannaigh na mbord oideachais agus leabharlainne in iúl domh go bhfuil réimse tacaíochta agus oiliúna ar fáil do mhúinteoirí atá ag ullmhí páistí bodhara do mheasúnú i gcomhair oideachais darna leibhéil. Seo a leanas samplaí de seo:-

I have been advised by the Chief Executives of the education and library boards that a range of support and training is available to teachers when preparing deaf children for assessment for secondary level education. Some examples of this are:-

• Qualified Teachers of the Deaf (TOD) attend and contribute to the transfer review which has the focus of planning the child’s transfer to post primary school;
• TOD give advice regarding the modification of assessment/teaching materials as required at transfer stage and during the pupil’s post primary school years;
• TOD also advise educational psychologists on the administration of their assessment tools in year 7. These assessment tools contribute to the discussion of the most appropriate post primary placement for the profoundly deaf child;
• TOD provide written reports to teachers regarding the hearing loss and its educational implications for the individual child in post primary. This report outlines language/communication difficulties and suggests appropriate strategies to enable pupils to access the curriculum;
• TOD also give advice regarding the learning/assessment environment for profoundly deaf pupils; and
• Training is provided to school staff (teachers and classroom assistants) to enable inclusion of the profoundly deaf child. This training is offered within school and at outcentres;

Primary and Post-Primary School Funding

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education what action she is taking in relation to the difference in the per capita funding between the primary and post-primary sector.

(AQW 7277/08)

Ms C Ruane: Aithním an tábhacht atá le tacaíocht chuí lena chinntiú go gcuirtear an tús is fearr le scoilbhlianta ár bpáistí agus gheall mé roimhe seo go ngníomhóinn leis an leibheál difreálaigh idir daltaí bunscoile agus daltaí iar-bhunscoile a laghdú.

I recognise the importance of adequate support to ensure that our children get the best start to their school years and have previously committed to taking action to reduce the level of differential between primary and post-primary pupils. However, within the total resources available for pupils at all levels, this must be managed to avoid impacting unduly on the budget shares for pupils in other phases.

Under the LMS common funding formula arrangements for 2008-09, I have increased the primary pupil Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU), which is the main funding factor in the formula, from 1.02 to 1.04 with a view to increasing progressively the relative funding levels distributed to primary schools over the next two years of the budget period.

Within the overall £20.4m uplift to schools budgets for 2008-09 compared to 2007-08, some £12.67m was directed to primary schools, representing an overall cash uplift of over 3% and over 4% per pupil. This means that in 2008-09, the average per pupil increase for primary schools of £102 per pupil (4%) is higher than the average per pupil increase for post-primary schools.

Significant resources are also being made available to primary schools, outside the current formula funding arrangements. An additional £32 million over the next three years, including £7 million in the 2008-09 financial year, will be made available to support primary schools with the delivery of the Foundation Stage of the revised curriculum and a further £12million over the next three years will be available specifically to help primary school teaching principals.

Key Stage 1 and 2 Results

Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each of the last 5 academic years, the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 results recorded for each primary school in the (i) North Belfast and (ii) West Belfast constituencies.

(AQW 7289/08)

Ms C Ruane: Cuireadh an t-eolas a iarradh i leabharlann an Tionóil.

The information requested has been placed in the Assembly library.

Transfer Test Results

Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail, for each of the last 5 academic years, the 11+ transfer test results recorded for each primary school in the (i) North Belfast and (ii) West Belfast constituencies.

(AQW 7291/08)

Ms C Ruane: Cuireadh an t-eolas a iarradh i leabharlann an Tionóil.

The information requested has been placed in the Assembly library.

Interface Funding

Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education how much Interface Funding was received by each primary school in (i) North Belfast; and (ii) West Belfast, in each of the last 7 years.

(AQW 7293/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh mionsonraithe sa tábla faoi iamh.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table:

INTERFACE SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

(i) North Belfast Primary Schools

RECURRENT FUNDS

School	2001/02 £	2002/03 £	2003/04 £	2004/05 £	2005/06 £	2006/07 £	2007/08 £
Ballygolan	5,000	20,000	5,000
Ballysillan	5,000	20,000	5,000			25,000	25,000
Ben MhadagainPrep	5,000	5,000
Bunscoil BheannMhadagain	5,000	20,000	5,000
Carr’s Glen	5,000	20,000	5,000
Cavehill	5,000	20,000	5,000
Cedar Lodge	5,000	20,000	5,000
Cliftonville	5,000	20,000	5,000
Currie	5,000	20,000	27,850	37,742	49,500	42,708	42,000
Edenbrooke	5,000	20,000	75,000	57,882	72,824	60,800	65,000
Edmund Rice	5,000	20,000	5,000
Glenwood	5,000	20,000	5,000
Grove	5,000	20,000	5,000
Hazelwood	5,000	20,000	5,000
Holy CrossBoys	5,000	20,000	5,000		18,000	28,000	40,000
Holy Cross Girls	75,000	185,000	127,010	91,618	108,602	64,000	65,000
Holy Family	5,000	20,000	125,000	106,083	90,417	77,500	40,000

 

School	2001/02 £	2002/03 £	2003/04 £	2004/05 £	2005/06 £	2006/07 £	2007/08 £
Ligoniel	5,000	20,000	5,000	10,000	25,000	25,000	25,000
Lowwood	5,000	20,000	5,000
Mercy	5,000	20,000	5,000		43,000	35,000	35,000
Our Lady of Lourdes	5,000	20,000	5,000
Our Lady’s Deanby Gds	5,000	20,000	5,000
Sacred Heart	5,000	20,000	5,000			30,000	30,000
Seaview	5,000	20,000	5,000
St Mary’s Starof the Sea	5,000	20,000	5,000
St Patrick’s North Queen St	5,000	20,000	5,000
St Thereseof Lisieux	5,000	20,000	5,000
St VincentDe Paul	5,000	20,000	5,000			30,000	30,000
Star of the SeaGirls	5,000	20,000	5,000
Wheatfield	46,000	306,000	84,350	88,900	105,250	64,000	70,000

CAPITAL
FUNDS

Currie			37,000
Holy Cross Girls		120,000
Wheatfield			45,000

(ii) West Belfast Primary Schools

RECURRENT FUNDS

School	2001/02 £	2002/03 £	2003/04 £	2004/05 £	2005/06 £	2006/07 £	2007/08 £
Malvern	5,000	20,000	45,000	46,154	42,154	26,840	32,000
Springfield						15,000	15,000
St Aidan’s						15,000	35,000
St Bernadette’s						15,000	15,000
Suffolk						13,000	13,000

Children's Services

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to ensure that frontline children's services are secured within her Department.

(AQW 7303/08)

Ms C Ruane: Ba é an cuspóir a bhí agam sna díospóireachtaí a bhain leis an Athbhreithniú Chuimsitheach ar Chaiteachas seirbhísí oideachais atá ann a chinntiú agus a bheith mar bhonn agus thaca acu.

Securing and underpinning existing education services was my objective in the discussions around the Comprehensive Spending Review. DHSSPS is currently funding Playboard and as such is responsible for ensuring future funds are secured.

Transfer Test Results

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education for the transfer test results recorded for each primary school in the North Down parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.

(AQW 7326/08)

Ms C Ruane: Cuireadh an t-eolas a iarradh i leabharlann an Tionóil.

The information requested has been placed in the Assembly library.

Key Stage 1 and 2 Results

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education for the key stage 1 and key stage 2 results recorded for each primary school in the North Down parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.

(AQW 7327/08)

Ms C Ruane: Cuireadh an t-eolas a iarradh i leabharlann an Tionóil.

The information requested has been placed in the Assembly library.

English as a Second Language

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education what the budget allocation is for teaching English as a Second Language in primary and secondary schools in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 7329/08)

Ms C Ruane: I ndaonáireamh scoile Dheireadh Fómhair 2007, aimsíodh 5,665 san iomlán a raibh an Béarla mar Theanga Bhreise (BTB) acu.

In the October 2007 school census, a total of 5,665 were identified as having English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Through the Common Funding Formula, an additional EAL funding factor is provided in a school’s annual budget for each pupil it has recorded as having EAL. In 2008/09, this additional funding is £983 per EAL pupil, which gives a total of £5.5 million going directly into schools.

The breakdown of this funding factor for the support of those pupils who have EAL in primary and post-primary schools in the North Down constituency in 2008/09 is as follows:

Primary: £95,351

Post-Primary: £45,218

In addition to the Common Funding Formula, my Department is funding the Inclusion and Diversity Service (IDS) with just over £1million in 2008/09. This regional service, provided by the Education and Library Boards aims to strengthen and improve support for all EAL pupils, their parents and teaching staff, primarily working through schools. A number of services such as interpreting, translating and a multi-lingual website for parents have been set up by IDS.

In January 2008, Diversity Coordinators were recruited by the new service and posted in cluster groups of schools to give additional support and guidance to teaching staff. There is one Diversity Coordinator posted in the North Down area, as well as one Assistant Advisory Officer. This initiative facilitates capacity building by working with all schools on whole school and classroom issues, which includes language support.

In addition to this, I launched a north/south Diversity toolkit for primary school teachers in December 2007. An extensive training programme for all teachers within primary schools has been undertaken in relation to this toolkit. The development of further toolkits for nursery, post-primary and special schools is planned for the future.

Enriched Curriculum Funding

Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education what Enriched Curriculum Funding was received by each primary school in (i) North Belfast; and (ii) West Belfast, in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 7334/08)

Ms C Ruane: Bhí deireadh leis an Treoirchuraclam Saibhrithe i Mí Lúnasa 2007 nuair a tugadh isteach Bonnchéim nua an churaclaim athmheasta reachtúil ó Mheán Fómhair 2007.

The Enriched Curriculum Pilot came to an end in August 2007, with the introduction of the new Foundation Stage of the revised statutory curriculum from September 2007. Schools taking part in the pilot were allocated funds to supplement the amounts available through the Making A Good Start Primary 1 (MAGS 1) initiative and MAGS2 for the provision of classroom assistance and classroom materials. In each of the last 3 financial years, pilot schools in North Belfast and West Belfast received the following allocations:

ENRICHED CURRICULUM FUNDING – PRIMARY SCHOOLS NORTH BELFAST

SCHOOL NAME	2005/06 £	2006/07 £	2007/08 (part year) £
EDENBROOKE PS	7,390	10,372	3,868
BALLYSILLAN PS	12,303	12,659	5,050
GLENWOOD PS	24,226	16,349	6,823
SACRED HEART PS	24,731	18,250	5,306
HOLY FAMILY PS	21,059	20,020	5,465
BUNSCOIL BHEANN MHADAGAIN	9,717	7,652	2,733
TOTAL	99,426	85,302	29,245

ENRICHED CURRICULUM FUNDING - PRIMARY SCHOOLS WEST BELFAST

SCHOOL NAME	2005/06 £	2006/07 £	2007/08 (part year) £
SPRINGFIELD PS	3,922	8,754	5,050
VERE FOSTER PS	12,303	12,649	5,050
BLACKMOUNTAIN PS	8,300	12,659	5,050
HARMONY PS	7,390	10,372	3,868
ST BERNADETTE'S PS	11,900	7,652	3,915
ST MARY'S PS	12,303	12,649	5,341
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT PS	38,980	45,598	17,884
ST PAUL'S PS	17,044	18,023	7,784
ST MARK'S PS	44,055	28,860	6,753
ST KIERAN'S PS	14,364	17,395	9,176
TOTAL	170,561	174,611	69,871

In 2007/08, an additional £3million pounds was also provided across all primary schools for classroom resources to support the introduction of the Foundation Stage curriculum. Schools in North Belfast and West Belfast were allocated the following sums:

FOUNDATION STAGE RESOURCES - PRIMARY SCHOOLS NORTH BELFAST

SCHOOL NAME	2007/08 £
CURRIE PS	2,550
SEAVIEW PS	2,550
CARR'S GLEN PS	5,100
GROVE PS	2,550
BALLYGOLAN PS	2,550
EDENBROOKE PS	2,550
LIGONIEL PS	2,550
CAVEHILL PS	5,100
BALLYSILLAN PS	2,550
CLIFTONVILLE PS	2,550
GLENWOOD PS	5,100
WHEATFIELD PS	2,550
LOWWOOD PS	5,100
BUNSCOIL MHIC REACHTAIN	2,550
HOLY CROSS BOYS' PS	5,100
OUR LADY OF LOURDES PS	10,200
OUR LADY'S GIRLS' PS	5,100
EDMUND RICE (CB) PS	5,100
HOLY CROSS GIRLS' PS	2,550
MERCY PS	2,550
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PS	2,550
ST MARY'S STAR OF THE SEA PS	2,550
ST THERESE OF LISIEUX PS	7,650
STAR OF THE SEA GIRLS' PS	5,100
SACRED HEART PS	2,550
HOLY FAMILY PS	7,650
BUNSCOIL BHEANN MHADAGAIN	2,550
HAZELWOOD IPS	5,100
BEN MADIGAN PREP	2,550
WHITEHOUSE PS	5,100
ABBOTS CROSS PS	5,100
RATHCOOLE PS	2,550
TOTAL	127,500

FOUNDATION STAGE RESOURCES - PRIMARY SCHOOLS WEST BELFAST

SCHOOL NAME	2007/08£
FORTHRIVER PS	2,550
SPRINGFIELD PS	2,550
SPRINGHILL PS	5,100
VERE FOSTER PS	2,550
SUFFOLK PS	2,550
BLACKMOUNTAIN PS	2,550
MALVERN PS	2,550
ST AIDAN’S PS	2,550
ST BERNADETTE'S PS	2,550
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST GIRLS’ PS	2,550
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST BOYS’ PS	5,100
ST MARY'S PS	2,550
ST KEVIN’S PS	7,650
HOLY CHILD PS	7,650
ST TERESA’S PS	5,100
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT PS	7,650
ST PETER’S PS	5,100
ST JOSEPH’S PS	5,100
HOLY TRINITY PS	7,650
ST PAUL'S PS	2,550
ST CLARE’S PS	5,100
BUNSCOIL PHOBAL FEIRSTE	5,100
GAELSCOIL NA BHFAL	2,550
BUNSCOIL AN TSEIBHE DHUIBH	2,550
GAELSCOIL AN DAMBA	2,550
GAELSCOIL NA MONA	2,550
GAELSCOIL AN LONNAIN	2,550
ST LUKE’S PS	2,550
ST MARK’S PS	5,100
THE GOOD SHEPHERD PS	5,100
ST KIERAN’S PS	5,100
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PS	5,100
SCOIL NA FUISEOIGE	2,550
HARMONY PS	2,550
TOTAL	135,150

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Education how much her Department has spent on travel expenses since devolution.

(AQW 7369/08)

Ms C Ruane: The information requested is not readily available from the date of devolution on 8 May 2007 and has been provided for the complete 2007/08 financial year. The information given for 2008/09 covers the period from 1 April 2008 to 27 May 08.

Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table.

Total Expenditure on Travel and Subsistence in the Department of Education since April 2007 was as follows:

2007/08	£438,215.92
2008/09 to date	£ 46,251.92

School Transport and Rising Fuel Prices

Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Education if there are any allowances being made for increases in tendered prices for transport contracts with Education and Library Boards to allow for the increase in fuel costs since the applications were submitted.

(AQW 7376/08)

Ms C Ruane: Is ceist do na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne aonair fostú oibreoirí príobháideacha, agus faoi láthair tá éagsúlacht idir na socruithe atá i bhfeidhm ag gach Bord.

The hiring of private operators is a matter for the individual Education and Library Boards, and the arrangements currently applied by each Board vary.

The Belfast, South-Eastern and Western Education and Library Boards have indicated that they will be renewing all tenders for the 2008/09 academic year. Contractors will be able to bid for new tenders and can include an appropriate increase for fuel.

The North-Eastern Education and Library Board has confirmed that tenders which are not being renewed in 2008/09 will be subject to a 3% increase in the 2008/09 academic year.

The Southern Education and Library Board has advised that its taxi tenders are due for renewal in 2008/09. Contractors will be able to bid for new tenders and can include an appropriate increase for fuel. With regard to large passenger vehicles (buses), the Southern Board has advised that its tenders will be subject to the relevant percentage index shown in the RPI National statistics.

Cerebral Palsy Figures

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Education how many (i) nursery school; (ii) primary school; and (iii) post-primary school, children have cerebral palsy, broken down by Education and Library Board.

(AQW 7464/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table.

Nursery, primary¹ and post primary pupils who have cerebral palsy² broken down by ELB 2007/08

ELB	School type
	Post primary	Primary	Nursery schools
BELB	16	16	0
WELB	32	44	*
NEELB	17	31	0
SEELB	13	27	*
SELB	23	26	*
TOTAL	101	144	*

Source: NI school census 2007/08

Note:

¹ Primary includes nursery, reception and year 1 – 7 classes.

² Children at Stages 1 and 2 of the Special Education Needs Code of practice may be recorded at a more general level of need.

‘*’ denotes fewer than 5 pupils.

Stress-Related Illness

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education the number of teachers who were absent due to stress, for each of the last five years.

(AQW 7507/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table.

Financial Year	Number of Teachers	Number of Days
2003-04	437	15,676
2004-05	394	15,449
2005-06	502	20,481
2006-07	471	17,453
2007-08	473	18,698

Stress-Related Illness

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education the number of days lost by teachers due to stress-related illness in each of the last five years.

(AQW 7509/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table.

Financial Year	Number of Teachers	Number of Days
2003-04	437	15,676
2004-05	394	15,449
2005-06	502	20,481
2006-07	471	17,453
2007-08	473	18,698

Sick Days Taken by Teachers

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education how many sick days were taken by primary school teachers in each of the last 5 years, broken down by (i) Education and Library Board; and (ii) Maintained and Controlled sectors.

(AQW 7510/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table.

Sick days by Education and Library Board

Board Area	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08
Belfast	10,641	8,539	10,851	10,496	10,221
Western	12,946	10,693	13,821	13,912	13,886
North Eastern	15,123	13,031	16,325	14,732	13,880
South Eastern	13,133	11,887	14,195	12,335	11,478
Southern	18,691	17,384	21,499	20,941	18,929
Total	70,534	61,534	76,691	72,416	68,394

Sick days by Controlled and Maintained sectors

Board Area	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08
Controlled	30,594	25,516	32,133	29,696	30,473
Maintained	38,101	34,707	42,922	40,523	36,053
GMI	1,839	1,311	1,636	2,197	1,868
Total	70,534	61,534	76,691	72,416	68,394

Sick Days Taken by Teachers

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education how many sick days were taken by post-primary school teachers in (i) the controlled sector; (ii) the voluntary grammar sector; (iii) the maintained sector; (iv) the integrated sector; and (v) the Irish medium sector, for each of the last 5 years, broken down by Education and Library Board.

(AQW 7511/08)

Ms C Ruane: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh sa tábla thíos.

The information requested is detailed in the attached table.

Sector	Area	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08
Controlled	Belfast	3,679	2,884	3,606	3,303	2,718
	Western	3,375	2,981	4,324	3,235	2,610
	North Eastern	8,755	6,610	9,036	9,401	8,228
	South Eastern	6,963	6,783	8,322	7,525	7,031
	Southern	6,084	6,670	7,477	5,592	5,575
	Total	28,856	25,928	32,765	29,056	26,162
Maintained	Belfast	6,185	5,069	6,116	6,182	4,660
	Western	7,688	6,778	7,596	7,185	6,212
	North Eastern	4,333	3,821	5,330	4,294	4,456
	South Eastern	2,611	2,072	3,320	3,213	2,617
	Southern	9,215	9,562	10,716	9,800	8,878
	Total	30,032	27,302	33,078	30,674	26,823
GMI	Belfast	871	780	874	919	1,143
	Western	998	1,011	1,134	1,269	1,013
	North Eastern	957	685	892	1,478	1,095
	South Eastern	946	1,301	1,061	1,373	1,241
	Southern	311	256	671	982	466
	Total	4,083	4,033	4,632	6,021	4,958
Irish Medium	Belfast	225	161	194	215	164

EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

Departmental Staff with Disabilities

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many staff in his Department have a disability.

(AQW 7318/08)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): The information held by the Department only records data provided, on a voluntary basis, by staff. 103 staff in the Department are recorded as having a disability.

Financial Cost of Division

Dr Farry asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what conclusions have been drawn from the report of Deloitte and Touche into the financial cost of the Northern Ireland divide (i) on his Department's work; and (ii) in relation to potential efficiency savings.

(AQW 7364/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The only section of the Deloitte and Touche report pertaining to the work of my Department is that around Teacher Education. My Department, in partnership with the Department of Education, has undertaken a comprehensive review of Teacher Education. That review has not yet been finalised and it is too early, therefore, to have reached any conclusions on the impact of the Northern Ireland divide and any potential for efficiencies in this area.

Funding for Community and Voluntary Groups

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many community and voluntary groups his Department is currently funding; the amount of funding given to each project; and where these projects are based.

(AQW 7396/08)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department does not core fund voluntary and community groups. The delivery of the Department’s programmes and services is primarily by means of service contracts with delivery partners selected by means of Public Procurement. Voluntary and Community sector organisations are involved in some cases as delivery partners in their own right or as members of consortia. In line with agreed policy, details of the monies paid by DEL to voluntary and community organisations are published on the Voluntary and Community Funding Database managed by the Department of Social Development.

Higher Education Institutions and Entry Qualifications

Mr McCartney asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his work with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland to create better awareness of the equivalence of entry qualifications, within the higher education system, for those who wish to access courses on any part of the island.

(AQW 7452/08)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department’s professionally qualified Careers Advisers provide an all age, impartial careers information, advice and guidance service to clients throughout Northern Ireland.

In general, Higher Education Institution prospectuses in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland list entry requirements for both GCE ‘A’ Level and Irish Leaving Certificate. Where necessary, Careers Advisers liaise with relevant stakeholders in relation to equivalency of qualifications and signpost the client accordingly.

Return to Work Credit Scheme

Ms Anderson asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to comment on the In Work Credit Scheme, which was announced last year to help lone parents back to work but has yet to be rolled out.

(AQW 7647/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The "In Work Credit Scheme" is known in Northern Ireland as the "Return to Work Credit Scheme". It is currently being piloted in 4 areas in Northern Ireland. The Scheme pays £40 a week for up to 52 weeks to lone parents returning to work who have been claiming benefits for 52 weeks or more and are earning less than £15,000 a year.

My Department, together with the Department for Social Development, is considering a package of new measures designed to help lone parents return to work. Extension of the Return to Work Credit Scheme to the whole of Northern Ireland is part of that package. Decisions will be taken soon and any new arrangements agreed will be introduced in the Autumn.

Sub-Group Report on Migrant Workers

Ms Lo asked the Minister for Employment and Learning when the subgroup report on migrant workers from the Race and Equality Forum will be published.

(AQO 3874/08)

Sir Reg Empey: The draft Strategy and Action Plan of the Racial Equality Forum’s Migrant Workers Thematic Sub-Group have been submitted to the NI Executive for consideration. Once the Executive has had the opportunity to consider, and given its endorsement, the documents will be made available

ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Publicity and Advertising

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail how much he spent on publicity and advertising in 2007-2008.

(AQW 6313/08)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr N Dodds): The amount spent on publicity and campaign advertising by DETI in 2007/2008 is as follows:

DETI	Total amount spent on publicity 2007/08	Total amount spent on advertising 2007/08
1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008	£311,450	£709,835

DETI

Publicity - £311,449.74. This relates to the expenditure on publicity and associated costs such as photography, promotional material and marketing projects as follows:

DETI Business Area	Total
Press Office	£4,258.14
Consumer Affairs	£39,002.00
Telecomms Policy	£222,738.60
PCS	£0.00
Minerals / GSNI	£335.00
Finance and EU	£0.00
Economics	£0.00
BRD	£0.00
TALE (excl Minerals)	£0.00
SPD	£0.00
Energy	£45,116.00
TOTAL	£311,449.74

Campaign Advertising - £709,835. This relates to the total costs associated with the EREF Integrated Communication Strategy, which includes the advertising of the Reconnect programme as follows:

DETI Business Area	Total
Energy	£709,835.00
TOTAL	£709,835.00

DETI NDPBs

NDPB	Total amount spent on publicity & advertising 2007/08
Invest NI	£3,240,000
NI Tourist Board	£1,132,159
HSENI	£281,535
Consumer Council	£40,000

Economic Investment Conference

Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment the cost of hosting the Economic Investment Conference, including the costs met by the delegates themselves; and for his assessment whether it represented value for money.

(AQW 7096/08)

Mr N Dodds: Final costs for hosting the US NI Investment Conference are being collated, quantified and discussed with our suppliers. Based on confirmed invoices and estimates the final net cost will be in the region of £743,000. This amount has been reduced from £818,000 to reflect sponsorship raised from the private sector.

Ninety companies were represented at the conference, with 144 delegates in attendance. In addition, there were 65 attendees from Mayor Bloomberg’s party, the New York Comptrollers’ group (both City and State) and the Prime Minister’s and Taoiseach’s teams. I believe that the Conference provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the Northern Ireland business opportunity to senior representatives of such a high number of key US companies. The Conference also involved facilitating over 300 business, political, academic and community representatives, from all parts of Northern Ireland, to network and engage directly with the delegates.

The assessment of value for money cannot be undertaken until the benefits in terms of consequent inward investment projects are known. This may take two to three years to come to fruition. Invest NI has a co-ordinated and strategic follow-up plan in place to ensure that all Delegates are contacted over the coming months to further explore how they might benefit from considering Northern Ireland as an investment location

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) how many visits he has made outside Northern Ireland since devolution; (ii) the method and cost of transportation for each trip; and (iii) the type and cost of accommodation for each trip, including details for accompanying officials.

(AQW 7300/08)

Mr N Dodds: Between 8 May 2007 and 30 May 2008, I made 10 visits outside Northern Ireland to undertake departmental business:

1) USA: 24 – 29 June 2007

This trip involved visits to Boston, Washington and New York to lead a trade mission, to attend events relating to tourism and meetings with regard to the organisation of the May 2008 US/NI Investment Conference. Flights and train travel costs, for myself and 5 officials, amounted to £15,426.05. Hotel costs, for myself and 5 officials, amounted to £4,312.53.

2) Paris: 18/19 June 2007

This trip involved aerospace-related meetings at the Paris Airshow. Flights and train travel costs, for myself and 2 officials, amounted to £466.99. Hotel costs, for myself and 2 officials amounted to £334.47.

3) Edinburgh: 9 October 2007

This trip incorporated a meeting with the Scottish Tourism Minister. Flight costs, for myself and 2 officials, amounted to £351.90. There was no overnight stay.

4) Dublin: 8 November 2007

This trip incorporated an NSMC Tourism Sectoral meeting with the Irish Republic’s Tourism Minister. My travel costs were not determined as I travelled with my officials by Ministerial car and there was no overnight stay.

5) USA/Canada: 12 - 17 November 2007

This trip involved visits to Washington, New York, Boston and Toronto to attend meetings with regard to organising the May 2008 US/NI Investment Conference. Flight and train travel costs, for myself and 4 officials, amounted to £25,933.40. Hotel costs, for myself and 4 officials, amounted to £4,560.48.

6) USA: 2 – 5 December 2007

This trip involved a visit to New York to attend meetings with regard to organising the May 2008 US/NI Investment Conference. Flight costs, for myself and 2 officials, amounted to £16,784.80. Hotel costs, for myself and 2 officials, amounted to £1,747.23.

7) Brussels: 23/24 January 2008

This trip involved an aerospace event and meetings at the NI Executive Office in Brussels. Flight and train travel costs, for myself and 3 officials, amounted to £2,883.90. Hotel costs, for myself and 3 officials, amounted to £1,014.

8) India: 2 – 7 February 2008

This trip involved the opening of the Invest NI Office in Mumbai and meetings with potential and existing investors. Flight costs, for myself and 3 officials, amounted to £19,483.52. Hotel costs, for myself and 3 officials, amounted to £4,067.82.

9) Dublin: 14 February 2008

This trip incorporated a BIC Plenary meeting. My travel costs were not determined as I travelled with my officials by Ministerial car and there was no overnight stay.

10) USA: 12 – 14 March 2008

This trip involved visits to New York and Washington to attend meetings and events with regard to organising the May 2008 US/NI Investment Conference. Flight and train travel costs, for myself and 3 officials, amounted to £14,537.51. Hotel costs, for myself and 3 officials, amounted to £2,106.44.

Coolkeeragh Power Station

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to his answer to AQW 6579/08, if he is aware that prior to the construction of the new Coolkeeragh Power Station in Derry/Londonderry, work was undertaken on behalf of his Department by Enterprise Northern Ireland with local engineering companies to assist them to form a cluster that would enable them to successfully bid for work on the power station; why a similar approach is not being taken in relation to the construction of the new hospitals in the South and South West; and if he will he consider such an approach at this stage.

(AQW 7309/08)

Mr N Dodds: The Coolkeeragh Supplier Model, was established in 2003 to investigate ways to maximise local content on the construction of the Coolkeeragh power station. The supplier model received the support of local politicians and a number of other stakeholders, including Invest NI and the main contractor.

North West Marketing was appointed by Invest NI to project manage the supplier model, which was initiated after the appointment of the main contractors.

The Strategic Investment Board is currently evaluating three final bids for the proposed hospitals in Enniskillen and Omagh. The successful outcome of the bids is expected at some point this summer.

Invest NI is liaising with stakeholder groups and economic development partners, including the Strategic Investment Board and local Councils, to provide intelligence on a number of capital build programmes, including the new hospitals in the South and South West.

Invest NI is considering a supply chain initiative, which could be implemented after main contractors for the new hospitals have been appointed.

Funding for Community and Voluntary Groups

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many community and voluntary groups his Department is currently funding; the amount of funding given to each project; and where each of these projects are based.

(AQW 7315/08)

Mr N Dodds: Details of all community and voluntary groups currently funded by the Department, including the amount of funding given to each project and the location of each project, are listed in the table below.

DETI

Community/Voluntary Groups currently funded	Amount of Funding currently allocated	Location of Project
Laganview Enterprise Centre	£299,481	Lisburn
Churchtown Community Assoc.	£278,579	Castlederg
Torrent Valley Initiative	£116,000	Dungannon
Blackwatertown Development Assoc.	£66,505	Blackwatertown
South Tyrone Empowerment Programme	£127,124	Dungannon
Workspace Draperstown	£300,000	Draperstown
Workwest	£496,959	Belfast
Ballee & Harryville Community Facilities	£400,000	Ballymena
Pomeroy Development Assoc.	£489,740	Pomeroy
Oona Valley Community Assoc.	£184,000	Eglish, Dungannon
Sion Mills Preservation Building Trust	£234,000	Sion Mills
The Playhouse	£284,933	Londonderry
Coach House Regeneration Ltd	£497,845	Darkley, Armagh
Conway Mill Preservation Trust	£393,040	Belfast
North West Playhouse Resource Centre	£284,933	Londonderry
Banbridge District Enterprises Limited	£280,618	Banbridge
Armagh Business Centre	£495,000	Armagh
Glenwood Business Centre	£178,000	Belfast
Ballymena North Partnership	£299,700	Ballymena
Seskinore Rural Community Group	€28,000 (*approximately £22,000)	Seskinore, Co. Tyrone
Strangford Lough Wildfowlers Association	€300,000 (*approximately £237,000)	Newtownards, Co, Down.
Community Networks Services Ltd	€250,000 under INTERREG IIIA Programme 2000-2006 (*approximately £197,000)	North West Ireland Cross-Border Region
Citizens Advice RegionalDonegall PassBelfastBT7 1BS	£400,000 per annum (for the three years starting 1 April 2008)	At various Citizens Advice and non Citizens Advice affiliated offices throughout Northern Ireland.
Social Economy Network (NI) Ltd.	£600,000.00 (over a 4 year period up to 2011)	York Road, Belfast
West Belfast and Greater Shankill Partnership Boards (shared Development Officer – salary costs plus contribution towards utility expenses)	£45,500 (2008/09)Funding provided through the Integrated Development Fund.	Falls Road (West Belfast Partnership Board) and Shankill Road (Greater Shankill Partnership Board)

* Using current exchange rates.

The projects listed below are being supported under Invest NI's Social Entrepreneurship Programme. As part of this Programme they are given access to advice and mentoring support to help develop their commercial capability. 

Invest NI

Note 1 - Direct grant assistance is not part of the package and the total budget for the delivery of advice/mentoring is £97,500 over a two year period.

Community/Voluntary Groups currently funded	Amount of Funding currently allocated	Location of Project
Cullybackey Improvement Association	See Note 1	Ballymena
Shop Mobility	See Note 1	Ballymena
Larne Community Care Centre	See Note 1	Larne
Bushmills Townscape Heritage Initiative	See Note 1	Moyle
Ballykeel Environmental Action Team (B.E.A.T.) NI Limited	See Note 1	Ballymena
Family Caring Centre	See Note 1	Antrim
Solidarity Equality Education Diversity Support (SEEDS)	See Note 1	Londonderry
Churches in Co-Operation	See Note 1	Londonderry
Slieve Gallion Pre School	See Note 1	Magherafelt
Naiscoil Mhachaire -Irish Medium Pre School Maghera	See Note 1	Limavady
Coleraine and District Motor Club NW2	See Note 1	Coleraine
Greenlough Play Group	See Note 1	Ballymena
Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Support Group	See Note 1	Magherafelt
Carntogher Community Association	See Note 1	Magherafelt
Draperstown After Schools Club	See Note 1	Magherafelt
St Lurach’s Women’s Community Group	See Note 1	Magherafelt
Magery Rural Enterprise	See Note 1	Craigavon
Castlewellan Cross Community Play Group	See Note 1	Down
Easilift Community Transport	See Note 1	Strabane
Cancer Choices	See Note 1	Dungannon
The Friends of Lissan Trust	See Note 1	Cookstown
Caledon Regeneration	See Note 1	Dungannon
Rural Link Community Transport	See Note 1	Omagh
Omagh Early Years Centre	See Note 1	Omagh
Omagh Forum for Rural Associations	See Note 1	Dungannon
Mummers Foundation	See Note 1	Omagh
Bardic Educational Arts & Media Limited (BEAM)	See Note 1	Fermanagh
East Belfast Mission	See Note 1	Belfast
Beat	See Note 1	Belfast
St Vincent De Paul	See Note 1	Belfast
The Early Years Organisation NIPPA	See Note 1	Belfast
North Belfast Employment Centre	See Note 1	Belfast
Ardmonagh (Care)	See Note 1	Belfast
Redburn Community Play Group	See Note 1	Down
Contact Youth Counselling	See Note 1	Belfast
Connect, Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM)	See Note 1	Belfast
Simon Community NI	See Note 1	Belfast
North City	See Note 1	Belfast
Footprints Women’s Centre	See Note 1	Lisburn
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)	See Note 1	Belfast
Peninsula Community Transport	See Note 1	Ards

Cruise Line Tourists in Strangford and North Down

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what his Department is doing to encourage cruise line tourists to visit museums and attractions in the Strangford and North Down areas.

(AQW 7319/08)

Mr N Dodds: In 2007, 27 cruise ships visited Belfast bringing 41,729 passengers. In 2008, 36 ships are expected. Representatives from Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB), who are part funded by NITB, have been to the United States and Germany this year to present and discuss tour itineraries for both Belfast and all of Northern Ireland with the cruise companies. BVCB also met with local ground handlers to discuss the same. Armagh and Down Regional Tourism Partnership has also met with tour operators to discuss possible itineraries and highlight attractions and facilities in their region. North Down and Strangford were both promoted during these meetings and BVCB has indicated that, due to their proximity to Belfast and the range of attractions and facilities available, both areas feature heavily on cruise tour agendas.

For those passengers that choose not to pre-book, BVCB through the Belfast Welcome Centre (BWC) operate a welcome and information desk at the docks during cruise visits and also offer a shuttle bus service to the BWC which opens in line with cruise ship docking times. At BWC visitors can get information on both Belfast and all of Northern Ireland including North Down and Strangford.

BVCB and Port of Belfast are members of Cruise Ireland, a marketing co-operative which was formed in 1994 to promote the island of Ireland as a premier cruise destination.

Departmental Grants

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for the details of all grants available through his Department.

(AQW 7323/08)

Mr N Dodds: DETI

Title of Grant	Short Summary
Local Economic Development (through the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2007-2013)	Available to local authorities across Northern Ireland for local economic development activities that will support innovation, research & development, and entrepreneurship.
Support for Enterprise and Tourism to public sector lead partners via the Special EU Programmes Body under the Interreg IV Programme.	DETI is the Northern Ireland Accountable Department for Priority 1 of the Programme which is managed by, and funding is available from, the Special EU Programmes Body. The Programme offers support to public sector equivalent bodies delivering projects which will result in better territorial cohesion. Priority 1 of the Programme is aimed at assisting Co-operation for a more prosperous cross border region. Funding under this Priority will be available to Public sector lead partners for Enterprise and Tourism projects.

NI Tourist Board

Title of Grant	Short Summary
Tourism Development Scheme	A capital grants scheme providing rates of up to 30% (private sector) or 50% (public and community/voluntary/charitable sectors) of eligible project costs

Invest NI

Title of Grant	Short Summary
Selective Financial Assistance	Capital and Revenue Grants to support investment and / or job creation
Tourism Development Scheme	Capital Grant to support tourism accommodation Projects
Growth Accelerator Programme	Revenue Grant to support growth in markets outside Northern Ireland
Property Assistance	Capital grant to support premises development
Business Improvement Agent	Revenue grant to support specialist business development position
Business Improvement through Training Programme	Revenue grant towards agreed training plan
Interim Manager & Non Exec Director	Grant Support to strengthen a company’s management team
Technical Assistance Grant	Grant support to assist companies with people, process and technology issues
Compete Programme	R&D Grant support
Product / Process Development (PPD)	R&D Grant support
Proof of Concept	R&D Grant support
Centres of Excellence (Capital)	R&D Grant support
Small Firms Merit Award for Research and Technology (SMART)	R&D Grant support
Start Programme	R&D Grant support
Management Information Systems / eBusiness	Grant support to invest in IT and Internet solutions
Higher Education and Innovation Programme	Two components – First assists NI universities to reach out to businesses through QUB Chief Executive Club and UU Knowledge Club. Second, funded by Invest NI, involves capturing, exploiting and providing the personnel to make the best use of intellectual property
Research and Technological Development Networking Programme	Financial assistance towards cost of travel associated with accessing technologies, seeing them in action, or towards meeting experts in the field

Gross Value Added and Gross Domestic Product

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what targets are being set for (i) gross value added; and (ii) gross domestic product, convergence between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 7338/08)

Mr N Dodds: Specific targets have not been set in relation to either Gross Value Added (GVA) or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) convergence between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

Northern Ireland has experienced reasonably strong economic growth in the UK context - GVA growth was 5.6% in 2006 and second only to London. However, despite this growth, Northern Ireland’s relative level of economic prosperity has remained at 80% of the UK average, and the region’s comparatively lower productivity (as measured by GVA per filled job) has been identified as the major factor behind this. Consequently, the Programme for Government has identified a goal which aims ‘to halve the private sector productivity gap with the UK excluding the Greater South East (GSE) by 2015’.

The UK regions – excluding the GSE – were considered to provide an appropriate comparator for Northern Ireland's performance. This is because they have access to broadly the same policy instruments as Northern Ireland. The GSE has been excluded due to its markedly different economic structure, with its concentration of high value-added financial and business services. The Irish Republic was not considered an appropriate benchmark in light of the different policy / fiscal environments.

Gross Value Added and Gross Domestic Product

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what targets are being set for (i) gross value added; and (ii) gross domestic product, convergence between Northern Ireland and the European Union average.

(AQW 7339/08)

Mr N Dodds: Specific targets have not been set in relation to either Gross Value Added (GVA) or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) convergence between Northern Ireland and the European Union average.

Northern Ireland has experienced reasonably strong economic growth in the UK context - GVA growth was 5.6% in 2006 and second only to London. However, despite this growth, Northern Ireland’s relative level of economic prosperity has remained at 80% of the UK average, and the region’s comparatively lower productivity (as measured by GVA per filled job) has been identified as the major factor behind this. Consequently, the Programme for Government has identified a goal which aims ‘to halve the private sector productivity gap with the UK excluding the Greater South East (GSE) by 2015’.

The UK regions – excluding the GSE – were considered to provide an appropriate comparator for Northern Ireland's performance. This is because they have access to broadly the same policy instruments as Northern Ireland. The GSE has been excluded due to its markedly different economic structure, with its concentration of high value-added financial and business services. The European Union average was not considered an appropriate benchmark in light of the different policy / fiscal environments.

Financial Cost of Division

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what conclusions have been drawn from the report of Deloitte and Touche into the financial cost of the Northern Ireland divide (i) on his Department's work; and (ii) in relation to potential efficiency savings.

(AQW 7365/08)

Mr N Dodds: While the Deloitte and Touche report includes estimates of costs arising from the need to provide certain public services separately to meet the needs of the two main communities, the key services highlighted do not fall within the remit of DETI and its NDPBs. My Department is, however, committed to meeting the targets for efficiency savings agreed by the Executive in the Programme for Government.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much his Department has spent on travel expenses since devolution.

(AQW 7370/08)

Mr N Dodds: Expenditure on travel expenses between 8 May 2007 and 30 April 2008 by the Core

Department and each of its NDPBs is set in the following table:

Name	£
DETI Core	254,582
Invest Northern Ireland	971,905
Northern Ireland Tourist Board	142,103
Northern Ireland Health & Safety Executive	115,806
Consumer Council	47,758
Total	1,532,154

Invest NI Office Space in Derry/Londonderry

Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what office space Invest NI is currently leasing in Derry/Londonderry.

(AQW 7415/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI leases 316 sq m (3404 sq ft) on the 5^th floor of the Timber Quay building at Strand Road. It also holds a lease on a 975 sq m (10,500 sq ft) business unit at Campsie Business Park.

The lease on the business unit dates from 1992 and was inherited by Invest NI from the Department of Economic Development through the Industrial Development Board. The unit has remained empty despite being actively marketed by IDB / Invest NI both internally to Client Companies and on the open market through an estate agent.

Invest NI Office Space in Derry/Londonderry

Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if any of the office space being leased by Invest NI in Derry/Londonderry is currently occupied by Invest NI client companies; and if so at which locations.

(AQW 7416/08)

Mr N Dodds: None of the office space leased by Invest NI is occupied by its client companies. The office space leased by Invest NI on the 5^th floor of the Timber Quay building is currently occupied by Invest NI’s North West Regional Office.

The business unit at Campsie, which Invest NI inherited from the Department of Economic Development through the Industrial Development Board, is currently vacant despite being actively marketed by IDB / Invest NI both internally to Client Companies and on the open market.

Invest NI Office Space in Derry/Londonderry

Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if any of the office space leased by Invest NI in Derry/Londonderry is vacant; if so, for how long and at which locations; and to detail (i) the length of each contract; and (ii) for how long each contract has been in place.

(AQW 7417/08)

Mr N Dodds: Invest NI holds the lease on one vacant unit which is located at Campsie Business Park. The lease on the unit was inherited by Invest NI from the Department of Economic Development through the Industrial Development Board. The unit has remained empty despite being actively marketed by IDB / Invest NI both internally to Client Companies and on the open market.

Invest NI holds a 25 year lease on this unit which commenced on 10^th August 1992.

Invest NI Office Space in Derry/Londonderry

Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how much has been paid to date on contracts for vacant office space held by Invest NI in Derry/Londonderry.

(AQW 7418/08)

Mr N Dodds: Since April 2002, Invest NI has paid £249,595 rent on the vacant business unit at Campsie Business Park. The unit has remained empty despite being actively marketed by IDB / Invest NI both internally to Client Companies and on the open market through an estate agent.

The rent on the unit prior to April 2002 was paid by the Industrial Development Board. Whilst Invest NI does not hold the financial records of the Industrial Development Board, under the terms of the lease the rent due to be paid for the period covering 1992 – 2002 is approximately £250,000

ENVIRONMENT

Departmental Electrical Equipment

Mr Savage asked the Minister of the Environment how many (i) laptops; and (ii) mobile phones, have been bought by her Department since devolution; and to detail the cost of each category of equipment.

(AQW 7223/08)

The Minister of the Environment (Mrs A Foster): Since the date of devolution my Department has purchased 172 laptops.

My Department has issued 69 mobile telephones at no initial up front cost as the service providers supply the handsets free of charge, however, 247 Blackberry devices have also been purchased. Although the primary reason for purchasing these devices is for their mobile email facilities, they can also be used as mobile phones.

The table below summarises the number and cost of the laptops and blackberry devices purchased.

EQUIPMENT TYPE	NUMBER OF UNITS PURCHASED	AMOUNT £
Laptops	172	129,926
Blackberrys	247	14,674
Total cost	-	144,600

Planning Applications for Pigeon Lofts

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment how many planning applications for pigeon lofts have (i) received approval from; and (ii) been rejected by, the Planning Service in each of the last five years.

(AQW 7288/08)

Mrs A Foster: In 2006/2007, 5 applications for pigeon lofts were determined – 2 were approved and 3 were refused.

The figures relating to previous years are not available as these could only be obtained through a manual search of all the Divisional Planning Office files which could not be done in the time available and would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Grants

Mr Easton asked the Minister of the Environment for the details of all grants available through her Department.

(AQW 7321/08)

Mrs A Foster: Grants available from my Department are listed in the schedule below:

Business Area	Grant available	Description
Road SafetyServices	Road Safety Council (NI)	Grant to the Road Safety Council (NI) to cover full time administration and local committee costs.
Local Government Services	General grant – resources element	Grant to provide additional finance to those district councils whose rateable value per head of population falls below a standard determined annually by the Department.
Local Government Services	General grant – de-rating element	Grant to district councils for loss of rate income due to the statutory de-rating of certain properties.
Local Government Services	Transitional Relief Scheme Grant	Grant to compensate district councils for loss of resources grant allocation due to the new capital valuation system.
Local Government Services	Construction Products Grant	Grant to district councils to cover the additional costs incurred by environmental health officers in enforcing the requirements of the Construction Products Regulations 1991 (1991/1620).
Local Government Services	Emergency Planning Grant	Grant to district councils in relation to their emergency planning duties.
Planning and Environmental Policy	Strategic Waste Infrastructure Grant	The Strategic Waste Infrastructure Fund (SWIF) is available to the three Waste Management Groups (arc21, the Southern Waste Management Partnership & the North West Region) to assist local government with the significant costs of delivering the new infrastructure required to meet the landfill diversion targets in the EU Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC).
Planning and Environmental Policy	Local Air Quality Grant	Grant to district councils to enable them to monitor air quality in their districts. This would include monitoring equipment and data maintenance contracts.
Planning and Environmental Policy	Clean Air Grant	Grant to district councils as a contribution towards the costs of providing financial assistance to owners/occupiers to convert to smokeless appliances in areas which have been declared as smoke control areas.
Planning and Environmental Policy	Noise Act Grant	Grant to district councils for the adoption of the provisions of the Noise Act 1996 relating to night time noise offences.
Planning Service	Community Places Grant	Grant to provide planning and related technical assistance to communities in Northern Ireland.
Planning Service	Townscape Heritage Initiative Grant	Grant to third parties towards expenditure in connection with the promotion, preservation or enhancement of the character of appearance of a Conservation Area.
Environment and Heritage Service	Listed Building Grant Scheme	Grant to third parties for the repair of listed buildings.
Environment and Heritage Service	Natural Heritage Grant Scheme	Grant to third parties to encourage the conservation and enhancement of key elements of the environment and its wildlife.
Environment and Heritage Service	Anti-Litter Grant	Grant to third parties engaged in anti-litter activities.

Pollution Incidents in the Glenavy River

Mr Burns asked the Minister of the Environment if staff from the Environment and Heritage Service were recently deployed to investigate another pollution incident in the Glenavy River, and if so, to make a statement on the incident.

(AQW 7337/08)

Mrs A Foster: On 6 April 2008, an Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) Inspector investigated a report of water pollution to the Glenavy River. During his investigations, the Inspector discovered that the pollution resulted from overflow, due to equipment failure at the Northern Ireland Water (NIW) Sewage Pumping Station on Pigeontown Road, Glenavy. The pump overflow caused a discharge of sewage to the river which was in heavy flow at the time of the incident. This incident has been classified as ‘low severity’ and, in line with EHS enforcement protocols, an advisory letter has been issued to NIW informing them of the actions they should take to remedy the situation and thus prevent a recurrence.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of the Environment (i) how many visits she has made outside Northern Ireland since devolution; (ii) the method and cost of transportation for each trip; and (iii) the type and cost of accommodation for each trip, including details for accompanying officials.

(AQW 7345/08)

Mrs A Foster: The table below summarises the information requested.

VISITS	METHOD OF TRAVEL	COST OF TRAVEL £	TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION	COST OF ACCOMMODATION £	ACCOMPANYING OFFICIALS *
18/06/2007	Air / Rail	1,321.80	None	-	Deputy Secretary, Local Government and Planning & Environmental Policy
04/11/2007	Air / Rail/Car Hire	2,298.02	Hotel	582.45	Chief Executive of EHS & Director of Natural Heritage (EHS)
09/11/07	Departmental car #	-	None	-
12/12/2007	Departmental car #	-	None	-
12/12/2007	Private car #	80.00	None	-	Director of Road Safety Division
13/12/2007	Air / Rail	1,672.25	None	-	EHS Director of Natural Heritage & Strategic Projects and Design Manager (Planning Service)
06/02/2008	Air / Rail	835.35	None	-
07/02/2008	Departmental car #	-	None	-
05/03/2008	Air / Rail	2,138.70	Hotel	578.20	Chief Executive of Planning Service, Deputy Director of Corporate Services (Planning Service) & Director of Local Government Policy Division
TOTAL		8,266.12		1,160.65
In addition to the accompanying officials, all the visits include the Minister, her Special Adviser and Personal Secretary. # Travel to ROI

Financial Cost of Division

Dr Farry asked the Minister of the Environment what conclusions have been drawn from the report of Deloitte and Touche into the financial cost of the Northern Ireland divide (i) on her Department's work; and (ii) in relation to potential efficiency savings.

(AQW 7366/08)

Mrs A Foster: The Deloitte report discusses the potential costs of community division in the areas of policing and security, community relations and victims, education, health, housing, transport and infrastructure and the community and voluntary sector. The environment, and therefore the main functions for which my Department has responsibility, was not identified in the report as an area which has been subject to additional costs as a result of division in Northern Ireland. Officials from my Department were not involved in the Reference Group and no input was provided by DOE to the final report.

Therefore, I can confirm that the findings of the Deloitte report have no direct impact in terms of cost implications and the potential for efficiency savings for the functions covered by my Department.

Greenbelt Foundation

Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to her answer to AQW 707/08, what is the legal status of maintenance agreements entered into with the Greenbelt Foundation by residents of housing developments, as the company is not registered; and how will her Department view this company in relation to future agreements.

(AQW 7371/08)

Mrs A Foster: The status of maintenance agreements entered into by residents of housing developments with the Greenbelt Foundation or any other management company is a matter entirely between the company in question and the residents.

In relation to future planning applications where developers wish to make use of the Greenbelt Foundation to manage and maintain areas of open space, these will continue to be assessed on their merits against relevant policy relating to the provision of open space in new residential developments. Developers are required to satisfy the Department that suitable arrangements will be put in place for the future management and maintenance, in perpetuity, of any areas of open space that are to be provided.

Natural Gas

Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of the Environment what steps she can take to encourage local Councils to convert elements of their estate to the use of natural gas.

(AQW 7373/08)

Mrs A Foster: Given my responsibilities for climate change policy, I take every opportunity in my regular meetings with the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) to encourage them to act sustainably. I am encouraged that NILGA representatives and other council interests are progressing a project focusing on energy use as a means to demonstrate commitment to the climate change agenda. This includes the use of alternative, more efficient, fuel sources in the full range of their estate, for example their buildings and vehicles.

Planning Applications

Mr McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to clarify the position on the admissibility of unverifiable objections with bogus names and addresses in Planning applications.

(AQW 7375/08)

Mrs A Foster: When processing a planning application Planning Service requires applicants to provide their name and contact addresses. However, as the majority of planning approvals relate to the land in question and not a specific applicant, Planning Service does not seek to confirm the accuracy of the names and addresses submitted. To attempt to do so would be a disproportionate use of resources and introduce considerable delay in the processing of planning applications. For the same reasons Planning Service does not seek to verify the names and addresses of objectors.

Planning Applications

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of the Environment what action her Department has taken to regularise the planning status of 9-11 Church Street, Ballymena.

(AQW 7387/08)

Mrs A Foster: I would confirm that the Department is currently investigating a breach of planning control at 9-11 Church Street, Ballymena. We are anticipating a retrospective planning application in the near future, which will be processed in the normal manner.

Quality of Beaches

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what action her Department is taking to ensure the quality of beaches.

(AQW 7390/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) continues to work closely with Northern Ireland Water (NIW) to address a number of issues which will contribute to the protection and improvement of bathing water quality.

EHS carries out monitoring and compliance assessment against the EC Bathing Water Directive standards at 23 identified beaches across Northern Ireland. This information is used in the determination of discharge standards which are set by EHS for coastal waste water treatment works and sewerage systems in order to protect the bathing waters.

The stricter requirements of the revised Bathing Water Directive have been the subject of a recent consultation and are currently being used to determine future treatment standards.

The Nitrates Action Programme regulations which became operational on 1 January last year are also expected to contribute to the protection of bathing water quality.

Ballyholme Beach

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what steps her Department is taking to improve the environmental quality of Ballyholme beach in the North Down constituency.

(AQW 7391/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) continues to work closely with Northern Ireland Water (NIW) to address a number of issues which will contribute to the protection and improvement of bathing water quality. My answer to AQW 7390/08 gives more detail on this.

The new North Down waste water treatment works, serving the Bangor, Millisle, Groomsport and Donaghadee areas, was brought into operation in the autumn last year and now provides secondary treatment. In addition, this treatment works will provide ultra violet disinfection throughout future bathing seasons. The sewerage network will be upgraded as part of Northern Ireland Water’s future drainage area studies.

This will lead to a significant improvement in the quality of discharges to the marine environment in the vicinity of Ballyholme beach.

Pollution of Beaches

Mr Weir asked the Minister of the Environment what liaison her Department has had with Northern Ireland Water in relation to the prevention of pollution of beaches.

(AQW 7394/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) continues to meet regularly with Northern Ireland Water (NIW) to detail the requirements of new and existing Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTWs).

EHS requires NIW to model all new WWTWs, discharging to the marine environment, to demonstrate compliance with the microbiological standards set in the Bathing Water Directive.

EHS and NIW meet bi-monthly to discuss the Northern Ireland Drainage Area Plan where EHS sets standards for all potential discharges from Northern Ireland’s sewer network. All intermittent discharges at bathing waters include a spill frequency which is set in order to afford protection to the receiving water.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of the Environment how much her Department has spent on travel expenses since devolution.

(AQW 7423/08)

Mrs A Foster: My Department has spent £1,890,624 on travel expenses since devolution.

Collecting Food Waste from Households

Mr Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to make a statement on the pilot study aimed at collecting food waste from households in Belfast; and to confirm if this food waste will be incinerated by Ulster Farm By-Products in Glenavy.

(AQW 7431/08)

Mrs A Foster: The pilot study is a matter for Belfast City Council, and not an issue over which my Department has regulatory authority. My officials have yet to receive any applications for the permitting of this activity at Ulster Farm By-Products.

Preservation of the Stormont Estate

Mr McNarry asked the Minister of the Environment if any preservation orders or graded listings apply to (i) buildings; (ii) monuments; and (iii) trees, within the Stormont Estate and the environs of Parliament Buildings; and if not, what steps she is taking to ensure this takes place.

(AQW 7436/08)

Mrs A Foster: The following structures have been identified and protected within the Stormont Estate and the environs of Parliament Buildings as follows:-.

(i) Listed buildings (ie buildings of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ as defined by Article 42 of the Planning Order 1991):

HB26/13/013 - PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

HB26/13/014 - STORMONT CASTLE

HB26/13/015 - CONSERVATORY STORMONT CASTLE

HB26/13/016 - POLICE STATION STORMONT CASTLE

HB26/13/017 - SPEAKER'S HOUSE

HB26/13/018 - VISCOUNT CRAIGAVON'S TOMB

HB26/13/019 - LORD CARSON MEMORIAL STATUE

HB26/13/020 - GATE LODGE, GATES AND SCREEN (Upper Newtownards Road entrance)

HB26/13/021 - GATE LODGE, Massey Avenue Entrance)

(ii) Monuments (ie scheduled historic monuments as defined by the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects Order 1995)

Two historic monuments have previously been identified within the estate, though recent fieldwork to the east of Dundonald would suggest that there are also likely to be surviving buried archaeological remains in this area. The two monuments have been included in the Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record (NISMR) as an enclosure and a mound. Both monuments are likely to be the remains of a monument known as a rath or ringfort, a type of high-status semi-defensive earthwork monument that often contained a farmstead in the period between c.700-c.1000AD.

Neither of these monuments have been statutorily protected under the provisions of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995, but this is not to say that they are unimportant or can be simply removed. In all cases where a development proposal is made, the desirability of preserving an archaeological site and its setting, whether scheduled (i.e. statutorily protected) or otherwise, is a material consideration in determining planning applications. Any proposed land-use change that would affect these monuments would be closely considered in line with existing published planning policies contained in Planning Policy Statement 6, Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage.

Also, much of the Stormont Estate has been identified for inclusion on the Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historical Interest in Northern Ireland. The area designated includes the landscape and gardens associated with Stormont Castle, built in 1850, together with the whole landscape designed by Bean and Armytage-Moore in the 1920s and 30s as the setting for Parliament Buildings.

The inclusion of these lands on the Register enables the Department to consider the impacts of future development in the context of published policy, specifically Planning Policy Statement 6, Policy BH6. Although no additional statutory controls follow from the inclusion of a site on this Register, the effect of a proposed development on the estate, or its setting, is a material consideration in the determination of planning and/or listed building consent applications and appeals.

(iii) Tree Preservation Orders

There are no Tree Preservation Orders in place on the Estate.

Future Actions

• Such protections are periodically reviewed as a result of requests from the public, or elected representatives, or as part of a systematic review such as the ‘Second Survey of buildings of architectural or historic interest’.

• Within the next five years the listings on the site are likely to be reviewed as a result of the Second Survey.

• There are no current plans to review the designation of monuments on the site or tree preservation orders.

Quarrying at Spring Road in Drumnakilly

Mr Doherty asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the steps her Department is taking to address the impact of ongoing quarrying at Spring Road, Drumnakilly, on (i) the environment; and (ii) the community.

(AQW 7592/08)

Mrs A Foster: Planning Service acknowledges that quarrying has continued at Spring Road, Drumnakilly without the appropriate planning consents despite ongoing enforcement action by Planning Service.

A Stop Notice and Enforcement Notice were served on the site on 2 March 2007. The Stop Notice had immediate effect and the Enforcement Notice came into effect on 2 April 2007. No appeal was received by the Planning Appeals Commission and the Enforcement Notice took effect on this date. Following numerous visits by officers of the Department it was evident that the Notices were not being complied with and Planning Service proceeded to summons action.

Instructions to summons were issued by the Department on 9 May 2007 and the matter was first listed for hearing before the Magistrate sitting in Omagh on 10 August 2007 but was adjourned six times and is now listed for a two day trial on 17 and 18 September 2008.

Following continued complaints from MLAs and local residents, and the continued delay in court proceedings, Planning Service began discussions with counsel on proceeding with injunctive proceedings to stop extraction at this location. This matter is still being considered.

Planning Service has pursued and continues to pursue all enforcement options available.

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Land Registry Office

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to address delays in the Land Registry Office.

(AQW 6923/08)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr P Robinson): The Land Registry is taking various measures to address delays. These include :

- establishment of transactional based teams

- establishment of a specialised team to address the oldest and

most complex cases

• employment of a casework assistance team from the private sector
• implementation of e-registration procedures to simplify and accelerate the registration process
• customer training to reduce application errors
• landweb direct to enable remote searching by customers
• provision of practice guidance notes on the LRNI website.
• PEDU enquiry to cover Land Registry delivery issues.

Executive Property

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to list by Department all properties currently owned by the Executive that are (i) listed; and (ii) not listed, with Land Registers of Northern Ireland.

(AQW 6968/08)

Mr P Robinson: In responding to this AQW it is assumed that "listed" refers to land and property registered in the Land Register, and "not listed" refers to land and property recorded in the Registry of Deeds. Taking each in turn:

1. Land and Property ("listed") registered in the Land Register

The Land Register does not hold a list of the street names/addresses of properties owned by departments but can provide a list of the number of "parcels" of land and property. The total number of folios by department is as follows:

Department	Total number of folios
DOE	5,957
DRD	2,372
DSD	320
DARD	778
DCAL	4
DFP	24
DHSS	53
DEL	0
DETI	15
OFMDFM	13
DENI	0
Total all Depts	9,536

1. Land and Property ("listed") recorded in the Registry of Deeds

Where land and property is unregistered (i.e. registered in the Registry of Deeds) only a memorial of the last document of title is lodged (which is a very short précis of the deed itself). This memorial contains a description of the parcel of land or property. It is not possible to interrogate this database as with registered land because it will throw up details, not just of current ownership, but of everything that a department has owned since the inception of the Registry of Deeds in 1708.

Stress-Related Illness

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many working days were lost by his Department due to stress-related illnesses in each of the last 24 months.

(AQW 6982/08)

Mr P Robinson: The information requested in provided in the table attached.

Month	Total working days lost	Month	Total working days lost
May 06	206	June 06	180
July 06	53	August 06	146
September 06	161	October 06	177
November 06	261	December 06	168
January 07	197	February 07	191
March 07	196	April 07	193
May 07	225	June 07	240
July 07	232	August 07	279
September 07	252	October 07	228
November 07	225	December 07	202
January 08	243	February 08	247
March 08	266	April 08	218

Lone Pensioner Allowance

Mr Bresland asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline the number of applications received for the Lone Pensioner Allowance from each district council area.

(AQW 6996/08)

Mr P Robinson: At 9 May 2008, Land & Property Services had received a total of 11,052 applications for Lone Pensioner Allowance.

Information about the number of applications made for Lone Pensioner Allowance in each district council will be available around the end of May.

Commonwealth and Leasehold Reform Act 2002

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel will he consider introducing for Northern Ireland, provision similar to the Right to Manage section of the Commonwealth and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, rather than the whole Act, in order to deal with Management Companies not being properly handed over to leaseholders of apartments.

(AQW 7095/08)

Mr P Robinson: My Department keeps under review the need for new legislation across a broad range of areas of civil law. Whether new provisions giving leaseholders in multi-unit developments the right to manage are necessary will be considered along with other aspects of leasehold reform as and when resources permit. However, as I indicated in answer to AQW 5362/08, my Department currently has no plans to legislate in this field.

11-18 Year Olds in the Crumlin Area

Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail (i) the number of young people between the ages of 11 and 18 in the Crumlin area; and (ii) his Department's projection of the growth of this sector over the next 10 years.

(AQW 7193/08)

Mr P Robinson: In the 2001 Census, there were 500 young people aged between 11 and 18 resident in the Crumlin settlement.

Subsequent mid-year population estimates are calculated for Northern Ireland and Local Government Districts. The attached table gives the number of young persons aged between 11-18 resident in Northern Ireland and Antrim LGD, from the 2001 Census, the 2006 mid-year population estimate and the latest population projections for 2015.

Table population estimate and projections for persons aged 11-18 years in Northern Ireland and Antrim LGD, 2006-2015

Year	Population aged 11-18 - Northern Ireland	Population aged 11-18 - Antrim LGD
2001 Census	212,400	5,700
2006 Estimate	204,400	5,800
2015 Projection	184,700	6,400
Change between 2006 and 2015	-9.7%	11.7%

Rates on Void Properties

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what is his estimate of the increase in revenue that would be obtained by putting rates on void properties.

(AQW 7201/08)

Mr P Robinson: In the non-domestic sector rates have been levied on empty properties since April 2004. Rate revenue collected in respect of these properties amounted to just over £12m in the 2007/08 rating year.

As part of the Executive’s Review of the domestic rating system it was agreed that empty homes should be rated at 100% liability. Actual revenue levels will depend on what exclusions and exemption periods (if any) are to be applied, following further consultation, and also on the quality of the vacant stock – for example, some properties may be uninhabitable and therefore would not be rateable.

Emerging findings suggest that the rating of empty homes (without significant exemptions or exclusions) may raise in the region of £10 million per annum. Such an outcome, however, is dependent on Land and Property Services being adequately resourced and prepared to implement what amounts to a radical departure from the existing system, which only bills dwellings that are occupied.

Rates Discounts

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what consideration is being given to extending rates discounts for those ratepayers paying by monthly direct debit.

(AQW 7202/08)

Mr P Robinson: As part of the Executive’s review of the domestic rating system consideration was given to revising the current early payment discount of 4%. Of those that commented during consultation the majority were opposed to any change. It should also be remembered that any extension of the current discount would have to be recouped through other ratepayers paying more. Given the lack of support for change the decision was taken to retain the discount in its current form.

Peace III

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for the reasons for maintaining the current local authority clusters for the delivery of Peace III, given the confirmation of the new groupings of District Councils within the Review of Public Administration.

(AQW 7203/08)

Mr P Robinson: Work on the development of local authority clusters and their Action Plans began in July 2007. Local authorities had agreed clusters by early 2008 and submitted their Action Plans in March, several months later than the original deadline. However, this part of the PEACE III Programme is now back on schedule. All eight plans have been formally assessed against the PEACE III selection criteria and all are expected to begin implementation before the summer.

It would be impractical to reconfigure the clusters at this late stage. To do so would require developing a new set of Action Plans and submitting these for formal assessment. This would put back implementation from the envisaged June/July 2008 to, at best, late 2008. This delay would impact negatively on the local communities seeking to benefit from this part of the programme and would hinder the achievement of EU spending targets.

The current local authority clusters and their Action Plans will be relevant up to 2010 only. From 2011 onwards, PEACE III delivery will reflect the new local authority structures following the 2011 implementation of the Review of Public Administration (RPA). Following agreement between SEUPB and SOLACE (the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives), the original clusters and their plans will be reviewed in 2009-2010.

Equal Pay in the Civil Service

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to make a statement on the potential budget implications of equal pay claims in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

(AQW 7260/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Executive is determined to resolve the longstanding equal pay issue in respect of AA and AO grades in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Although more work is required to establish precisely the level of funding that will be needed to address this problem, it is clear that the costs will be considerable. This process will raise a range of significant issues on which I will engage with the Treasury as one strand of a strategy to seek to mitigate the potentially significant implications with respect to the funding of local public services.

Rate Relief for Pensioners

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many pensioners receive rate relief, broken down by parliamentary constituency, and for each case to estimate the percentage of eligible pensioners that are receiving this relief.

(AQW 7286/08)

Mr P Robinson: Eligibility for Rate Relief is considered for all applications for Housing Benefit that do not result in a full award of benefit. There are currently 3,815 pensioners (60 years old and above) in receipt of Rate Relief.

It is not possible to break this down by parliamentary constituency as this information is not part of the assessment process. Estimates of the percentage of eligible pensioners receiving Rate Relief are not maintained.

Review of Public Sector Jobs

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel when the report on the Review of Policy on the Location of Public Sector Jobs is due to be completed.

(AQW 7290/08)

Mr P Robinson: Professor Bain, Chair of the Review, has indicated that he will be reporting during the summer 2008. I expect his findings to be reported initially to the Minister for Finance and Personnel and the Committee probably after the summer recess. The report would then be submitted to the Executive for consideration in the early autumn.

Central Procurement Directorate

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he is taking to ensure that the Central Procurement Directorate give Small and Medium Enterprises and Social Economy Projects equality of opportunity to apply and be considered for any public procurement tenders or contracts.

(AQW 7348/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Central Procurement Directorate is responsible for the implementation and development of the NI public procurement policy, one of the key objectives of which, is to encourage and maximise the opportunity for both small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) and social economy enterprises (SEEs) to compete for public sector business opportunities.

The Central Procurement Directorate recognises that there are perceived and real barriers to both SMEs and SEEs in competing for public sector business opportunities on an equal basis with other suppliers. These barriers mainly involve the identification of business opportunities, the complexity and cost of bidding processes and the trend in public procurement towards larger contracts.

However, the Central Procurement Directorate has put in place measures to remove these barriers. Some of these include:

• Advertising all procurement opportunities above £30K on its website;
• The implementation of a new user friendly electronic tendering system to reduce the costs and permit easier access to tender documentation and submission of tender offers;
• Ensuring that tender documentation is concise and jargon free and includes details on the criteria to be used to assess tender offers; and
• Ensuring that procurement strategies are developed with due consideration of the impact on the supply base with regard to SMEs and SEEs.

CPD has developed a procurement strategy to be used by its clients to deliver the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (ISNI). The introduction of the ISNI database, setting out project details from inception to completion, will provide SMEs with the economic opportunity to seek business as prospective supply chain contributors. CPD has agreed a set of proposals on integrating sustainable development considerations in contracts with the Construction Industry Group NI. One of the proposals is to encourage successful contractors to establish local supply chains. 

In addition to this the Directorate has published guides which provide advice and direction to SMEs and the Social Economy Sector on competing for public sector business opportunities and as part of the outreach policy, the Directorate continually participates in workshops and working groups aimed at educating local SMEs and SEEs organisations on public procurement processes and to improve their ability to compete for public sector contracts.

Civil Service Medical Retirement

Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many civil servants have been medically retired in each of the last 5 years and the cost incurred.

(AQW 7352/08)

Mr P Robinson: The table below details the number of staff medically retired by employing departments, including Agencies and their NDPBs in Northern Ireland in each of the last financial years and the costs incurred.

	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08
Medical Retirees	207	279	239	223	189
Lump Sum	£4,674,927	£6,104,281	£5,236,797	£5,293,111	£5,059,680
Annual Pension	£1,825,062	£2,318,086	£1,962,035	£1,895,950	£1,623,524
Totals	£6,499,989	£8,422,367	£7,198,832	£7,189,061	£6,683,204

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much his Department has spent on travel expenses since devolution.

(AQW 7368/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Department of Finance and Personnel has spent £1.3m on travel expenses since devolution.

2011 Census

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel when the first results from the 2011 census are likely to be available.

(AQW 7407/08)

Mr P Robinson: It is currently planned that the first results from the 2011 Census will be available in September 2012. These will provide a new estimate of the total number of people living in Northern Ireland, along with estimates for local administrative areas.

Disposable Household Income

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how the growth in disposable household income in Northern Ireland compares with other parts of the United Kingdom.

(AQW 7409/08)

Mr P Robinson: In Northern Ireland, over period 1996 to 2006, gross disposable household income per head increased by 60.2 per cent. This compares with UK average growth of 61.0 per cent, 59.5 per cent for Wales and 59.7 per cent for Scotland over the same period. The UK region with the fastest growth rate in disposable household income per head over this period was London at 65.0 per cent.

In 2006 Northern Ireland gross disposable household income per head was 13 per cent below the UK average – the second lowest of the UK regions (after the North East).

Workplace 2010

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will be conducting a review of his Department's plans for Workplace 2010, given the findings in the recent evaluation report on Clare House.

(AQW 7435/08)

Mr P Robinson: Clare House is an ambitious and challenging pilot requiring people to work in a very different way. The recent evaluation report noted a number of both positive and negative aspects of the pilot. The report provides very valuable lessons and is one of a number of factors that will help to shape and inform the final Workplace 2010 contract. The lessons learned are being incorporated into an action plan which will ensure that the issues relating the wider Workplace 2010 contract will be addressed.

I am convinced that Workplace 2010 is right for the NICS to realise its reform and modernisation agenda but the evaluation reinforces the fact that the culture change associated with the transition is a very significant issue and one which has to be addressed directly and positively in moving forward.

I can assure you that these issues are being addressed and that the final Workplace 2010 proposals will be subject to the approval of the Executive prior to contract signature.

Breakdown of Gender and Race in the Civil Service

Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail, for each grade in the Civil Service, a breakdown of staff by (i) gender; and (ii) religious background.

(AQW 7457/08)

Mr P Robinson: The attached tables show the profile of the Northern Ireland Civil Service at 1 January 2008. As details of the religious background of staff are not held, information has been provided on community background. (The community background of individuals refers to whether they have been treated as belonging to the Protestant or Roman Catholic community in Northern Ireland as required by the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998.) The tables include non-industrial and industrial staff in the 11 NI Departments and Executive Agencies and those on secondment to other bodies including the Northern Ireland Office, Police Service of Northern Ireland and Invest NI. In view of the large number of grades within the Civil Service, the tables show general service and analogous grades.

Northern Ireland Civil Service – Gender Profile

GRADE		Gender		TOTAL
		Female	Male
		No.	No.
Non-Industrial	G5+	68	180	248
	G6	154	249	403
	G7	374	698	1,072
	DP	944	1,405	2,349
	SO	1,293	1,816	3,109
	EOI	1,822	2,051	3,873
	EOII	2,822	1,642	4,464
	AO	5,599	2,831	8,430
	AA	1,729	1,188	2,917
Industrial	Supervisor	0	162	162
	Craft	0	170	170
	Non-Craft	58	1,000	1,058
TOTAL		14,863	13,392	28,255

Northern Ireland Civil Service – Community Background Profile

GRADE		Community Background			TOTAL
		Protestant	Roman Catholic	Non Determined
		No.	No.	No.
Non-Industrial	G5+	139	93	16	248
	G6	221	168	14	403
	G7	561	430	81	1,072
	DP	1,304	974	71	2,349
	SO	1,716	1,306	87	3,109
	EOI	2,014	1,769	90	3,873
	EOII	2,136	2,257	71	4,464
	AO	4,026	4,285	119	8,430
	AA	1,609	1,238	70	2,917
Industrial	Supervisor	102	50	10	162
	Craft	119	40	11	170
	Non-Craft	585	426	47	1,058
TOTAL		14,532	13,036	687	28,255

Departmental Staff

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many (i) females; and (ii) males, are employed in each Department, broken down by grade.

(AQW 7483/08)

Mr P Robinson: The attached table shows the gender profile of staff in the 11 Northern Ireland Departments and their Executive Agencies at 1 January 2008 and includes both non-industrial and industrial staff. In view of the large number of grades within the Civil Service, the tables show general service and analogous grades.

Northern Ireland Departments – Gender Profile

Grade Level	Gender	Total staff	Departments
			DARD	DCAL	DE	DETI	DFP	DEL	DHSSPS	DOE	DRD	DSD	OFMDFM
G7+	F	494	88	14	58	17	112	27	44	45	17	42	30
	M	983	185	22	56	47	214	29	103	121	88	73	45
DP	F	795	81	22	41	40	162	43	73	148	37	103	45
	M	1,266	164	29	43	75	323	62	94	168	187	87	34
SO	F	1,156	170	30	42	46	199	82	76	213	67	189	42
	M	1,680	319	43	35	48	268	86	106	292	277	167	39
EOI/EOII	F	4,156	305	62	126	132	374	654	145	363	206	1724	65
	M	3,455	629	118	64	74	376	220	103	326	457	1057	31
AO	F	4,797	365	43	110	105	533	397	82	489	245	2384	44
	M	2,622	138	22	46	42	281	157	34	400	124	1353	25
AA	F	1,169	198	8	43	39	118	61	46	149	121	366	20
	M	1,022	82	20	25	42	118	40	36	83	265	302	9
Industrial Supervisory	F	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	M	137	83	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	48	0	0
Industrial Craft	F	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	M	117	30	0	0	0	10	0	0	31	46	0	0
Industrial Non Craft	F	37	33	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0
	M	931	316	16	0	2	21	0	0	41	535	0	0
Total		24,817	3,186	455	689	709	3,109	1,858	942	2,872	2,721	7847	429

Public Expenditure on Children

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel, following the publication of the Analysis of Public Expenditure on Children, if he has any plans to increase his budget for children and young people.

(AQW 7506/08)

Mr P Robinson: The Executive’s expenditure plans for Northern Ireland departments, covering the period 2008-09 to 2010-11, were approved by the Assembly in January 2008 as part of the Budget 2008-11 process. The Budget was informed by the supporting evidence available at that time including the May 2007 report by the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ERINI) An Analysis of Public Expenditure on Children in Northern Ireland - PART ONE - Spending on Children’s Services.

Over the next three years, the Executive as a whole will regularly review departmental expenditure plans in line with the level of resources available, the emerging pressures identified, as well as any additional information that comes to light, including objective, evidence based research on public policy matters.

There is also a responsibility on individual Ministers to reallocate the funding for specific services and business areas within their departments, in response to changing circumstances.

HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Investment in Fire Stations

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the planned investment for fire stations located in (i) Ballymoney; (ii) Ballycastle; and (iii) Ballymena, for (a) 2008-09; (b) 2009-10; and (c) 2010-11.

(AQW 7002/08)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): Ballymoney Fire Station will receive £3,500 in 2008/09, £2,000 in 2009/10 and £2,500 in 2010/11; Ballycastle will receive £3,000 in 2008/09, £8,500 in 2009/10 and £18,000 in 2010/11; and Ballymena Fire Station will receive £62,750 in 2008/09, £2,500 in 2009/10 and £1,000 in 2010/11.

Investment in Fire Stations

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the investment in fire stations located in (i) Ballymoney; (ii) Ballycastle; and (iii) Ballymena, for each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 7003/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Ballymena Station has very recently been allocated a new Fire appliance at a cost of £180,000; Ballymoney station has been allocated a fire appliance less than 18 months old and Ballycastle one less than 30 months old. Each of these appliances cost around £155,000 when new. During 2007, six retained firefighters were recruited for Ballymoney Station and two for Ballycastle Station.

General Practitioner Figures

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many General Practitioners per 1000 head of population there are, broken down by parliamentary constituency; and (ii) to compare the overall Northern Ireland ratio with the figure for the rest of the United Kingdom.

(AQW 7174/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of general practitioners (GPs) per 10,000 resident population for each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency is given in Table 1. However, it must be noted that since the introduction of the General Medical Services contract in April 2004, it has not been a requirement for general practices to declare all GPs working in the practice, although most do. The average list size per GP within each constituency has also been provided in Table 1 to show the numbers of patients actually served by each GP and to help illustrate that many patients will not be registered in the constituency in which they live. It follows, therefore, that those constituencies which happen to have most GPs per resident population do not necessarily have the smallest registered list sizes and vice versa.

Table 2 shows that as at October 2006 Northern Ireland had more GPs per 10,000 population (6.4) than in Wales (6.3), but less than in England (6.5) and Scotland (8.1).

Table 1

Parliamentary Constituency	General Practitioner Head count per 10,000 population 1	Average Registered list size per General Practitioner 1 2 3
Belfast East	8.9	1,396
Belfast North	11.1	1,560
Belfast South	7.8	1,424
Belfast West	6.6	1,691
East Antrim	4.7	1,623
East Londonderry	6.0	1,703
Fermanagh & South Tyrone	7.2	1,663
Foyle	7.1	1,562
Lagan Valley	5.6	1,570
Mid Ulster	5.0	1,811
Newry & Armagh	6.6	1,735
North Antrim	7.3	1,474
North Down	5.6	1,687
South Antrim	5.1	1,739
South Down	5.3	1,666
Strangford	6.1	1,499
Upper Bann	6.4	1,751
West Tyrone	5.8	1,840
NORTHERN IRELAND	6.6	1,620

Source: Performers’ List & National Health Applications and Infrastructure Services system (NHAIS) - Central Services Agency;

2006 Mid-year estimate of population - Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (latest available).

Notes:

1. The head count of general practitioners is at 1st April 2008. This includes Restricted Principals, Unrestricted principals, salaried GPs and assistants.

Head count of general practitioners has been used as whole time equivalent is no longer recorded.

2. The general practice registered list size is as at April 2008.

3. Average list sizes refer only to unrestricted and salaried GPs as restricted GPs and assistants do not have registered patients.

Table 2

OCT 20061
NORTHERN IRELAND2	6.4	1,631 4
ENGLAND 2	6.5	1,610
WALES 2	6.3	1,643
SCOTLAND 3	8.1	1,304

Source: Central Services Agency, NHS Information Centre, and Information Services Division Scotland.

1. Latest available data for GB is October 2006, and so for comparability Northern Ireland data is also quoted as at October 2006.

2. Includes restricted, unrestricted, salaried and assistant GPs.

3. Includes restricted, unrestricted, salaried, assistant, associate and other GMS and PMS GPs.

4. Average list sizes for Northern Ireland refer only to unrestricted and salaried GPs as restricted GPs and assistants do not have registered patients.

Cremation Fees

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if it is the practice to charge a fee for the release of a body for cremation; and if so whether he plans to end the practice.

(AQW 7185/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: When a body is to be cremated there are a series of medical forms to be completed, by different, independent doctors, to provide reassurance that the death does not require further investigation. The completion of these forms does not form part of a doctor’s contract but is carried out in a private capacity and the fees charged by doctors for this service are set by the British Medical Association.

Northern Ireland operates under its own cremation legislation, the Cremation (Belfast) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1961 which are under the control of DOE; these regulations specify the forms which must be submitted in order for a cremation to proceed. Work is underway to update these regulations but this is currently on hold pending the results of a review of death certification underway in GB.

Home Start Scheme

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to report on the funding of Home Start projects in areas where there are no Sure Start projects.

(AQW 7205/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information requested is not held centrally.

Home Start Scheme

Dr Farry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to report on the future of funding for Home Start schemes within the North Down constituency.

(AQW 7206/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department does not fund locally-based Home Start activity within the North Down constituency, and has no plans to do so.

Home-Help and Domicilliary Workers

Mr Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (i) how many people were employed by the Western Health and Social Care Trust as home-help/domiciliary care workers; (ii) how many of these workers have been on sick leave for periods of more than 1 week; and (iii) how many of these workers were absent for periods of more than 1 month, in (a) 2005-06; (b) 2006-07; and (c) 2007-08.

(AQW 7207/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The information is not held centrally in the format requested.

General Practitioner Figures

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many practising General Practitioners there are in (i) North Down parliamentary constituency; and (ii) Northern Ireland.

(AQW 7216/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: (i) At 1st May 2008, Central Services Agency figures show that there were 51 general practitioners in the North Down parliamentary constituency – 49 unrestricted principals or equivalents, and 2 salaried GPs.

 (ii) At 1st May 2008, Central Services Agency figures show that there were 1,141 general practitioners in Northern Ireland – 7 restricted principals, 1,125 unrestricted principals or equivalents, and 9 salaried GPs.

Source: Medlist database

Note:

It has been necessary to provide headcount figures of GPs rather than the more accurate Whole -Time Equivalent (WTE), as WTE is no longer recorded on the Medlist database.

Most general practitioners will be recorded on this database however it is no longer a requirement for practices to declare every general practitioner working in a specific practice.

Only restricted and unrestricted principals or equivalents, and salaried GP’s are included on the Medlist database. Other types of general practitioner, such as locums, assistants, and associates are not included.

Departmental Electrical Equipment

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many (i) laptops; and (ii) mobile phones, have been bought by his Department since devolution; and to detail the cost of each category of equipment.

(AQW 7220/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The following equipment has been bought by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety since 8^th May 2007:

Equipment	Number Bought	Purchase Cost	Rental Cost
Laptop computers	92	£57,513	Nil
Mobile phones	14	Nil	£4 per month for each phone
Blackberry devices	89	£5,340	£22 per month for each device

Day Care Provision

Mr F McCann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give comparative costs for day care provision, per place per day, between statutory provision and contracted community/voluntary provision, for adults with physical disabilities (excluding transport costs to and from the facilities), in each Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 7247/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The data requested is not collected centrally and comparative figures are not available.

Applications to Join the Pharmaceutical List

Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each of the last 3 years, the time taken by the National Appeal Panel to process an appeal to an application to join the Pharmaceutical List.

(AQW 7251/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: During the last 3 calendar years the time taken to process an appeal from receipt of appeal to an application to join the Pharmaceutical list was as follows;

Year	No of appeals received	Processing time in months of appeals heard	Appeal Withdrawn	Dismissed by Chairman	Reconvened
2005	8	9,14,12,16,16	1	2
2006	7	14, 13, 15, 20, 14, 12	1	0
2007	13	No dates set	0	1	2

The term ‘process an appeal’ has been interpreted as length of time from the date of receipt to the actual date of the hearing for an appeal.

Applications to Join the Pharmaceutical List

Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many applications to join the Pharmaceutical List were received, in each Health and Social Care Trust area, in each of the last 3 years; and how many of these applications resulted in appeal.

(AQW 7252/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I should clarify that Applications to join the Pharmaceutical list are approved by the Health and Social Services Boards and not the Trusts.

The table below details the number of applications received in each Board in each of the last three calendar years.

Year	2005	2006	2007
WHSSB	6	4	4
NHSSB	2	3	3
SHSSB	2	0	2
EHSSB	3	1	1

The number of appeals received by the National Appeal Panel in the last 3 years

Is as follows;

Year	2005	2006	2007
Appeals Received	8	7	13

It should be noted that appeals may result from applications received in previous years.

Abortion

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether in the next drafting of guidance on abortion in Northern Ireland, there will be a presumption that, in accordance with the law, the unborn child is protected within the Criminal Law, and any interpretation of the law will accommodate this by treating the unborn child as a person and a patient.

(AQW 7254/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department is currently revising the draft Guidelines on the Termination of Pregnancy. The January 2007 draft Guidelines have been extensively revised and interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on the final version before it is published later this year.

Abortion

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether a medical professional or health worker, who refuses to take part in an abortion procedure, will be considered to be in breach of their employment contract; and if they will be subject to disciplinary proceedings as a result of this refusal.

(AQW 7255/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Medical professionals and health workers are employees of the Health and Social Care Trusts. Whether any medical professional or health worker refusing to take part in an abortion procedure will be considered to be in breach of their employment, or subject to disciplinary proceedings would be a matter for their employer to decide.

Where possible, I feel that every effort should be taken to accommodate staff with a conscientious objection.

Abortion

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to clarify what the legal authority is behind paragraph 2.5 (ii) - (vi) of the draft guidelines on abortion.

(AQW 7256/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: In Northern Ireland, the law relating to the termination of pregnancy is contained in sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and in section 25(1) of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 as those provisions have been interpreted to date by the courts. The legislation has been interpreted and explained by the Northern Ireland Courts in a series of cases decided in the High Court in the 1990s and, more recently, in a decision of the Court of Appeal in 2004. Similar legislation applied in England, Wales and Scotland before 1967 and was interpreted in the leading English case of R-v- Bourne (1939). The Bourne decision, although an English case, remains highly relevant to Northern Ireland, and has been consistently applied in Northern Ireland cases.

Abortion

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to explain the rationale for paragraph 2.13 of the draft guidance on abortion, particularly the matter of over-riding the refusal of consent by a young person to an abortion.

(AQW 7257/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department is currently revising the draft Guidelines on the Termination of Pregnancy. The January 2007 draft Guidelines have been extensively revised and interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on the final version before it is published later this year.

Abortion

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure that all illegal abortion is stopped.

(AQW 7258/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: In Northern Ireland, the only grounds for a termination of pregnancy are where the continuance of the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, or would adversely affect her physical or mental health. The adverse effect on her physical or mental health must be ‘real and serious’, and must also be ‘permanent or long term’.

The Department anticipates that the forthcoming Guidelines on the Termination of Pregnancy, arrived at after much consultation, will clearly state the grounds under which a legal abortion may be carried out. In September 2005 the then Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Cambell, wrote to all health workers who may be involved in the termination of pregnancy setting out the legal criteria under which a termination of pregnancy may be carried out. In March 2008 the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, wrote again re-iterating the legal position.

Clostridium Difficile

Mr Storey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many staff are currently on sick leave in relation to clostridium difficile, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust.

(AQW 7262/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The following information has been supplied by the individual Health and Social Care Trusts.

Health and Social Care Trusts	Number of absences related to Clostridium difficile
Western	0
South Eastern	1
Northern	1
NI Ambulance Service	0

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust were unable to provide the information, due to the way in which sickness absence is recorded within the respective Trusts.

Clostridium Difficile

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people currently in hospital have clostridium difficile, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 7266/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The position on 22 May 2008 was as follows.

Trust	No of people with Clostridium difficile
Belfast HSC Trust	10
Northern HSC Trust	22
Southern HSC Trust	7
South Eastern HSC Trust	8
Western HSC Trust	9

Redundancies and Efficiency Proposals

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an estimate of the number of front-line staff that will lose their jobs as a result of proposed efficiency savings, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust area.

(AQW 7268/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number and mix of staff affected by CSR efficiency proposals is still being clarified. The necessary reductions in the number of jobs in HSC organisations will be achieved largely by normal turnover so that we minimise the need for people to lose their jobs even through voluntary redundancy or voluntary early retirement, and avoid if at all possible compulsory redundancy.

Our health and social care service must change if we are to deliver the improvements that are necessary to make it a world class service.  Many of these decisions are about changing the way services are currently delivered but there will only be change if it is change for the better. In addition, CSR investments are being made at the same time - this will help Trusts to manage the impact of any changes through redeployment of staff into more modern service settings.

What I can clearly confirm is that as part of the CSR, 1,700 administration posts will go to fulfil existing RPA commitments, indeed a number have already gone.

Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many meetings of the Ministerial Group on domestic violence have taken place since it was established.

(AQW 7269/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence took place on 21 May 2008. It is my intention that the Group will meet every six months.

Abortion

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the guidance included in Annex C of the draft abortion guidelines will be included in any new guidance issued.

(AQW 7310/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: My Department is currently revising the draft Guidelines on the Termination of Pregnancy. The January 2007 draft Guidelines have been extensively revised and interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on the final version before it is published later this year.

Home Care Workers

Mr Weir asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many home helps and home care workers have been employed in the North Down constituency in each of the last five years.

(AQW 7330/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Information is not available in the form requested.

Use of Natural Gas in Hospitals

Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what hospitals have already converted to the use of natural gas and which are currently considering such a move.

(AQW 7353/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The following Hospital sites have already converted to the use of natural gas with a number being dual fuel, i.e. oil and natural gas or bio-mass and natural gas.

ANTRIM HOSPITAL

HOLYWELL HOSPITAL

SHAFTESBURY SQUARE DAY HOSPITAL

ROBINSON HOSPITAL.

MOYLE HOSPITAL

BRAIDVALLEY

FORSTER GREEN HOSPITAL

ALTNAGELVIN HOSPITAL

CAUSEWAY HOSPITAL

WHITEABBEY HOSPITAL

LAGANVALLEY HOSPITAL

MATER HOSPITAL

KNOCKBRACKEN HEALTHCARE PARK

MUSGRAVE PARK HOSPITAL

ULSTER HOSPITAL

BELFAST HOSPITAL

ROYAL GROUP OF HOSPITALS

The following 6 hospital sites are at varying stages of converting and or are in discussions with the gas supply company:

DAISYHILL HOSP.

GRANSHA HOSPITAL

CRAIGAVON HOSPITAL

ST LUKES HOSPITAL

SOUTH TYRONE HOSPITAL

LONGSTONE HOSPITAL

Use of Natural Gas in Hospitals

Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he is taking to encourage hospitals to convert to the use of natural gas.

(AQW 7354/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Hospitals have been pro-active in converting to the use of dual fuel, i.e. oil and natural gas or bio-mass and natural gas, when natural gas has been made available in their respective areas.

Health and Social Care Trusts will be further encouraged through the forthcoming publication of the Health Estates, Sustainable Development Design Brief, to show evidence of having considered the option of installing low carbon technology on all new build if appropriate to the design. This includes natural gas operated plant and equipment.

Free Parking at Hospitals

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what the cost of free parking at hospitals will be to the Health Service.

(AQW 7356/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: HSC Trusts estimate that the cost of free car parking will be some £340,000.

Free Parking at Hospitals

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if patients will be able to access free parking at hospitals that have privately-operated car parks.

(AQW 7357/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Patients and visitors at privately-operated hospital car parks will be able to access free parking as they currently do under the existing arrangements.

Departmental Grants

Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for the details of all grants available through his Department.

(AQW 7358/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Department makes available the following Grants/Grants in Aid:

• To meet the cost of Health and Social care organisations and Non Departmental Public Bodies (Health Boards, Health and Social Care Trusts, Central Services Agency, Medical and Dental Training Agency, Guardian Ad Litem Agency, Social Care Council, Practice and Education Council, Health Promotion Agency, Regulation Quality Improvement Authority, Blood Transfusion, Regional Medical Physics);
• To meet the cost of the Family Health Service (payments to GPs, Pharmacists and Ophthalmic practitioners);

• To meet the costs of training allied health professionals, medical and dental and social work students (university fees and student bursaries);

• Core and Project funding for Voluntary and Community Organisations in the Health sector (including Children and Young People, groups previously funded through the Children’s Fund, Physical and Sensory Disability, Learning Disability, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drugs, Elderly and Community Care, Family Policy, Investing for Health, Health Protection, Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence and Secondary Care);
• INTERREG - an EU funding initiative aimed at breaking down the barriers that national frontiers can present to the integrated development of services in border areas.

• Health and Social Care Research funding through the Regional Research and Development Office.

Osteoporosis Sufferers

Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people currently suffer from osteoporosis.

(AQW 7400/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of people currently suffering from osteoporosis is not available.

Osteoporosis Sufferers

Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what alternative treatment is available under the Health Service for sufferers of osteoporosis who do not respond to Alendronate.

(AQW 7401/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: 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. All the guidance on osteoporosis will be considered under these arrangements when NICE publishes its final guidance.

In the interim, clinicians, in consultation with the patient, should use the best available evidence, including previous NICE guidance on this topic, to determine which treatment option is appropriate for the individual patient.

Myasthenia Gravis

Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people have been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in each of the last 5 years, broken down by Health Board area.

(AQW 7402/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of people who have been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in each of the last five years, broken down by Health Board area is not available.

Altnagelvin Hospital

Mr McCartney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to clarify the circumstances that led to 2 consultant surgeons leaving Altnagelvin Hospital; what provisions are in place to replace them; and if services will be affected.

(AQW 7437/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the personal circumstances or employment affairs of individual members of staff. Under the terms of their contract of employment, Trust staff are free to resign from their position at any time. Notice periods are normally required. Staff are not required to provide reasons for their resignation.

The Western Trust has initiated arrangements for the recruitment of two consultant surgeons. The Trust, in consultation with other Trusts, is developing a transition plan to ensure that services to patients served by Altnagelvin are sustained until new staff are in post.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people have been (i) diagnosed with; and (ii) treated for, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Antrim Area Hospital, over the last 5 years; and what treatment is available to ease this condition.

(AQW 7467/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The number of people who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Antrim Area Hospital over the last five years is unavailable.

The Hospital Inpatient System shows that 2,052 individuals (approximated using date of birth and postcode) were admitted to Antrim Area Hospital and were treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease over the last five years.

A range of treatment is available and will depend on the patient’s specific symptoms and their severity. This treatment may include; encouraging patients to stop smoking; use of bronchodilator inhalers, drug therapies, nebulisers and oxygen therapy, as recommended by their GP/healthcare professional.

Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be managed in primary care; however patients may be admitted to hospital because of deterioration in their COPD or for a condition unrelated to their COPD.

Dalriada Doctor On Call Service

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what are the future plans and future location for the Dalriada doctor on call service, in the East Derry/Londonderry constituency.

(AQW 7501/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Currently all Out of Hours (OOH) services in Northern Ireland are subject to a review looking at their efficiency and effectiveness. There are no plans to make any changes in the location of Dalriada Urgent Care services in the immediate future. Any longer term changes on relocation of out of hours services will be developed from the regional review of those services and recommendations made through that review.

Care Home Residents

Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if care home residents, eligible for full financial assistance from a relevant Health and Social Care Trust, will have that assistance increased in line with care home tariff increases for the forthcoming year.

(AQW 7508/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Health and Social Care Trusts are required by legislation to charge people for their care in residential and nursing homes. In line with the requirements of the Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, a resident’s capital and income is assessed to determine how much they can afford to contribute to the cost of their care. Residents never pay more than this assessed contribution and, where this falls short of the overall tariff for their placement, the HSC provides financial assistance to cover the shortfall. The level of overall tariff and, consequently, HSC financial support is a matter for negotiation between the HSC and the individual home owner.

Loch Cuan House in Newtownards.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety when will the residents be moved out of Loch Cuan House, Newtownards.

(AQW 7537/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The South Eastern Health and Social CareTrust has indicated that an Equality Impact Assessment and full public consultation are necessary before any final decision on the future of Loch Cuan House is taken. Consequently, there are, at present, no formal plans or associated timescale to move residents out of Loch Cuan House.

Mrs Maureen McGinley

Mr Doherty asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he will take following his meeting with the family of the late Maureen McGinley.

(AQO 3793/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I met the McGinley family, accompanied by Pat Doherty MLA, on 25 February 2008 and as agreed at that meeting I wrote to Mr Doherty on 6 March clarifying the position regarding the examination of events that followed Mrs McGinley’s death.

May I say that I recognise the difficulties Mrs McGinley’s family have experienced, not only in losing their mother but in trying to get a full explanation for the fractures identified at post mortem. It is my view that the events surrounding Mrs McGinley’s death have been subjected to very comprehensive examination both internally by the Western Health and Social Care Trust and independently by the Coroner’s Service.

I am advised that the Coroner’s Service made no recommendations to the Trust regarding the procedures in place at Altnagelvin for the handling of the deceased and I have noted that the Trust’s investigation found that the handling and transfer of the body was performed in accordance with hospital protocol. I am satisfied that the Trust has acted appropriately and I am, therefore, of the view that a further review of the circumstances of the case is unlikely to shed any further light on how this incident occurred.

Drugs Rehabilitation Facilty in Downshire Hospital in Downpatrick

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm whether ward 15 alcohol and drugs rehabilitation facility in Downshire hospital, Downpatrick, will be exempt from cuts to services.

(AQO 3787/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has no plans to cut Services in Ward 15, the Addictions Unit. It is the Trust’s intention to engage with ex-patients and commissioners to develop comprehensive addiction services for the future.

The longer-term aim is to reduce reliance on inpatient facilities by developing community and other local support services for people with drugs or alcohol addictions. This stepped care approach is consistent with the Bamford vision for mental health services.

Clostridium Difficile

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people in hospitals have contracted clostridium difficile in each of the last six months.

(AQO 3699/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Regional surveillance for C.difficile in the over 65s has been in place since 2005 and is collated for Northern Ireland by Trust through the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) NI. For the six-month period up to the end of March 2008 the numbers of episodes of C.difficile in hospital in-patients aged 65 and over are as follows.

Month	Episodes
October 2007	115
November 2007	94
December 2007	88
January 2008	100
February 2008	86
March 2008	102

Ambulance Call Times

Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure that ambulance call times are recorded accurately.

(AQO 3739/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has advised that information on ambulance response times is generated electronically from time-stamped data created when ambulance crews transmit a status message to the command and control system. The forthcoming introduction of a new automatic vehicle location and satellite navigation systems together with mobile data transmission will increase the accuracy of this information and the robustness of the data.

Role of Sport in Health Promotion

Mr Brolly asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the importance and role of sport in health promotion.

(AQO 3811/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Sport plays a key role in contributing towards health promotion. Increasing levels of participation in sport and physical activity can help combat growing rates of obesity among children and adults, contribute to longer life and protect against conditions such as diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, as well as certain types of cancer.

The importance of Sport and physical activity is recognised in the overarching public health Investing for Health Strategy and the Fit Futures Strategy. I would welcome any increase in participation in sport that will raise the numbers of people taking part in physical activity, because it can create a positive impact on health and general wellbeing, including mental wellbeing – an important determinant of health.

Breast Cancer Screening

Mr Neeson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what changes in procedure have taken place in Antrim Hospital for screening for breast cancer.

(AQO 3738/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Breast screening in the Northern Trust is undertaken by a multidisciplinary team whose methods comply fully with National Breast Screening guidelines. Since the incident that occurred in October 2005, a number of changes have taken place. These include;

• Appointment of two breast screening radiologists.
• The refurbishment of the Breast Screening Unit, with the purchase of new Mammography, Ultrasound and Biopsy equipment.
• The recent purchase and staffing of a second mobile screening unit.
• Full Breast Radiology participation in Breast Cancer multidisciplinary team meetings which are now completely IT supported.
• Ongoing recruitment of radiography and radiology staff to further support screening and symptomatic services.

The Northern Trust has complied fully with the RQIA review. An external quality assurance assessment of the unit was carried out by East Midlands Breast Screening Service in October 2006.

Dentist Services

Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many Health Service dentists in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area are available to take on new Health Service patients.

(AQO 3698/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: At 1^st May 2008, Central Services Agency figures show that there were 123 dentists¹ registered to provide Health Service dental treatment in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area².

Notes:

1. Figures include Principal dentists only - excludes assistants and Vocational Dental Practitioners.

2. Statistics are at 1st May 2008 and are based on the location of the dental surgery where the dentist is employed.

Working Group on Mental Health and Learning Disability

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the inter-departmental working group on mental health and learning disability.

(AQO 3740/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Inter Departmental Group on Mental Health and Learning Disability is one of the cross-Departmental structures which my Department has established to ensure that the issues within the implementation of the Bamford Review which require inter-Departmental co-operation are taken forward in a co-ordinated and coherent manner.

The initial work of the Group concerned contributing to the drafting of the Executive’s formal response to this Review and it has not been necessary for the Group to meet again, following its first meeting in October 2007. Meetings will resume when the Executive’s formal response to the Review has been finalised and published later this year.

Dentist Services

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety the number of Health Service dentists per head of population.

(AQO 3732/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: Central Services Agency figures show that there are 4.59 practising principal dentists¹ registered to provide Health Service dental treatment per 10,000 head of population² in Northern Ireland.

Notes:

1. Figures include Principal dentists only - excludes assistants and Vocational Dental Practitioners.

2. Dentist numbers are as at 21^st May 2008. Population is based on the most recent population estimates at June 2006.

North-South Ministerial Council May 2008

Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to report on the North South Ministerial Council meeting held in Belfast on 28 May 2008.

(AQO 3758/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: I look forward to making a Statement to the Assembly on this meeting later this month.

New Health and Care Centres

Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the range of services that will be provided in new Health Care centres planned for Carrickmore, Castlederg and Fintona within the Western Health and Social Services Board area; and to provide a timetable for the opening of these centres.

(AQO 3810/08)

Mr M McGimpsey: The Health and Care Centres planned for Carrickmore, Castlederg and Fintona will be implemented through the Primary Community Care Infrastructure (PCCI) Programme. The Budget allocation for my Department has meant that most of the capital allocation over the next three years is taken up with projects which are already contractually committed. The PCCI programme has a planned budget of £40m over the Budget period 2008 – 2011 this will enable procurement to commence in the first five PCCI projects in the current financial year.

It should be noted that the review of capital priorities, which was recently announced, will examine current proposals for infrastructure developments in the medium to long term and it is therefore not possible to set a timetable for these projects at this time. The range of services currently planned for the Health & Care Centres include a number of service based, outreach and mobile sessional services for Primary Care, Community Care, Diagnostics, ICATS and Outpatient Services.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Metro Service in Newtownabbey

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development how many passengers have commenced journeys in Newtownabbey since the launch of the Metro service, broken down by destination and month.

(AQW 7173/08)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): Translink has advised that, as individual passenger destinations are not recorded, the information is not available in the format requested. The attached table outlines the number of Metro Passengers boarding in the Newtownabbey Extended Zone on Corridors 1, 2, 13 and 14 since the introduction of Metro on 7 February 2005 until 30 March 2008, broken down by month and route. Route details are also provided below.

Translink has advised that a total of 5,859,009 passengers commenced their journeys from the Newtownabbey area for the period 07 February 2005 to 30 March 2008.

		1A	1B	1C	1D	1E	1F	1G	1H	2A	2B	2C	2D	2E	2F	13	13A	13B	13C	14	14A	14B	14C	Total
2005	FEB	6934	4205	1386	7057	5406	430	448	619	7020	5080	0	7396	7364	4422	11104	899	14	111	12364	1748	2634	270	88916
	MAR	10025	6808	2362	11249	8309	178	483	892	10588	6960	0	11460	11077	6347	15142	1172	27	135	17308	1866	3478	306	126172
	APR	10982	7597	1960	11358	8429	284	481	694	11407	7801	0	12447	11806	7476	16451	1349	48	203	19095	1857	3718	384	135827
	MAY	10963	7544	3312	11879	8631	348	527	544	11488	7873	0	13783	13109	7341	16745	1397	31	220	18785	2092	3595	401	140608
	JUNE	12132	8606	2473	12980	9964	308	552	778	12372	8743	12	14476	12696	7990	17818	1452	25	255	20492	2003	3863	500	150490
	JULY	12106	8640	3001	12122	11433	0	233	670	11497	8334	0	15084	12830	7742	15523	709	25	144	18569	1482	2152	308	142604
	AUG	13961	10347	2810	14198	14408	11	245	816	11921	9691	0	17341	13227	8767	19367	1071	38	234	22618	1748	2587	389	165795
	SEPT	12682	10277	2597	13672	13233	0	702	633	11567	9141	0	15353	13559	7969	18405	2197	23	278	21099	1848	4287	400	159922
	OCT	13233	10408	3200	14924	13459	0	699	583	11571	9048	3	17016	14664	9319	18842	1831	77	257	22220	1862	4130	355	167701
	NOV	13751	10378	2957	14849	14614	0	783	913	12476	9816	0	18645	15938	9127	19358	1792	44	254	22627	2043	4585	406	175356
	DEC	15590	11577	3059	14584	14519	47	643	1310	12707	11229	48	19464	16716	9383	19566	1432	42	230	23424	1583	3404	302	180859
2005 Total		132359	96387	29117	138872	122405	1606	5796	8452	124614	93716	63	162465	142986	85883	2E+05	15301	394	2321	2E+05	20132	38433	4021	1632245
2006	JAN	12842	9856	2502	13235	12782	0	759	578	11736	9933	0	16872	14079	7880	18123	1768	30	240	20905	1927	4308	233	162594
	FEB	12816	10344	2718	14200	12783	0	682	452	11412	9641	0	17186	13730	7907	17970	1657	50	215	20667	1891	4420	392	161133
	MAR	14022	10383	2995	14318	13921	0	779	639	12023	10259	17	17518	14793	8409	19234	1799	41	195	21531	1917	4834	452	170079
	APR	12580	9179	2221	12220	12436	0	538	482	10524	8808	0	14600	11944	6753	16230	1140	50	141	19091	1560	3125	271	143893
	MAY	12923	9721	2108	12603	13589	0	661	691	11202	8998	0	15402	12730	7439	18047	1622	18	163	20199	2002	4116	342	154576
	JUNE	12791	10072	2057	12879	14927	0	947	911	10556	8605	0	15483	12347	7496	19413	1568	60	159	21613	1740	4098	329	158051
	JULY	10873	8829	2498	11373	13483	0	281	821	10218	7160	0	14705	11393	6947	16771	893	9	110	19092	1556	1956	248	139216
	AUG	12436	10695	2072	13108	15745	0	313	935	11799	7900	0	16181	12237	8026	20517	1040	11	185	23293	1795	2321	393	161002
	SEPT	12557	10013	2070	12952	15333	2	657	894	11044	8325	0	14657	13125	7320	19340	2137	23	122	21516	1852	4105	308	158352
	OCT	12469	9610	2197	13723	16368	0	658	926	11642	8664	0	15769	14136	8033	20169	1764	29	170	22357	2110	4208	423	165425
	NOV	12280	9728	2115	12720	15326	0	720	1155	10754	8602	0	16158	12838	7714	20481	1867	37	162	22626	2047	4129	334	161793
	DEC	12033	9605	2515	13081	14607	0	591	1572	11002	8713	30	16049	12616	7261	19245	1328	21	188	22611	1658	3201	275	158202
2006 Total		150622	118035	28068	156412	171300	2	7586	10056	133912	105608	47	190580	155968	91185	225540	18583	379	2050	255501	22055	44821	4000	1892310
2007	JAN	11603	9055	1900	12321	13224	36	745	820	10411	7465	0	13868	11641	7225	19207	1502	81	222	21015	1992	3810	337	150487
	FEB	11785	8878	1777	11903	13455	0	782	574	9743	8233	0	13386	11955	6856	17154	1598	26	192	20039	1796	3851	338	144321
	MAR	13765	10122	1727	13467	16231	0	900	612	11117	8622	0	15927	13069	8070	20078	1797	34	226	22339	1939	4430	323	164795
	APR	12480	9260	2120	12298	14505	0	652	607	10597	7911	9	15242	12092	6846	17335	1313	19	158	19349	1705	3507	268	148273
	MAY	13504	9628	1950	13383	15704	0	778	753	11179	8625	0	16325	12931	7330	19701	1547	46	217	21309	2031	4324	296	161561
	JUNE	13508	9824	1994	12693	16067	0	879	1153	10395	7898	0	15993	12384	7490	18456	1470	61	166	20924	1939	4034	275	157603
	JULY	11441	9546	2330	11784	15948	0	342	1282	10149	7194	0	15870	11025	7130	16479	853	17	106	18955	1689	2651	245	145036
	AUG	13695	11078	2127	14097	18873	0	477	1392	11464	8522	1	17126	11456	8110	20131	1004	19	165	22246	2024	2803	384	167194
	SEPT	13974	9976	2418	13237	15636	0	645	1181	11109	8587	0	15249	13226	7307	18611	2025	40	207	20502	2105	4078	388	160501
	OCT	14902	11322	2187	14856	15937	0	740	1316	11656	9628	0	17129	13562	8105	20346	2052	44	289	23743	2583	4973	532	175902
	NOV	13987	10982	2207	13972	13822	5	826	1489	11417	9796	0	16080	13617	8255	19082	1710	24	319	22805	2103	4364	505	167367
	DEC	12638	10156	3057	13022	14057	0	757	1532	11286	8752	0	15740	12726	7056	17636	1170	20	206	21533	1802	3557	325	157028
2007 Total		157282	119827	25794	157033	183459	41	8523	12711	130523	101233	10	187935	149684	89780	224216	18041	431	2473	254759	23708	46382	4216	1898061
2008	JAN	12617	9224	1845	12359	12990	128	730	888	9991	7938	0	13557	10858	6800	16253	1501	41	225	18693	2193	4201	374	145414
	FEB	13151	10102	1686	13558	12263	709	703	884	10377	8757	0	13902	12045	7028	17158	1469	43	245	20203	1948	3762	446	150439
	MAR	12715	10496	2120	13341	11900	467	474	832	9713	8566	0	14378	11349	6378	15447	1007	34	261	17915	1706	3069	380	142548
2008 Total		38483	29822	5651	39258	37153	1304	1907	2604	30081	25261	0	41837	34252	20206	48858	3977	118	731	56811	5847	11032	1200	436393
Grand Total		478746	364071	88630	491575	514317	2953	23812	33823	419130	325818	120	582817	482890	287054	686935	55902	1322	7575	785672	71742	140668	13437	5859009

Metro Services in Newtonabbey Extended Zone

Service Number 1A

Glenville (Monkstown Avenue)

Ballyduff Road (Doagh Road

Ballyduff (Forthill Drive)

Fairview Road (Beverley Shops)

Carnmoney Village (Carnvue)

Carnmoney (Burnthill Road)

Glengormley (Cartmill's)

Antrim Road (Bellevue)

Antrim Road (Serpentine Road)

Antrim Road (Salisbury Avenue)

Antrim Road (Atlantic Avenue)

Carlisle Circus (Antrim Road)

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Service Number 1B , 1C ,1D,1F,1G

City Centre (Donegall Square West)

North Queen Street (Yorkgate)

Carlisle Circus (Antrim Road) |

Antrim Road (Eia Street)

Antrim Road (Salisbury Avenue)

Antrim Road (Serpentine Road)

Antrim Road (Bellevue)

Glengormley (Ulster Bank)

Antrim Road (Burney's Lane)

Sandyknowes (Ballyhenry Road)

Northcott (Link Road) |

Ballyclare Road (Northcott)

Ballyhenry (Ballyearl Way)

New Mossley (Manse Way)

Mossley (Rail Station)

Service Number 1E, 1H,1G

Ballyhenry (BallyearlWay)

Sandyknowes (Ballyhenry Road)

Roughfort (Turning Circle)

Mallusk (Parkmount)

Hightown Road (Turning Circle)

Royal Mail (Enterprise Way) 0610

Antrim Road (Burney's Lane)

Glengormley (Cartmill's)

Antrim Road (Bellevue)

Antrim Road (Serpentine Road)

Antrim Road (Salisbury Avenue)

Antrim Road (Atlantic Avenue)

Carlisle Circus (AntrimRoad)

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Service Number 2A and 2B

Fairview Road (Turning Circle)

Fairview Road (Beverley Shops)

Carnmoney Village (Carnvue)

Carnmoney (Burnthill Road)

Ballyclare Road (Northcott)

Gengormley (Cartmill’s)

Antrim Road (Bellevue) Upper Whitewell (Throne Centre)

Abbeycentre

Lower Whitewell (White City)

Shore Road (Gray’s Lane)

Shore Road (Lidl/Asda)

Yorkgate Station

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Service Number 2D, 2E, 2F

Monkstown (Devenish Drive)

Doagh Road (Cherrylands)

Cloughfern (Whiteabbey Hospital)

Doagh Road (Green End)

Rathcoole (Primary School)

Valley Leisure Centre

Rathcoole (Diamond)

Merville Garden Village

Abbeycentre

Shore Road (Gray’s Lane)

Shore Road (Lidl/Asda)

Yorkgate Station

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Service 13,13A and 13C

City Centre (Donegall Square West)

Hydepark (Trench Road) |

Sandyknowes (Ballyhenry Road)

Prince Charles Way (Glebe Road)

Carnmoney Village (Carnvue)

Fairview Road (Beverley Shops)

Fairview Road (Ballyduff Shops)

Ballyfore Road (Doagh Road)

Doagh Road (Cherrylands)

Glenville (Monkstown Avenue)

Cloughfern (Station Road) |

Cloughfern (Whiteabbey Hospital)

Doagh Road (Green End)

East Antrim Institute |

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Service 13 and 13B

City Centre (Donegall Square West)

Sandyknowes (Ballyhenry Road)

Prince Charles Way (Glebe Road)

Carnmoney Village (Carnvue)

Fairview Road (Beverley Shops)

Fairview Road (Ballyduff Shops)

Ballyfore Road (Doagh Road)

Doagh Road (Cherrylands)

Glenville (Monkstown Avenue)

Cloughfern (Whiteabbey Hospital)

Doagh Road (Green End)

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Service 14 and 14B

City Centre (Donegall Square West)

Doagh Road (Green End)

Cloughfern (Whiteabbey Hospital)

Glenville (Monkstown Avenue)

Doagh Road (Cherrylands)

Ballyfore Road (Doagh Road)

Fairview Road (Ballyduff Shops)

Fairview Road (Beverley Shops)

Carnmoney Village (Carnvue)

Prince Charles Way (Glebe Road)

Sandyknowes (Ballyhenry Road)

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Service 14 and 14A

City Centre (Donegall Square West)

East Antrim Institute

Doagh Road (Green End)

Cloughfern (Whiteabbey Hospital)

Cloughfern (Station Road)

Doagh Road (Cherrylands)

Ballyfore Road (Doagh Road)

Fairview Road (Ballyduff Shops)

Fairview Road (Beverley Shops)

Carnmoney Village (Carnvue)

Prince Charles Way (Glebe Road)

Sandyknowes (Ballyhenry Road)

City Centre (Donegall Place)

Road Projects in North Down

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) what road projects are planned by the Roads Service for North Down parliamentary constituency; (ii) the cost of each project; and (iii) the time to complete each project.

(AQW 7195/08)

Mr C Murphy: The table below details projects currently planned by my Department’s Roads Service.

Location	Details	Estimated Cost (£K)	Estimated Completion
Bangor
Castle Park Avenue / Castle Park Road	Carriageway resurfacing	135	2008/09
Ballymaconnell Road South	Traffic calming	15	2008/09
Castle Park Road	Traffic calming	10	2008/09
Drumhirk Drive	Traffic calming	25	2008/09
Gray’s Hill area	Traffic calming	35	2008/09
Skipperstone Road/Whitehill Drive	Traffic calming	30	2008/09
West Circular Road at Clandeboye Retail Park	Controlled crossing	35	2008/09
Gransha Road at Bloomfield Road	Controlled crossing	40	2008/09
A2 Belfast Road/ Old Belfast Road	Upgrade signals	130	2008/09
Gransha Road/Balloo Road	Upgrade signals	80	2008/09
St Malachy’s and Clandeboye Primary Schools, Clandeboye Road	School warning signs	15	2008/09
Holywood
Seahill Road	Traffic calming	15	2008/09
Donaghadee
High Street	Controlled crossing	30	2008/09
Ashfield Drive	Street lighting	25	2008/09
Millisle
Abbey Road and Moss Road	Traffic calming	5	2008/09
Abbey Road	Footway link	10	2008/09
Moss Road	Hard standing at bus stop	1	2008/09
Moss Road	Street lighting at car park	25	2008/09

The afore listed schemes are programmed for completion during 2008/09. However, their delivery will be subject to the successful conclusion of the public consultation and legislative processes, where necessary, and the exact start dates will depend on the individual contractors’ work programmes.

Departmental Electrical Equipment

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development how many (i) laptops; and (ii) mobile phones, have been bought by his Department since devolution; and to detail the cost of each category of equipment.

(AQW 7222/08)

Mr C Murphy: Since the date of devolution the Department for Regional Development has received a managed service for all its infrastructure and desktop needs, including the provision of personal computers, from DFP’s new Shared Service Centre. Consequently the Department has not purchased any laptops.

The Department has issued 74 mobile telephones to staff at no cost as the service providers supply the handsets free of charge.

The Department has purchased 48 Blackberry devices at a cost of £4,135. Although the primary reason for purchasing these devices is for their mobile email facilities they can also be used as mobile phones.

Departmental Grants

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development for the details of all grants available through his Department.

(AQW 7324/08)

Mr C Murphy: The following table sets out the grants currently available through my Department and also the purpose for which the grants are paid.

Grant available	Purpose of Grant
Public Service Obligation	Compensation to Northern Ireland Railways for meeting its obligation to run a schedule of train passenger services.
Concessionary Fares Scheme	Grant reimbursing operators of bus and rail services for providing subsidised travel to the eligible categories of people in the NI Concessionary Fares Scheme.
Fuel Duty Rebate	Rebate to bus operators of the duty paid on fuel oil used in the provision of stage carriage services.
NITHC Pensions	Grant to Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to discharge its obligations for pensions and other compensations to former Belfast Corporation and Ulster Transport Authority employees.
NILGOSC Contributions	Grant towards Translink employer pension contributions to Northern Ireland Officers’ Superannuation Committee which administers the Local Government pension scheme for Northern Ireland.
Capital Bus Grants	Grant towards approved capital expenditure by Translink on new buses and bus infrastructure including bus stations, workshops and garages.
Capital Rail Grants	Grant towards approved capital expenditure by Northern Ireland Railways on trains, the railway network and infrastructure.
Transport Programme for People with Disabilities	Grant towards the provision of specialised transport services for people with disabilities.
Grant available	Purpose of Grant
Rural Transport Fund	Revenue grant for the provision of transport services for people in rural areas.
Warrenpoint Harbour Deep Water Quay and Roll on Roll off	Capital Grants to Trust Ports towards capital works and infrastructure improvements.
Assistance To City of Derry Airport	Capital Grants towards City of Derry Airport for capital works and infrastructure improvements
Rathlin Island Ferry Service Capital Grant	Capital grant to improve the ferry service.
Rathlin Island Ferry Revenue Subsidy	Revenue grant for the provision of a lifeline ferry service to Rathlin Island.
Water Main / Public Sewer Reasonable Cost Allowance	A Reasonable Cost Allowance towards the cost of providing a water main or public sewer to serve an existing property that is not currently connected to the mains water supply or public sewer network.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) how many visits he has made outside Northern Ireland since devolution; (ii) the method and cost of transportation for each trip; and (iii) the type and cost of accommodation for each trip, including details for accompanying officials.

(AQW 7346/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have made 14 visits outside the North since Devolution. Details are set out in the table below. Costs for trips made by official car are not held by the Department.

Date	Visit	Transportation		Accommodation
		Method	Cost	Type	Cost
23 Aug 2007	Dundalk – Newry/Dundalk Joint Committee (Spatial Planning)	Minister – Official Car 3 Officials - Car	Costs not held £88	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
			Total Cost £88
18 Sept 2007	Dublin – Gateways to an All Island Economy Conference	Minister and 2 Officials (Newry to Dublin) – Official Car 3 Officials – Car Public Transport and Taxis	Costs not held. £127.10 £7.30	Hotel Minister and 3 Officials
			Total cost £134.40		Total Cost £270
28 Sept 2007	Killiney -Irish Ports Association – Annual Conference	Minister and 2 Officials (Newry to Dublin) – Official Car 3 Officials - Car	Costs not held. £134.30	Hotel Minister and 3 officials.	Accommodation costs covered by conference organisers – IPA.
			Total Cost £134.30
3 Oct 2007	Dublin – National Water Summit	Minister and 2 Officials – Train Public Transport and Taxis	£81 £18.75	Hotel Minister and 2 Officials
			Total Cost £99.75		Total Cost £405
3 - 8 Oct 2007	United States of America	Minister and 3 Officials – Plane Public Transport and Taxis	£1915.55 £95.39	Hotel Minister and 3 Officials
			Total Cost£2010.94		Total Cost£2793.23
17 Oct 2007	Dublin – NSMC Meeting on Waterways	Minister – Official Car 2 Officials – Car	Costs not held. £83.70	Not applicable	Not applicable
			Total Cost £83.70
1 Nov 2007	Dundalk – Gateways Conference	Minister – Official Car 1 Official – Car	Costs not held £41.20	Not applicable	Not applicable
			Total Cost £41.20
12 Dec 2007	Dublin – NSMC Transport Sectoral	Minister – Official Car 6 Officials - Car	Costs not held. £298.80	Not applicable	Not applicable
			Total Cost £298.80
13 Dec 2007	London – Institute of Highways and Transportation Annual Luncheon	Minister and 1 Official – Plane Public Transport (Heathrow Express)	£724.25 £56	Not applicable	Not applicable
			Total Cost £780.25
20 - 22 Feb 2008	Amsterdam – Study Tour - Rapid Transit Systems	Minister and 5 Officials Plane Public Transport Train	£463.50£196.70	Hotel Minister and 5 Officials
			Total Cost £660.20		Total Cost £1410.72
6 Mar 2008	Dublin – Conference ‘The Challenges posed by the All-island Economy for the Public Sector in both parts of the island’	Minister – Car 1 Official – Public Transport TrainTaxi	Costs not held. £30.00£9.47	Hotel -1 Official
			Total Cost £39.47		Total Cost £141.24
30 Apr 2008	Edinburgh - Meeting with Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure &Climate Change to discuss transport links between Larne and Stranraer	Minister and 3 Officials Plane Public Transport and Taxis	£955.68 £43.00	Not applicable	Not applicable
			Total Cost £998.68
13 May 2008	Dublin – Transport Ireland Conference	Minister and 2 Officials – Public Transport Train Taxi	£162 £35.74	Hotel Minister and 2 Officials
			Total Cost £197.74		Total Cost £429.63
19 May 2008	Cardiff - BIC for Junior Minister Kelly	Minister and 2 Officials – Plane		Hotel Minister and 2 Officials
			Total Cost £1057.65		Total Cost £360

Water Rates Relief

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his Department's policy on providing water rates relief to places of worship.

(AQW 7378/08)

Mr C Murphy: Whilst places of worship are not liable to pay rates, the Independent Water Review Panel in its Strand 2 report concluded that everyone should contribute towards water and sewerage services. Places of worship are classed as non-domestic and it is Northern Ireland Water’s policy to install water meters for billing purposes on all properties that are not used exclusively for domestic purposes, including charities and other non-profit organisations such as churches and schools. This policy has been in place for a number of years and, prior to the recent extension of non-domestic payments, the company was already billing some 1,200 church properties.

The Executive agreed with the Panel’s recommendation that billing for water and sewerage services should be extended to all non-domestic properties from 1 April 2008 but agreed to phase in the extension over a two year period. Customers will pay half of the full bill in 2008/09 and the full amount from 2009/10.

Rail Accident Investigation Branch Report- Recommendation 6

Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give urgent attention to recommendation six contained in the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report in relation to the accident at crossing XL202.

(AQW 7385/08)

Mr C Murphy: I would refer the Member to my earlier reply of 9 May 2008 when I give him my assurance that officials would work closely with Northern Ireland Railways and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to ensure that all recommendations included in the report are fully considered and implemented if appropriate. I confirm that this includes recommendation 6.

Departmental Compensation

Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Regional Development how much compensation was paid out by his Department to claimants from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2008, for damage to their cars due to road conditions; and how many applications for compensation were (i) received; (ii) accepted; and (iii) rejected, during this period.

(AQW 7425/08)

Mr C Murphy: During the 5-year period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2008, £1,002,514.25 compensation was paid to 4,178 successful vehicle damage claimants. During the same period, 7,744 new vehicle damage claims were received. Of those 7,744 new claims received, 3,498 were settled with compensation paid totalling £766,036.30 while 3,563 concluded without compensation being paid. The remaining 683 are still outstanding.

Improving Pedestrian Links at Sydenham Station

Mr Cobain asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to improve the existing pedestrian links between Sydenham station and George Best Belfast City Airport.

(AQO 3707/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is currently progressing a road improvement scheme to upgrade the A2 Sydenham Bypass to a three lane Dual Carriageway, from the end of the M3 slip lanes to the Tillysburn Junction. This major scheme will include the replacement of the existing footbridge at the Sydenham Station with a new structure. As part of the scheme development process, Roads Service has already been in consultation with Translink regarding the possible design options and locations for the new footbridge.

A public information and consultation event for the proposed scheme was held in the Park Avenue Hotel on 14 and 15 May 2008. Those attending were invited to respond to a range of issues, including the nature of their current usage of the footbridge. The information gleaned from this consultation will inform the scheme development process.

The exact position of the proposed footbridge has not been determined yet. However, it will form part of the detailed proposals for the next round of formal consultation.

In addition to the new footbridge, a new high quality shared footway/cycleway is being proposed to run along the airport side of the new dual carriageway.

Water Charges

Mr Lunn asked the Minister for Regional Development how many bills will be posted for water charges.

(AQO 3766/08)

Mr C Murphy: As a result of changes to non-domestic water and sewerage contributions from April 2008, I understand that during the year (1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009), Northern Ireland Water is planning to post approximately 157,000 bills to non-domestic customers for water and sewerage charges and trade effluent charges where applicable.

Households are not being billed for water and sewerage services this year.

It is estimated that Northern Ireland Water delivers water and sewerage services to 660,000 households. The Executive agreed in October 2007 that these households would be billed for these services in 2009/10.

Climate Change Bill Targets

Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what correspondence he has had with the Minister of the Environment in relation to the Climate Change Bill targets and how his Department will contribute to these targets.

(AQO 3812/08)

Mr C Murphy: The Climate Change Bill was discussed by the Executive on 13 September 2007.

I have had no other correspondence with the Minister of the Environment on this matter.

I will work closely with the Minister of the Environment and Executive colleagues to determine any appropriate Climate Change targets for my Department.

Upgrading the Larne Line Station Facilities

Mr S Wilson asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide an update on the upgrading of station facilities on the Larne line.

(AQO 3700/08)

Mr C Murphy: Works to upgrade all stations on the Larne line in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 are being taken forward in conjunction with Translink’s New Rail Vision project and are well underway.

The works include re-surfacing of platforms, tactile paving, access ramps, improvements to lighting and new signage.

The programme for the works on the Larne line is due to be complete by the end of the summer.

Glenmonagh Site

Mr Adams asked the Minister for Regional Development if he intends to take forward the proposal of establishing an interdepartmental group for the Glenmonagh and adjacent site in the West Belfast parliamentary constituency.

(AQO 3806/08)

Mr C Murphy: When I visited West Belfast on 19 March, I agreed that I would explore your formal proposal of establishing an Inter Departmental Group to oversee the development of the Glenmonagh and adjacent site. My Department has a significant interest in this site, as do others, in terms of water and sewerage, roads and the rapid transit system.

Since then my officials have been speaking with officials in other Departments to maximise input to this process from across Government.

I have written to relevant Ministers and expect a response shortly.

Cycle Routes

Mr B McCrea asked the Minister for Regional Development what strategies he has in place to increase awareness of cycle routes.

(AQO 3705/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department’s Roads Service is proactive in promoting cycling and the development of the cycling infrastructure in the North. A good example is the National Cycle Network (NCN), a network of approximately 700 miles of signed cycle ways across the North. Roads Service provides the direction road signage to indicate the location of the NCN and signage is an integral part of all new cycle path schemes.

In addition, Roads Service has produced, or contributed to, the production of a wide range of cycle route guides and maps to promote the NCN and to promote cycling in general. These publications provide comprehensive information on various elements of the NCN and titles include:

• Belfast by Bike;
• The Lagan and Lough Cycle Way;
• King Fisher Trail;
• Loughshore Trail;
• Belfast to Ballyshannon;
• Cycling in the Borough of Coleraine;
• Ballyshannon to Ballycastle Cycle Route; and
• Sperrins Region Cycle Route Map

Work is currently underway on the production of a promotional document in relation to the Comber Greenway.

Roads Service is also involved in promoting cycling to school through its Travelwise NI Safer Routes to Schools Programme. This initiative aims to tackle the impact of the ‘school run’ by encouraging more pupils, parents and teachers to walk, cycle, use public transport, or car share the journey to school.

Free Public Transport for Special Needs Children

Ms Lo asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration he has given to providing free public transport for special needs children, following the introduction of the new curriculum, and the focus on independent living and developing life skills.

(AQO 3751/08)

Mr C Murphy: Registered blind children are already eligible for free travel on public transport. Following a review of the Concessionary Fares Scheme I bid for the additional resources needed to extend the Scheme to provide free travel to people with disabilities. This would have included children with learning difficulties. The Executive, however, decided to make available the resources to allow free public transport to be extended to persons aged 60 and over during 2008.

Status of N2/A5 Project

Mr Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development to provide a timescale for completing the upgrade to dual carriageway status of the A5/N2 project.

(AQO 3814/08)

Mr C Murphy:

The Executive and Irish Government agreed three milestones for the A5/N2 dualling project:

• identification of the preferred corridor by late 2008;
• identification of a preferred route within that corridor by mid 2009; and
• publication of draft statutory orders in 2010.

Subject to satisfactory progress through the statutory procedures and the availability of funding at that time, it is anticipated that construction could commence during 2012 with completion by 2015.

Safer Bus Stops

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development what steps he will take to upgrade bus stops to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.

(AQO 3729/08)

Mr C Murphy: My Department has developed three Transport Plans which include transport proposals for all modes of transport, including improvements to facilities at bus stops in towns, cities and rural areas, where necessary.

Within the Plans, it is proposed that main bus stops in town centres and other well-used stops in housing areas, will be upgraded to include high quality shelters and up-to-date service information. Proposals also include the provision of raised kerbs to allow passengers, including those with buggies and wheelchairs, to conveniently and safely board the low floor accessible buses. High visibility bus stop road markings and surfacing in red will be provided to discourage illegal parking and loading. Where these measures prove ineffective, further measures including kerbed ‘built-outs’, which protrude into the road, will be considered.

The Plans also propose that each rural settlement will have at least two main bus stops equipped to modern standards, including safe crossing facilities where appropriate. Paved areas will be provided at bus stops on rural roads.

These improvements will be designed in accordance with best practice guidance, as outlined in my Department’s Bus Stop Design Guide. This guide provides advice on bus stop locations, which are agreed between Roads Service, Translink and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, following prime consideration of road and pedestrian safety, in addition to convenience to the travelling public.

Provision of Services on Motorways

Mr Attwood asked the Minister for Regional Development what priority he is giving to the provision of 'services' on motorways.

(AQO 3728/08)

Mr C Murphy: The provision of service areas adjacent to motorways is currently a developer-led matter and, as such, my Department’s Roads Service has not allocated any resources towards such provision.

I am advised that outline planning approval was granted in the mid-1990’s for the provision of service areas on lands adjacent to the M1 and M2 motorways, however, to date, there appears to be no concerted effort, on behalf of the developer, to proceed to construction.

Privatisation of Ports

Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has considered the recommendation in the Varney Report that ports should be privatised, and to outline his policy in relation to this recommendation.

(AQO 3737/08)

Mr C Murphy: I am aware of the recommendations contained in Sir David Varney’s Report on Competitiveness.

I outlined my conclusions in relation to the ports policy review on 29 February 2008. These did not include privatisation.

The legislative proposals which I intend to bring forward will provide the trust ports with greater commercial freedom to operate as envisaged by Sir David Varney.

Walking and Cycling to Work

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Regional Development what discussions he has had with the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to encourage businesses to promote walking and cycling to work.

(AQO 3706/08)

Mr C Murphy: I have had no direct discussions with the Department of Finance and Personnel or the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, to encourage businesses to promote walking and cycling to work. However, my Department’s Roads Service has responsibility for liaising directly with businesses, through its Travelwise campaign, to encourage greater use of sustainable transport. This includes walking and cycling as well as greater use of public transport and car sharing where these provide realistic options for the journey to work.

During 2007/08, meetings were held with 28 businesses to offer support and encourage the development of Workplace Travel Plans. To date 5 businesses have indicated their interest in preparing such plans. Roads Service’s programme of promoting Workplace Travel Plans with businesses is ongoing and is open to all employers in the North who wish to take part.

Rapid Transport System

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on, and timescale for, the rapid transport system.

(AQO 3802/08)

Mr C Murphy: I published the feasibility study on 8 April 2008 and am currently seeking views from a number of key interested parties on the report’s findings and recommendations. A ‘Take Note’ debate in the Assembly has been arranged for tomorrow when members will have the opportunity to share their views. I will then consider all the responses which will assist me and Executive colleagues in reaching a final decision on the way forward. My intention is to meet the commitment in the Programme for Government and commence work on the first rapid transit line by 2011.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Renewable Energy Heating Systems

Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Social Development, in light of the rise in the cost of fossil fuels, what plans she has to give Housing Executive tenants the option of installing renewable energy heating systems.

(AQW 7047/08)

The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): Between August 2006 and March 2008 the Housing Executive installed solar water heating panels in 2,027 dwellings.

The Housing Executive has tested different types of renewable energy systems including;

• Solar Photo Voltaic panels
• Solar ventilation systems
• Solar Photo Voltaic and Thermal roof tiles
• Ground Source Heat Pump
• Wind Turbine
• Wood pellet boilers.

The Housing Executive may consider wider installation of these renewable techonologies when they are fully evaluated.

Provided the Housing Executive approves the work, tenants have the option of installing renewable energy heating systems at their own expense.

North Down Borough Maintenance Budget

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the Housing Executive maintenance budget for the North Down borough for each of the years 2006 and 2007; and how much has been allocated for 2008.

(AQW 7073/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is as follows:

Activity Areas	Actual Spend		Projected Spend2008/09£m
	2006/07£m	2007/08£m
Capital Improvement Work	3.583	3.914	3.174
Planned Maintenance Work	1.303	0.533	1.032
Response Maintenance	1.590	1.367	1.373
Grounds Maintenance (South East Area	1.505	1.480	1.506
Total	7.981	7.294	7.085

The figures exclude expenditure on Disabled Adaptations.

Investment in North Down

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money is being invested in deprived unionist areas in the North Down parliamentary constituency to improve housing over the next three years.

(AQW 7102/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I refer to my recent answers to you in respect of the Rathgill, Breezemount and Kilcooley estates in Bangor. The reference numbers are AQWs 7099/08, 7100/08 and 7101/08. In addition, the Social Housing Development Programme provides for one new build scheme in Rathgill Zone I, for 36 general needs houses in 2008/09. This project has a total scheme cost in excess of £5m spread over a three year period.

Bloomfield Housing Estate in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money is being invested in Bloomfield Estate, Bangor to improve housing conditions over the next three years.

(AQW 7143/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive’s planned schemes within the Bloomfield Estate for the period requested are as follows:

Scheme	Dwellings	Programmed start date	Scheme value
2007/08
BLOOMFIELD 1 BED FLATS MULTI ELEMENT IMPROVEMENT*	34	31 March 2008	£1,176,640
			£1,176,640
2009/10
BLOOMFIELD EXTERNAL CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE	159	August 2009	£322,267
			£322,267
2010/11
BLOOMFIELD KITCHENS	120	April 2010	£540,000
BLOOMFIELD/WILLOWBROOK / CONLIG HEATING	178	April 2010	£787000
			£1,327,000
			£2,825,907

* This scheme only started on 31 March 2008 so the expenditure will, be incurred in the current financial year.

Routine and response maintenance work will continue as required.

Conlig in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money is being invested in Conlig, Bangor to improve housing conditions over the next three years.

(AQW 7144/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The following table details the Housing Executive’s programmed planned improvement schemes within Conlig, Bangor for 2007/08. There are no further Housing Executive schemes programmed for the period requested nor have any grants been paid. No Housing Association schemes are planned for the next three years

Conlig Planned Improvement Schemes

2007/08
CRAWFORDSBURN/G'PORT/CONLIG EXTERNAL CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE	225	21/01/08	£262,000
CONLIG KITCHEN REPLACEMENT	19	17/09/07	£75,000
			£337,000

Whitehill Housing Estate in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money is being invested in Whitehill Estate, Bangor to improve housing conditions over the next three years.

(AQW 7145/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive’s programmed planned improvement schemes within Whitehill Estate, Bangor for 2007/08 are set out in the following table. No further schemes are programmed for the period requested.

2007/08
WHITEHILL PHASE 3 MULTI ELEMENT IMPROVEMENT	64	20/08/07	£1,196,450
WHITEHILL PHASE 4 MULTI ELEMENT IMPROVEMENT	77	31/03/08	£1,237,000
			£2,433,450

Routine and response maintenance work will continue as required.

Strand Estate in Holywood

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money is being invested in Strand Estate, Holywood to improve housing conditions over the next three years.

(AQW 7146/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive completed its planned improvement scheme to 33 dwellings within the Strand area of Holywood in 2006/07 at a cost of £1,048,000. There are no further schemes programmed for the period requested. Routine and response maintenance work will continue as required.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Mr Storey asked the Minister for Social Development how much funding has been provided to Citizen Advice Bureaux, broken down by council area, for 2008-2009.

(AQW 7152/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Unfortunately it is not possible to provide the information requested at this time, it will not be available until expenditure profiles are returned by the Local Councils for the 2008/2009 year. When my officials are in possession of the financial breakdown of funding from the Councils (in approximately six weeks time) the information will be posted in the Assembly Library.

Loughview and Redburn Areas in Holywood

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money is being invested in the Loughview and Redburn areas, Holywood to improve housing conditions over the next three years.

(AQW 7163/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive’s current programmed planned improvement schemes within Loughview and Redburn areas, Holywood, for the period requested are as follows:

Scheme	Dwellings	Programmed start date	Scheme value
2008/09
LOUGHVIEW KITCHENS PH3	98	June 2008	£479,600
			£479,600
2009/10
HOLYWOOD ROOMHEATERS	109	April 2009	£421,000
(Scheme is across estates)			£421,000
2010/11
REDBURN/L’VIEW/STRAND EXTERNAL CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE	390	January 2011	£624,000
(Scheme is across estates)			£624,000
			£1,524,600

Routine and response maintenance work will continue as required.

Beechfield Estate in Donaghadee

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money is being invested in Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee to improve housing conditions over the next three years.

(AQW 7164/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive’s currently programmed planned improvement schemes within Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee, for the period requested are as follows:

Scheme	Dwellings	Programmed start date		Scheme value
2009/10
DONAGHADEE HEATING	96	April 2009	£422,400
BEECHFIELD ESTATE EXTERNAL CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE	214	April 2009	£342,400
CYPRESS CRES/EAST ST KITCHENS	33	April 2009	£148,500
D’DEE MILLISLE OPEN FIRES HEATING SCHEME	50	April 2009	£220,000
VICTORIA BUNGALOWS MULTI ELEMENT IMPROVEMENT	10	April 2009	£536,300
			£1,669,600
2010/11
DONAGHADEE /COTTOWN EXTERNAL CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE	336	April 2011	£537,600
			£537,600
Total			£2,207,200

Routine and response maintenance work will continue as required.

Social Housing in East Belfast

Mr Newton asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to create new social housing in East Belfast parliamentary constituency; and how many social houses are to be built in East Belfast in 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

(AQW 7169/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In addition to the 224 units already under construction, the Social Housing Development Programme for the East Belfast Constituency makes provision for 145 new starts in 2008/09, 87 new starts in 2009/10 and 107 new starts in 2010/11.

Housing associations continue to seek sites in areas of East Belfast where housing need has been identified. The Housing Executive is also pursuing the identification of potential development sites within its own land holdings.

Departmental Electrical Equipment

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Social Development how many (i) laptops; and (ii) mobile phones, have been bought by her Department since devolution; and to detail the cost of each category of equipment.

(AQW 7221/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is in the table below.

Equipment	Number Bought	Cost
Laptop computers	29	£20,955
Mobile phones (1)	-	-
Blackberry devices (2)	86	£4,912

⁽¹⁾ Mobile phones are procured through NICS contracts and are usually rented rather than bought outright.

⁽²⁾ Hand-held Blackberry devices essentially offer calendar and e-mail functions similar to a laptop as well as mobile phone functionality. For this reason, numbers and cost details have been included in the answer.

Low Income Families

Mr McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Development what steps she is taking to protect low income families in relation to the current financial climate.

(AQW 7236/08)

Ms M Ritchie: OFMdFM has lead responsibility for tackling poverty in Northern Ireland. However, my Department administers the payment of a range of social security benefits such as Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payments. These are a vital tool in protecting those in greatest need from the effects of poverty.

Co-Ownership Housing Association

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development (i) for the full details of public funding received for Co-ownership schemes; and (ii) if she intends to enter into PFI/PPP arrangements to fill the gap in the Co-ownership scheme.

(AQW 7267/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association (NICHA) started this year with a grant of £15 million. NICHA will use the £15 million grant along with external finance to achieve the Programme for Government target of assisting 500 applicants this year.

Responsibility for day to day financial management, including the pursuit of external finance, rests with the Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association. I have no plans at this stage to pursue Private Finance (PFI) / Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

Co-Ownership Housing Association

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development when the Co-ownership Housing Association notified her of the intention to suspend the Co-ownership Housing Scheme.

(AQW 7275/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association did not notify me of its intention to suspend the Co-ownership Scheme.

I refer the member to my answer to AQW 6987/08.

Co-Ownership Housing Association

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister for Social Development if all applications for the Co-ownership Housing Scheme, which were received by the Co-ownership Housing Association before the announcement to suspend the scheme, will be granted.

(AQW 7276/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The processing of applications to the co-ownership scheme is a matter for the Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association. In its statement made on 18 March 2008 the Co-ownership Association said it did not expect the announcement to stop taking applications to affect the households who are currently in the middle of purchasing a home through the co-ownership scheme.

I am aware that the Association is currently processing applications and is seeking to secure external finance.

Social Housing in Sion Mills

Mr Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development if her Department has been offered land for social housing in the village of Sion Mills within the last 12 months.

(AQW 7279/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Sion Mills PSNI station was initially offered to a housing association for social housing through the surplus public sector lands clearing process. However, this site was subsequently withdrawn.

Social Housing in Strabane

Mr Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development what land is available within the Strabane District Council area for social housing.

(AQW 7280/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The following table details the current undeveloped Housing Executive land holdings in Strabane, and outlines current plans for each site. Sites programmed for transfer to housing associations will be used for social housing. Sites transferring to the surplus land schedule are those not required for social housing. These sites will normally be put on the open market for sale. Sites retained for future use are those pending decision on a definite development proposal.

Location	Site Area (HA)	Programmed for transfer to Housing Assoc	Transfer to Surplus Land Schedule	Retain for future use	Comments
Leckpatrick Gdns, Artigarvan	0.82		ü
Eden Park, Castlederg	0.52		ü
The Crescent, Clady	1.33			ü	Housing need identified
Patrician Villas	5.90		ü
Glenelly View, Plumbridge	0.06		ü
Listymore Park	0.92		ü
Mason Rd/Blackstone	0.38			ü	Latent demand testing required
Urney Road, Clady	0.10	ü			NIHE marker site for transfer
Corickmore/Plumbridge	0.44			ü
14- 16 Newtown Street	0.05			ü
Townsend Street	0.18			ü	Possible development of site
Forthill Park, Newtownstewart	0.12	ü			Transfer to Rural HA 2008/09
	10.8

 

Beechfield Estate in Donaghadee

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many homes in the Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee, are owned (i) privately; and (ii) by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7296/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are 53 properties owned privately and 114 properties owned by the Housing Executive in the Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee.

Regeneration of Carrickfergus Town Centre

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development when funding will be made available for the masterplan that will instigate the Re-generation scheme for Carrickfergus town centre.

(AQW 7307/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department has now set aside £75,000 to procure Masterplanning Consultants. Officials are awaiting a formal response from the Carrickfergus Development Company, on the Terms of Reference for the procurement of the consultant team.

Once the Terms of Reference have been agreed the tender process will proceed immediately.

Beechfield Estate in Donaghadee

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development if she will acknowledge that there are pockets of social deprivation within the Beechfield Estate, Donaghadee.

(AQW 7308/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My Department uses the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005 to measure multiple deprivation. There are 4 Super Output Areas (SOA) in Donaghadee and the most deprived in this area is Donaghadee South 1 where the Beechfield Estate is located. Based on the Multiple Deprivation Measure Donaghadee South1 SOA has an overall rank of 365 out of 890 SOAs, where 1 is the most deprived and 890 the least deprived. The key programme for tackling multiple deprivation in an area, Neighbourhood Renewal, only targets the 10% most deprived.

Departmental Grants

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development for the details of all grants available through her Department.

(AQW 7320/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The following is a list of the presently available funding programmes delivered by the Department for Social Development, which offer grants to individuals or to organisations.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund

Areas at Risk Pilot Programme

Urban Development Grant

Laganside Events Grant

Laganside Community Activity Grant

Belfast City Centre Promotions 

The Social Fund Community Care Grants

Sure Start Maternity Grants

Access to some Grants will be subject to the availability of funding and entitlement conditions.

The Modernisation Fund

Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development (i) what groups will be funded under the Department's 'Modernisation Fund' and for what programmes; and (ii) what groups applied for, and will not receive, funding under this programme.

(AQW 7325/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Modernisation Fund being implemented by my Department is delivered through two separate programmes, namely the Modernisation Fund Revenue Programme and the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme.

Closing to application in January 2006 the Modernisation Fund Revenue Programme received some 163 applications. Following detailed assessment and evaluation 18 applications were successful in securing resources and these are currently being implemented by the project applicants. Details of the successful and unsuccessful applications will be listed in the Assembly Library.

The Modernisation Fund Capital Programme closed to application on 19 October 2007 at which time some 475 applications had been received across the three schemes within the programme.

To date only the initial assessment of applications has been completed and only upon full completion will the identity of all successful applicants be known. Once this process has concluded I will ensure that the listing of successful applicants and unsuccessful applicants and their projects are listed in the Assembly Library and on my Departments web-site. This listing will provide details on applications across all three schemes of the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Social Development (i) how many visits she has made outside Northern Ireland since devolution; (ii) the method and cost of transportation for each trip; and (iii) the type and cost of accommodation for each trip, including details for accompanying officials.

(AQW 7347/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have made 13 visits outside Northern Ireland in my capacity as a Minister from 08 May 2007 to 22 May 2008. Details of the method and cost for transportation and the type and cost of accommodation for each trip are outlined in the table below. The costs for travel and accommodation provided include accompanying officials.

DATES	METHOD	DESTINATION	TOTAL TRANSPORT COST (flights/taxis/trains)	TOTAL ACCOMMODATION COSTS
26/06–29/06/2007	Flights/cars	Washington DC	£11,195.89	£1,220.22 - Hotel
07/09–08/09/2007	Flights/cars	Cambridge	£485	Nil
07/11/2007	Official car	Dublin	Nil	N/A
09/10–11/10/2007	Flights/cars	Brussels	£3,097.17	£2,153.02- Hotel
10/11/2007	Official car	Westport	Nil	Nil
27/11-28/11/2007	Flights/cars	London	£1,682.70	£3,297.06- Hotel
09/01/2008	Flights/cars	London	£1,592.80	£626- Hotel
15/01–16/01/2008	Official car	Dublin	Nil	£761.58- Hotel
07/02/2008	Official car	Dundalk	Nil	N/A
14/02/2008	Train	Dublin	£191	N/A
27/02/2008	Train	Dublin	£377	N/A
11/03–18/03/2008	Flights/cars	USA	£19,930.65	£2,828.43- Hotel
25/04/2008	Flights/cars	Cork	£393.48	£180.25- Hotel

Whitehill Housing Estate in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in the Whitehill Housing Estate, Bangor, are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7380/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are 277 properties owned by the Housing Executive in the Whitehill Housing Estate, Bangor.

Breezemount Housing Estate in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in the Breezemount Housing Estate, Bangor, are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7381/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are 126 properties owned by the Housing Executive in the Breezemount Housing Estate, Bangor.

Kilcooley Housing Estate in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in the Kilcooley Housing Estate, Bangor, are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7382/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are 759 properties owned by the Housing Executive in the Kilcooley Housing Estate, Bangor.

Rathgill Housing Estate in Belfast

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in the Rathgill Housing Estate, Bangor, are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7383/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are 277 properties owned by the Housing Executive in the Rathgill Housing Estate, Bangor.

Bloomfield Housing Estate in Bangor

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in the Bloomfield Housing Estate, Bangor, are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7384/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are 314 properties owned by the Housing Executive in the Bloomfield Housing Estate, Bangor.

Departmental Travel Expenses

Mr Savage asked the Minister for Social Development how much her Department has spent on travel expenses since devolution.

(AQW 7421/08)

Ms M Ritchie: From devolution on 8 May 2007 to the end of May 2008, my Department has incurred travel cost expenditure totalling £2,340,167.

Financial Cost of Division

Dr Farry asked the Minister for Social Development what conclusions have been drawn from the report of Deloitte and Touche into the financial cost of the Northern Ireland divide (i) on her Department's work; and (ii) in relation to potential efficiency savings.

(AQW 7440/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Deloitte and Touche Report, commissioned by the previous administration, recognises that a comprehensive aggregation of costs (of the cost of the troubles) is not possible.

Whilst having regard therefore to the information in the report, I have not drawn any direct conclusions from it in respect of my Department's work. Having said that, my Department is carrying out a major exercise to deliver efficiency savings as a consequence of this year’s budget settlement. This process will focus on, among other things, some of the issues raised in the Deloitte and Touche Report. I am committed to taking forward innovative service initiatives such as my recently announced shared housing developments that can contribute to achieving efficiencies and A Shared Future for all of our people.

Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme

Mr Weir asked the Minister for Social Development if a new application for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding can be made by non-statutory organisations; and if not, to detail the reasons why.

(AQW 7443/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have consistently identified the need for the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund to be targeted at the priority needs of Neighbourhood Renewal areas, as set out in the Neighbourhood Action Plans. Applications for funding to support delivery of these priorities may be invited from non statutory providers where they are determined to be the most appropriate providers depending upon local circumstances.

Housing Executive Homes in Conlig Village

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in Conlig village are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7448/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive owns 67 dwellings in Conlig Village.

Housing Executive Homes in Groomsport Village

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in Groomsport village are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7449/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive owns 61 dwellings in Groomsport Village.

Housing Executive Homes in Strand Avenue in Holywood

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in Strand Avenue, Holywood, are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7450/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive owns 71 dwellings in Strand Avenue, Holywood.

Housing Executive Homes in the Redburn and Loughview Estates in Holywood

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in the Redburn/Loughview Estates, Holywood, are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7451/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive owns 70 dwellings in Redburn Estate and 326 dwellings in Loughview Estate, Holywood.

Waterloo Place/Guildhall Square Public Realm scheme in Derry/Londonderry

Ms Anderson asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the planned Waterloo Place/Guildhall Square Public Realm scheme in Derry/Londonderry; and if the project is on schedule to meet the original completion date of December 2008.

(AQW 7456/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The timings, milestones and targets for the Derry City Centre Public Realm Scheme for Waterloo Place/Guildhall Square Public Realm Scheme remain as I advised the House in January of this year. Construction work is due to commence in July/August 2008.

Regulation of Landlords

Mr F McCann asked the Minister for Social Development, in light of the motion passed by the Assembly on 1 October 2007 calling for the mandatory registration of landlords in the private sector, (i) what action she has taken since the motion was passed; (ii) if she intends to bring forward legislation that fulfils the intent of the motion; (iii) for a timescale within which she will introduce this legislation; and (iv) what alternative plans she has to deal with private landlords.

(AQW 7469/08)

Ms M Ritchie: My officials are concluding their findings on the schemes currently in operation in Scotland and in the South of Ireland and are due to present a full report to me shortly. It may be that registration is not a panacea for all perceived problems with the private rented sector.

Officials are also conducting an evaluation of the impact of the Private Tenancies Order, which among other things seeks to enhance tenants’ rights. I am also developing a strategy for the private rented sector which will include consideration of a registration scheme and any issues flowing from the evaluation of the Private Tenancies Order. Other initiatives to be considered include a tenancy deposit scheme.

When the new strategy for the sector has been developed it may be that legislation is required. If this is the case it will be brought forward in the final session of this Assembly’s mandate.

Affordable Housing

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development to define affordable housing on the basis of cost.

(AQW 7484/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Sir John Semple recommended that affordable housing should be related to the ability to pay and to be affordable, housing costs should not exceed 35% of gross household income. I have accepted this definition.

Housing Executive Houses in Millisle Village

Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how many houses in Millisle village are owned by the Housing Executive.

(AQW 7490/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Housing Executive owns 144 dwellings in Millisle village.

Disability Living Allowance

Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 5527/08, how many people were in receipt of Disability Living Allowance in (i) January; (ii) February; and (iii) March, of (a) 2006; (b) 2007; and (c) 2008.

(AQW 7492/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The information requested is set out in the table below.

Disability Living Allowance – Recipients

	January	February	March
2006	168,345	168,787	168,397
2007	170,432	171,258	171,106
2008	173,236	173,091	173,685

Cost of Funerals

Mr I McCrea asked the Minister for Social Development what financial help is available towards the cost of funeral payments, for people in receipt of (i) Income Support; (ii) Job Seeker's Allowance; (iii) Disability Living Allowance; and (iv) Incapacity Benefit.

(AQW 7573/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Funeral Payments are available under the Social Fund Scheme to help individuals who are on low income, have responsibility for arranging a funeral and have insufficient funds to meet the costs involved. An individual or their partner may be eligible for a Funeral Payment if they are in receipt of Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit or Pension Credit. The Funeral Payment is intended to meet the costs of a simple, respectful, low cost funeral and is recoverable from any money available from the deceased’s estate. Receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Incapacity Benefit alone does not meet the qualifying conditions for a Funeral Payment.

Fuel Prices

Mr McClarty asked the Minister for Social Development what assessment has she made of the impact of increasing fuel prices on charities that provide free transport to people with disabilities; and what plans she has to alleviate this growing burden.

(AQW 7598/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I acknowledge the impact of rising fuel prices and as you may be aware I have recently established a Taskforce to look urgently at what measures the Executive can take to address household fuel poverty. However the provision of community transport to people with disabilities is primarily a matter for the Department for Regional Development.

Home Repossession

Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for Social Development if she will bring forward plans to support families who are facing immediate repossession of their homes.

(AQW 7607/08)

Ms M Ritchie: As part of my New Housing Agenda, I announced plans to bring forward a Not For Profit Mortgage Rescue Scheme specifically designed to support those families who may be in danger of losing their homes. I gave further information on how I will deliver this during Private Members Business in the Assembly on 2 June.

Heating in Housing Executive Homes

Mrs O'Neill asked the Minister for Social Development if the Housing Executive will afford its tenants the option of continuing to burn solid fuel when installing new heating systems.

(AQO 3797/08)

Ms M Ritchie: No. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has formulated its heating policy so as to meet the decent homes standard. This requires the use of high efficiency boilers and controllable heating systems. Solid fuel is neither efficient nor controllable and is also considered environmentally unfriendly.

Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme

Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister for Social Development if she is prepared to transfer some responsibility for the Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme to local councils.

(AQO 3763/08)

Ms M Ritchie: In support of my vision for strong local government I have delivered a sizeable package of functions for transfer to local government, this includes responsibility for delivery of Neighbourhood Renewal. In advance of the full transfer of these functions in 2011, I am looking at the feasibility of transferring some or all of these functions earlier, through stronger partnering arrangements between central and local government.

Regulation of Landlords

Mr O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Development to outline her plans to regulate private landlords in the social housing sector.

(AQO 3782/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The private rented sector plays an important role in the housing market. In February of this year, I met with representatives of the Landlords Association and gave an undertaking that my officials would arrange to meet regularly with them. The Private Tenancies Order, which came into effect in April 2007, introduced improved regulation of the sector. My officials have begun an evaluation of the impact of the Order. They are also examining developments in relation to the licensing of landlords in both Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

I want to complete and consider both pieces of work fully before deciding if further regulation is required here.

Fra McCann has also tabled a written question for answer in relation to the motion passed by the Assembly on 1 October 2007 calling for the mandatory registration of landlords in the private sector. My officials are concluding their findings on the schemes currently in operation in Scotland and in the South of Ireland and are due to present a full report to me shortly.

Housing Executive

Ms Lo asked the Minister for Social Development if the Housing Executive will be sympathetic to home owners whose house value has fallen below market value, when vesting houses on the Donegall Road, given that the compensation they receive may not be enough to pay off their existing mortgages.

(AQO 3775/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Homeowners affected by vesting are entitled not only to the market value of their property at the date of vesting, but also a Home Loss payment and a Disturbance payment. Homeowners can also appoint an agent to act their behalf and appropriate fees are payable by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Fuel Poverty

Mr Gardiner asked the Minister for Social Development what implications the aging population has for her long-term strategy of dealing with fuel poverty.

(AQO 3717/08)

Ms M Ritchie: As an Executive, I feel that we have the right policies on energy efficiency and support to address fuel poverty over the longer term. The biggest short-term challenge we face relates to the recent sharp rises in fuel prices. The Task Force on Fuel Poverty, which I have set up, will identify ways in which Government and others can help the most vulnerable over the winter.

Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme

Mr Molloy asked the Minister for Social Development how her Department determined the boundary of the Neighbourhood Renewal Area in Coalisland.

(AQO 3795/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I can confirm that the Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Area is based on five Census Output Areas in Coalisland that are listed in the 10% most deprived areas according to the NI Multiple Deprivation Measure, rather than four, as previously advised to you incorrectly by officials.

Fuel Poverty

Mr McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Development what measures she is taking to address the rising cost of fuel.

(AQO 3725/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The ever increasing cost of fuel which is almost entirely outside Government control makes the job of alleviating fuel poverty even more difficult. I have established a Task Force of representatives from Government departments working with the main stakeholders from the energy sector and voluntary groups to identify ways to help the most vulnerable in society. The Task Force will report back to me later this summer and it is my intention to secure Executive support for a package of measures to help those people most in need.

Housing Executive

Ms J McCann asked the Minister for Social Development what consideration her Department has given to the possibility of introducing a rent cap to assist those on Housing Benefit who are unable to meet the rent set by private landlords.

(AQO 3801/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There are no plans to introduce a cap on the amount of rent a private landlord can charge for a tenancy not subject to rent control. Protected tenants and properties which do not meet fitness standards on inspection by a District Council are rent controlled. Other properties are subject to the normal market forces of supply and demand.

The purpose of Housing Benefit is to assist persons on low incomes with reasonable housing costs. In deciding the maximum amount of Housing Benefit which can be paid to a tenant, the Housing Executive gathers information on rents being charged in local areas and sets a median value based on this. The amount of rent is determined both by the local rental market and by the size of the accommodation considered necessary for the size of a particular family unit using criteria contained in Housing Benefit Regulations. Accordingly it should be possible for prospective tenants to identify suitable rental properties of an adequate size within the broad rental market area which are within the limits set by the Housing Executive.

Housing in the Private Rental Sector

Mr Elliott asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to improve the quality of housing available in the private rental sector.

(AQO 3716/08)

Ms M Ritchie: There have been significant improvements in fitness levels in the private rented sector. The 2006 House Condition Survey recorded the level of unfitness in the sector at 2.7%. In the 2001 Survey, the figure was 8.7%.

I would expect to see further improvements over time as a result of the Private Tenancies Order 2006 which targets unfitness and disrepair through repair enforcement and rent control.

Housing in Rural Areas

Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development what steps she is taking to ensure that it is possible to provide more social and affordable housing in rural areas.

(AQO 3765/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I am a member of the Ministerial sub group, chaired by the Minister of the Environment, addressing the social housing requirements within PPS14. The Housing Executive launched its Rural Homes and People Action Plan in May 2007. It can be accessed via the Housing Executive’s website.

Underage Drinking

Dr McDonnell asked the Minister for Social Development what steps she can take to counter underage drinking.

(AQO 3792/08)

Ms M Ritchie: Combating underage drinking is a cross-cutting issue which involves many of my Executive colleagues, as well as the Secretary of State. I am committed to maximising the contribution which liquor licensing legislation, which is my responsibility, can make in conjunction with other initiatives to tackling underage alcohol abuse.

Warm Homes Scheme

Mr Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development if she has any plans to fast track the Warm Homes Scheme.

(AQO 3710/08)

Ms M Ritchie: I have been actively targeting the waiting list to ensure that those in greatest need receive assistance first. All those people on the waiting list over 70 years old will have their homes surveyed by 30 June 2008. All successful applicants between the ages 60 and 70 who have no central heating or rely on Economy 7 or solid fuel heating will also have their homes surveyed by the end of June. Whatever measures the surveys recommend to improve the energy efficiency of their homes will then be taken. I am continuing to bid for additional resources so the scheme can assist as many people as possible.

Social Housing Units

Mr Neeson asked the Minister for Social Development how many new social housing units are planned to be built during the 2008 calendar year.

(AQO 3776/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Social Development Programme operates on a financial year basis. My target for the year is 1,500 starts but, having exceeded my target for the financial year 2007/2008, I hope to better that and achieve 1600 this financial year, 2008/09. This will, of course, be dependent on sufficient funding being made available.

Co-Ownership Housing Association

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Social Development what steps she has taken to increase the available grant funding for the Co-ownership Scheme.

(AQO 3712/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association (NICHA) started this year with a grant of £15 million. They will use the £15 million grant along with external finance to achieve the Programme for Government target of assisting 500 applicants this year.

A bid for additional resources for the Co-ownership scheme will be submitted in the June monitoring round.

Lisanelly Army Site

Dr Deeny asked the Minister for Social Development if her Department has given a commitment to purchase the Lisanelly Army site on behalf of schools.

(AQO 3774/08)

Ms M Ritchie: The regeneration of Lisanelly Barracks, including a possible educational campus, is currently being explored by DSD officials working with the Department of Education, SIB, Omagh District Council, other interested parties and recently commissioned consultants. A key consideration is working out the quantum of land required for the campus and thus the land left for other purposes. However, in the absence of either gifting by the British Government, or a more flexible attitude by MOD on price, affordability for the Executive is a major concern.

CORRIGENDA

Written Answer Booklet of 25 April 2008
(Volume 29, No WA4)

In page WA261, col 1, replace the answer to question (AQW 5924/08) with;

DARD is not responsible for designation of watercourses. The designation of watercourses for maintenance by DARD Rivers Agency, at public expense, is determined by the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland as provided for under the terms of the Drainage (NI) Order 1973.

Proposals for designation of watercourses should meet objective criteria whereby intervention at public expense is justified and these guide Rivers Agency in making recommendations to the Drainage Council. Rivers Agency has no plans to submit proposals to the Drainage Council to consider designation of the Cappagh Burn as maintenance is considered to be within the capabilities of riparian landowners.

It is open to any person to make a submission to the Drainage Council requesting designation of a watercourse, and I would suggest that you may wish to consider this.

Written Answer Booklet of 16 May 2008
(Volume 30, No WA3)

In page WA240, col 2, replace the answer to question (AQW 6078/08) with;

Planning Circular PC 03/07 provides the basis for assessing planning applications for apartments and other high density developments, however it is not possible directly to measure the impact of this Circular.

In the consideration of such applications, Planning Service ensures that they are assessed against all existing and emerging plans and policies and all other material considerations. Applications may be either approved or refused for a variety of reasons including those matters referred to specifically in PC 03/07.

A good quality development which meets the policy requirements will be approved whilst those which do not are either amended during processing of the application, to comply with the requirements of the Circular, or refused if they fail to meet the relevant policy tests.

Planning Service development control staff are fully aware of the contents of Planning Circular PC 03/07 and use this in the assessment of applications for apartments and other high density developments.

Written Answer Booklet of 30 May 2008
(Volume 31, No WA1)

In page WA32, col 2, replace the answer to question (AQW 7248/08) with;

Planning Service staff met NIE representatives during October 2005, February 2006, June 2007, September 2007 and February 2008. The meetings dealt with the need for an Environmental Statement to accompany a planning application and scoping advice as to the content of the environmental statement.

NIE wrote to the Planning Service on 10^th and 19^th July 2006 seeking comments as to the content of the Environmental Statement being prepared for the scheme. After consulting widely, Planning Service responded on 7^th September 2006 providing advice as to the issues to be addressed within the Environmental Statement for the proposed Electricity Interconnector – Tyrone to Cavan.

Officials in the Environment and Heritage Service have not had any direct contact with NIE about the new North-South Interconnector. They have however provided information to Faber Maunsell/Aecom, the consultants appointed by NIE, on various aspects such as cultural heritage, potential sites of land contamination and designated sites within the general vicinity of the proposed route.