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 03 October 2008
Written Answers to Questions
Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Agriculture and Rural Development
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Education
Employment and Learning
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Environment
Finance and Personnel
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Regional Development
Social Development
OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
Planning Appeals Commission
Mr Wells asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for its assessment of the number of appeals, including appeals against enforcement notices, received by the Planning Appeals Commission from 1 April 2008 to date, compared with the same period in 2007.
(AQW 652/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): During the period 1 April 2008 to 31 August 2008 the Planning Appeals Commission received a total of 201 Appeals, of which 29 were Enforcement Appeals. In the same period in 2007 the Commission received 869 Appeals, of which 48 were Enforcement Appeals. The figures show a 77 % reduction in the overall appeals intake in the five months to the end of August 2008 compared to the intake in the same period last year, and a 40 % reduction in the intake of Enforcement Appeals. It is too early to ascertain whether the recent downturn in the appeals intake will continue.
Given the significant backlog of planning appeals, we have committed additional resources which have funded the appointment of additional commissioners to address the backlog. We anticipate that our intervention will have a positive effect on the backlog of appeals and consequently on the time taken to determine an appeal.
The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister will continue to monitor the impact of both the appeals intake and the additional commissioners on the backlog of planning appeals.
Child Poverty
Mrs D Kelly asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for its assessment of how it has delivered on its targets to alleviate child poverty.
(AQO 249/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister:
The rate of absolute income poverty in 1998/99 of 29% compares with a rate in 2002/03 of 23% and 16% in 2005/06. Therefore, there has been a significant fall in the rate of absolute income poverty for children. In other words, children living in the poorest households have seen their household income rise in real terms. However, the incomes of the poorest households relative to the rest have not improved enough and levels of child poverty are unacceptably high. The Executive is determined to tackle this issue as a priority. It is, however, a huge challenge and one where we must work together across government to see long-term sustainable progress.
Our Programme for Government states our commitment to:
- Work towards the elimination of child poverty in Northern Ireland by 2020 and reducing child poverty by 50% by 2010; and
- Work towards the elimination of severe child poverty by 2012.
Considerable progress has already been made with the biggest contributors being the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and reform of tax and benefits policies by the UK government. This reform is set to continue with the goal of supporting more people into employment.
In addition, however, there are factors which we can continue to influence at local level such as improving the quality of public services and, in particular, the support that helps parents overcome the barriers to securing employment with a decent income.
The delivery of a range of departmental programmes and initiatives in other areas such as Sure Start and the expansion of Pre-school education, health, benefit up-take and work on deprived areas through Neighbourhood Renewal will also play an important part.
The comprehensive report and recommendations produced by the OFMDFM Committee will provide a useful platform for further work as will the establishment of a cross departmental sub-group of the Ministerial Sub-Committee for Children and Young People, which will ensure a comprehensive and cohesive focus on the issue of Child Poverty here.
West Belfast and Shankill Taskforce Report
Mr Adams asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister how it is taking forward the recommendations of the West Belfast and Shankill Taskforce Report as envisaged in the Programme for Government.
(AQO 373/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Programme for Government at PSA 11, Objective 2 sets a target to “Deliver the agreed overall objectives of the West Belfast Greater Shankill taskforce.” I n January 2007 local community representatives published a report outlining their views on the key outstanding development needs of the area. Departments subsequently held a lengthy series of bilateral meetings with local community representatives to try to reach an agreed way forward which took account of both the communities’ specific expectations, and the extent to which Departments could deliver on the key issues raised in that report. A draft Action Plan was sent to community representatives for comment in March 2008. The communities responded to this in June. This response and the views of the various Departments involved in the action plan are being reviewed and co-ordinated by officials within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Subject to the agreement of all relevant Ministers on the suggested way forward, it is proposed that the DETI Minister bring forward a paper for approval by late 2008.
Compensation Arrangements for Victims
Mr McCartney asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the compensation arrangements for victims.
(AQO 361/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: OFMDFM has committed some £36 million over the current three year cycle to support work with victims and survivors.
However, compensation arrangements for victims are operated by the Compensation Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Economic Downturn
Dr McDonnell asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister if it has held meetings with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the current economic downturn.
(AQO 248/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: The breadth of the impact of the global economic downturn on the local economy and the well-being of people here is such that it needs to be addressed across the full width of Government. This is a challenge that can only be effectively managed at Executive level.
We have been meeting with local interest groups to listen to their concerns and gather their ideas for mitigating measures that we might put in place to offset the worst effects of the economic downturn. In preparation for these we have drawn on advice and information across Ministerial portfolios.
It is increasingly apparent that the current world economic turmoil and its local effects are not going to be transitory or amenable to quick simple remedies. Therefore, we are resolved that this item will be a standing item of Executive business.
We have not had bilateral meetings with other Ministers to date, including the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. We will keep under review the effectiveness of our response to the prevailing economic and social challenges. If this suggests that bilateral Ministerial engagement would be useful, we will, of course do so.
Common Travel Agreement
Mr Cree asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what representations it has made to the Prime Minister on the possible dissolution of the Common Travel Agreement and the implications for people travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
(AQO 272/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: We wrote to Liam Byrne, Minister of State, Home Office in July, stressing the importance of comprehensive public consultation on the proposals to strengthen the Common Travel Area (CTA) border and indicating our desire to ensure that any changes have a minimal impact on legitimate travel within the CTA. We understand that the current consultation does not have implications for people travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
Strategic Review of the Parades Commission
Mr Simpson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail its initial response to the interim consultative report by the Strategic Review of the Parades Commission.
(AQO 384/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: We received a copy of the Interim Consultative Report on the Strategic Review of Parading from the Chairman of the Strategic Review of Parading Body.
We anticipate a meeting with Lord Ashdown to discuss the recommendations.
Household Burden
Ms Anderson asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the progress of the proposals to tackle the household burden outlined by the deputy First Minister on September 14.
(AQO 358/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: While the current world economic turmoil is driven by global forces we are resolved to mitigate, where we can, the worst social welfare effects of this crisis. Our clear view is that the range of issues emerging from the prevailing economic conditions requires a response from across the full ambit of government. The package of measures suggested by the deputy First Minister, and indeed those put forward by others from within the Executive and beyond will be given careful consideration.
Child Poverty
Mr O'Loan asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what plans it has to introduce an inter-departmental policy on tackling child poverty; and what targets have been set by the junior Ministers in relation to tackling child poverty.
(AQO 245/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: Through the workings of the Ministerial Sub-Committee for Children and Young People, which is chaired by the Junior Ministers, a cross departmental sub-group has recently been established with the aim of ensuring a comprehensive and cohesive focus on the issue of Child Poverty in Northern Ireland.
The sub-group is chaired by a senior official from OFMDFM and an initial meeting has already been held with representatives from the other NI Departments. Officials will report back to the Ministerial Sub-Committee.
Child poverty targets will remain those that were outlined in the Programme for Government document ( PSA 7) where the Executive committed to:
- work towards the elimination of child poverty in Northern Ireland by 2020 and reducing child poverty by 50% by 2010; and
- work towards the elimination of severe child poverty by 2012.
Victims Groups
Mr Brady asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how it will meet the needs of victims groups during the current transition in funding.
(AQO 365/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: On the 22 July 2008 we announced arrangements for Interim Capacity funding. This funding is intended to ensure that there is a smooth transition between the Peace II and Peace III programmes for groups providing support for victims and survivors of the conflict. It is aimed at those groups who -
- are in receipt of EU funding under the Peace II Programme Extended,
- have applied for funding under the Peace III Programme, Priority 1, Theme 1.2 and are awaiting the outcome of that application, and
- are providing support specifically for victims and survivors of the conflict.
An award under the Interim Capacity Funding arrangements will be for a maximum period of 6 months and will end when a decision is made on an application under the Peace III Programme.
In addition, we are continuing to provide both Core Funding and funding under Development Grant Schemes, the resources for which have been increased to £2.75m and £1.5m respectively during this current financial year.
Single Equality Bill
Mr Burns asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide a timetable for the introduction of the Single Equality Bill.
(AQO 250/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: Policy proposals on equality legislation will be considered in consultation with the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Executive. It would not be appropriate to comment on timescales until policy decisions have been taken.
Pending Business
Mrs Long asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for its assessment of the pending business on which it has yet to sign off.
(AQO 354/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: It is not our practice to disclose details of Executive business. The content of Executive papers, including draft papers, is confidential.
West Belfast and Shankill Taskforce Report
Mr P Maskey asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the West Belfast and Shankill Taskforce Report.
(AQO 374/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: I n January 2007, local community representatives published a report outlining their views on the key outstanding development needs of the west Belfast/greater Shankill area. A draft Action Plan was compiled by departments and sent to community representatives for comment in March 2008. The communities responded to this in June. This response and the views of the various departments involved in the action plan are being reviewed and co-ordinated by officials within the Department for Enterprise Trade and Investment. Subject to the agreement of all relevant Ministers on the suggested way forward, it is proposed that the DETI Minister bring forward a paper for Executive approval by late 2008.
Responsiveness of Departments and Agencies
Mr Gardiner asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what progress has been made in improving the responsiveness of Departments and agencies under their civil contingencies remit.
(AQO 276/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister promotes effective civil contingencies policy and development in the context of the well-established “lead department principle” which means that individual NI Civil Service departments and their associated organisations are responsible for civil contingencies planning and response within their policy sectors.
In developing and maintaining their own preparedness, departments and organisations consult, communicate and co-ordinate with each other and participate as appropriate in regional, sub-regional and local co-ordination forums. At regional level the Civil Contingencies Group (NI) led by OFMDFM officials maintains liaison among government departments, the emergency services, other key public service bodies and District Councils and provides strategic guidance and overview on civil contingency matters. The Department also liaises with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in Cabinet Office and the devolved administrations to ensure that Northern Ireland preparedness fits with national arrangements.
Individual departments and their organisations develop and maintain civil contingencies plans and other preparations in relation to their functions for the purpose of preventing an emergency, reducing, controlling or mitigating its effects or taking any other action necessary in relation to it. The resulting improvements in preparedness and response were evidenced most recently in the context of the widespread flooding during August.
Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy
Ms J McCann asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to give an update on the proposed consultation on the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration strategy.
(AQO 376/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: The development of the detailed proposals for a Programme of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a shared and better future are at an advanced stage. The planned Programme of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration will respond to issues of sectarianism and racism – previously they were separate but associated policies (A Shared Future and the Racial Equality Strategy).
We have repeatedly stated our commitment and that of the Executive through the Programme for Government 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.
The emphasis of the Programme will be support for local people to deal with local issues through their local solutions. The refreshed policy will not compromise what is being achieved already but rather support, facilitate and better resource this good practice. The draft strategy will be submitted to the Committee before Halloween Recess and will be subject to a full consultation and equality impact assessment.
Older People's Advocate
Rev Dr Robert Coulter asked the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the appointment of an Older People's Advocate.
(AQO 279/09)
The First Minister and deputy First Minister: Our departmental officials are currently interviewing potential candidates who will act as an Older People’s Advocate pending the appointment of an Older People’s Commissioner.
The Executive’s Programme for Government includes a commitment under PSA 7 (2) “Making People’s Lives Better” to deliver a strong independent voice for older people and we are currently working towards the establishment of an Older People’s Commissioner.
Also, in recognising the importance of older people in our society, on Monday 29 September in the Long Gallery, Junior Minister Kelly hosted an event to acknowledge the beginning of Age Awareness Week 2008 and later this week both Junior Ministers will host an event in Cultra Manor at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum to mark International Day for Older People as designated by the United Nations.
We want to maintain the momentum in creating a Commissioner for Older People, and in order to do so we have asked officials to appoint an Interim Advocate for Older People. This process is well under way and subject to a satisfactory outcome and the required checks, it is expected that an announcement will be made soon.
The Older People’s Advocate will be responsible for providing independent advice to Ministers on issues of importance to Older People. The post will be part-time and the recruitment process has been monitored by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland.
The Advocate will help us identify and address issues affecting Older People and will remain in post until the appointment of a Commissioner is made.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Animals in Circuses
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans her Department has to ban the use of animals in circuses.
(AQW 475/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms M Gildernew): As I indicated in a previous written answer on this issue on 14 March 2008, the Department consulted on proposals for new animal welfare legislation in late 2006, including on the need for regulation of circuses. As this exercise was carried out under a different administration, I wanted to take time to fully consider the responses received.
Following my initial consideration of the comments, I have been meeting a number of key stakeholders who provided comments, including those who have a specific interest in the welfare of circus animals. This has enabled me to hear their concerns at first hand. Arrangements are also in hand for my officials to meet other relevant stakeholders.
In my previous answer, I advised that I would take note of the position in the South as many of the circuses that operate here are based there. I t is important that animal welfare legislation across the island of Ireland is broadly compatible. I therefore will be looking closely at the outline animal welfare legislative proposals which were published by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) in Dublin in May 2008. I have asked my officials to discuss these proposals in detail when they meet their counterparts in DAFF in October.
The animal welfare proposals being brought forward in the South and the primary animal welfare legislation already in place in Britain will inform my policy review and enable robust animal welfare legislation to be brought forward here. The specific provisions of any new legislation will depend on my consideration of all the relevant issues. However, I do not want to pre-empt its outcome at this stage.
Animals in Circuses
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what veterinary checks are carried out by her Department on animals appearing in circuses.
(AQW 477/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department’s role in circuses is currently very limited. Part III of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972 protects all animals from unnecessary cruelty or suffering. There are, however, no specific provisions on the welfare of animals in circuses. My Department therefore has no powers to regulate circuses, nor powers of entry to circuses. No official veterinary checks have therefore been carried out.
However, if a welfare complaint is received regarding a circus animal, the PSNI does have the legal power of entry under the Act.
Appointment of a Children's Champion
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide details of (i) the recent appointment of a children's champion; and (ii) any targets or programmes her Department has in place to promote children's rights.
(AQW 481/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: (i) The Champion for Children and Young People in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is Rodney Scott, Director of Corporate Policy and European Issues and the chair of the group is Eddie Rooney, Director of Equality in OFMDFM.
(ii) A Rural Childcare programme with the aim of addressing rural specific need and circumstance is currently being developed. This programme will most likely be targeted at the not for profit sector and will call for applications for pilot / demonstration projects in December 2008.
For the purposes of the Rural Childcare Programme, childcare is defined as any activity that is designed to provide care for children in the 0 to 12 year old age group that allows their parents/guardians to participate in the workplace or participate in training to enhance their employment prospects.
Applications to this Programme will be accepted for pilot projects that address/tackle the following priorities in a peculiar rural context:
- Access to Childcare Services;
- Early Years Integration;
- Quality and Safety of Provision;
- Sustainability and Affordability
(iii) Under the Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013, my Department has a target of funding 10 projects benefiting children and young people in the rural community. These projects may be based around recreational, childcare, community/social interaction or educational activities. Additionally, local rural development strategies for Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme must, as a key criterion, address the needs of children and young people and must be informed by the 10 year Strategy for Children and Young People. It is expected that at least 5% of any funding awarded will be devoted to projects focussed on children and young people.
Farm Modernisation Scheme
Mr Bresland asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what schemes are available to bring the level of funding under the Farm Modernisation scheme up to £10,000.
(AQW 515/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The Farm Modernisation Programme will provide financial support to eligible farm businesses towards the purchase of plant, machinery and equipment from a predefined list of eligible items. The maximum financial support available per business will be £5,000.
A separate Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme (METS) will provide financial support to eligible farm businesses towards the purchase of advanced slurry spreading equipment. Under this scheme the maximum financial support available will be £10,000 per business.
Comber Potatoes
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what progress is being made by her Department to assist in the achievement of EU protected status for Comber potatoes.
(AQW 531/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I would like to say how pleased I am that the Comber Potato, with its reputation as a unique local product, is undergoing an application for Protected Geographical Indication. If attained, the EU Protected Food Names Scheme should give the growers the opportunity to market Comber Potatoes as a speciality product protected by the EC.
In July 2008, my Department received agreement from the NI Potato Stakeholder Forum that they would take forward the application on behalf of the growers. My officials are now working alongside Ards Borough Council in assisting the Comber potato growers to develop the application.
The application is at draft stage and an initial consultation with growers has been completed to ensure that the details of the application are accurate. Once the details of the specification have been finalised, the application will undergo a formal consultation period with interested parties here and in Britain before being submitted to the EC for consideration.
Impounded Dogs
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many stray dogs were impounded in each of the last 3 years, broken down by local council; and to detail the total amount of money generated from fines levied to the owners of the impounded dogs.
(AQW 532/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The number of stray dogs impounded in each of the last three years is set out in Table 1. These figures are provided to my Department by local Councils.
The information provided to DARD does not detail the amount of money generated from fines imposed on owners of stray dogs.
Table 1. Stray dogs impounded by Local Councils for calendar years 2005-2007 (Figures provided to DARD by local Councils).
Year |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|---|---|---|---|
Antrim |
295 |
320 |
244 |
Ards |
246 |
276 |
315 |
Armagh |
607 |
704 |
670 |
Ballymena |
278 |
206 |
199 |
Ballymoney |
117 |
112 |
127 |
Banbridge |
142 |
179 |
188 |
Belfast |
885 |
1026 |
1037 |
Carrickfergus |
183 |
195 |
163 |
Castlereagh |
176 |
208 |
214 |
Coleraine |
290 |
232 |
209 |
Cookstown |
148 |
163 |
136 |
Craigavon |
852 |
881 |
756 |
Derry |
376 |
450 |
444 |
Down |
751 |
837 |
726 |
Dungannon |
301 |
292 |
447 |
Fermanagh |
234 |
205 |
183 |
Larne |
160 |
141 |
176 |
Limavady |
115 |
112 |
101 |
Lisburn |
470 |
419 |
466 |
Magherafelt |
125 |
139 |
143 |
Moyle |
109 |
74 |
71 |
Newry |
786 |
703 |
724 |
Newtownabbey |
328 |
393 |
374 |
North Down |
119 |
113 |
101 |
Omagh |
604 |
243 |
379 |
Strabane |
221 |
219 |
174 |
TOTAL |
8918 |
8842 |
8767 |
High Risk Flood Areas
Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessments are taking place to identify areas that have the potential to be high risk flood areas; and what areas have already been identified as being at risk of flooding.
(AQO 264/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: DARD Rivers Agency has been w orking in partnership with DOE Planning Service in producing a Strategic Flood Map for the north of Ireland. This predictive map depicts areas at risk of flooding from rivers and/ or the sea supp orting Planning Policy Statement 15 (PPS15): Planning and Flood Risk. It is important to note that there are other sources of flooding which will not be included within the map. Rivers Agency is making the Strategic Flood Map available this autumn on the internet via a web viewer.
As the competent authority for implementation of the EU Floods Directive, DARD Rivers Agency is currently undertaking a preliminary flood risk assessment for the north of Ireland to identify the areas at potential significant risk from other sources of flooding. On the basis of the areas identified at potential significant risk detailed mapping and planning will be undertaken as required by the Floods Directive.
The Strategic Flood Map due to be released contains multiple layers including a historical flood outline based on Rivers Agency records. Of course there is information held by other organisations and the Agency is working with its partners in assessing how this information may be captured and made available.
Rivers Agency
Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail those areas in West Tyrone which are at greatest risk of flooding and to detail the role of Rivers Agency in helping to alleviate flooding in the Beragh and Carrickmore areas.
(AQO 364/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Rivers Agency is preparing a strategic map for the North that will identify areas likely to be at risk of flooding, which will be published in Autum 2008. That map will be followed by more detailed mapping and planning assessments, where necessary. Flooding that affected Riverdale and The Meadows area in Beragh has been surveyed and recorded. An extended survey of the Cloghfin River that flows through Beragh is currently underway.
When complete the information provided will be used to help identify any possible improvements to reduce flooding risk. Rivers Agency has an ongoing programme of inspection and maintenance of designated watercourses in the Carrickmore and Beragh area to reduce the flood risk.
Number of Farmers
Mr Simpson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of farmers (i) in total; (ii) broken down by district council area; and (iii) broken down by parliamentary constituency, for each of the last three years.
(AQW 563/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The numbers of farmers, 2005 to 2007, are detailed in Table 1 (by District Council) and Table 2 (by Parliamentary Constituency) below.
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
||||||
District Council |
Full time farmer |
Part time farmer |
Total farmers |
Full time farmer |
Part time farmer |
Total farmers |
Full time farmer |
Part time farmer |
Total farmers |
Antrim |
502 |
376 |
878 |
511 |
367 |
878 |
514 |
354 |
868 |
Ards |
543 |
307 |
850 |
495 |
300 |
795 |
485 |
293 |
778 |
Armagh |
1,229 |
1,151 |
2,380 |
1,207 |
1,110 |
2,317 |
1,149 |
1,104 |
2,253 |
Ballymena |
940 |
621 |
1,561 |
924 |
604 |
1,528 |
916 |
559 |
1,475 |
Ballymoney |
570 |
337 |
907 |
581 |
344 |
925 |
557 |
346 |
903 |
Banbridge |
840 |
579 |
1,419 |
826 |
574 |
1,400 |
769 |
591 |
1,360 |
Belfast |
21 |
14 |
35 |
22 |
14 |
36 |
18 |
19 |
37 |
Carrickfergus |
68 |
53 |
121 |
70 |
48 |
118 |
70 |
47 |
117 |
Castlereagh |
82 |
59 |
141 |
89 |
62 |
151 |
84 |
62 |
146 |
Coleraine |
600 |
323 |
923 |
551 |
304 |
855 |
537 |
302 |
839 |
Cookstown |
923 |
741 |
1,664 |
840 |
736 |
1,576 |
800 |
733 |
1,533 |
Craigavon |
421 |
378 |
799 |
399 |
378 |
777 |
379 |
363 |
742 |
Derry |
346 |
272 |
618 |
339 |
246 |
585 |
324 |
248 |
572 |
Down |
834 |
648 |
1,482 |
827 |
651 |
1,478 |
802 |
645 |
1,447 |
Dungannon |
1,154 |
1,131 |
2,285 |
1,217 |
1,091 |
2,308 |
1,150 |
1,090 |
2,240 |
Fermanagh |
2,024 |
1,726 |
3,750 |
2,122 |
1,722 |
3,844 |
1,998 |
1,746 |
3,744 |
Larne |
432 |
246 |
678 |
423 |
247 |
670 |
408 |
253 |
661 |
Limavady |
494 |
320 |
814 |
480 |
310 |
790 |
464 |
309 |
773 |
Lisburn |
618 |
445 |
1,063 |
611 |
461 |
1,072 |
559 |
458 |
1,017 |
Magherafelt |
854 |
780 |
1,634 |
879 |
746 |
1,625 |
850 |
734 |
1,584 |
Moyle |
488 |
262 |
750 |
478 |
253 |
731 |
472 |
265 |
737 |
Newry & Mourne |
1,460 |
1,733 |
3,193 |
1,578 |
1,641 |
3,219 |
1,485 |
1,647 |
3,132 |
Newtownabbey |
185 |
103 |
288 |
171 |
114 |
285 |
165 |
101 |
266 |
North Down |
55 |
34 |
89 |
59 |
34 |
93 |
59 |
35 |
94 |
Omagh |
1,509 |
1,124 |
2,633 |
1,510 |
1,107 |
2,617 |
1,453 |
1,123 |
2,576 |
Strabane |
967 |
604 |
1,571 |
772 |
549 |
1,321 |
718 |
595 |
1,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
18,159 |
14,367 |
32,526 |
17,981 |
14,013 |
31,994 |
17,185 |
14,022 |
3,1207 |
Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural survey
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
||||||
Parliamentary Constituency |
Full time farmer |
Part time farmer |
Total farmers |
Full time farmer |
Part time farmer |
Total farmers |
Full time farmer |
Part time farmer |
Total farmers |
Belfast (North/South/ East/West) |
33 |
20 |
53 |
34 |
17 |
51 |
28 |
25 |
53 |
East Antrim |
504 |
305 |
809 |
496 |
302 |
798 |
479 |
300 |
779 |
East Londonderry |
1,094 |
643 |
1,737 |
1,031 |
614 |
1,645 |
1,001 |
611 |
1,612 |
Fermanagh & S. Tyrone |
2,930 |
2,549 |
5,483 |
3,063 |
2,533 |
5,596 |
2,878 |
2,566 |
5,454 |
Foyle |
346 |
272 |
618 |
339 |
246 |
585 |
324 |
248 |
572 |
Lagan Valley |
828 |
613 |
1,441 |
834 |
612 |
1,446 |
765 |
618 |
1,383 |
Mid Ulster |
2,015 |
1,827 |
3,842 |
1,992 |
1,760 |
3,752 |
1,917 |
1,736 |
3,653 |
Newry & Armagh |
1,933 |
2,137 |
4,070 |
1,969 |
2,058 |
4,027 |
1,867 |
2,030 |
3,879 |
North Antrim |
1,998 |
1,220 |
3,218 |
1,983 |
1,201 |
3,184 |
1,945 |
1,170 |
3,115 |
North Down |
100 |
61 |
161 |
109 |
57 |
166 |
108 |
61 |
169 |
South Antrim |
692 |
473 |
1,165 |
684 |
479 |
1,163 |
678 |
454 |
1,132 |
South Down |
1,957 |
1,586 |
3,543 |
1,973 |
1,546 |
3,519 |
1,882 |
1,581 |
3,463 |
Strangford |
677 |
422 |
1,099 |
630 |
416 |
1,046 |
608 |
404 |
1,012 |
Upper Bann |
576 |
511 |
1,087 |
562 |
516 |
1,078 |
534 |
500 |
1,034 |
West Tyrone |
2,476 |
1,728 |
4,204 |
2,282 |
1,656 |
3,938 |
2,171 |
1,718 |
3,889 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
18,159 |
14,367 |
32,526 |
17,981 |
14,013 |
31,994 |
17,185 |
14,022 |
31,207 |
Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural survey
Note: The four Belfast constituencies have been merged for disclosure purposes
Department Projects
Mr Burns asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the successful projects her Department completed in the last 12 months in the South Antrim constituency.
(AQW 590/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: The following table lists successful projects for the period of 18 September 2007 to 18 September 2008.
Name of Project
|
Brief description of Project |
|---|---|
Successful Projects completed under Rural Development Programme |
|
Sixmilewater Development |
Continuation of development programme to enhance the Sixmilewater River for the benefit of the local community and tourist anglers, by installing a fish pass (to ease the passage of fish) and a fish counter to enable the fishery to be managed on a sustainable basis. |
Clementsmount Fun Farm |
Fun Farm with outdoor and indoor play activities. |
Funding to the firm Duffin Harvest Machinery, which sub-contracts manufacturing to small and large engineering companies in NI. |
Purchase of a specialist machine for cutting steel and aluminium plate to a higher spec thus improving the quality of work and appealing to a wider range of customers who demand higher tolerances. |
Funding for the Manufacture of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Structures
|
To assist GRP Systems to provide complete units manufactured in GRP, including platforms, walkways, ladders and handrail systems, which will help the business expand and reduce the risk from outside competition. |
Funding to promote Holistic jewellery, gifts and handmade cards
|
A business idea in response to the growing interest in a holistic approach to life. Production of jewellery, gifts and handmade cards incorporating semi-precious stones, elements and colour combinations used in complimentary therapies. |
John Gribbin Pharmacy
|
Creation of a consultation area for a "Wellness Clinic". Purchase and installation of ICT equipment and CCTV. |
Funding to Mark Wilson for his forage press business
|
The "Forage Press" compresses large bales of haylage, hay or straw in manageable, conventional sized bales for feed and bedding purposes. The machine compresses each bale into individual layers allowing for easy use and less wastage of the bale. |
Small Firms Development Programme
|
Programme offering one-to-one business mentoring to approximately 30 eligible businesses in the REAP (South Antrim Rural Economic Action Partnership) area. |
Reducing Risks / Cutting Costs - Programme Implementation
|
Provision of training to small rural businesses on all aspects of risk management within the workplace and development of risk assessment procedure for reducing identified risks. |
Rams Island Project
|
Introduction of a long-term management structure on Rams Island to care for the wildlife on the Island and a carefully monitored access programme for the public. |
Interpretive Centre
|
Provision of interpretative material for Rams Island, highlighting the unique environment of the Island. |
Purchase a Stone Cutting Machine for the company Tile Unlimited, Moneyglass, Toomebridge
|
Assistance for the company to buy natural stone in slab form and then manufacture natural stone tiles for custom designed contracts for industry. |
Emerald Turkeys
|
Emerald Turkeys are carefully reared by traditional farming methods. Dry plucking is an essential part of the processing method, enabling birds to be matured in a temperature controlled chiller for at least 10 days developing even more flavour and texture. |
Round 2 Maximising Community Space - Langford Education and Cultural Society (project complete, but final claim in respect of project expenditure yet to be submitted)
|
Assistance to help large community facility to meets health, safety, and hygiene standards through restoration. |
NL Rubber Ltd |
Purchase of spray booth and laminator to enable continued supply to existing customers with a wider range of products at more competive prices. |
Round 2 Maximising Community Space - Randalstown Ulster Scots Cultural Society
|
Assistance to help large community facility to comply with fire and disabled access regulations by improving disabled access to the building and re-wiring the hall to improve fire safety. |
W A Patterson Business Expansion
|
Grant to finance W A Patterson’s (steel bending company) move to a larger, better equipped premises and to purchase additional machinery for curving larger steel sections, and developing new 3-dimensional bending techniques. |
Successful Projects completed by Forest Service |
|
Bird Hide at Randalstown |
A replacement Bird Hide on the lough shore at Randalstown forest in conjunction with the Environmental Heritage Service. |
Tree thinning in Tardree forest |
1,000 tonnes of timber thinned from 23 hectares in Tardree forest. |
Supply of Christmas trees |
74 town Christmas trees supplied from Randalstown forest. |
Successful Projects completed by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) |
|
Further and Higher Education Programmes |
Further Education and Higher Education programmes provided for those wishing to pursue a career in the agri-food industry and delivered at the CAFRE Campuses of Greenmount, Loughry and Enniskillen. Courses are open to application to those who meet the required entry criteria from across the North. CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus is based in this constituency |
Industry training programme |
Training courses for those working in the agri-food industry, which are delivered locally across the North or at the CAFRE Campuses of Greenmount, Enniskillen and Loughry. Training programmes delivered within the South Antrim constituency in the last year include: -
|
Knowledge and Technology Transfer programme |
This programme aims to equip those in the agri-food industry with the knowledge, skills and experience to adopt appropriate technologies and systems within their businesses. CAFRE Technologists and Development Advisers work with the industry to encourage the adoption of the technology or system within their businesses. This is achieved through training courses, normally delivered throughout the North, Demonstration events on the College Farm/local farms or Food Processing Units and through mentoring. |
Benchmarking programme |
This programme involves the collection of physical and financial data from farmers and growers, the analysis of this data by CAFRE Business Technologists and comparison with similar farm businesses. Through this programme the strengths and weaknesses of farm business performance can be identified and actions to improve performance implemented. This programme is available to farmers and growers across the North. |
Women in Fishing
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans her Department has to fund 'Women in Fishing', as there are active groups in Portavogie and Kilkeel working with similar groups in Donegal and Cork.
(AQW 601/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department has previously funded 2 “Women in Fishing” projects with grant from the South Down Fishing Villages Taskforce Programme. The European Fisheries Fund which will come on stream shortly provides the Department with a further opportunity to support such initiatives. In the draft EFF Investment Plan which was published on 2 nd May the Department said that would promote European Women in Fisheries Initiatives and would welcome such applications.
Organic Action Plan Group
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development the farming make up of the Organic Action Plan Group; and if it includes hill farmers and members from the organic sheep sector.
(AQW 836/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Organic Action Plan Group for NI (OAPGNI) membership reflects a wide range of interests, including dairy, poultry, beef, horticulture, Ulster Farmers Union, independent retailers, Certification Bodies and the Rural Development Council. Although not organic hill/sheep farmers themselves, some OAPGNI members have an interest in hill farms or in sheep production. North West Organics, which has a significant hill sheep farming membership, is represented on OAPGNI.
OAPGNI is currently reviewing its progress to date, and will soon make proposals to the Department for further development of the organic sector. The current Group’s remit ends on 31 December 2008.
Spreading Slurry
Mr T Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what consideration she will give to extending the period for spreading slurry until the end of November, in light of the poor weather conditions this summer.
(AQW 952/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: I appreciate that there are practical difficulties in spreading slurry before the start of the closed period. The prolonged spell of wet weather means that conditions have been unsuitable for spreading slurry. More slurry has been collected as more animals have been housed and the harvest and silage making has been delayed.
My Department has joint responsibility with the Department of Environment (DOE) for the legislation which governs the period for spreading slurry. My officials are in dialogue with the NI Environment Agency which is responsible for inspection and enforcement of the legislation. Advice will be issued before the closed spreading period is due to start on 15 October.
Littleacre Open Farm
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if officials from her Department have inspected the Littleacre Open Farm in Loughbrickland in the last 2 years.
(AQW 968/09)
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: My Department’s veterinary staff have visited the Little Acre Open Farm in Loughbrickland on 9 occasions over the last 2 years.
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Children's Champion
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide details of (i) the recent appointment of a children's champion; and (ii) any targets or programmes his Department has in place to promote children's rights.
(AQW 482/09)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr G Campbell): (i) The recent appointment of a children’s champion;
- The suggestion by the Commissioner for Children and Young People to have a dedicated Champion for Children at senior level in each Department was discussed at the first meeting of the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People on 13 March 2008 and subsequently agreed by all Ministers. The first meeting of the Champions for Children and Young People took place on 5 th August.
- The Champion for Children and Young People in the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure is Deborah Brown, Director of Finance and Corporate Services.
ii) Any targets or programmes the Department has undertaken to promote children’s rights.
Museums
- In 2008/9 NMNI has a target of attracting 110,000 visitors, primarily children, to their organised educational programme and to hold 425 outreach events and exhibitions.
- Armagh Observatory undertakes important outreach work under its Science in the Community programme to target children and young people.
- W5’s educational events are used to promote the child’s right to play and to be educated through play.
- W5 has a developed an educational programme from nursery age pupils through to ‘A’ level.
Sport
- Sport NI (SNI) makes significant investments through a range of organisations (including governing bodies of sport, education and library boards, district councils, community/voluntary groups) in projects which seek to improve and extend the range and quality of opportunities for children to participate in sport at a level of their choice.
Arts
- Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI) have in place a dedicated Children and Youth Arts Policy.
- Creative Youth Partnerships Programme.
- The Extended Schools Programme.
- NI Screen has the Cinemagic Children’s Film Festival and After Schools Film Clubs targeted at children and young people.
- NI Screen production funding pursues a policy which supports film and television productions that represent Northern Irish children on screen.
- NI Screen, within the Irish Language Broadcast Fund prioritise children’s programming.
Language
- Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency provide funding for a programme of summer camps to promote linguistic and cultural activity among children.
Tobermore United Football Club
Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what assessment has been made of the damage and hardship sustained by Tobermore United Football Club, as a result of the flooding on 16 August 2008; and what steps his Department is taking to assist the club.
(AQW 629/09)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Responsibility for assessing the damage sustained by Tobermore United Football Club rests in the first instance with the club itself. Whilst I sympathise with their situation, DCAL has no means of compensating clubs in such circumstances outside of their normal insurance arrangements.
Neighbourhood Renewal Posts
Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what Neighbourhood Renewal posts and services his Department will fund from March 2009.
(AQW 712/09)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: The Department does not currently fund any Neighbourhood Renewal posts or services and does not anticipate funding any from March 2009 onwards.
Sport NI invests in sports development posts and services in Neighbourhood Renewal Areas through the Sport in our Community Investment Programme. A total investment of £3.6m was approved from the Sport NI Lottery Fund in 34 awards to deliver the programme from 1 April 2006 – 31 March 2010. 15 of the 34 awards focus directly on programme delivery within 26 of the 36 Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.
Inter-Departmental Charter Implementation Group
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (i) the number of meetings of the Inter-Departmental Charter Implementation Group that have taken place; (ii) what action the group has taken in relation to the implementation of the charter; and (iii) what plans he has to ensure that this group meets regularly and develops guidance for public servants to ensure they fulfil their obligations under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
(AQW 770/09)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: To date there have been 20 meetings of the Interdepartmental Charter Implementation Group (ICIG).
The Group have co-ordinated input to two reports to the Council of Europe on the UK’s implementation of the Charter. It has hosted field visits from a European Committee of Experts which follow the submission of these reports. The group has also undertaken some work on a third report which is currently under scrutiny by Ministers. In addition, the ICIG has considered a range of relevant Irish and Ulster-Scots language related issues.
The Group will continue to meet regularly on a three to four month basis or more frequently if business requires.
The ICIG has already presented guidance for public servants on the Charter, which was approved by the Secretary of State in 2005. This guidance is kept under review and is likely to be adapted as part of a strategy for the protection, enhancement and development of the Irish language and Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture. This guidance can be found at: http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/european_charter_guidance.doc
Irish Language Events
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many Irish language events he has (i) been invited to; and (ii) attended, since becoming Minister; and of the invitations he has declined, to detail the reasons why.
(AQW 771/09)
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure: To date I have received one invitation to an Irish language event in October 2008 but I am unable to attend due to diary commitments.
Education
Review of Public Administration
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Education for an estimate of the number of job losses in her Department, following the implementation of the Review of Public Administration, broken down by grade.
(AQW 418/09)
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Mar chuid d’fhorfheidhmiú an Athbhreithnithe ar Riarachán Poiblí (RPA), aistreofar réimse feidhmeanna oibríochtúla, mar aon leis na baill foirne a chomhlíonann na feidhmeanna seo, ón Roinn Oideachais chuig an Údarás Oideachais agus Scileanna.
As part of the implementation of the Review of Public Administration (RPA), a range of operational functions together with the staff undertaking these functions will transfer from the Department of Education to the Education and Skills Authority. The RPA will be implemented, by Legislation, following the principles of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) TUPE regulations and every effort will be made to ensure that no staff lose their jobs. Approximately 180 full time equivalent posts in the Department of Education will transfer to ESA. It is too early to give a breakdown, by grade, of these staff
Education and Skills Authority
Mr Storey asked the Minister of Education if a cost benefit analysis has been carried out by her Department in relation to the abolition of Education and Library Boards and the creation of an Education and Skills Authority.
(AQW 507/09)
The Minister of Education: Tá anailís ar chostais agus ar thairbhí déanta i gcomhthéacs Chás Imlíneach Gnó do bhunú an Údaráis Oideachais agus Scileanna. Léiríonn an measúnú seo coigiltí féideartha de thart ar £20 milliún in aghaidh na bliana faoi 2012.
An analysis of costs and benefits has been undertaken in the context of an Outline Business Case for the creation of the Education and Skills Authority. This assessment points to potential savings of approx £20 million a year by 2012. In setting the education budget account has already been taken of anticipated savings of just over £21 million over the current Budget period (2008/9 to 2010/11). It follows that any failure to achieve the projected savings will constitute a cost pressure on the education budget and require corresponding reductions in the resources available to maintain services.
Post-Primary Schools in East Belfast
Mr Newton asked the Minister of Education to detail the post-primary schools in the East Belfast constituency that are over-subscribed for the current academic year.
(AQW 521/09)
The Minister of Education:
The Belfast and South-Eastern Education and Library Boards have advised the Department that the post-primary schools and primary schools in the East Belfast constituency that are over-subscribed for the current academic year are as follows:
Post-Primary
Knockbreda High School
Our Lady and St Patrick's College
Ashfield Girls' High School
Ashfield Boys' High School
Grosvenor GS
Bloomfield Collegiate
Campbell College
Strathearn School
Primary
Belmont Primary School
Tá curtha in iúl ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne Bhéal Feirste agus ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt dúinn nach gcruinníonn siad sonraí ar iontrálacha ar ranna ullmhúcháin.
The Belfast and South-Eastern Education and Library Boards have advised that they do not collect data on admissions to preparatory departments.
Primary Schools in East Belfast
Mr Newton asked the Minister of Education to detail the primary schools in the East Belfast constituency that are over-subscribed for the current academic year.
(AQW 522/09)
The Minister of Education:
The Belfast and South-Eastern Education and Library Boards have advised the Department that the post-primary schools and primary schools in the East Belfast constituency that are over-subscribed for the current academic year are as follows:
Post-Primary
Knockbreda High School
Our Lady and St Patrick's College
Ashfield Girls' High School
Ashfield Boys' High School
Grosvenor GS
Bloomfield Collegiate
Campbell College
Strathearn School
Primary
Belmont Primary School
Tá curtha in iúl ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne Bhéal Feirste agus ag Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt dúinn nach gcruinníonn siad sonraí ar iontrálacha ar ranna ullmhúcháin.
The Belfast and South-Eastern Education and Library Boards have advised that they do not collect data on admissions to preparatory departments.
Coláiste na Spéiríní
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in relation to Coláiste na Spéiríní.
(AQW 597/09)
The Minister of Education: Ar 17 Aibreán 2008 d’fhoilsigh Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Deiscirt (SELB), ar iarratas ó Bhord Gobharnóirí Choláiste Speirín, togra forbartha go mbeadh an scoil ina scoil dheontaschúnta, agus Coláiste Feirste ag feidhmiú mar chainéal maoinithe di.
On 17 April 2008 the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB), at the request of the Board of Governors of Coláiste Speirín, published a development proposal that the school be grant-aided, with Coláiste Feirste acting as a conduit for funding.
On 23 September 2008, I announced my decision to turn this proposal down. I was not convinced that this proposal would achieve sustainable intakes – 6 pupils were enrolled in 2007/08 and 3 new pupils intending to enrol for 2008/09. I recognise a demand for post-primary provision in the area and there needs to be a full exploration of options which could deliver sustainable provision.
Educational Facilities for Autistic Young People
Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of Education what provision there is for cross-border residential educational facilities for autistic young people; and what financial assistance is available to the parents of these young people.
(AQW 656/09)
The Minister of Education: At present there is no provision for cross-border residential educational facilities for children and young people with autism. The ongoing establishment of the Middletown Centre for Autism in County Armagh , where services began in 2007, will make some residential facilities available in the future.
One of the services to be provided by the Centre is a Learning Support Service, which will use classroom and other situations to enable educational assessments to be undertaken. This will include up to 5 weeks residential placement for children and young people with autism. The Centre’s Learning Support Service is expected to begin at the end of 2009.
Ní ghearrfaidh an tIonad aon táille ar thuismitheoirí as an tseirbhís seo.
There will be no charge to parents by the Centre for this service.
Threshold Payment Scheme
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Education what plans her Department has to extend access to the Threshold Payment scheme to include musical instrument tutors.
(AQW 659/09)
The Minister of Education: The threshold payment process was introduced following agreement between the teacher employers and the teacher unions at the Teachers’ Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools), and applies only to those employed on teachers’ terms and conditions of employment, whether in grant-aided schools or in non-standard settings (e.g. advisory teachers employed by Education and Library Boards). Instrumental music tutors employed on teachers’ terms and conditions are eligible to apply for threshold progression. Any change to the pay and conditions of employment of instrumental music tutors not currently employed as teachers is a matter for the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) which deals with collective bargaining for staff who are not employed on teachers’ terms and conditions.
The Department is currently considering a business case from the employers’ side of the JNC in relation to the pay arrangements for instrumental music tutors employed under JNC terms and conditions. As soon as the Department is satisfied that the business case is robust, consistent and evidence based, it will use its best endeavours to ensure that the business case is processed within Government as quickly as possible.
Any changes to the terms and conditions of these staff are ultimately a matter for the Education and Library Boards to consider, as employers, subject to government pay policy and within the constraints of available resources.
Ba mhian liom go dtiocfar ar réiteach ar an cheist seo chomh luath agus is féidir ionas nach mbíonn aon dochar d’oideachas na bpáistí.
I will wish to see this issue resolved as soon as possible in order to avoid any detriment to children’s education.
School Crossing Patrols
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Education why the lollipop man/woman was withdrawn from Coagh Primary School.
(AQW 697/09)
The Minister of Education: Soláthraíonn na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne patróil tráchta scoile ag áiteanna éagsúla, ar bhonn lánroghnach.
The Education and Library Boards provide school crossing patrols at various locations, on a discretionary basis. The provision and/or retention of a school crossing patrol is based on an assessment using the LARSOA (Local Authority Road Safety Officers’ Association) school crossing patrol service guidelines. Following the retirement of the incumbent school crossing patrol officer in early 2007, the SELB undertook an assessment to establish if the location required a replacement officer. The location failed to meet the necessary criteria and a new officer was not appointed by the SEELB.
Time Spent in Departmental Office
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Education how many days she has spent at her Department's offices in the North Down constituency since taking up office.
(AQW 727/09)
The Minister of Education: Bainim úsáid as m’oifig Aireachta ag Foirgneamh na Parlaiminte faoi choinne thromlach mór mo dhualgas Roinne. Dá dheasca sin, tá 7 lá caite agam in oifigí mo Roinne i dtoghcheantar Dhún Thuaidh.
I use my Ministerial office in Parliament Buildings for the great majority of my Departmental duties. In consequence I have spent 7 days at my Department’s offices in the North Down constituency.
Proposed Closure of Donaghadee High School
Dr Farry asked the Minister of Education what action she is taking to ensure that pupils affected by the proposed closure of Donaghadee High School in August 2009 will be able to transfer to local schools, particularly year 8 pupils.
(AQW 754/09)
The Minister of Education: Nuair a dhruidfear Donaghadee High School ag deireadh mhí Lúnasa 2009 táthar ag dréim leis nach mbeidh ach 85 dalta a mbeidh áit de dhíth orthu don scoilbhliain 2009/10 i mBlianta 9-12 ag scoileanna eile. Tá 10 ndalta i mbliain 8 ag Donaghadee HS faoi láthair.
When Donaghadee High School closes at the end of August 2009 it is anticipated that there will be only 85 pupils requiring places in Years 9-12 at alternative schools for the 2009/10 school year. There are currently 10 pupils in year 8 at Donaghadee HS.
The South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) has advised that the Board will arrange for the appropriate placement of all statemented children in discussion with parents and schools. Parents of other pupils will have to apply for places at alternative schools and the Board of Governors of each school will admit pupils in accordance with their admissions procedures. There are currently sufficient places available in alternative schools.
Clanmorris Campus of Bangor Academy
Dr Farry asked the Minister of Education what plans her Department has to authorise and fund the early demolition of the vacant Clanmorris Campus of Bangor Academy, in order to secure the site to eliminate the inherent risk and potential liability of the current approach to managing the site.
(AQW 755/09)
The Minister of Education: Chuir Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne an Oirdheiscirt iarratas ar chistiú isteach chuig an Roinn Oideachais le déanaí chun na foirgnimh atá ann anois ag Campas Clanmorris a scartáil.
The South Eastern Education and Library Board has recently submitted a request to the Department of Education for funding to demolish the existing buildings on the Clanmorris Campus. The SEELB will be submitting a business case to the department to support their request for funding.
Post-Primary Transfer
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when she intends to consult in relation to the proposed amendment to primary legislation and the proposed changes in regulations needed for changes to post-primary transfer in 2010.
(AQW 757/09)
The Minister of Education: Rachaidh mé i ndáil chomhairle maidir leis an reachtaíocht atá de dhíth, ag an áiméar is luaithe is féidir. Tá uainiú an aiméir sin ag brath go mór ar cé chomh toilteanach is atá an Feidhmeannas chun dul i ngleic leis na moltaí a thug mé ar 15 Bealtaine 2008 ar bhealach cuiditheach.
I will consult upon the required legislation at the earliest possible opportunity. The exact timing will depend very much on the willingness of the Executive to engage constructively with the proposals I brought forward on 15 May 2008. I look forward to that engagement taking place as soon as possible so that my officials can proceed with the drafting of legislation.
Post-Primary Transfer
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made towards establishing a legislative base for the changes to post-primary in 2010.
(AQW 758/09)
The Minister of Education: Thug mé moltaí ar 15 Bealtaine 2008 maidir le haistriú iarbhunscoile san am atá le teacht.
I brought forward proposals for the future of post-primary transfer on 15 May 2008. Since then I have submitted a legislative bid to support my proposals and have been developing them in greater detail so that they can be the subject of thorough engagement on behalf of the Executive.
Free School Meal Entitlement
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Education to detail the 11 plus test results for each primary school with 30% or more pupils with Free School Meal entitlement, for the (i) 2006-07; and (ii) 2007-08, academic years.
(AQW 760/09)
The Minister of Education: Féach an tábla seo thíos
Please see the table below
Transfer procedure results for schools with a free school meal entitlement (FSME) of 30% or more in 2007/08
School Ref. |
School Name |
A |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
D |
Total Sitting |
FSME % |
1010063 |
CURRIE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
8 |
67.5 |
1010146 |
EUSTON STREET PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
13 |
44.6 |
1010221 |
SPRINGFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
44.8 |
1010255 |
ELMGROVE PS |
7 |
* |
* |
6 |
6 |
* |
30 |
37.9 |
1010267 |
NETTLEFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
20 |
24 |
53.9 |
1010269 |
AVONIEL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
9 |
58.0 |
1010271 |
BEECHFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
73.0 |
1010283 |
GROVE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
46.8 |
1010296 |
BALLYGOLAN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
47.2 |
1010301 |
TAUGHMONAGH PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
39.8 |
1010307 |
SPRINGHILL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
10 |
22 |
30.6 |
1010323 |
EDENBROOKE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
11 |
60.6 |
1010863 |
SUFFOLK PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
37.0 |
1013018 |
KNOCKNAGONEY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
15 |
43.5 |
1016059 |
BLACKMOUNTAIN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
61.3 |
1016060 |
DONEGALL ROAD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
50.3 |
1016076 |
BALLYSILLAN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
8 |
42.2 |
1016205 |
FANE STREET PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
9 |
31.8 |
1016207 |
BLYTHEFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
14 |
14 |
67.2 |
1016483 |
CLIFTONVILLE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
18 |
35.1 |
1016485 |
GLENWOOD PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
24 |
53.0 |
1016498 |
MALVERN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
65.5 |
1016499 |
BOTANIC PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
13 |
42.4 |
1016532 |
WHEATFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
12 |
44.1 |
1016537 |
LOWWOOD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
16 |
33.5 |
1016604 |
HARMONY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
53.1 |
1016647 |
BUNSCOIL MHIC REACHTAIN |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
53.5 |
1030194 |
HOLY CROSS BOYS' PS |
16 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
30 |
50.9 |
1030316 |
ST AIDAN'S CHRISTIAN BROTHERS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
67.6 |
1030317 |
ST BERNADETTE'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
10 |
65.1 |
1030326 |
OUR LADY'S GIRLS' PS |
10 |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
9 |
31 |
45.0 |
1030329 |
EDMUND RICE (CB) PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
15 |
28 |
48.3 |
1030331 |
HOLY CROSS GIRLS' PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
63.1 |
1036041 |
MERCY PS |
6 |
5 |
* |
* |
7 |
10 |
33 |
40.4 |
1036042 |
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
14 |
55.7 |
1036048 |
ST MARY'S STAR OF THE SEA PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
15 |
34.4 |
1036464 |
STAR OF THE SEA GIRLS' PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
15 |
23 |
49.7 |
1036466 |
ST MALACHY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
46.4 |
1036471 |
SACRED HEART PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
18 |
46.4 |
1036505 |
ST MATTHEW'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
15 |
18 |
54.9 |
1036565 |
ST KEVIN'S PS |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
27 |
33.0 |
1036566 |
HOLY FAMILY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
26 |
41.4 |
1036602 |
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
21 |
40 |
37.8 |
1036620 |
ST PETER'S PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
9 |
27 |
54.5 |
1036621 |
ST JOSEPH'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
11 |
45.2 |
1036623 |
HOLY TRINITY PS |
17 |
* |
10 |
* |
8 |
19 |
59 |
48.1 |
1036624 |
ST PAUL'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
13 |
41.7 |
1036630 |
ST CLARE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
* |
8 |
24 |
36.6 |
1046571 |
GAELSCOIL NA BHFAL |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
36.5 |
1046593 |
BUNSCOIL AN TSLEIBHE DHUIBH |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
7 |
33.9 |
1046596 |
BUNSCOIL BHEANN MHADAGAIN |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
10 |
31.1 |
1046641 |
SCOIL AN DROICHID |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
7 |
35.9 |
1046671 |
GAELSCOIL NA MONA |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
43.1 |
2012617 |
ERGANAGH PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
30.5 |
2012711 |
DONEMANA PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
35.9 |
2016071 |
GREENHAW PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
15 |
39.9 |
2016124 |
ASHLEA PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
40.0 |
2016262 |
NEWTOWNSTEWART MODEL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
30.9 |
2016564 |
FOUNTAIN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
52.2 |
2030373 |
NAZARETH HOUSE PS |
16 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
24 |
35.0 |
2030381 |
HOLY CHILD PS |
6 |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
17 |
64.2 |
2032510 |
BARRACK STREET BOYS' PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
15 |
51.9 |
2032664 |
ST DAVOG'S SCRAGHEY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
36.8 |
2032716 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
41.2 |
2033707 |
MULLABUOY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
12 |
32.6 |
2036008 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
18 |
36.9 |
2036032 |
ST JOHN'S PS |
18 |
11 |
* |
# |
7 |
13 |
58 |
42.6 |
2036084 |
STEELSTOWN VOL MAINTAINED PS |
7 |
* |
8 |
5 |
# |
24 |
52 |
44.4 |
2036094 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
23 |
35.4 |
2036142 |
ST BRIGID'S PS |
8 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
29 |
51.3 |
2036143 |
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT PS |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
21 |
43.6 |
2036227 |
ST PAULS PS, SLIEVEMORE |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
74.7 |
2036259 |
TRENCH ROAD PS |
12 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
31 |
32.6 |
2036389 |
ST ANNE'S PS |
19 |
* |
5 |
* |
* |
5 |
37 |
35.3 |
2036449 |
CHRIST THE KING PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
52.0 |
2036459 |
ST THERESA'S PS |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
18 |
32.2 |
2036461 |
ST THERESA'S PS, LENAMORE |
17 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
31 |
55.9 |
2036465 |
CHAPEL ROAD PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
38.6 |
2036472 |
HOLY FAMILY PS |
11 |
* |
* |
5 |
* |
6 |
25 |
51.0 |
2036473 |
ST EITHNE'S PS |
22 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
11 |
58 |
34.3 |
2036475 |
LONGTOWER PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
50.0 |
2036555 |
ST EUGENE'S PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
35.1 |
2036574 |
BUNSCOIL CHOLMCILLE |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
40.9 |
2046646 |
GAELSCOIL EADAIN MHOIR |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
46.7 |
2046677 |
Gaelscoil na gCrann |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
33.3 |
3010781 |
HARRYVILLE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
12 |
45.7 |
3010842 |
THE WM PINKERTON MEMORIAL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
41.1 |
3010860 |
SUNNYLANDS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
15 |
42.1 |
3010873 |
BUSHMILLS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
33.6 |
3010895 |
RATHCOOLE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
11 |
39.9 |
3013315 |
BALLYKEEL PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
7 |
25 |
37.9 |
3013331 |
BALLYCRAIGY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
34.7 |
3016005 |
SILVERSTREAM PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
43.8 |
3016038 |
HOLLYBANK PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
14 |
34.5 |
3016040 |
ARMOY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
36.0 |
3016052 |
HARPURS HILL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
9 |
38.1 |
3016058 |
PARKHALL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
14 |
23 |
35.2 |
3016063 |
DUNCLUG PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
15 |
45.8 |
3016171 |
BALLEE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
6 |
53.4 |
3016249 |
EARLVIEW PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
8 |
43.3 |
3016252 |
BALLYSALLY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
55.6 |
3056231 |
RATHENRAW INTEGRATED PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
41.2 |
4010743 |
LARGYMORE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
14 |
34.5 |
4010885 |
TONAGH PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
32.2 |
4011632 |
CREGAGH PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
14 |
34.5 |
4013023 |
BLOOMFIELD ROAD PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
18 |
36.8 |
4013038 |
TULLYCARNET PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
8 |
51.1 |
4013309 |
DERRIAGHY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
60.5 |
4013334 |
KNOCKMORE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
9 |
32.5 |
4016002 |
KILCOOLEY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
11 |
66.1 |
4016083 |
WEST WINDS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
37.1 |
4016144 |
OLD WARREN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
8 |
61.5 |
4036081 |
ST LUKE'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
14 |
20 |
73.4 |
4036134 |
ST MARK'S PS |
5 |
* |
* |
6 |
* |
20 |
37 |
50.6 |
4036182 |
ST COLMCILLE'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
54.6 |
4036285 |
THE GOOD SHEPHERD PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
30 |
60.1 |
4036480 |
ST KIERAN'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
13 |
73.4 |
4036618 |
CHRIST THE REDEEMER PS |
7 |
6 |
5 |
* |
* |
11 |
35 |
35.0 |
4046600 |
SCOIL NA FUISEOIGE |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
50.4 |
5012643 |
STEWARTSTOWN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
37.1 |
5016117 |
BALLYORAN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
41.3 |
5031070 |
ST MICHAEL'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
47.1 |
5031135 |
ST OLIVER'S PS (CARRICKROVADDY) |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
31.1 |
5031146 |
ANAMAR PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
44.1 |
5031148 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
9 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
20 |
30.8 |
5031158 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
15 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
23 |
39.2 |
5036099 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
7 |
* |
* |
6 |
* |
* |
21 |
40.8 |
5036433 |
ST MALACHY'S PS |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
26 |
43.0 |
5036590 |
PRIMATE DIXON PS |
17 |
* |
5 |
7 |
# |
26 |
60 |
39.5 |
5036610 |
St Francis of Assisi Primary School |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
30.0 |
5046637 |
GAELSCOIL UI NEILL |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
36.3 |
* Fewer than five cases
# Figure has not been given under rules of statistical disclosure
Transfer procedure results for schools with a free school meal entitlement (FSME) of 30% or more in 2006/07
School Ref. |
School Name |
A |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
D |
Total Sitting |
FSME % |
1010063 |
CURRIE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
6 |
73.1 |
1010146 |
EUSTON STREET PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
11 |
53.5 |
1010205 |
FORTH RIVER PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
11 |
35.9 |
1010221 |
SPRINGFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
56.2 |
1010231 |
STRAND PRIMARY SCHOOL |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
29 |
31.0 |
1010255 |
ELMGROVE PS |
17 |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
43 |
36.2 |
1010267 |
NETTLEFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
# |
12 |
58.2 |
1010269 |
AVONIEL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
56.6 |
1010271 |
BEECHFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
5 |
76.4 |
1010283 |
GROVE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
58.8 |
1010296 |
BALLYGOLAN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
# |
# |
51.0 |
1010301 |
TAUGHMONAGH PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
47.0 |
1010321 |
VERE FOSTER PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
76.5 |
1010323 |
EDENBROOKE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
12 |
64.1 |
1010863 |
SUFFOLK PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
5 |
45.1 |
1013018 |
KNOCKNAGONEY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
# |
47.1 |
1016059 |
BLACKMOUNTAIN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
62.5 |
1016060 |
DONEGALL ROAD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
# |
43.3 |
1016076 |
BALLYSILLAN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
# |
49.1 |
1016205 |
FANE STREET PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
# |
36.8 |
1016207 |
BLYTHEFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
7 |
74.1 |
1016483 |
CLIFTONVILLE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
18 |
19 |
39.3 |
1016485 |
GLENWOOD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
20 |
23 |
53.4 |
1016498 |
MALVERN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
66.7 |
1016499 |
BOTANIC PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
# |
47.2 |
1016532 |
WHEATFIELD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
13 |
44.0 |
1016537 |
LOWWOOD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
12 |
39.4 |
1016604 |
HARMONY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
# |
58.2 |
1016647 |
BUNSCOIL MHIC REACHTAIN |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
47.7 |
1030194 |
HOLY CROSS BOYS' PS |
9 |
* |
5 |
* |
* |
9 |
31 |
52.0 |
1030316 |
ST AIDAN'S CHRISTIAN BROTHERS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
72.1 |
1030317 |
ST BERNADETTE'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
# |
11 |
12 |
69.3 |
1030326 |
OUR LADY'S GIRLS' PS |
11 |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
16 |
39 |
46.4 |
1030329 |
EDMUND RICE (CB) PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
16 |
28 |
52.0 |
1030331 |
HOLY CROSS GIRLS' PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
11 |
63.8 |
1036041 |
MERCY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
18 |
30 |
37.5 |
1036042 |
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
8 |
56.8 |
1036048 |
ST MARY'S STAR OF THE SEA PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
11 |
33.9 |
1036464 |
STAR OF THE SEA GIRLS' PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
26 |
37 |
58.0 |
1036466 |
ST MALACHY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
58.9 |
1036471 |
SACRED HEART PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
10 |
22 |
45.8 |
1036505 |
ST MATTHEW'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
15 |
60.0 |
1036565 |
ST KEVIN'S PS |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
30 |
38.7 |
1036566 |
HOLY FAMILY PS |
9 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
26 |
46.9 |
1036602 |
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
17 |
29 |
40.4 |
1036620 |
ST PETER'S PS |
7 |
* |
* |
5 |
* |
5 |
23 |
61.4 |
1036621 |
ST JOSEPH'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
11 |
51.6 |
1036623 |
HOLY TRINITY PS |
19 |
* |
* |
5 |
* |
20 |
52 |
48.2 |
1036624 |
ST PAUL'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
12 |
39.3 |
1036630 |
ST CLARE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
11 |
30 |
38.6 |
1046571 |
GAELSCOIL NA BHFAL |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
34.2 |
1046593 |
BUNSCOIL AN TSLEIBHE DHUIBH |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
39.2 |
1046596 |
BUNSCOIL BHEANN MHADAGAIN |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
9 |
33.6 |
1046641 |
SCOIL AN DROICHID |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
32.6 |
1046671 |
GAELSCOIL NA MONA |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
47.0 |
1046672 |
GAELSCOIL AN LONNAIN |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
56.8 |
2012276 |
BURNFOOT PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
31.9 |
2012711 |
DONEMANA PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
34.6 |
2016071 |
GREENHAW PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
19 |
40.8 |
2016124 |
ASHLEA PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
7 |
53.9 |
2016564 |
FOUNTAIN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
# |
51.2 |
2030364 |
ROSEMOUNT PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
17 |
31.0 |
2030373 |
NAZARETH HOUSE PS |
10 |
5 |
* |
* |
6 |
10 |
35 |
37.7 |
2030381 |
HOLY CHILD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
16 |
71.1 |
2031868 |
ST TIERNEY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
34.7 |
2031869 |
ST MARY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
17 |
36.8 |
2032212 |
GLENDERMOTT PS |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
34.3 |
2032510 |
BARRACK STREET BOYS' PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
15 |
50.8 |
2032639 |
DRUMDUFF PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
37.7 |
2032664 |
ST DAVOG'S SCRAGHEY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
33.3 |
2033707 |
MULLABUOY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
37.0 |
2036008 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
36.6 |
2036032 |
ST JOHN'S PS |
18 |
6 |
# |
7 |
* |
17 |
56 |
44.9 |
2036084 |
STEELSTOWN VOL MAINTAINED PS |
9 |
* |
7 |
5 |
5 |
29 |
56 |
45.6 |
2036094 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
8 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
23 |
44.2 |
2036096 |
ST MARY'S GIRLS' PS |
9 |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
31 |
30.3 |
2036142 |
ST BRIGID'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
17 |
24 |
51.1 |
2036143 |
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT PS |
10 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
22 |
46.7 |
2036227 |
ST PAULS PS, SLIEVEMORE |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
18 |
76.4 |
2036259 |
TRENCH ROAD PS |
9 |
* |
7 |
5 |
* |
15 |
43 |
34.9 |
2036389 |
ST ANNE'S PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
25 |
39.5 |
2036449 |
CHRIST THE KING PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
14 |
62.2 |
2036459 |
ST THERESA'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
36.6 |
2036461 |
ST THERESA'S PS, LENAMORE |
7 |
8 |
* |
* |
7 |
12 |
36 |
56.3 |
2036465 |
CHAPEL ROAD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
15 |
38.1 |
2036472 |
HOLY FAMILY PS |
12 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
29 |
53.5 |
2036473 |
ST EITHNE'S PS |
22 |
6 |
* |
* |
7 |
12 |
53 |
34.5 |
2036475 |
LONGTOWER PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
* |
20 |
53.5 |
2036555 |
ST EUGENE'S PS |
7 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
17 |
35.8 |
2036557 |
ALL SAINTS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
30.0 |
2036574 |
BUNSCOIL CHOLMCILLE |
10 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
18 |
38.0 |
2046646 |
GAELSCOIL EADAIN MHOIR |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
52.6 |
3010781 |
HARRYVILLE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
# |
13 |
47.5 |
3010842 |
THE WM PINKERTON MEMORIAL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
45.2 |
3010860 |
SUNNYLANDS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
41.0 |
3010870 |
MOYLE PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
27 |
30.6 |
3010873 |
BUSHMILLS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
36.2 |
3010895 |
RATHCOOLE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
40.3 |
3013315 |
BALLYKEEL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
13 |
43.0 |
3013331 |
BALLYCRAIGY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
14 |
33.0 |
3013333 |
BALLYCASTLE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
34.0 |
3016005 |
SILVERSTREAM PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
50.0 |
3016038 |
HOLLYBANK PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
12 |
36.6 |
3016040 |
ARMOY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
31.6 |
3016052 |
HARPURS HILL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
43.6 |
3016058 |
PARKHALL PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
21 |
34.0 |
3016063 |
DUNCLUG PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
10 |
40.9 |
3016171 |
BALLEE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
7 |
52.1 |
3016249 |
EARLVIEW PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
39.1 |
3016252 |
BALLYSALLY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
8 |
58.6 |
3033303 |
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
17 |
32.6 |
3036050 |
ST JOSEPH'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
* |
10 |
24 |
31.0 |
3036250 |
ST JOSEPH'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
8 |
56.2 |
3052071 |
CARHILL INTEGRATED PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
31.8 |
3056231 |
RATHENRAW INTEGRATED PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
39.6 |
4010743 |
LARGYMORE PS |
6 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
21 |
33.6 |
4010885 |
TONAGH PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
34.4 |
4011632 |
CREGAGH PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
30.9 |
4013023 |
BLOOMFIELD ROAD PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
18 |
37.0 |
4013038 |
TULLYCARNET PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
9 |
47.7 |
4013309 |
DERRIAGHY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
42.0 |
4013334 |
KNOCKMORE PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
34.4 |
4016002 |
KILCOOLEY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
7 |
60.7 |
4016083 |
WEST WINDS PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
5 |
43.9 |
4016144 |
OLD WARREN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
15 |
63.4 |
4036081 |
ST LUKE'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
13 |
76.1 |
4036134 |
ST MARK'S PS |
* |
5 |
* |
5 |
* |
12 |
31 |
50.9 |
4036182 |
ST COLMCILLE'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
56.4 |
4036285 |
THE GOOD SHEPHERD PS |
8 |
* |
* |
6 |
* |
30 |
50 |
60.9 |
4036480 |
ST KIERAN'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
8 |
21 |
72.8 |
4036618 |
CHRIST THE REDEEMER PS |
12 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
28 |
38.3 |
4046600 |
SCOIL NA FUISEOIGE |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
52.2 |
4051601 |
PORTAFERRY INTEGRATED PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
9 |
37.5 |
5011190 |
TULLYGALLY PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
66.1 |
5016117 |
BALLYORAN PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
45.1 |
5030975 |
ST MALACHY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
6 |
8 |
30.7 |
5031070 |
ST MICHAEL'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
54.8 |
5031086 |
CLONALIG PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
36.0 |
5031107 |
ST TERESA'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
30.0 |
5031146 |
ANAMAR PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
7 |
60.0 |
5031148 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
12 |
18 |
36.4 |
5031158 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
9 |
* |
5 |
* |
* |
9 |
29 |
41.4 |
5031166 |
ST MICHAEL'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
35.2 |
5031176 |
ST PETER'S PS |
15 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
11 |
34 |
30.2 |
5031340 |
ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT PS |
27 |
11 |
7 |
* |
* |
20 |
71 |
30.4 |
5032692 |
ST MARY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
34.9 |
5036001 |
ST MARY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
31.9 |
5036047 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
9 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
24 |
33.9 |
5036057 |
ST MALACHY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
30.6 |
5036099 |
ST PATRICK'S PS |
8 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
21 |
40.9 |
5036110 |
ST JOSEPH'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
15 |
30.7 |
5036363 |
ST MARY'S PS, AUGHNACLOY |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
32.9 |
5036433 |
ST MALACHY'S PS |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
27 |
51.9 |
5036545 |
ST COLMAN'S PS |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
24 |
30.4 |
5036590 |
PRIMATE DIXON PS |
12 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
13 |
35 |
44.4 |
5046597 |
BUNSCOIL AN IUIR |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
38.1 |
5046637 |
GAELSCOIL UI NEILL |
5 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
# |
41.4 |
* Fewer than five cases
# Figure has not been given under rules of statistical disclosure
Safer Routes to Schools Programme
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Education to detail the schools that have availed of the Safer Routes to Schools programme.
(AQW 762/09)
The Minister of Education: Ghlac na scoileanna seo a leanas leis an chlár, ‘Bealaí Sábháilte chuig an Scoil’.
The following schools have availed of the Safer Routes to School programme.
Ashfield Girl's High School, Belfast |
Cavehill Primary School, Belfast |
Holy Trinity primary School, Belfast |
Carrickfergus College , Carrickfergus |
Carrickfergus Grammar School , Carrickfergus, |
Braniel Primary School, Belfast |
Redburn Primary School , Holywood, |
St Comgall’s Primary School, Bangor |
St Joseph 's Primary School Crumlin, |
Moorfields Primary School Ballymena |
Groarty Primary School Derry |
St Peter's High Derry |
St Paul 's Secondary School Kilrea |
Limavady Central Primary Limavady |
St Coleman's Primary School, Lawrencetown |
St Coleman's Primary School, Banbridge |
Mullavilly Primary School ,Tandragee |
St Paul 's Junior High School, Lurgan |
St Francis Primary School, Lurgan |
St Marys High School, Downpatrick |
Assumption Grammar School , Ballynahinch |
St Marys Primary School, Mullaghbane |
St Michaels Primary School, Newtownhamilton |
Ampertaine Upperlands PS Upperlands, |
Coagh Primary School Cookstown |
St. Patricks Primary School , Moneymore |
St. Patricks Primary School , Annaghmore |
St. Patricks Primary School , Ardboe |
The Royal School, Dungannon |
St Josephs P S Drumquin |
St Mary's Primary School, Maguiresbridge |
Loanends PS, Crumlin |
Carnalridge PS, Portrush |
St Patrick’s PS, Pennyburn |
Glenndermott PS, Derry |
Roan PS, Eglish |
Spires Int PS, Magherafelt |
Altayeskey PS, Draperstown |
Ballylifford PS, Cookstown |
Glengormley High School |
Mallusk PS |
Ben Madigan PS, Belfast |
Derriaghy PS, Lisburn |
Ballinderry PS, Lisburn |
Ballymacward PS, Lisburn |
Sullivan Upper, Holywood |
Glenola College, Bangor |
Newtonbreda HS, Castlereagh |
Sacred Heart PS, Dundrum |
Castle Gardens PS Newtownards |
Larne Grammar |
Groggan PS, Randalstown |
Culcrow PS, Coleraine |
Lisnagelvin PS, Derry |
Culmore PS, Derry |
St Treas PS, Magherafelt |
St Mary’s PS, Fivemiletown |
St John ’s High, Dromore |
St Dymphna’s PS, Dromore |
Artigarvan PS, Strabane |
St Columban’s PS, Belcoo |
Primate Dixon PS, Coalisland |
St Paul ’s PS, Ivinestown |
Dungannon PS |
St Macartan’s PS, Clogher |
Lead Hill PS, Belfast |
Moneyrea PS |
Moira PS |
Gilnahirk PS, Belfast |
La Salle Boys Jr School, Belfast |
St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar |
Christian Brother’s Secondary School |
St Teresa’s PS |
Currie PS |
Holy Rosary PS |
Stranmillis PS |
Lough View Int PS |
Richmount PS, Portadown |
Bridge Int PS, Banbridge |
Kings Park PS, Lurgan |
Bocombra PS, Portadown |
St Macartans PS, Loughinisland |
Moneynick PS, Randalstown |
Garryduff PS, Ballymoney |
Kilmoyle PS. Ballymoney |
Ballytober PS, Bushmills |
St Columba’s PS, Kilrea |
St John ’s PS, Derry |
Crossroads PS Drumagarner |
Tobermore PS, Magherafelt |
Derrychrin PS, Cookstown |
St Patrick’s PS, Donaghmore |
Aughnacloy PS |
Churchill PS, Caledon |
Parklodge PS, Belfast |
Whitehead PS |
St Louise’s College, Belfast |
Saintfield HS |
Carrick PS |
Dromintee PS, Killeavey |
Andrews Memorial PS, Comber |
Bridge Int PS Banbridge |
Kings Park PS, Lurgan |
Bocombra PS, Portadown |
Irish Society PS, Coleraine |
Ballougry PS |
Fivemiletown High |
Clogher Regional PS |
St Joseph ’s PS, Galbally |
Lagan College |
Ballynahinch PS |
Clonalig PS, Crossmaglen |
Abbey PS, Newtownards |
St Peter’s PS, Moy |
Moyallen PS, Portadown |
Carrickmannon PS |
St Joseph ’s PS Ballymartin |
Area Based Planning Exercise
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education when the consultation on the post-primary area based planning exercise for schools will be completed; and whether the process is currently behind schedule.
(AQW 773/09)
The Minister of Education: Following my statement of 4 March 2008, I established a Central Area Based Planning Group and 5 Local Area Based Planning groups to consider the most efficient and effective arrangements for the post-primary phase of education to deliver the Entitlement Framework to young people, from 2013 onwards, on a regional basis. These groups are independently chaired and are representative of all the owners and promoters of schools.
Much work has already been done by the Central Group and the 5 Local Area Group Chairpersons to agree on a consultation process which will invite all interested parties to make a submission on how best to deliver the Entitlement Framework. The guidance for the Local Area Groups ensures that the exercise will be taken forward in an open and inclusive manner, based on real consultation and engagement with stakeholders. The details of the consultation process will be available in the very near future.
Bím i dteagmháil le Cathaoirleach an Lárghrúpa go rialta agus tá mé iontach sásta leis an dul chun cinn go dtí seo. Tá mé cinnte go gcuirfidh an Lárghrúpa tuarascáil eatramhach amach faoi dheireadh mhí Dheireadh Fómhair, de réir mar atá iarrtha agam, agus go gcuirfear dréachtphlean réigiúnach amach ina dhiaidh sin faoi dheireadh mhí Feabhra 2009. Glacfaidh mé comhairle ón Chathaoirleach agus ón Leaschathaoirleach maidir le dáta eisiúna na tuarascála deiridh.
I am in regular contact with the Chairperson of the Central Group and I am very pleased with the progress to date. I am confident that the Central Group will provide an interim report by the end of October, as I have requested, with a draft regional plan to follow by the end of February 2009. I will take advice from the Chair and Vice Chair as to timing of the final report.
Maine Integrated Primary in Randalstown
Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister of Education to indicate a timescale for the new build for Maine Integrated Primary in Randalstown.
(AQW 832/09)
The Minister of Education: Osclaíodh Maine Integrated Primary School i mí Mheán Fómhair 2003. Níl critéir na Roinne um dheontas caipitil comhlíonta ag an scoil go fóill agus níl aon phleananna ann faoi láthair chun foirgneamh nua a thógáil.
Maine Integrated Primary School opened in September 2003. The school has not yet met the Department’s criteria for capital grant and there are no current plans to provide a new build.
I understand however that an additional mobile classroom has been added on site this year.
Young People Playing Musical Instruments
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Education what action she has taken to encourage young people to play musical instruments in school.
(AQW 848/09)
The Minister of Education: Participation in musical activities can help to build confidence and self-esteem and have a positive impact across other subject areas. Music is part of the statutory curriculum in schools from Foundation to Key Stage 3. Pupils may also choose to study it at Key Stage 4 and beyond. It is a matter for each individual school to determine how much time to devote to Music in order to meet the requirements of the curriculum and the needs of their pupils.
Bíonn tacaíocht bhreise ar fáil do scoileanna fosta maidir le daltaí ar mhian leo gléas áirithe ceoil a fhoghlaim. Is é an tSeirbhís Ceoil do Scoileanna i ngach Bord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne a thugann an tacaíocht seo, agus cuimsíonn an tseirbhís teagasc ceoil do dhaoine aonair agus do ghrúpaí, iasacht an ghléis cheoil agus scéimeanna cuidithe um cheannach.
Schools also have access to additional support for pupils wishing to learn a particular instrument. This is provided by the Schools’ Music Service of each Education and Library Board, and includes group and individual instrumental tuition, instrumental loan and assisted purchase schemes. It is a matter for each ELB to determine how much funding it makes available, from within its overall block grant allocation, for its Curriculum and Advisory Support Service and, within this, for its Music Service.
Special Needs Pupils
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Education how many pupils with special needs transferred to each post-primary school in the (i) Newry and Mourne District Council; and (ii) Armagh City and District Council areas.
(AQW 881/09)
The Minister of Education: Seo a leanas an t-eolas a iarradh.
The information requested is as follows.
Year 8 pupils with special educational needs (SEN) by district council of school location 2007/08
School Name |
SEN stages 1-5 |
District Council of School |
Markethill High School |
* |
Armagh |
City Armagh High School |
8 |
Armagh |
Tandragee Junior High School |
12 |
Armagh |
St Brigid's High School |
* |
Armagh |
St Patrick's High School |
29 |
Armagh |
St Catherine's College |
19 |
Armagh |
Armagh Integrated College |
7 |
Armagh |
The Royal School Armagh |
* |
Armagh |
St Patrick's Grammar School |
* |
Armagh |
Kilkeel High School |
8 |
Newry and Mourne |
Newtownhamilton High School |
6 |
Newry and Mourne |
Newry High School |
15 |
Newry and Mourne |
St Joseph's Boys' High School |
36 |
Newry and Mourne |
St Columban's College |
6 |
Newry and Mourne |
St Mary's High School |
23 |
Newry and Mourne |
St Mark's High School |
35 |
Newry and Mourne |
St Paul's High School |
36 |
Newry and Mourne |
St Joseph's High School |
20 |
Newry and Mourne |
St Louis Grammar School |
* |
Newry and Mourne |
Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School |
6 |
Newry and Mourne |
Our Lady's Grammar School |
* |
Newry and Mourne |
St Colman's College |
* |
Newry and Mourne |
Sacred Heart Grammar School |
0 |
Newry and Mourne |
Source: Annual School Census 2007/08
* Denotes fewer than five cases
Meanscoil Feirste
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of Education to outline the provision of transport for the pupils of Meanscoil Feirste who reside outside of the 3 mile radius of the school.
(AQW 904/09)
The Minister of Education: Tá na socruithe um sholáthar chúnamh iompair do dhaltaí atá ag freastal ar Choláiste Feirste, Meánscoil Feirste roimhe seo, díreach mar atá na socruithe atá ann do gach scoil eile.
The arrangements for the provision of transport assistance for pupils attending Coláiste Feirste, formerly Meánscoil Feirste, are the same as those arrangements that are in place for all other schools.
The approved home to school transport arrangements require Education and Library Boards to make such arrangements as they consider necessary to facilitate the attendance of pupils at grant-aided schools. The current arrangements restrict transport provision to pupils who have been unable to gain a place in all suitable schools within statutory walking distance of their home (3 miles for post-primary school age pupils). For the purposes of the transport arrangements the term ‘suitable school’ has a precise definition. It relates solely to the established educational categories of controlled, maintained, integrated and Irish-medium, and, in the grammar sector, denominational and non-denominational schools.
Once eligibility has been established the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) must then determine the most appropriate mode of transport for individual pupils. ELBs have a responsibility to identify the most economical form of transport assistance, using the shortest possible route from home to school. As such, the majority of pupils receive a sessional ticket and travel on public transport services.
In some cases public transport may not be available and in that event ELBs will fulfil their obligations by providing alternative transport assistance using Board-owned vehicles, contracting services, hiring taxis or paying allowances. If no public transport route exists and a parent opts to accept reimbursement for providing their own transport, the ELB will pay up to twice the sessional ticket rate based on the distances involved. Whatever mode of transport the ELB chooses they are required to obtain the best value for money.
Meanscoil Feirste
Mr A Maskey asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of pupils currently attending Meanscoil Feirste who reside along the County Down/ South Belfast corridor.
(AQW 905/09)
The Minister of Education: Tá an t-eolas a iarradh á chur ar fáil de réir thoghcheantar parlaiminte áit chónaithe an dalta. Féach an tábla thíos.
The information requested has been provided by parliamentary constituency of pupil residence. Please see the table below.
Number of pupils attending Meánscoil Feirste by parliamentary constituency of residence 2007/08 |
||
Parliamentary Constituency |
Number |
Percentage |
Belfast East |
20 |
4.0 |
Belfast North |
86 |
17.0 |
Belfast South |
12 |
2.4 |
Belfast West |
324 |
64.0 |
Lagan Valley |
36 |
7.1 |
South Antrim |
12 |
2.4 |
South Down |
7 |
1.4 |
Invalid Postcodes |
9 |
1.8 |
Total Enrolment |
506 |
100.0 |
Source: Annual School Census 2007/08
Bangor Academy
Mr Weir asked the Minister of Education in light of the increased demand for places for Bangor Academy and the proposed closure of Donaghadee High School, what plans the Department has to raise the level of the cap on the intake figures for Bangor Academy.
(AQW 935/09)
The Minister of Education: Níl ganntanas áiteanna scoile ann do pháistí i gceantar Dhún Thuaidh taobh istigh d’achar réasúnach taistil óna mbailte. Níor tháinig aon athrú air seo de bharr dhruidim Donaghadee High School.
There is no shortage of school places for children in the North Down area within a reasonable travelling distance of their homes. The closure of Donaghadee High School does not alter this. The admissions and enrolment numbers of Bangor Academy are set in accordance with the accommodation available at the new school. There are no plans to increase the admissions and enrolment numbers of Bangor Academy.
The Department is always willing to consider requests from schools for temporary variations to their admissions and enrolment numbers. However when considering such requests, the Department must take account of the availability of alternative school places in order to maintain a viable schools’ estate.
Employment and Learning
Economic Downturn
Mr Storey asked the Minister for Employment and Learning if his Department has a responsive approach to the current economic downturn; and what form his Department's response will take.
(AQW 569/09)
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Sir Reg Empey): A comprehensive range of services is available through my Department’s network of 35 Jobs and Benefits offices and JobCentres and through contracted Providers to help the unemployed find work including those affected by the recent economic changes. The services include mandatory work-focused interviews; action planning for certain clients and measures designed to improve the job prospects for those who have become unemployed.
Local office Managers have necessarily had to respond to the increase in the unemployment over the summer by ensuring that resources were provided to meet the initial needs of those clients.
The Department is conducting a review of Success through Skills, the Northern Ireland Skills Strategy. The review will include research on short term skills needs, as affected by any economic downturn.
The Department will continue to work with DETI and Invest NI in assessing the likely impact of an economic downturn and in the development of any interventions required.
The Department has also taken steps to adjust its current programmes in light of changing economic circumstances. For example, should an apprentice lose his/her employment, the Department has developed a Pre-Apprenticeship component under Training for Success. This component will allow eligible participants, who are no longer able to continue with Apprenticeship training due to redundancy, to continue working towards the achievement of an occupationally specific qualification.
My Department continually monitors labour market information to ensure that we are aware of changes in labour market conditions at the earliest possible opportunity. My Department believes that having good labour market information leads to better labour market decisions - in more difficult times just as much as when the economy is buoyant - and as part of the "Success through Skills" strategy a review of labour market information was carried out and published last year. Following on from that review, measures are being put in place to further improve labour market information - for example at a local level in conjunction with the Workforce Development Forums.
St Mary's University College
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail the courses offered by St Mary's University College.
(AQW 815/09)
The Minister for Employment and Learning: St Mary’s University College provides a four year Bachelor of Education (BEd) programme in primary and secondary teacher education. The College also provides a one year Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Irish Medium Education and a part-time Masters programme in teacher education.
The College also delivers a three year Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours degree in Liberal Arts.
Conversion Funding
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Employment and Learning the number of colleges that receive conversion funding.
(AQW 826/09)
The Minister for Employment and Learning: On the introduction of a new fit for purpose funding model, based on actual student enrolments, I agreed that both St Mary’s and Stranmillis University Colleges should receive conversion funding in academic year 2008/09.
Childcare Learning and Development
Mr McLaughlin asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for clarification on the future funding arrangements for level two and level three NVQ on Childcare Learning and Development.
(AQW 830/09)
The Minister for Employment and Learning: The Department funds participation on courses leading to these qualifications through a number of its programmes.
For example, the Department will continue to fund Further Education Colleges to deliver these qualifications while they remain on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). NQF qualifications meet quality criteria devised and agreed by the regulatory authorities for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and have been endorsed by their respective devolved administrations. In addition, under ApprenticeshipsNI the Department will continue to fund Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ qualifications in Early Years Care and Education as a part of an Apprenticeship Framework, provided that these qualifications remain requirements of the Sector Skills Council that has developed and agreed the Apprenticeship Frameworks in this occupational area. Finally, within the Steps to Work initiative, participants may undertake, where appropriate, an NVQ level 2 in Childcare Learning and Development.
Metropolitan International Schools Ltd
Mr Dallat asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to state if the company Metropolitan International Schools Ltd, trading as "Skillstrain" and "Scheidegger", is an approved provider of computer training.
(AQW 927/09)
The Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department has no role in the award of approved provider status for any organisation, rather this is the responsibility of the Awarding Body whose qualifications a provider would be offering.
Whilst a training organisation may choose to claim Awarding Body status in its own right to promote its own qualifications and run its own courses, it cannot state that its qualifications are nationally recognised if they have not been placed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This, in turn, cannot happen unless the organisation has been appropriately recognised as an Awarding Body by the regulators.
The regulators which recognise an organisation applying for Awarding Body status are the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England), the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Wales) and the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (Northern Ireland).
Metropolitan International Schools Ltd
Mr Dallat asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what involvement his Department has with the Metropolitan International Schools Ltd to ensure that its service delivery complies with required standards in quality, including advice and support provided to its customers.
(AQW 930/09)
The Minister for Employment and Learning: My Department holds no contracts with Metropolitan International Schools Limited and has no role in assuring its service delivery.
Service delivery standards are a matter for a training organisation to agree with the relevant Awarding Body for the qualification in question. Awarding Bodies are regulated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority ( England), the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills ( Wales) and the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment ( Northern Ireland).
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Economic Downturn
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action she is taking to help the private sector in light of the economic downturn.
(AQW 364/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster): I am aware that the current economic conditions present local businesses with very immediate challenges. That is why my Department is working with private sector companies to help them address the short-term pressures that they currently face. Invest NI is implementing new initiatives and tailoring existing programmes to ensure there is a robust support-package for local companies. Invest NI is also delivering a series of seminars to alert client companies to the opportunities and challenges that may arise during the downturn. Specialist assistance will be offered across a range of areas to help businesses at this time.
However, it is also important to recognise that the Executive has a longer term objective of growing a dynamic, innovative economy, as stated in the Programme for Government. DETI, and other Departments and key stakeholders, need to remain focused on achieving this. From a DETI perspective, we will continue to target investment to increase innovation and exports, boost tourism, improve our telecoms infrastructure and promote sources of renewable energy. DETI will also seek to promote enterprise and attract Foreign Direct Investment, which will provide further business opportunities for the private sector.
These measures will help place local businesses in a stronger competitive position to deal with the current slowdown.
Potential Investors
Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many potential investors have visited the Craigavon and Banbridge council areas in the last two years; and what imminent visits are planned by potential investors to these areas.
(AQW 372/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:
Ten potential investors (including one repeat visit) visited the Craigavon and Banbridge council areas between 1st April 2006 and 31st March 2008.
To date the number of inward visits by potential investors to Northern Ireland is significantly higher than this time last year, however, in order not to prejudice commercial interests and to protect the confidentiality of potential investors, Invest Northern Ireland is unable to release details of future visits.
Economic Downturn
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the effects the 'credit crunch' and downturn in the global economy is having on local businesses.
(AQW 378/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Current global economic conditions, and developments in the financial markets in particular, clearly present local businesses with significant challenges.
In particular, the economic slowdown will have an impact on the demand for goods and services, both in Northern Ireland and further afield. Key markets, such as the UK and Republic of Ireland, are also feeling the effects of the slowdown and this will reduce the demand for our exports. Furthermore, rising inflation, most notably increases in energy prices, have increased input costs for local businesses which is also impacting on competitiveness at this time.
In the first quarter of 2008/09 Invest NI has not experienced a significant change in offer activity, both in number and in value, when compared to the same period over the last three years. However, there is emerging evidence that its clients are increasingly encountering tightening cash flow difficulties and that it is seeing a reduction in planned development and expansion activity. Combined, this is likely to result in reduced offer activity, particularly in 2009/10 and beyond.
My Department is aware of the difficulties being experienced by local businesses and, where possible, will continue to work with them to help address the short-term pressures they are currently facing. With that in mind, Invest NI is implementing new initiatives and tailoring existing programmes to ensure there is a robust support-package for local companies at this time.
Energy Supplies
Mr Savage asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what plans she has to safeguard future energy supplies.
(AQW 463/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Northern Ireland is almost totally dependent at present on imported fossil fuels for the production of electricity, and for supplies of natural gas.
Recent geological studies to investigate the possibility of gas storage in salt caverns in the East Antrim area have been encouraging. The seismic survey by Portland Gas NI Limited is the furthest advanced geological research, and the company is currently planning to drill a directional borehole from a surface location close to Ballylumford.
In addition, the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland is working in conjunction with the British Geological Survey to access the extent of the salt beds both onshore and offshore Northern Ireland. These studies will all assist in developing the possibility of a gas storage facility for Northern Ireland which would help to reduce our vulnerability to international fuel price pressures.
In line with EU recommendations, my Department is also supportive of increased interconnection to enhance reliability and stability of energy supply to Northern Ireland. It supports proposals to construct an additional electricity interconnector, between Tyrone and Cavan. The new interconnector will double the interconnection capacity with the Irish Republic. It will also complement existing gas interconnection with the Irish Republic, and the existing electricity and gas interconnection between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
In addition, my Department continues to encourage the growth of the renewables industry by encouraging the development of wind, tidal, bio -energy and geothermal technologies and to seek to diversify, lessen our dependence on fossil fuels, and increase security of supply.
North-South Ministerial Council
Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail her Department's prioritisation of agenda items to be discussed at the next sectoral meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.
(AQW 584/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The draft agenda for the next NSMC meeting in Trade and Business Development Sectoral format is under discussion between my officials and officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and in that context I will consider the prioritisation of agenda items. Once the agenda is agreed it will be issued to the Executive and the Assembly.
Sports Tourism
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for her assessment of the working relationship between (i) the Northern Ireland Tourist Board; and (ii) Tourism Ireland, and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA); and if these bodies have worked with the GAA to maximise its tourism potential.
(AQW 624/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) works very closely with Tourism Ireland (TI) in all aspects of marketing and promotion primarily through publications, advertising and website.
The sporting traditions of Northern Ireland, are represented prominently in Tourism Ireland’s global marketing communications - through their suite of 41 websites in 19 languages, in market literature and in promotional and publicity campaigns in key markets. It is recognised that their portrayal can play an increasingly important role in helping potential visitors to envisage some of the unique and compelling aspects of a holiday here.
Responsibility for promoting Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) events rests with the GAA. NITB features festivals and events within certain marketing materials (e.g. its consumer website) when it is notified of such events and when these are relevant to tourists. Specific reference is made to Casement Park as a venue for hurling, football and camogie.
Sports Tourism
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland have been in contact with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to explore the extent to which the GAA could feature as a tourism product.
(AQW 625/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has not actively contacted the representative bodies of any sporting organisations in Northern Ireland, including the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
Sports tourism features alongside activities within the draft corporate plan and therefore exploration of how sporting events can assist NITB to meet their corporate objectives will be considered.
Currently, the NITB promotes on its website those sporting events of which it is notified, and which are of national or international prominence. Specific reference is made to Casement Park as a venue for hurling, football and camogie.
Tourism Ireland recognises the promotional potential of the sporting traditions and sporting traditions are represented prominently in its global marketing communications - through its suite of 41 websites in 19 languages, in market literature and in promotional and publicity campaigns in key markets. It is recognised that their portrayal can play an increasingly important role in helping potential visitors to envisage some of the unique and compelling aspects of a holiday here.
Independent Retailers
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how many independent retailers currently operate in town centres; and how this compares with 20 years ago.
(AQW 687/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment does not collect the information required to answer this question.
Merger of HBOS and Lloyds TSB
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps she is taking to ensure that there will be no job losses as a result of the recent merger of HBOS and Lloyds TSB.
(AQW 752/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: HBOS was one of the first major financial institutions to invest in Northern Ireland and its presence here continues to be of significant strategic importance to our economy. The First Minister and deputy First Minister have written to the Group Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB, stressing the importance of the HBOS investment to the Northern Ireland economy and outlining the Northern Ireland proposition for further investment.
I plan to write to the Chief Executive of HBOS Plc, again stressing the importance of the HBOS investment here and requesting a meeting to discuss any implications this proposed acquisition may have for Northern Ireland and how Northern Ireland may contribute positively to their future plans.
In addition, Invest NI continues to work closely with senior management in HBOS to develop its contacts within both Lloyds TSB and HBOS to ensure all parties are aware of the importance of HBOS’s continued presence here and the opportunities for further investment in Northern Ireland.
It should be noted that the proposed acquisition is still in the very early stages and it is not expected to be completed until the end of February 2009. However I can assure you that I, together with Invest NI, will continue to work proactively to secure the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland.
Merger of HBOS and Lloyds TSB
Dr Farry asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions her Department has had with Lloyds TSB in relation to potential job losses arising from its recent takeover of HBOS.
(AQW 753/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: HBOS was one of the first major financial institutions to invest in Northern Ireland and its presence here continues to be of significant strategic importance to our economy.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister have written to the Group Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB, stressing the importance of the HBOS investment to the Northern Ireland economy and outlining the Northern Ireland proposition for further investment.
I plan to write to the Chief Executive of HBOS Plc, again stressing the importance of the HBOS investment here and requesting a meeting to discuss any implication this proposed acquisition may have for Northern Ireland and how Northern Ireland may contribute positively to their future plans.
In addition, Invest NI continues to work closely with senior management in HBOS to develop its contacts within both Lloyds TSB and HBOS to ensure all parties are aware of the importance of HBOS’s continued presence here and the opportunities for further investment in Northern Ireland.
It should be noted that the proposed acquisition is still in the very early stages and it is not expected to be completed until the end of February 2009. However I can assure you that I, together with Invest NI, will continue to work proactively to secure the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland.
Merger of HBOS and Lloyds TSB
Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what action she is taking to secure HBOS jobs, including those at its Belfast call centre, following the takeover by Lloyds TSB.
(AQW 797/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: HBOS was one of the first major financial institutions to invest in Northern Ireland and its presence here continues to be of significant strategic importance to our economy.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister have written to the Group Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB, stressing the importance of the HBOS investment to the Northern Ireland economy and outlining the Northern Ireland proposition for further investment.
I have also written to the Chief Executive of HBOS Plc, again stressing the importance of the HBOS investment here and requesting a meeting to discuss any implication this proposed acquisition may have for Northern Ireland and how Northern Ireland may contribute positively to their future plans.
In addition, Invest NI continues to work closely with senior management in HBOS to develop its contacts within both Lloyds TSB and HBOS to ensure all parties are aware of the importance of HBOS’s continued presence here and the opportunities for further investment in Northern Ireland.
It should be noted that the proposed acquisition is still in the very early stages and it is not expected to be completed until the end of February 2009. However I can assure you that I, together with Invest NI, will continue to work proactively to secure the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland.
Merger of HBOS and Lloyds TSB
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if she has requested a meeting with management of HBOS following its takeover by Lloyds TSB to seek assurances on the security of jobs at its branches and call centre.
(AQW 829/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I have requested a meeting with the Chief Executive of HBOS Plc, to discuss any implication the proposed acquisition by Lloyds TSB of HBOS may have for Northern Ireland and how Northern Ireland may contribute positively to their future plans.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister have written to the Group Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB, stressing the importance of the HBOS investment to the Northern Ireland economy and outlining the Northern Ireland proposition for further investment.
In addition, Invest NI continues to work closely with senior management in HBOS to develop its contacts within both Lloyds TSB and HBOS to ensure all parties are aware of the importance of HBOS’s continued presence here and the opportunities for further investment in Northern Ireland.
It should be noted that the proposed acquisition is still in the very early stages and it is not expected to be completed until the end of February 2009. However I can assure you that I, together with Invest NI, will continue to work proactively to secure the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland.
Perfecseal
Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what meetings and correspondence he has had with management of Perfecseal in the last year; and to outline the key areas raised in these engagements.
(AQW 838/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I can confirm that, since taking up my position as Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in June of this year, I have had the opportunity to meet with senior management of Perfecseal on two occasions. I have also corresponded with Perfecseal on three occasions. My first meeting was on the 12th September 2008 and on the 19th of September I then attended a further joint meeting with the company and the Minister for the Environment.
The key areas raised in both the meetings and in correspondence have related to Perfecseal’s concerns in respect of potential barriers to business growth, in particular planning issues and the estate management for Campsie Industrial Estate.
As a high value business with strong growth potential, Perfecseal is obviously very important to Northern Ireland. I, and senior officials from Invest Northern Ireland have therefore recently offered to meet with Perfecseal's senior management and that of its parent company in order to promote Northern Ireland as an investment location. Having also discussed the issue of the Campsie site with Invest Northern Ireland, I am fully satisfied that Invest Northern Ireland has met and exceeded its commitment to maintain its land within Campsie to a good standard.
Perfecseal
Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Industry if she is aware of concerns regarding a planning application which could negatively impact on the integrity of the Perfecseal plant in Derry; and to detail what steps she is taking to allay those concerns and safeguard the future of the plant.
(AQW 844/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I am fully aware of Perfecseal’s concerns regarding a planning application. In response to these concerns, which have been raised by the Perfecseal senior management team, I met with Perfecseal, at short notice, on 12 th September 2008. At the meeting I agreed to arrange a joint meeting with Minister Wilson, in order to facilitate discussions in respect of planning issues. This joint meeting took place on 19 th September 2008.
Planning applications are assessed by Planning Service in line with prevailing legislation. The application procedure and any forthcoming decisions are a matter for the Department of the Environment. I am confident that Planning Service gives careful consideration to the information submitted in relation to all planning applications.
I recognise Perfecseal as a high value business with strong potential for growth and I, and senior officials from Invest NI, recently offered to meet with the senior management of Perfecseal and its parent company in order to promote Northern Ireland as an investment location. Invest NI offered £5.3 million of assistance in 2005, to secure the current investment made by Perfecseal in its new premises at Campsie Industrial Estate. Invest NI remains in close contact with Perfecseal and is working to secure any further potential Perfecseal investment at Campsie Industrial Estate.
NACCO Job Losses
Mr O'Dowd asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to her answer to AQW 401/09, if the Minister is aware that NACCO announced to its workers on the morning of Thursday 25 September 2008 that there will be 93 job losses.
(AQW 859/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: I have been briefed on the current situation at NACCO by Invest NI.
On Thursday 25 September 2008, NACCO announced potential redundancies of up to 93 employees at the Craigavon plant due to a slowdown in demand for forklift trucks, particularly in the European market. The company will now enter a period of consultation with the employees and their representatives.
Invest NI remains in close contact with the company and will continue to work with management at the Craigavon plant to maintain its competitiveness within the wider NACCO group.
NACCO Job Losses
Mr O'Dowd asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to her answer to AQW 401/09, why her Department was given contradictory information on 12 September 2008 in relation to NACCO's intention and timeframe for possible announcements.
(AQW 860/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: NACCO contacted Invest NI on Friday 12 September 2008, in response to a speculative article on job losses in the local press.
This was to inform Invest NI that no decisions on redundancies had been made and that Invest NI would be kept informed.
A misunderstanding arose in the communication of the detail and Invest NI understood that the announcement would be made in December 2008.
When I became aware that the company was planning to make an announcement in September, I wrote to the member providing the most up to date information available to me.
A revised written answer to AQW 401/09 was also provided.
NACCO Job Losses
Mr O'Dowd asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, pursuant to her answer to AQW 401/09, if Invest NI will review its assistance to NACCO in light of the announcement of job losses, to ensure all necessary assistance is given to the NACCO plant in Craigavon and all public money invested in the plant is protected.
(AQW 861/09)
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Invest NI is in regular contact with NACCO management at the Craigavon plant.
Selective financial assistance was awarded to NACCO in 2003 and 2004 to help secure two internationally mobile projects. These projects are still active at Craigavon and they have sustained skilled employment at the factory.
Invest NI continues to monitor the progress of these projects and is working closely with management to maintain the plant’s position as a competitive manufacturing unit, and to encourage new investment in Craigavon by the NACCO group.
Environment
Non-Farming Rural Dwellers
Mr McElduff asked the Minister of the Environment how his Department will meet the requirements of non-farming rural dwellers in relation to new rural planning laws.
(AQW 550/09)
The Minister of the Environment (Mr S Wilson): Revised draft PPS14 offers considerable benefits for non-farming rural dwellers, but these benefits cannot be realised until the policy is brought into effect. I hope the Executive will consider the revised draft at the earliest opportunity. If there is no agreement, I will shelve the revised draft and we will live with the existing policy. This would mean residential development in rural areas continuing to be hampered by restrictive planning policy, and planning policy on farm diversification continuing to lag behind rural development policies.
Otter Numbers
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what action he is taking to increase the numbers of otters, through retention of habitat and prevention of pesticides in rivers.
(AQW 574/09)
The Minister of the Environment: My Department published the Northern Ireland Species Action Plan for Otters in March 2007. The Plan identifies issues such as development, poor water quality, and habitat fragmentation as having a negative impact on the Northern Ireland otter population.
Otters can be found in a wide range of aquatic habitats including ditches, streams, ponds, lakes, rivers and coastal areas. To ensure the quality is maintained of areas that otters frequent my Department has published action plans which address the conservation concerns of various relevant habitats.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has also produced the ‘River Conservation Strategy for Northern Ireland’ which outlines its role in protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural value of rivers in Northern
Ireland. Additionally, NIEA is a statutory consultee to Planning Service and provides advice on site specific impacts within designated and non-designated rivers, when requested to do so.
Under the terms of the ‘Habitats Directive’ member states are required to designate and manage Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) for selected species such as otter. The otter is present as a qualifying feature of five Northern Ireland river and freshwater lake SACs.
Consumption of Alcohol on Coaches
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment if he will consider reviewing the legislation on the consumption of alcohol on coaches, as currently there is no requirement either in the legislation itself or in the license issued by the Driver and Licensing Agency, for coach operators to notify passengers that consumption of alcohol on board is an offence.
(AQW 585/09)
The Minister of the Environment: My Department is working with Translink to update the legislation dealing with consumption of alcohol on buses and coaches used as public service vehicles (as contained in the Public Service Vehicles Regulations (NI) 1985). It is planned to issue a public consultation on proposals by early 2009.
Pollution
Mr Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (i) the results of the pollution risk assessments recently undertaken at all business premises in Mallusk; (ii) the total number of serious pollution risks identified; and (iii) the nature of these serious risks.
(AQW 589/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) undertakes Pollution Prevention Risk Assessments at any site that is causing or has the potential to cause pollution e.g. construction sites and various industrial and commercial sites. This includes an investigation of the catchments and water bodies that are at risk, or potentially at risk, from pollution or have a history of bad water quality. Through direct interaction with site managers and owners NIEA can, through education or enforcement, reduce the risk of these sites causing pollution or downgrading the water quality in the catchment.
On the 5 July 2008, NIEA sent out information letters to over 300 businesses in the Mallusk Industrial Estate. NIEA has assigned an initial Risk Category to all these businesses based on its knowledge of the site and the nature of the operating business.
NIEA is currently carrying out an individual Pollution Risk Assessment on all of the sites in the Mallusk Industrial Estate. The results of the 82 Pollution Risk Assessments which have already been completed are detailed in the table below.
Risk |
High |
Medium |
Low |
Number of |
18 |
15 |
49 |
The potential pollutants identified on the 18 High Risk sites include oil, chemicals, cleaning materials and concrete.
Reduction of Lead in Wetlands
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment what meetings he has had with (i) the British Association for Shooting and Conservation; and (ii) Country Alliance Northern Ireland, to discuss the reduction of lead in wetlands and its impact on the shooting seasons.
(AQW 598/09)
The Minister of the Environment: I have not met with either of these organisations to discuss this matter.
Climate Change
Mr McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment what policy advice he has been given by officials in relation to the causes of climate change.
(AQW 643/09)
The Minister of the Environment: Officials have advised that there is a scientific view that one of the causes of recent climate change has been man through greenhouse gas emissions.
Pomeroy Forest
Mr Elliott asked the Minister of the Environment if his Department has investigated the depositing of materials, including soil and tree roots, from the development at Pomeroy Forest by Pomeroy Developments Ltd; and to detail the results of any investigations.
(AQW 650/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) provides scientific and technical advice to Planning Service on issues relating to the sewerage infrastructure to which a proposed development would connect.
This advice is based on the ability of the sewerage system and the receiving waste water treatment works to cope with the additional load and the extent of the environmental impact.
Connection to a public sewer is not a matter for NIEA nor Planning Service; it falls under Northern Ireland Water’s legislation, specifically, the Water and Sewerage Service ( Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
Planning Service
Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment what plans he has to instruct Planning Service staff to inspect all completed replacement dwellings to ensure that the dwelling being replaced has been demolished.
(AQW 651/09)
The Minister of the Environment: At present I have no plans to instruct Planning Service staff to visit all sites where conditions require the demolition of dwellings to be replaced. Any condition requiring that a dwelling be demolished will be placed on the Statutory Charges Register which is maintained by the Land Registers and will be identified by a solicitor if ownership of the land is exchanged. Planning Service staff will however investigate any cases brought to our attention by the public or identified by development control staff in the course of their normal duties. Enforcement action will be taken to ensure the condition is complied with. A Breach of Condition Notice may only be served within 10 years of the breach of planning control to which it relates having occurred.I would stress there is also an onus on any landowner / developer to ensure that they demolish the dwelling to be replaced.
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Mr Wells asked the Minister of the Environment to outline the role of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in determining planning applications that require a connection to a public sewer; and whether the consultation response from the NIEA takes precedence over views expressed by Northern Ireland Water.
(AQW 653/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) provides scientific and technical advice to Planning Service on issues relating to the sewerage infrastructure to which a proposed development would connect.
This advice is based on the ability of the sewerage system and the receiving waste water treatment works to cope with the additional load and the extent of the environmental impact.
Connection to a public sewer is not a matter for NIEA nor Planning Service; it falls under Northern Ireland Water’s legislation, specifically, the Water and Sewerage Service ( Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
Bonfire Clean-up Cost
Mr Burns asked the Minister of the Environment for the total expenditure incurred by each district council in cleaning up and repairing bonfire sites in the summer of 2008.
(AQW 666/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The total expenditure incurred by each district council in cleaning up and repairing bonfire sites in the summer of 2008 is set out in the attached table.
Council |
£ |
|---|---|
Antrim |
1,995 |
Ards |
7,885 |
Armagh |
4,761 |
Ballymena |
1,320 |
Ballymoney |
7,548 |
Banbridge |
400 |
Belfast |
21,738 |
Carrickfergus |
500 |
Castlereagh |
2,593 |
Coleraine |
400 |
Cookstown |
700 |
Craigavon |
4,585 |
Derry |
9,000 |
Down |
3,000 |
Dungannon & S Tyrone |
0 |
Fermanagh |
450 |
Larne |
6,372 |
Limavady |
0 |
Lisburn |
9,270 |
Magherafelt |
3,000 |
Moyle |
1,658 |
Newry & Mourne |
5,500 |
Newtownabbey |
1,577 |
North Down |
2,200 |
Omagh |
2,000 |
Strabane |
0 |
TOTAL |
98,452 |
River Damage
Mr Burns asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the costs incurred by his Department (i) investigating; and (ii) repairing, damage done to rivers during recorded pollution incidents in (a) Northern Ireland; and (b) the South Antrim constituency, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 669/09)
The Minister of the Environment: Table 1 below sets out the number of incidents and the approximate costs per year for the investigation of all reported water pollution incidents throughout Northern Ireland over the past five years. For cost purposes, calculations are based on the average number of hours per incident (7.35) multiplied by the average cost per hour (£27.72).
Table 1
Year |
Number of incidents |
Total cost |
2003 |
2499 |
£509,151 |
2004 |
2207 |
£449,659 |
2005 |
2183 |
£444,769 |
2006 |
2081 |
£423,987 |
2007 |
2295 |
£467,588 |
Table 2 below sets out the number of incidents and the approximate costs per year for the investigation of all reported water pollution incidents for the catchments in the South Antrim area over the past five years. Again, for cost purposes, calculations are based on the average number of hours per incident (7.35) multiplied by the average cost per hour (£27.72).
Table 2
Year |
Number of incidents |
Total cost |
2003 |
161 |
£32,802 |
2004 |
221 |
£45,027 |
2005 |
217 |
£44,212 |
2006 |
204 |
£41,563 |
2007 |
203 |
£41,360 |
With regard to repairing damage to rivers, NIEA spends approximately £30,000 each year on pollution clean up, generally for oil pollution incidents. However, the costs of reinstatement of fisheries and habitat are matters for DCAL and Rivers Agency respectively.
Claims for Assistance During Flooding
Mr Simpson asked the Minister of the Environment how many claims for assistance (i) were made; and (ii) were successful, during the recent flooding in the Craigavon Borough Council area.
(AQW 672/09)
The Minister of the Environment: 152 applications have been received by Craigavon Borough Council, under the current “Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance to District Councils”. 119 of those were successful; 31 were ineligible; and 2 are still under consideration.
Sion Mills Stable Block
Mr Bresland asked the Minister of the Environment for an update on the Sion Mills stable block; and what plans his Department has for this site in the future.
(AQW 682/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The Stable Block at Sion Mills was vested in the Department’s ownership on 19 July 2008. It has been screened from the public footpath to ensure compliance with a letter from Strabane District Council’s Building Control to the owner, requesting that he make safe all existing loose timbers, roof tiles and cladding. In addition, extensive works to stabilise the building, including propping the roof have now been carried out.
It is hoped that ownership of the building will soon transfer to HEARTH, subject to satisfactory completion of the necessary formalities. HEARTH is a long established and well respected building preservation trust, with experience in rescuing listed buildings considered to have no viable future - for example, Portrush Town Hall. HEARTH will carry out a scheme of repair and regeneration works to the Stable Block in order that its future will be secure. The Department has already approached HEARTH to see if it would be a willing partner, and HEARTH has agreed.
Arrangements are being made to finalise the transfer agreement with HEARTH, so that ownership of the building will be with a caring owner to take forward its restoration and conservation.
Antiquated Street Infrastructure and Street Furniture
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of the Environment what legislation exists in relation to the listing of antiquated street infrastructure and street furniture.
(AQW 749/09)
The Minister of the Environment: Under Article 42(1) of the Planning Order (1991) the Department of the Environment is charged with the statutory authority to list ‘buildings of special architectural or historic interest’. The interpretation of a ‘building’ within this Order is that it ‘includes any structure or erection, and any part of a building, as so defined, but does not include plant or machinery comprised in a building;’. On this basis some antiquated street furniture such as fountains; water pumps; telephone boxes; mile stones; post boxes; railings and horse troughs are currently listed.
The key test of the legislation is that such structures possess the special architectural or historic interest defined in Article 42.
Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan
Mr Neeson asked the Minister of the Environment to provide an update on the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan.
(AQO 335/09)
The Minister of the Environment: Following a series of Pre Inquiry meetings, the Public Inquiry commenced in April 2007 and concluded in May 2008.
The PAC is currently considering all the information before it prior to completing its report and making its recommendations to the Department. The PAC has indicated a preliminary timescale for delivery of the report to Planning Service as early summer 2010. However, the Commission would hope to be in a position to announce a firmer timescale later this year.
Environmental Issues
Mr Brady asked the Minister of the Environment what direct contact he has had with his counterpart in the Dublin Government in relation to environmental issues.
(AQO 367/09)
The Minister of the Environment: No direct contact has been made with my counterpart in the Irish Government in relation to environmental issues.
Environmental Issues
Mr McGlone asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm that environmental problems such as air pollution, marine pollution and road safety are issues that extend beyond the borders of Northern Ireland.
(AQO 395/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The issues the Member raises in his question do, of course, extend beyond the borders of Northern Ireland and indeed, are common to most countries of the world as they are not constrained by political borders. However, as Minister of the Environment for Northern Ireland, I am working to address these issues in Northern Ireland within the framework of wider EU policy.
Environmental and Heritage Service
Mr F McCann asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the investment and activity by the Environmental and Heritage Service in Bog Meadows Nature Reserve, in the last 12 months.
(AQO 355/09)
The Minister of the Environment: Of the funding provided by the then Environment and Heritage Service in 2007/08 to the Ulster Wildlife Trust for Nature Reserve Management, about £8,000 was allocated to the management of the Bog Meadows.
This has contributed to the employment of a Warden, conservation works and activities to enable the public to enjoy and learn about the Bog Meadows Local Nature Reserve.
In addition, staff of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), work closely with the Warden, Rivers Agency and Belfast City Council staff to tackle a range of issues affecting the Bog Meadows. During the spring and early summer an extensive exercise was carried out in an attempt to source the point where pollution was entering the Ballymurphy River and finding its way into the Bog Meadows. A number of problems were identified and resolved.
NIEA staff will continue to work with key stakeholders to preserve and protect the Bog Meadows for the enjoyment and pleasure of future generations.
Planning Policy
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment what measures he will propose to ensure a planning policy that meets the essential needs of rural communities.
(AQO 393/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The measures I propose are set out in revised draft PPS14. It could bring real benefits for rural communities, but these benefits cannot be realised until the policy is brought into effect. I hope the Executive will consider the revised draft at the earliest opportunity. If there is no agreement, I will shelve the revised draft and we will live with the existing policy. This would mean residential development in rural areas continuing to be hampered by restrictive planning policy, and planning policy on farm diversification continuing to lag behind rural development policies.
Road Safety Issues
Mr McCartney asked the Minister of the Environment what direct contact he has had with his counterpart in the Dublin Government in relation to road safety issues.
(AQO 375/09)
The Minister of the Environment: I have met with my counterpart in the Dublin government on one occasion to consider road safety issues.
Planning Service
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of the Environment what steps he has taken, or intends to take in the next few months, to improve the performance of the Planning Service.
(AQO 299/09)
The Minister of the Environment: I am committed to the reform of the planning system to ensure that it helps deliver the Executive’s Programme for Government commitments by supporting the future economic and social development needs of Northern Ireland.
In respect of the medium to longer term, Professor Greg Lloyd was appointed in November 2007 as an Independent Expert to work with officials to provide advice on how the planning system might be reformed. I am currently liaising with Executive colleagues and the Environment Committee on my emerging proposals. I then intend to issue a public consultation paper, outlining proposals for reform that will impact on almost every aspect of the planning system, from the production of development plans through to the development control system, before the end of the year.
In the meantime several short to medium term process improvements measures have been completed or are underway, including streamlined consultation process; the introduction of PADs; revised procedures for dealing with reserved matters applications; and enhanced customer handling and accessibility to the planning system through better use of technology, which is being rolled out in conjunction with NI Direct.
The streamlined council consultation process, which has already been successfully piloted in the Derry Divisional Planning Office, will be rolled out across all Council areas by the end of March 2009.
The Planning Service is also currently working alongside the Performance Efficiency Delivery Unit (PEDU) on a short term project with the aim of improving performance against the Executive’s Programme for Government targets.
European Heritage Open Days
Mr Storey asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the total number of visitors to buildings made open to the public during the European Heritage Open Days in September 2008.
(AQO 389/09)
The Minister of the Environment: We do not yet know the total number of visitors to the 232 ‘buildings’ open for this event. The owners and volunteers are still reporting back to my Department.
However, I can inform you that 48,000 visits were recorded in 2007 and that initial reports suggest a similar or greater number this year.
I will arrange for you to be provided with the final number, in writing, as soon as possible after all the volunteers have reported back.
River Ways in Belfast
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of the Environment to outline how his department is helping to curb the flooding from the river ways in Belfast.
(AQO 352/09)
The Minister of the Environment: The main planning policy guidance on flooding is provided by Planning Policy Statement 15 (PPS 15) – Planning and Flood Risk and, in particular, Policy FLD 1 which seeks to control new development within flood plains. To inform the consideration of proposals within a flood plain planning applications should normally be accompanied by a flood risk assessment which may include details of measures to mitigate any increase in flood risk. Planning Service will also seek the views of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Rivers Agency before a decision is taken on an application.
Planning Service
Mr Brolly asked the Minister of the Environment, in light of the current crisis, particularly in the construction industry, if he will instruct the Planning Service to prioritise and expedite applications for job creation projects.
(AQO 338/09)
The Minister of the Environment: My Department already gives priority to certain planning applications such as those on which grant-aid may depend and certain commercial, industrial and social infrastructure proposals with a clear strategic, employment, community or public interest dimension. An instruction to this effect was issued to Planning Service staff in July 2006. There is however also an onus on applicants to submit planning applications in a timely manner and include all necessary information required to determine the proposal.
Finance and Personnel
Civil Servants
Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the externally provided business and management training provided to civil servants at grade 7 and above.
(AQW 428/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr N Dodds): The externally provided business and management training which is provided to civil servants at Grade 7 and above is detailed in the tables attached. The central provision of training is based on the current identified corporate needs of the NICS and is subject to annual change based on business need. In addition to corporate provision, Departments also provide training in line with their specific business requirements.
The training listed does not include the professional and technical training which is provided to staff in these grades.
BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROVIDED AT G7 & ABOVE
Corporate Training for the Senior Civil Service (Grade 5 and above)
Top Management Programme |
Leadership in a Changing World |
Leadership for a Democratic Society |
SCS Mentoring Programme |
Criteria Based Interviewing |
Corporate Training for Grade 7
An Introduction to Corporate Governance in the Public Sector |
An Introduction to Risk Management |
Benefits Management |
Coaching Skills |
Conducting an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) |
CIPD Certificate in Training Practice - Module 4 |
CIPD Certificate in Training Practice Project Preparation |
Data Protection Act |
Developing a Business Case |
Developing Policy |
Evaluating Policy |
Financial Management - Overview |
Fraud Awareness |
G6/7 Programme |
International Financial Reporting Standards |
Implementing European Directives |
Intro to Business Cases & Economic Appraisal |
Introduction to Legislation |
Leading / Managing Change |
Practical Skills for Budgeting |
Preparing For Judicial Review |
Quicker Reading |
Leaders for Tomorrow |
Speech Writing |
Strategic Planning |
Subordinate Legislation |
Subordinate Legislation Template |
The Consultation Process in Northern Ireland |
Working with Ministers |
Criteria Based Interviewing |
Running Small Projects |
Performance Management |
Institute of Leadership & Management Diploma in Management |
Corporate Governance |
Diversity |
Effective Sponsorship of Non Departmental Public Bodies |
ITIL (IT Service Management) |
Screening Policies |
Coaching the Team at Work |
Departmental Training for Grades 7 and above
Leading & Managing Change |
Senior Civil Service Group – Management Development Programme |
Become the Leader You Want to Be |
Innovation Management in the Public Service |
Assembly Questions |
Achieving Excellence |
Briefing Skills |
Competitive Dialogue Procedure Seminar |
Sustainability of Public Service – Policy Practice |
Thought Leadership |
Rethinking Leadership & Management |
Writing a Business Plan |
Assessment Centre Demystified |
Leading Change and Organisational Development in the Public Sector |
Sustainability for Decision Makers |
Good Management Practice |
Senior Professional Administrative Training Scheme |
Women’s Leadership Initiative |
Rethinking Leadership |
Provision of Islamic Cultural Awareness |
PRINCE 2 (Project Management) |
Influencing and Negotiating |
Improvement Through Change |
Fair, Inclusive and Prosperous Society |
Corporate Leadership First |
North/South Cross Border Training |
Customer Service |
People Management |
Change Management |
Partnership Working & Stakeholder Management |
Introducing Sustainability |
Civil Servants
Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many civil servants at grade 7 and above have availed of externally provided business and management training, in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 429/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: A total of 1671 places on externally provided business and management training have been utilised by civil servants at Grade 7 and above in the last 3 financial years.
The figures include business and management training identified and arranged by individual departments or business areas in addition to that provided in response to the identified corporate NICS needs.
Energy Performance Certificates
Mr Bresland asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many Energy Performance Certificates were issued up to 1 September 2008, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 683/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: I can advise that up to 1 September 2008, a total of 5552 Energy Performance Certificates had been lodged on the Official Register.
The information is not held by the Department in the format requested and may only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
Civil Service Human Resources
Mr O'Loan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the report in Private Eye on 22 August 2008, which stated that the cost of outsourcing Civil Service Human Resources had risen from £328 million to £465 million.
(AQW 728/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: The change in the estimated cost can be attributed to an increase in the services provided under the contract and an increase in the contract period from 10 to 15 years.
The net effect was an increase in the total estimated cost of the contract from £328 million in the Outline Business Case to £465 million in the Full Business Case. However, the average cost per year of the Full Business Case is £1.8m less that the average cost per year of the Outline Business Case.
Lone Pensioner Allowance
Rev Dr Robert Coulter asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to account for the delays in providing payments for Lone Pensioner Allowance and Rate Relief for Pensioner schemes.
(AQO 340/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: Lone Pensioner Allowance was introduced on 1st April 2008 and is administered jointly by Land and Property Services and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Land and Property Services had a challenging timeframe in which to develop the necessary IT functionality for this new rate relief, and initial plans for this to ‘go live’ in May were postponed until June after testing revealed difficulties with the new functionality. Since June, Land and Property Services has processed some 10,963 of the 16,583 applications received to date.
Unfortunately, there are still some IT issues outstanding for those cases in which applicants are claiming Housing Benefit/Rate Relief, and also with regard to the electronic transfer of data from the Housing Executive. This means that some people are still waiting for their applications to be completed and their rate bills to be adjusted. I have asked officials to ensure that these matters are resolved as quickly as possible.
Price Rises in Fuel and Cost of Living
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline any discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues to redirect departmental spending efficiencies and any money unused by Departments into a hardship fund for those facing financial difficulties due to the recent price rises in fuel and the cost of living.
(AQO 328/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: I met with the Minister for Social Development and other Executive Ministers on 18 September to discuss this important issue. I also met with the Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Health on 25 September and it has been agreed to develop an Action Plan for consideration at a future Monitoring Round.
While this work is on-going, it is nevertheless important to note that any funds allocated in last year’s Budget process, which are no longer required, must be surrendered by Departments as part of the In-Year Monitoring process for reallocation by the Executive in light of emerging pressures and the overall financial environment.
Growth in Population
Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he has met with other Ministers to discuss the provision of essential services in light of the growth in population.
(AQO 297/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: Since the spending allocations to Northern Ireland Departments for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 were agreed earlier this year, no Executive Minister has requested a meeting with me to specifically discuss the impact of the growth in population in terms of the funding of public services.
Civil Service
Mr Hamilton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what steps he will take to reduce the levels of sick absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
(AQO 265/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: I consider the level of sickness absence in the NICS to be unacceptable and I fully intend to maintain the pressure on Departments to improve their performance in this area.
Over recent months the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee have published their respective reports on the issue of sickness absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Both reports contain important recommendations and I will be working closely with my officials to ensure that these recommendations are acted upon as a matter of priority.
My predecessor, Peter Robinson met with the NI Permanent Secretaries to discuss sickness absence and to hear what they were doing to address the problem within their respective Departments. He impressed on senior officials the Executive’s commitment to dealing robustly with the issue and reinforced the importance of senior management accountability.
My officials have since issued an updated civil service wide action plan, setting out a number of key actions for all Departments. Actions include top management commitment and greater accountability, improved case management, improved training and awareness for line managers and staff and a greater level of audit and compliance.
There will also be a new focus on local strategies where individual Departments and Agencies will analyse patterns of sickness absence within their organisations with a view to highlighting any trends or “hotspots” requiring particular attention.
There is now a much higher profile given to sickness absence across all NI Departments and arrangements are in place to provide for regular reporting on performance against target at departmental and agency Board level and to Ministers.
Efficiency Savings
Mrs Hanna asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what monitoring is undertaken by his Department on efficiency savings achieved across all departments; and what assurance he can give that these are savings are not achieved through cuts in service.
(AQO 305/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: My officials monitor the delivery of efficiency savings as part of their normal engagement with departments on financial matters. However, I must stress that the responsibility for the delivery of the Executives 3% efficiency target lies with the individual departments.
The aim of the 3% target was to drive out inefficiency and use the resources released to improve the public services provided by the Northern Ireland Executive.
The focus is on protecting frontline services. However this does not mean that frontline services cannot be delivered more efficiently, or that services should continue indefinitely if the original rational for intervention no longer exists or where a programme has been shown to be ineffective.
Department’s have agreed to publish their Efficiency Delivery Plans (EDPs) against which the achievement of the efficiencies will be monitored. Their publication is intended to ensure that Departments are open and transparent about the actions they are taking to achieve the efficiency targets agreed by the Executive. As a resultAssembly Committees have an important role in assisting in the scrutiny of the delivery of these plans.
Water Charges
Mrs Long asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the consequences on the budget of any decision to defer water charges for another year; and any implications for services delivery across departments.
(AQO 309/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: The Executive faces tough choices with regard to the way forward on the funding of local water and sewerage services. These decisions are made more difficult by the harsher economic climate faced by the people of Northern Ireland following the increases in the general cost of living experienced over the past year. To ease this burden, the Executive is giving serious consideration to the deferment of water charges until 2010.
Whatever final decision is made, the Executive will seek to minimise the impact on the provision of services to the people of Northern Ireland.
The full details are still to be considered by the Executive and the implications for Departments will be known once the Executive makes its decisions.
Public Sector Jobs
Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what plans he has to undertake a significant decentralisation of public sector jobs to deliver a more equitable spread of the benefits of these jobs.
(AQO 291/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: An independent team was established at the end of December 2007 to review the policy on location of public sector jobs. The review team has now completed its work and the Chairman, Professor George Bain will be publishing his report tomorrow – 30 September. I understand that all Executive Ministers and MLAs will receive copies of the report tomorrow.
This was an independent Review and the recommendations of the Review team will have to be carefully considered before decisions on a way forward can be reached.
I plan to refer the report to an early meeting of the Executive to gather the initial views of Ministerial colleagues.
2012 Olympics
Mr Ross asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will ensure that Northern Ireland will maximise its share of the investment potential of the 2012 Olympics.
(AQO 292/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: The 2012 Olympics offer tremendous opportunities for providing a boost to the NI economy, which the Executive will be very keen to grasp, particularly given its number one priority of economic growth. This is a cross-cutting issue affecting a number of Departments and, as Minister for Finance, I will be seeking to work closely with all of my Ministerial colleagues to ensure a successful outcome for Northern Ireland as a whole.
Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit
Dr McDonnell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel what achievements have been delivered by the Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit.
(AQO 290/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: The role of PEDU is to help ensure that departments deliver on the commitments made during the Programme for Government and Budget processes. Ultimately the achievements of PEDU will be reflected in the achievements of departments in those areas where PEDU becomes involved.
The Unit’s focus to date has been primarily on four areas. At a cross-cutting level, it has been working to establish a mechanism to both monitor progress and facilitate delivery of the targets set out within the Programme for Government. In terms of specific projects, it is also on course to complete its work with the Planning Service in November. The Unit has also examined the delivery arrangements for the Innovation Fund to gauge their effectiveness and the prospects for departments
achieving the aim of this important aspect of the recent Budget, and has completed some work with LPS to ensure they remain focussed on improving recent performance on the collection of rates.
Workplace 2010
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to outline progress on Workplace 2010.
(AQO 268/09)
The Minister of Finance and Personnel: The two remaining bidders for the Workplace 2010 contract, Land Securities Trillium and Telereal, submitted their best and final offers on 2 nd June 2008. The bids have been subject to detailed evaluation and negotiations are continuing with both bidders. The Department will look to appoint a preferred bidder towards the end of 2008 with a view to finalising the contract in quarter 1 of 2009.
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Hospital Cleaning Services
Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how much of the £2 million allocated in this financial year towards hospital acquired infections has been spent on front line cleaning services, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 91/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr M McGimpsey): Of the £2 million additional money allocated in 2008/09 to patient safety including measures to reduce healthcare-associated infections, the Department has retained £570k for measures that are being commissioned centrally. The remaining £1.43m has been allocated to the Boards, most of this on the basis of the Capitation Formula. Within this amount, each Trust’s current allocation for front line cleaning services is as follows.
£1.43m additional allocation to Boards for |
|
|---|---|
Trust |
Current allocations for front line cleaning |
Belfast HSC Trust |
£175,000 |
South Eastern HSC Trust |
£111,000 |
Southern HSC Trust |
£177,000 |
Northern HSC Trust |
£237,000 |
Western HSC Trust |
£170,000 |
The balance of the £1.43m is being spent on antimicrobial pharmacists and other posts and measures that prevent infections.
Prescription Drugs
Mr McNarry asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action his Department is taking to ensure that prescription drugs are only provided under the name by which they are commonly known.
(AQW 407/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Current statutory requirements state that the container of a dispensed relevant medicinal product must be labelled to show the name of the product or its common name.
The Department’s generic prescribing policy has resulted in an increase in generic dispensing rates of 12 % between 2005 and 2008. This may result in different names appearing on both prescriptions and labels, with the potential that patients will be temporarily less familiar with a medicine’s generic name.
Generic medicines are of course considered to be equivalent to their branded counterparts.
Osteoporosis Awareness Campaign
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans he has to introduce an Osteoporosis Awareness Campaign.
(AQW 408/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have no plans to introduce a specific osteoporosis awareness campaign. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is however raising awareness of osteoporosis through the promotion of regular exercise, a balanced diet, smoking prevention/cessation and a responsible approach to alcohol consumption.
From September 2008, osteoporosis has been included in the General Medical Services Contract as a Direct Enhanced Service. This new service will target patients aged 65 and over who have suffered a fragility fracture.
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scan
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what the (i) waiting list; and (ii) age profile is, of those waiting for a Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan.
(AQW 409/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of people waiting for a Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan at 30 th June 2008, the most recent quarter for which official data are available, is shown in the table below.
Trust |
Number of People waiting for a DXA Scan at 30th June 2008 |
Total Number Waiting |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 - 6 |
> 6 - 9 |
> 9 - 13 |
13 + |
||
Belfast HSC Trust |
266 |
98 |
20 |
0 |
384 |
South Eastern HSC Trust |
27 |
11 |
39 |
0 |
77 |
Southern HSC Trust |
286 |
26 |
1 |
0 |
313 |
Western HSC Trust |
61 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
61 |
Northern Ireland Total |
640 |
135 |
60 |
0 |
835 |
Source: Departmental Return SDR1
The age profile of those people waiting for a DXA scan is not collected by the Department.
Fracture Risk Assessment
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the Health and Social Care Trusts in which the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool is used; and what plans he has to introduce the FRAX tool to Health and Social Care Trusts that do not currently operate it.
(AQW 410/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: There are a number of methods for determining those at increased risk of fracture of which FRAX is one. The FRAX tool is currently being used by Rheumatology Consultants in the Western Health and Social Care Trust for assessing patients with possible osteoporosis.
Techniques used in other Trusts include Dexa scanning and multi disciplinary assessment of patients according to Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST) guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
It is the responsibility of Health and Social Services Boards to plan and allocate resources to meet the needs of their local population, including those with osteoporosis. It is a matter for individual Trusts to bring forward proposals for any change to their current rheumatology and trauma and orthopaedic services and to submit these to the commissioners for consideration.
Hip Fractures
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department has set a target to reduce hip fractures.
(AQW 411/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department has not set a target specifically to reduce hip fractures. However, the Home Accident Prevention Strategy and Action Plan published in 2005 aims to reduce the number of accidental deaths and injuries in the home, and includes a target to reduce by 25% the number of older people admitted to hospital as a result of falls by 2009.
Hip Fractures
Ms S Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients with hip fractures are currently blocking beds due to delayed discharge.
(AQW 412/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of hip fracture patients who are currently awaiting measures to be put in place to facilitate their discharge from hospital is set out below.
TRUST |
Number |
Belfast HSC Trust |
0 |
South Eastern HSC Trust |
4 |
Northern HSC Trust |
0 |
Southern HSC Trust |
0 |
Western HSC Trust |
1 |
Note: reflects the position for week commencing 15 September 2008
I have set stringent new targets for delayed discharge, which mean that, from April 2008, 90% of complex discharges take place within 48 hours, with no discharge taking longer than seven days. All other patients will, from April 2008, be discharged from hospital within six hours of being declared medically fit.
Royal Victoria Hospital
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the current buildings for children's and women's services at the Royal Victoria Hospital meet health and safety standards.
(AQW 421/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Compliance with health and safety standards in relation to its estate is the responsibility of the Health and Social Care Trusts, and in this regard, each Trust reports annually to my Department on their compliance status across a number of Controls Assurance Standards, including Health and Safety.
The Belfast HSC Trust manages risk of all their estate and buildings until such times as replacement facilities are provided.
Agenda for Change
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if all bandings under Agenda for Change are the same across all Health and Social Care Trusts.
(AQW 422/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Agenda for Change pay bands used in the Health and Social Care are the same as those used throughout the NHS. All Trusts use the agreed Agenda for Change processes to determine the appropriate pay band. A job title or an existing grade is not the basis on which jobs in the health service are banded; it is the content and the responsibility of the job that determines the rate of pay. It is therefore not always appropriate to compare similar job titles or existing grades across other parts of the health service and expect to see exactly the same Agenda for Change band for those jobs.
Royal Victoria Hospital
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he is committed to providing a new hospital for children and women at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
(AQW 423/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My officials have worked closely with the Belfast Trust to finalise proposals for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospitals. The Trust is currently finalising the business case which will be submitted to the Department for assessment. Only when the business case has been submitted and scrutinised can I make a commitment and take decisions on funding and timing of the project. Those decisions will of course need to be taken alongside decisions on other competing priorities emerging from the ongoing review of capital priorities which will report to me at the end of September.
I bid for £5.7bn, as part of the Investment Strategy 2008, £1.1bn of which was in the CSR period. I received £3.3bn to cover the 10 years, with just over £700m in the CSR period. However, this is not enough to meet the demands within the Health and Social Care estate, hence the need for the capital priorities review.
Royal Victoria Hospital
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what the cost is to retain the existing buildings for children's and women's services at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
(AQW 424/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Trust estimates that annual maintenance costs for the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital and Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children sites at 2007/08 prices are as follows:
|
Total RBHSC & RJMH |
|
£k |
Heat, Light & Power |
546 |
Building Maintenance |
478 |
Rent, Rates, Insurance, Water |
359 |
Total |
1,383 |
Women's Groups
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what grants have been issued to women's groups from (i) Health and Social Care Trusts; (ii) Health and Social Services Boards; and (iii) his Department, in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area, in each of the last 2 years.
(AQW 425/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The following grants set out in the attached Annex A have been issued to Women’s Groups in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, the Eastern Board and my Department over the last two years.
Minor Ailments Scheme
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what progress has been made in resolving the problems in relation to the minor ailments scheme.
(AQW 435/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The expanded Minor Ailments Scheme remains available to community pharmacists and I hope more will take it up, since it provides a valuable service to patients. A remuneration offer has been made which I believe is fair and reasonable. At the end of June 2008, before the introduction of the expanded Scheme on 1 August, I invited the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee to meet with me to discuss their concerns over the enhanced Scheme. This offer was declined. I wrote again to PCC in mid-August 2008 and on this occasion they agreed to a meeting, which has recently taken place.
I am hopeful that the sharing of information at this meeting will lead to improved understanding of our respective positions. I advised PCC of my willingness to meet with them again to continue discussions.
Herceptin
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount spent by his Department on herceptin, in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 447/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Herceptin was made available to patients in Northern Ireland for the treatment of early stage breast cancer in November 2005. The amount spent on the drug per year is as set out below:
2005/06 £420,000
2006/07 £1.41 million
2007/08 £1.85 million
In the current financial year, £490,000 has been spent on the drug to date. The total expenditure on herceptin since its introduction in 2005 is currently therefore £4.17 million.
Health Service Dentists
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many Health Service dentists are in the (i) Cookstown; and (ii) Magherafelt, District Council areas.
(AQW 455/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: (i) At 16 September 2008, Central Services Agency figures show that there are 9 and 19 dentists 1 registered to provide Health Service dental treatment in the Cookstown and Magherafelt District Council areas respectively 2.
Source: Central Services Agency
Notes:
- Figures include Principal dentists only; figures exclude assistants and vocational dental practitioners.
- Based on location of the dental surgery where the dentist is employed.
Carers and Home Helps
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many (i) home helps; and (ii) home care workers, have been employed in the Mid-Ulster constituency, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 457/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of (i) home helps is not applicable as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust stated that they did not employ Home Helps in the Mid-Ulster area during this time period;
and (ii) the headcount for home care workers employed in the Mid-Ulster constituency is only available for the past 3 years and is detailed below :
2008 = 332
2007 = 333
2006 = 339
Home Helps
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the reduction of home helps for the elderly in the (i) Cookstown; and (ii) Magherafelt, District Council areas; how many clients will be affected by this reduction; and what steps he is taking to address the effects of the reduction.
(AQW 458/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Home Help Scheme provides help with basic household tasks such as cleaning, ironing and shopping. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has indicated that there are no plans to reduce home help provision in the Trust area. It is normal practice for the Trusts to periodically review the individual needs of a service user to ensure that the service provided to that client is still appropriate. As a result of these types of reviews, there may be occasions when home help provision is reduced or, indeed, increased. Regular reviews will not only ensure that the client is receiving the appropriate level of service, but will also ensure that the Trust targets its resources on those clients whose needs are greatest.
The Trust has provided the following statistics which indicate that while the number of clients in Magherafelt and Cookstown areas receiving home helps has decreased, the overall number of hours has increased:
Magherafelt District Council Area
|
Home help clients |
Hours delivered |
|---|---|---|
Sept 2007 |
487 |
8065 |
Sept 2008 |
377 |
8683 |
Difference |
Reduction of 110 clients |
Increase of 618 hours |
Cookstown District Council Area
|
Home help clients |
Hours delivered |
|---|---|---|
Sept 2007 |
396 |
7649 |
Sept 2008 |
358 |
7648 |
Difference |
Reduction of 38 clients |
No significant change |
Carers and Home Helps
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people required carers and home helps in the (i) Cookstown; and (ii) Magherafelt, District Council areas, in each of the last 5 years.
(AQW 459/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information is not available in the form requested.
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (i) number; and (ii) type, of ambulances in the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 487/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I propose to answer AQWs 487/09, 489/09 and 491/09 together.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has 60 vehicles based in its Western Division which has the same boundaries as the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The details requested are shown in the table below.
Ambulance Station |
Vehicle Type |
Mileage |
Age (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
Altnagelvin |
A&E Ambulance |
45,045 |
2 |
53,196 |
4 |
||
77,027 |
7 |
||
82,035 |
8 |
||
84,493 |
8 |
||
125,375 |
5 |
||
125,491 |
4 |
||
127,462 |
5 |
||
142,410 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
112,88 |
2 |
|
47,564 |
2 |
||
Patient Care Service Vehicle |
14,332 |
2 |
|
76,126 |
7 |
||
86,655 |
7 |
||
97,575 |
7 |
||
108,110 |
7 |
||
129,513 |
6 |
||
134,597 |
5 |
||
139,484 |
7 |
||
195,976 |
5 |
||
157,661 |
7 |
||
Officer Response Vehicle |
61,640 |
7 |
|
77,466 |
7 |
||
13,970 |
1 |
||
31,369 |
1 |
||
80,621 |
5 |
||
Training Officer Vehicle |
92,552 |
6 |
|
Castlederg |
A&E ambulance |
34,937 |
2 |
109,577 |
8 |
||
Patient Care Service |
82,367 |
7 |
|
Enniskillen |
A&E Ambulance |
42,838 |
2 |
134,387 |
7 |
||
139,087 |
6 |
||
186,567 |
8 |
||
216,581 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
184,106 |
6 |
|
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
18,344 |
0.5 |
113,445 |
8 |
||
134,934 |
8 |
||
162,158 |
7 |
||
257,187 |
5 |
||
Limavady |
A&E ambulance |
170,015 |
6 |
216,787 |
10 |
||
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
136,639 |
8 |
|
Omagh |
A&E ambulance |
54,842 |
2 |
55,258 |
2 |
||
114,523 |
5 |
||
127,917 |
5 |
||
131429 |
7 |
||
132,668 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
55,994 |
3 |
|
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
4,665 |
0.5 |
|
45,444 |
2 |
||
46,761 |
2 |
||
76,786 |
0.5 |
||
179,859 |
7 |
||
208,060 |
8 |
||
Strabane |
A&E ambulance |
169,054 |
8 |
185,491 |
5 |
||
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
159,881 |
8 |
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (i) age; and (ii) mileage, of each ambulance in the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 489/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I propose to answer AQWs 487/09, 489/09 and 491/09 together.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has 60 vehicles based in its Western Division which has the same boundaries as the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The details requested are shown in the table below.
Ambulance Station |
Vehicle Type |
Mileage |
Age (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
Altnagelvin |
A&E Ambulance |
45,045 |
2 |
53,196 |
4 |
||
77,027 |
7 |
||
82,035 |
8 |
||
84,493 |
8 |
||
125,375 |
5 |
||
125,491 |
4 |
||
127,462 |
5 |
||
142,410 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
112,88 |
2 |
|
47,564 |
2 |
||
Patient Care Service Vehicle |
14,332 |
2 |
|
76,126 |
7 |
||
86,655 |
7 |
||
97,575 |
7 |
||
108,110 |
7 |
||
129,513 |
6 |
||
134,597 |
5 |
||
139,484 |
7 |
||
195,976 |
5 |
||
157,661 |
7 |
||
Officer Response Vehicle |
61,640 |
7 |
|
77,466 |
7 |
||
13,970 |
1 |
||
31,369 |
1 |
||
80,621 |
5 |
||
Training Officer Vehicle |
92,552 |
6 |
|
Castlederg |
A&E ambulance |
34,937 |
2 |
109,577 |
8 |
||
Patient Care Service |
82,367 |
7 |
|
Enniskillen |
A&E Ambulance |
42,838 |
2 |
134,387 |
7 |
||
139,087 |
6 |
||
186,567 |
8 |
||
216,581 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
184,106 |
6 |
|
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
18,344 |
0.5 |
113,445 |
8 |
||
134,934 |
8 |
||
162,158 |
7 |
||
257,187 |
5 |
||
Limavady |
A&E ambulance |
170,015 |
6 |
216,787 |
10 |
||
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
136,639 |
8 |
|
Omagh |
A&E ambulance |
54,842 |
2 |
55,258 |
2 |
||
114,523 |
5 |
||
127,917 |
5 |
||
131429 |
7 |
||
132,668 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
55,994 |
3 |
|
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
4,665 |
0.5 |
|
45,444 |
2 |
||
46,761 |
2 |
||
76,786 |
0.5 |
||
179,859 |
7 |
||
208,060 |
8 |
||
Strabane |
A&E ambulance |
169,054 |
8 |
185,491 |
5 |
||
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
159,881 |
8 |
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (i) number; and (ii) type, of ambulances based at each ambulance station in the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
(AQW 491/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I propose to answer AQWs 487/09, 489/09 and 491/09 together.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has 60 vehicles based in its Western Division which has the same boundaries as the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The details requested are shown in the table below.
Ambulance Station |
Vehicle Type |
Mileage |
Age (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
Altnagelvin |
A&E Ambulance |
45,045 |
2 |
53,196 |
4 |
||
77,027 |
7 |
||
82,035 |
8 |
||
84,493 |
8 |
||
125,375 |
5 |
||
125,491 |
4 |
||
127,462 |
5 |
||
142,410 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
112,88 |
2 |
|
47,564 |
2 |
||
Patient Care Service Vehicle |
14,332 |
2 |
|
76,126 |
7 |
||
86,655 |
7 |
||
97,575 |
7 |
||
108,110 |
7 |
||
129,513 |
6 |
||
134,597 |
5 |
||
139,484 |
7 |
||
195,976 |
5 |
||
157,661 |
7 |
||
Officer Response Vehicle |
61,640 |
7 |
|
77,466 |
7 |
||
13,970 |
1 |
||
31,369 |
1 |
||
80,621 |
5 |
||
Training Officer Vehicle |
92,552 |
6 |
|
Castlederg |
A&E ambulance |
34,937 |
2 |
109,577 |
8 |
||
Patient Care Service |
82,367 |
7 |
|
Enniskillen |
A&E Ambulance |
42,838 |
2 |
134,387 |
7 |
||
139,087 |
6 |
||
186,567 |
8 |
||
216,581 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
184,106 |
6 |
|
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
18,344 |
0.5 |
113,445 |
8 |
||
134,934 |
8 |
||
162,158 |
7 |
||
257,187 |
5 |
||
Limavady |
A&E ambulance |
170,015 |
6 |
216,787 |
10 |
||
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
136,639 |
8 |
|
Omagh |
A&E ambulance |
54,842 |
2 |
55,258 |
2 |
||
114,523 |
5 |
||
127,917 |
5 |
||
131429 |
7 |
||
132,668 |
10 |
||
Rapid Response Vehicle |
55,994 |
3 |
|
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
4,665 |
0.5 |
|
45,444 |
2 |
||
46,761 |
2 |
||
76,786 |
0.5 |
||
179,859 |
7 |
||
208,060 |
8 |
||
Strabane |
A&E ambulance |
169,054 |
8 |
185,491 |
5 |
||
Patient Care Services Vehicle |
159,881 |
8 |
The Drug Alimta
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if he will introduce the drug Alimta for use by patients, within the next 2 years.
(AQW 496/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A circular was issued to the HSC on 15 February 2008 endorsing National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on the use of Alimta for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. HSC organisations have since confirmed that funding has been allocated to support the delivery of this treatment and that patients are currently receiving this drug in line with the NICE guidance.
My Department has also endorsed NICE guidance which indicates that Alimta is not recommended for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Health Provision
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether it is the intention of his Department to move out-of-hours health provision from Strabane to Altnagelvin Hospital.
(AQW 511/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I refer you to my reply to AQW 8819/08.
In August Departmental Officials met with the Review Programme Board for GP Out-of-Hours Services, who have been tasked with developing an options appraisal paper by the end of September 2008.
When I have had the opportunity to consider this I intend to take views on proposals for the way ahead through a formal consultation exercise. This being the case, no decisions have been made on what changes, if any, will be made to the current provision of Out of Hours services in Strabane or elsewhere in Northern Ireland.
Mental Health Cover
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the provision of the out-of-hours mental health cover in the Strabane District Council area; and to state if this cover meets the needs in the area, given that it has been identified as a suicide cluster.
(AQW 512/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The out of hours mental health cover for the Strabane District Council Area comprises an on-call service (1 mental health professional) which responds to Western Urgent Care (the Primary Care out of hours service) and to A&E at Altnagelvin Hospital. The service currently operates from 5.00pm – 1.00am (Mon-Fri) and from 1.00pm – 1.00am (Weekends and Bank Holidays). Between 1.00am and 9.00am cover is provided by local GPs in conjunction with Western Urgent Care. The Trust intends to extend the out of hours service to cover the 5.00pm to 9.00am period when funding becomes available.
I have allocated additional funding for suicide prevention, which has enabled the “Protect Life” strategy and the regional helpline, “Lifeline” to be supported. It has also ensured that local voluntary organisations in this field can be supported to deliver vital frontline services for those affected by suicide.
Potential Mental Health Issues
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the role of a GP when contacted by people presenting with potential mental health issues between the hours of 1am and 9am, in the Strabane District Council area.
(AQW 513/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In the Western Health and Social Services Board area between the hours of 1am and 9am, all patients who present with potential mental health issues are dealt with directly by the on-call GP, who liaises with psychiatric hospitals directly, if he or she feels it necessary.
Home Delivery of Incontinence Products
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what Health and Social Care Trust areas (i) provide; and (ii) do not provide, home delivery of incontinence products; and what plans he has to ensure that all Health and Social Care Trust areas provide this service.
(AQW 514/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: At present two HSC Trusts provide a full delivery service to their patients – namely the Belfast and South Eastern HSC Trusts.
The Northern Trust operates a home delivery service to patients within the former Homefirst HSS Trust area. The Trust is considering a proposal to roll out this service to patients in the former Causeway HSS Trust area.
The Western HSC Trust offer a collection service from 13 sites across the Trust, and is currently undertaking a review of community equipment within which the option of a home delivery service for incontinence products is being considered.
The Southern HSC Trust do not routinely provide a home delivery service but offer a wide range of collection facilities across the geographical area to ensure that service is provided close to patient homes. Local arrangements are offered to meet individual need and exceptional circumstances are accommodated.
In relation to future provision, the planning and design of service delivery is undertaken at Trust level and is based on local circumstances and assessment of need.
Cancer Research
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department has given financial assistance to Queen's University, Belfast, for cancer research.
(AQW 516/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department, through the HSC Research and Development Office, has provided financial support to Queen’s University, Belfast, for cancer research. This support includes funding for cancer research capacity building schemes, cancer research projects, and infrastructure that can enable and facilitate cancer research.
Newtownards Ambulance Station
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many ambulance and paramedic staff are currently employed at Newtownards ambulance station; and to detail how this figure compares with 2006 and 2007.
(AQW 517/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The informationrequested is shown in the table below.
Staff Grade |
September 2006 |
September 2007 |
September 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|
Station Supervisor |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Paramedic |
12 |
11 |
11 |
Emergency Medical Technician |
10 |
11 |
11 |
Trainee Emergency Medical Technician |
- |
1 |
1 |
Patient Care Services Attendant |
6 |
5 |
4 |
Total |
31 |
31 |
30 |
Fire and Rescue Service
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost incurred by the Fire and Rescue Service in attending malicious fires in the (i) Newtownards; and (ii) Strangford areas, since January 2007.
(AQW 518/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested, which has been provided by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and is based on the 2007/08 average Fire and Rescue Service cost per mobilised incident, is detailed in the table below.
|
No of ‘Deliberate’/ ‘Malicious’ Fires from January 2007 to August 2008 |
Cost |
|---|---|---|
Newtownards |
492 |
£1,074,528 |
Other Strangford areas |
248 |
£541,632 |
Passport System
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what consideration he has given to the introduction of a passport system similar to that used in other parts of the United Kingdom, to replace the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults system.
(AQW 524/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department is leading a project to establish a new Vetting and Barring Scheme for Northern Ireland, which will be implemented in full by October 2009. When implemented, the Scheme will replace in full the current arrangements under the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003. It is being established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 in response to the Inquiry into the events at Soham by Sir Michael Bichard. The new arrangements will mirror those being put in place in England and Wales from the same date and complement broadly equivalent arrangements for Scotland. A new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will be central to the Scheme. The ISA, which will work on behalf of Northern Ireland, England and Wales, will register all individuals working in specified positions with children and vulnerable adults. It will also maintain lists of those whom it has barred from such work in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Central Services Agency
Mr O'Dowd asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why the Central Services Agency will not issue medical cards with the correct spelling of children’s names in Irish, as they appear on the child's birth certificate, including fadas.
(AQW 529/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Both the GP Practice system and central patient index (the National Health Application and Infrastructure Services (NHAIS)) are part of a national NHS system, which currently does not include accents for non-English proper names in its agreed dataset, such as the Irish fada, the French acute, grave or circumflex, the Spanish tilda or the German umlaut. It is, therefore, not possible to print such marks on medical cards.
Rheumatic Diseases
Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action his Department is taking in light of the declaration of the European Parliament on 5 June 2008, calling on the Council of Ministers to establish national plans to fight rheumatic diseases.
(AQW 539/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: As part of its overall reform and modernisation programme, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is looking at various ways to enhance the care and treatment of people with a range of long term or chronic conditions, including rheumatic diseases such as arthritis.
The Department has promoted the development of specialist services delivered by multi-disciplinary teams, the introduction of comprehensive self management programmes to help individuals and their carers manage their conditions more effectively and the introduction of pro-active case management arrangements for those with more complex conditions. An additional £43 million is to be invested in the management of long term conditions over the CSR period.
The HSC also provides hospital rheumatology services, including appropriate specialist drug therapies such as anti-TNF drugs for people with severe inflammatory arthritis.
Royal Victoria Hospital
Ms J McCann asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to fund provision for a new regional women's and children's hospital at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
(AQO 319/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My officials have worked closely with the Belfast Trust to finalise proposals for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospitals. The Trust is currently finalising the business case which will be submitted to the Department for assessment. Only when the business case has been submitted and scrutinised can I make a commitment and take a decision to fund provision for the project. This decision will of course need to be taken alongside decisions on other competing priorities emerging from the ongoing review of capital priorities which will report to me at the end of September.
Home Adaptations
Mr McCartney asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline his Department's role in providing home adaptations for those in need.
(AQW 561/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety does not make direct provision of home adaptations for people in need.
The provision of the housing adaptations service is undertaken jointly by HSC Trusts and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Occupational therapists, employed by HSC Trusts, assess the need for adaptations and make recommendations to housing providers. The exact provision pathways are determined by tenure.
- The NIHE provide adaptations for their tenants.
- NIHE Disabled Facilities Grant aid is utilised alongside HSC Trust provision of lifts and minor works for clients in privately owned or privately rented property.
- Housing Association Grants managed by the NIHE are utilised to fund adaptations in housing association property.
The DHSSPS has a strategic role in policy development, in collaboration with the NIHE and DSD. It also monitors the performance of HSC Trusts who have delegated responsibilities for the delivery of specific aspects of the housing adaptations process e.g. needs assessment by HSC Trust occupational therapists.
Eating Disorders
Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what services are available for people suffering with eating disorders in each Health and Social Care Trust area.
(AQW 595/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is set out in the sheets attached. I am committed to the development of specialist eating disorder services. I have secured an additional £1 million over the next three years to enhance access to these services.
Osteoporosis
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what discussions his Department has had with GPs in relation to enhanced services, particularly for people suffering from osteoporosis.
(AQW 599/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Officials from my Department have held a series of meetings with representatives from the Northern Ireland General Practitioners’ Committee (NIGPC) of the British Medical Association (BMA) to negotiate the introduction of a number of new Directed Enhanced Services in 2008/09.
As a result of these discussions, two new Directed Enhanced Services have now been introduced. The first will support the Northern Ireland Cardiovascular Service Framework and will provide enhanced treatment for a range of patients suffering heart failure, as well as those at risk of developing Peripheral Vascular Disease. The second will cover Osteoporosis and the Secondary Prevention of Fractures and provide enhanced treatment to a target group of patients aged 65 and over who have suffered a fragility fracture.
Anti-Histamines and Asthma Medication
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety why his Department has refused free prescriptions to 19 year olds for anti-histamines and asthma medication.
(AQW 600/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Patients who are aged under 19 and in full time education are entitled to free prescriptions. They may also qualify if they have a listed medical condition and have a valid medical certificate. Allergies and asthma are not included in the current list of medical exemptions.
I have now announced that the cost of prescription charges will reduce to £3 from 1 January 2009 and from April 2010 prescriptions will be free to all.
Severe Allergies
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people have been diagnosed with severe allergies in age groups (i) 10-18 years; (ii) 18-30 years; (iii) 30-50 years; and (iv) 50 years plus.
(AQW 605/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of people diagnosed with severe allergies is not available.
Patients Transferred to Hospitals Outside Northern Ireland
Mr Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail, for each of the last three years, the number of patients transferred to hospitals outside Northern Ireland due to lack of beds or personnel, broken down by Health and Social Services Board.
(AQW 606/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of patients transferred to hospitals outside Northern Ireland due to lack of beds or personnel is collected by Health and Social Care Trusts and not Health and Social Service Boards and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Breast-Screening Waiting Lists
Mr Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the effectiveness of the measures put in place to tackle breast-screening waiting lists and waiting times.
(AQW 609/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Chief Executives of the HSS Boards were requested by my Department to develop a viable plan for the provision of an equitable breast screening service for Northern Ireland.
The Regional Plan had envisaged that it would take until June 2009 before the Breast Screening Programme would be able to meet the national standard (of having 90% of women invited for breast screening within 36 months of their previous breast screening mammogram: known as 36 months “Round Time”).
It is expected that the Breast Screening Programme will be able to meet the national standard by March 2009. This is 3 months ahead of the June 2009 expected target date.
Art Works
Mr Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to his answer to AQW 18/08, to detail the amount spent by each hospital on art works, for each of the last five years.
(AQW 610/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the amount spent by each hospital on art works is not held centrally.
Western Health and Social Care Trust Area
Mr Buchanan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many consultants are currently employed in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area; and how this compares with figures for each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 616/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of Consultants currently employed in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area and for each of the previous 3 years is given in the table below.
Table 1: Number of Consultants employed in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area as at 30 June 2005 - 2008.
Year |
Headcount |
WTE |
|---|---|---|
2008 |
184 |
179.69 |
2007 |
177 |
171.98 |
2006 |
160 |
156.44 |
2005 |
152 |
146.47 |
Source: Human Resources Management System
Note: WTE = Whole-Time Equivalent.
House Officer Doctors
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many (i) Junior House Officers; and (ii) Senior House Officers doctors there are currently working in the Health Service.
(AQW 630/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Since the start of 2007, as part of the Modernising Medical Careers Programme in line with Great Britain, new medical grades were introduced which currently overlap with (and will in future subsume) the old Junior House Officer, Senior House Officer and Specialist Registrar Grades. The table below shows a breakdown of Foundation House Officers, Senior House Officers, Specialty Registrars and Specialist Registrars as at 30 th June 2008.
Table 1: Number of Foundation House Officers, Senior House Officers, Specialty Registrars and Specialist Registrars as at 30 th June 2008.
Grade |
Headcount |
WTE 3 |
|---|---|---|
Foundation House Officer 1 |
341 |
341.0 |
Senior House Officer |
173 |
170.3 |
Specialty Registrar 2 |
813 |
808.4 |
Specialist Registrar |
452 |
440.0 |
Source: Human Resources Management System
Notes:
- Foundation House Officer encompasses the old Pre-Registration House Officer grade and Year one Senior House Officers.
- Specialty Registrar encompasses staff who previously would have been Year two or above on the old Senior House Officer grade, as well as some staff who would previously have been graded as Specialist Registrars.
- WTE = Whole-Time Equivalent.
Hospitality and Entertainment
Mr Moutray asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what record is maintained by his Department of the amount of public money spent by (i) his Department; and (ii) by each hospital, on hospitality and entertainment.
(AQW 631/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: A record of expenditure on hospitality and entertainment incurred by my Department is maintained by business area and accounted for separately on the Departmental financial management system.
No record is held by the Department of such expenditure at hospital level. Information is collected annually for each HSC Trust rather than by hospital.
Consultant Numbers
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many consultants there are per head of population compared to (i) England; (ii) Wales; and (iii) Scotland.
(AQW 632/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Information on the number of Consultants per head of population in Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland is given in the table below.
Table 1: Number of Consultants per 1000 head of population in Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland as at 31 st March 2007.
Country |
Consultants per 1000 Population (Headcount) |
Consultants per 1000 Population (Whole-Time Equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
Northern Ireland |
0.72 |
0.68 |
England |
0.66 |
0.62 |
Wales |
0.66 |
0.63 |
Scotland |
0.76 |
0.72 |
Source: Consultant numbers – Figures as at March 2007
Northern Ireland data:Human Resources Management System
English data: Information Centre for health & Social Care
Welsh data: Statistics Wales
Scottish data: Information Services Division Scotland
Population – Mid Year Population Estimates 2007
Northern Ireland data: Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency
English data: Office for National Statistics
Welsh data: Statistics Wales
Scottish data: General Register Office for Scotland
Doctors Coming From Abroad
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what procedures are in place to vet new doctors coming from abroad to work.
(AQW 633/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: For doctors coming from abroad who will be employed by Trusts, there are a range of vetting procedures in place. These include: verification of the doctor’s identity; their immigration status; verification of registration with the GMC; whether they are on a disqualification list which contains names of individuals disqualified from working with children and vulnerable adults; criminal records checks; occupational health clearance; and employer references.
Doctors coming from abroad who are GPs must be registered on the performers list of the relevant Health and Social Services Board. The Board must ensure that the doctor meets the criteria for inclusion on the list. The criteria for inclusion on the list includes: registration with the GMC; registered as a GP; details of previous experience; two current references; an enhanced criminal record certificate; and evidence of a knowledge of English.
Regional Support Services Organisation
Mr Easton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many staff he expects to be employed by the Regional Support Services Organisation when it is established.
(AQW 634/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The number of staff to be employed by the Regional Support Services Organisation has yet to be determined. It remains subject to the outcome of current work on the implementation of the proposed reforms.
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scan
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the proportion of women aged between 65 and 74, with a positive diagnosis of osteoporosis confirmed by a Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, who are receiving treatment with a bone sparing agent.
(AQW 636/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not available.
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scan
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many women aged between 65 and 74, with a history of fragility fractures in the last 12 months, have had a positive diagnosis of osteoporosis confirmed by a Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan.
(AQW 637/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not available.
Cervical Cancer
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is taking to ensure that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is available to combat cervical cancer.
(AQW 638/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: On 3 September 2008 the Department launched its routine HPV immunisation programme. This is a permanent programme which will offer HPV vaccination each year to all girls in Year 9 of school. A 2-year catch-up programme is planned for the period 2009-2011, to offer HPV vaccination to four additional cohorts of older girls in post-primary education. This programme is being delivered by the school health service. In addition, in 2008/09 a one-off programme offering the vaccination to 17-18 year old girls is being provided through primary care services.
Cervical Cancer
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many people have been diagnosed with cervical cancer in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 639/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Table 1 below, details the number of females diagnosed with cervical cancer (ICD -10 C53) in the last three years.
Table 1: Incidence of cervical cancer in Northern Ireland by year of diagnosis
Incidence |
|
2004 |
73 |
2005 |
87 |
2006 (P) |
98 |
Note
Incidence information for 2006 is currently provisional and is therefore subject to change. Finalised figures for 2006 will be available in early 2009.
This information has been provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and is the most up to date currently available.
Bone Sparing Agent
Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what proportion of women aged 75 and over, with a history of fragility fractures, are currently receiving treatment with a bone sparing agent.
(AQW 640/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The information requested is not available.
New Ambulances
Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the procurement process for new ambulances, for which £2 million was earmarked.
(AQW 675/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service submitted to my Department a business case covering fleet, medical equipment, ICT and estate which is currently under consideration and it is anticipated that a decision will be made in the next few weeks. Subject to the approval of the business case, funding of £2m has been earmarked within the current financial year to support the replacement of accident and emergency vehicles.
New Ambulances
Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many new ambulances he is planning to allocate to the Foyle constituency; and when these ambulances will be made available.
(AQW 676/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) fleet is managed as a regional resource and it is for NIAS to determine where they allocate new ambulances, taking into account local factors such as the age and condition of existing vehicles.
I have allocated some £14.5 million capital funding to modernise the Ambulance Service ’s fleet, estate, equipment and IT infrastructure during the Comprehensive Spending Review period to 2011.
Disability Discrimination
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what health centres (i) do not have access for people with disabilities; and (ii) are not compatible with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
(AQW 703/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Health centres in the health and social care sector are required to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. The information regarding individual health centres is not held centrally.
Ballycastle Health Centre
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the situation at Ballycastle Health Centre, where 3 doctors are currently working from 2 consulting rooms.
(AQW 704/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I appreciate the accommodation in which the GP practices in Ballycastle Health Centre operate falls below the standards I would wish to see for health and social care facilities in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, I am aware that there have been a number of discussions between the Northern Health and Social Services Board, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the GP practices based in Ballycastle Health Centre, to consider options for the possible re-development of these premises.
I have commissioned an urgent review of capital investment priorities across the health and social care services to help determine investment priorities over the next 10 years. This review is due to be completed in the near future, and I expect to be able to make announcements on further developments shortly after that.
Ballycastle Health Centre
Mr McKay asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the need for a new purpose built facility at Ballycastle Health Centre; and what funding can he provide for this.
(AQW 706/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The need for a new purpose built facility at Ballycastle Health Centre is being considered as part of the business case submitted by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust for a range of schemes within the Primary and Community Care Infrastructure programme.
Capital investment proposals have been submitted by the Northern Board and Trust for health and social care facilities in their area as part of the Capital Priorities Review, which is being undertaken by my Department. I expect the review to be completed in the near future.
I will not be in a position to indicate the specific allocation of capital funding until the review has been completed.
Dental Services
Mr Newton asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what plans his Department has to increase the number of dental services directly employed by Health and Social Service Boards; and what areas are being considered.
(AQW 722/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My Department is currently consulting on a proposal to increase the number of dentists directly commissioned by the Health and Social Services Boards in areas where access to Health Service dentistry in Northern Ireland is problematic. This is being addressed by way of a tender for additional dental services. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, and when all legal matters have been fully addressed, I would hope to be in a position to issue a tender to commission additional dentists by the end of 2008.
The areas under consideration are those in all four Board areas where access problems exist, and specifically as follows:
- Western Board – Enniskillen, Omagh, Strabane and Londonderry
- Southern Board – Banbridge, Dungannon and Newry
- Northern Board – Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and Cookstown
- Eastern Board – Bangor, Holywood, Dundonald, Outer Belfast, (Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff).
Lakeview Hospital
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the 10 bed ward at Lakeview Hospital in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area is earmarked for closure; and for his assessment of the impact this will have on young adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers.
(AQW 732/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Melvin, 10 bedded adult ward within Lakeview Hospital is earmarked for closure. The purpose of Lakeview Hospital is for assessment and treatment of patients, however almost half of the patients currently occupying adult beds in Lakeview Hospital have completed their treatment and will be resettled into an appropriate place in the community. This is in line with the Bamford vision that long stay patients from learning disability hospitals should be relocated to a community setting.
Demand for assessment and treatment can be managed within the remaining beds and therefore the closure of this ward should not have any adverse impact on young adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers.
Young People with Learning Disabilities
Mrs McGill asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the 'Reward' system in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area, for young adults with learning disabilities, is to cease; and for his assessment of the impact this will have on young people with learning disabilities.
(AQW 733/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: I have asked to meet with the Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust to discuss this issue in the very near future.
Heart Disease
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if his Department is investigating links between heart disease and poor dental care.
(AQW 837/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: The Department of Health, Social Services does not undertake research. However, the Department has, through the Research and Development Office, recently funded research into the link between periodontal (gum) disease and coronary heart disease and stroke. The research is being undertaken by Professor Gerry Linden at School of Dentistry at Queens University. This research project will take 5 years to complete and the results will not be known until 2011. At present there is no strong evidence to suggest that gum disease causes heart disease.
Omagh Hospital
Mr Gallagher asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if the recently retired consultant at Omagh Hospital has been replaced; and whether his Department intends to retain this key post in the South West region, as set up in the Developing Better Services model.
(AQW 865/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Developing Better Services (DBS) set out the future configuration of hospital services in Northern Ireland which in the south west will comprise the new acute hospital to the north of Enniskillen and an enhanced local hospital in Omagh.
To support services in the Western Trust area and to facilitate the transition towards the DBS model, I made available an additional £600,000 this year to allow the Trust to progress the recruitment of essential clinical staff.
However, the recruitment and retention of staff, including consultant medical staff, is a matter for the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
Strategic Capital Projects
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to the answer to AQW 8893/08, to detail the commitments made by his Department for strategic capital projects, in each Health and Social Care Trust Area, during the period 2008-12.
(AQW 868/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: My capital investment budget over the next 3 years, 2008/09 to 2010/11, is just under £700m, following the outcome of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.
In light of the existing funding constraints, and to ensure available resources are being targeted appropriately, I instigated, earlier in the summer, a strategic review of capital priorities. The aim of the review was to examine Trust and Board proposals for infrastructure needs in the medium to long term within the budgetary constraints and to make recommendations to me on the way forward.
I have just received the report and once I have had time to consider all the findings within the report I intend to make a series of announcements on the outcome of the review over the next few weeks.
The table below indicates contractual commitments made by my Department to major strategic capital projects for the period 2008-2012 by Trust area.
| Trust |
Project |
|---|---|
Belfast |
Redevelopment at Royal Group of Hospitals Phase 2b |
Castlereagh Health & Care Centre |
|
Redevelopment of Muckamore Abbey Hospital |
|
Northern |
Carnview Children’s Home |
South Eastern |
Ulster Redevelopment Phase A |
Downe Enhanced Local Hospital |
|
Ards Intensive Support Unit (Children's Home) |
|
Lisburn Assessment Resource Centre (LARC) |
|
Southern |
Portadown Health & Care Centre |
Trauma & Orthopaedics, Craigavon Area Hospital |
|
Western |
Altnagelvin Area Hospital Redevelopment |
New South West Acute Hospital enabling works |
|
Omagh Enhanced Local Hospital enabling works |
Strategic Capital Projects
Mr D Bradley asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to the answer to AQW 8893/08. to detail the commitments made by his Department for strategic capital projects, in each Health and Social Care Trust area, during the period 2013-2018.
(AQW 869/09)
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: In light of the existing funding constraints, and to ensure available resources are being targeted appropriately, I instigated, earlier in the summer, a strategic review of capital priorities. The aim of the review was to examine Trust and Board proposals for infrastructure needs in the medium to long term within the budgetary constraints and to make recommendations to me on the way forward.
I have just received the report and once I have had time to consider all the findings within the report I intend to make a series of announcements on the outcome of the review over the next few weeks.
There are currently no contractual commitments for the period 2003-2018.
Regional Development
Major's Wall
Mr Bresland asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 2068/08, to detail a timetable for the improvements to the Major's Wall, Moyle Road, Newtownstewart.
(AQW 500/09)
The Minister for Regional Development (Mr C Murphy): My Department’s Roads Service is progressing a verge strengthening scheme at the Major’s Wall, Newtownstewart. Discussions with the landowner have taken place and it is anticipated that the landowner will sign a “Permission to Enter” lands agreement later this month. It is proposed that work on site will commence within two weeks of the signing of this agreement with a view to completion in this financial year.
Planned Upgrading of the A8
Mr Ross asked the Minister for Regional Development, in light of the comments made by the Taoiseach that all infrastructure projects, barring the completion of major motorways, are being reconsidered, if the planned upgrading of the A8 will proceed as planned.
(AQW 593/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: I am pleased to inform you that development work on the A8 Belfast to Larne dualling scheme is proceeding to programme. My Department’s Roads Service is on course to meet the first scheme milestone agreed by the North/South Ministerial Council, later this year, to identify the preferred corridor in which the new road will lie.
Road Signs
Mr Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the legal position for the creation of road signs in a language other than English.
(AQW 607/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: Senior Counsel has confirmed that my Department has the necessary legislative power to prescribe or authorise traffic signs, which include a second language in addition to English. Accordingly, there is no need to seek additional primary powers. The signs must be either prescribed or authorised in accordance with Article 28 of the Road Traffic Regulation ( Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
Belfast to Dublin Train
Mr Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development to list on how many occasions the Belfast to Dublin train arrived (a) up to 30 mins late; (b) between half an hour and an hour late; (c) between 1 and 2 hours late; (d) between 2 and 3 hours late; and (e) more than 3 hours late, for both outward and return journeys in each of the last three years.
(AQW 611/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: The information you requested is provided in the attached table.
|
2005-06 |
2006-07 |
2007-08 |
From Belfast to Dublin |
|
|
|
11-30 minutes late |
280 |
252 |
247 |
31-60 minutes late |
53 |
43 |
57 |
61-120 minutes late |
18 |
7 |
16 |
121-180 minutes late |
2 |
0 |
4 |
181+ minutes late |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
From Dublin to Belfast |
|
|
|
11-30 minutes late |
228 |
135 |
157 |
31-60 minutes late |
61 |
25 |
37 |
61-120 minutes late |
15 |
14 |
22 |
121-180 minutes late |
1 |
0 |
3 |
181+ minutes late |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
Total number of train services between Belfast and Dublin |
5,449 |
5,490 |
5,500 |
The table presents lateness against the target set in the Translink Passenger’s Charter of 90% of trains on the Dublin line arriving no more than 10 minutes late i.e. only after the first 10 minutes are trains recorded as being late. The above table excludes trains that were late due to circumstances outside the control of NIR e.g. security alerts and extreme weather conditions.
Traffic Calming
Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans Roads Service has to introduce traffic calming measures in Cargan and Martinstown.
(AQW 621/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: A traffic calming scheme for Martinstown and Cargan has been included in the programme of works for the current financial year and Roads Service officials are currently considering the most appropriate traffic calming measures for both villages.
The villages are situated on “A” class roads and it is not considered appropriate to use features such as road humps or speed cushions as speed control measures. When details of scheme proposals have been developed, Roads Service will consult with the local community association and Ballymena Borough Council.
A43 Cushendall/Glenravel Road Route Study
Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail all the work that (i) has been completed; and (ii) remains outstanding, in relation to the A43 Cushendall/Glenravel Road Route Study.
(AQW 622/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that all necessary safety-related improvements along the A43 Cushendall/Glenravel Road to upgrade road markings and signs, have now been completed.
A Collision Remedial Scheme at a bend near Cargan has also been completed for some time now and it is anticipated that this scheme will improve road safety at this location.
Roads Service has currently no plans to provide any additional street lighting on the A43.
Roads Service has also advised that footway schemes on the Glenravel Road in Cargan, from the picnic area out to the GAA grounds, and at Martinstown, from the existing footway in the village towards the local St Mary’s Church, have been completed.
Further footway provision on this route will be prioritised taking into account the technical merit of the proposal, consultation with the District Council and the availability of funding.
Ulsterbus Workforce
Mr McKay asked the Minister for Regional Development what percentage of the Ulsterbus workforce is (i) male; (ii) female; (iii) protestant; and (iv) catholic; and what action he is taking to address any under-representation in the workforce.
(AQW 623/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: Translink has provided me with the following information:-
Male – 85.6% Female – 14.4%
Protestant – 57.6% Catholic- 42.4%
The perceived religious affiliation among Ulsterbus employees is in line with the overall population community background of the North.
Translink is currently involved in a number of initiatives aimed at increasing the number of female employees within Ulsterbus. These include “positive action” recruitment advertising to attract more women to apply for posts and the continued promotion of opportunities for women at careers and job fairs. Additional initiatives are also currently being developed.
Carland Reservoir
Mr Armstrong asked the Minister for Regional Development what assessment has been made of the fitness for purpose of Carland Reservoir near Dungannon; to confirm that there is sufficient water to meet existing demand; and to outline the frequency with which the reservoir is topped up and the average volume of water that is added on these occasions.
(AQW 626/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that future water demand has been assessed for the Altmore supply zone, which includes Carland Service Reservoir. As a result, a major capital investment project costing in excess of £20 million is proposed which will provide a new trunk water main to supply additional water resources to the area from Castor Bay Water Treatment Works. The project, which is planned for completion during 2010, will also provide a new service reservoir on the existing Carland Reservoir site to substantially increase storage capacity.
Carland Service Reservoir currently uses around 0.9 megalitres of water daily and is maintained at levels of between 2.6 and 3.5 metres to ensure continuity of water supply for the area.
Land in North Down
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to sell land owned by his Department in the North Down area.
(AQW 661/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service does not collate details of land for sale on a constituency area basis. However, I am able to provide you with details of land declared surplus by my Department in the North Down Borough Council area. This land is currently in the process of being disposed of in accordance with the procedures laid down by Department of Finance and Personnel, Land and Property Services.
The location of the surplus land is listed in the following table:-
LOCATION |
TOWN |
|---|---|
AREA OF LAND AT A2 DUAL CARRIAGEWAY |
HOLYWOOD |
18 AMBLESIDE DRIVE |
BANGOR |
31A ASHDALE CRESCRENT |
BANGOR |
57, 57A, 59 & 61 BALLYMACONNELL ROAD |
BANGOR |
208 BANGOR ROAD |
CRAIGAVAD |
49 BANGOR ROAD |
CONLIG |
CAYMAN COTTAGES, BALLOO ROAD |
BANGOR |
COTTOWN ROAD/UPPER GRANSHA ROAD |
BANGOR |
COTTOWN ROAD |
BANGOR |
EAST CIRCULAR ROAD |
BANGOR |
GRANSHA ROAD |
BANGOR |
2 GREEN LANE |
CONLIG |
GREEN ROAD |
BANGOR |
NEWTOWNARDS ROAD |
BANGOR |
RATHGAEL ROAD |
BANGOR |
REDBURN SQUARE |
HOLYWOOD |
2 ROCKPORT ROAD |
CRAIGAVAD |
17 SEAHILL DRIVE |
HOLYWOOD |
SIX ROAD ENDS, COTTON/ UPPER GRANSHA ROAD |
BANGOR |
SIX ROAD ENDS, UPPER GRANSHA ROAD |
BANGOR |
THE CRESCENT |
HOLYWOOD |
OLD BELFAST ROAD |
BANGOR |
Bonfire Clean-up Cost
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to his answer to AQW 120/09, to provide a breakdown of this expenditure by council area.
(AQW 670/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: In response to the Member’s recent Assembly Question AQW 120/09, I advised that during the period 1 July to 31 August 2008, it is estimated that around £60,000 was spent by my Department’s Roads Service on attending / repairing bonfire related sites. Roads Service does not maintain an analysis of this expenditure by Council area. However, an estimation of Roads Service expenditure attending / repairing bonfire related sites by Section Office area, which broadly mirrors Council areas, is provided in the table below.
Section Office |
Bonfire Clean-up Cost |
|---|---|
Coleraine |
£150 |
Ballymena |
£1,500 |
Craigavon |
£450 |
Down |
£620 |
Newry |
£620 |
Ballymoney |
£800 |
Belfast North* |
£21,000 |
Belfast South* |
£25,000 |
Castlereagh |
£7,000 |
Lisburn |
£2,300 |
Total Cost |
£59,440 |
* Belfast North and Belfast South section office figures should be combined to give a total figure for Belfast City Council area.
Public Transport Infrastructure System in Upper Bann
Mr Moutray asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to improve the public transport infrastructure system in Upper Bann.
(AQW 671/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: Future plans to improve the public transport infrastructure system in Upper Bann include the following:
- An upgrade of the Knockmore to Lurgan section of the Belfast to Dublin railway line - due to commence in 2009 and expected to be completed in 2011;
- Improvements to the footpath through Bells Row Crossing at Lurgan - scheduled to be completed by 2010/11;
- The ongoing programme of improvements to rail stations and halts to comply with Disability Discrimination legislation;
- Potential upgrade of the Portadown Railway Station - a feasibility study is currently being prepared; and
- A review of providing bus facilities in Banbridge is currently underway.
All plans are subject to the availability of suitable funding.
Belfast to Portadown Rail Line
Mr Simpson asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to improve the rolling stock on the Belfast to Portadown rail line; and what plans he has to further upgrade it in the future.
(AQW 673/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: There are no immediate plans to further improve the rolling stock deployed on the Belfast - Portadown line. The rolling stock currently in use on this line is almost exclusively the new CAF trains, the last of which were introduced into passenger service in September 2005. Since then there has been an increase in passenger numbers of over 40%. The next sets of new trains are due to be ready for service by 2012. Additional train sets may then be available to provide additional capacity and frequency on the line.
Dungiven By-Pass
Mr Wells asked the Minister for Regional Development when the proposed Dungiven by-pass will be opened.
(AQW 701/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: The Member attended the Regional Development Committee meeting on 17 September 2008 when I advised the Dungiven Bypass, subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory progression through the statutory processes, will be completed as part of the A6 Derry to Dungiven scheme, planned to commence in the 2012/13 financial year.
The Bypass will be prioritised for commencement at the start of this scheme, but at this time it is not possible to be more prescriptive on the timescale for the construction, as the preferred route for the scheme has not been selected. However, it is anticipated that the Bypass section of the scheme will take about eighteen months to complete.
Northern Ireland Water
Mr G Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he is taking to prevent the job losses recently announced by Northern Ireland Water.
(AQW 720/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: The Board of Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been tasked with improving the efficiency of the company and reducing costs. We must all recognise that this cannot be achieved without some reduction in staff numbers given that staff costs represent a significant part of the organisation’s overall cost base.
In line with the Executive's agreed approach to “endeavour to reduce the burden on consumers and taxpayers through delivering efficiencies”, and, following discussion with stakeholders, I have set stretching efficiency targets for NIW: targets which I should stress were below those recommended by the independent review of water and sewerage services. I am awaiting a view from the Regulator on the deliverability of these.
In terms of the individuals involved, my primary concern is obviously to ensure that all NIW staff are dealt with fairly and with dignity. With this in mind, I have met with trade union representatives at regional and local level and have relayed their views to senior management in NIW. However, it is the company’s responsibility to work with the trade unions in handling these industrial relations and to take forward the efficiency programme as a whole.
Northern Ireland Water
Lord Morrow asked the Minister for Regional Development if a private landowner can withhold access to a Northern Ireland Water main on his/her property, thereby depriving a neighbouring householder from acquiring a connection to the mains water supply.
(AQW 737/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) that it has powers of entry to carry out maintenance and repairs to water mains located within private lands. However, in the situation where a customer wishes to make a new connection to a water main, the customer is responsible for laying a private water supply pipe from their property to the point of connection. If the private water supply pipe is to cross land that is not in the ownership of the customer, it is the customer's responsibility to obtain permission from other landowners. If permission to lay a private supply pipe on third party land is refused thereby preventing a connection to the public watermain, this would be a private matter for which NIW has no responsibility.
Flooding
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development what assistance his Department has given to the owner of the vehicle submerged at the Westlink during the recent flooding.
(AQW 738/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: The construction of Broadway Underpass is part of the ongoing improvement works being carried out on the M1/Westlink under the Roads Service Design, Build, Finance, Operate (DBFO) Package 1 Contract. The DBFO Contract requires a free recovery service to be provided through the works. I have been advised by my Department’s Roads Service that, as soon as all water had been removed from the underpass, the DBFO contractor, Highway Management Construction (HMC), recovered the vehicle. They then took the vehicle to an agreed location so that the vehicle could be inspected by the owner’s insurance company.
The DBFO Contract indemnifies my Department against any claims arising from the works. Any claims relating to the ongoing M1/Westlink Scheme, which are received by my Department, will be addressed through the normal procedures.
Flooding of Roads
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development if his Department (i) liaises with the PSNI; and (ii) posts warning signs, when roads are flooded.
(AQW 739/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: With regard to the first part of the Member’s question, my Department’s Roads Service has plans in place to deal with roads related flooding incidents, which ensure that a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week response is available. Roads Service cooperates with, and works alongside Northern Ireland Water, Rivers Agency and the other responding organisations, including the PSNI, local councils, Fire and Rescue Service and other statutory agencies as far as possible, to ensure a quick and appropriate response is made to flooding incidents.
In relation to the second part of the question, I can advise that Roads Service seeks to restore normality to flooded roads, having regard for the safety of the public and Roads Service personnel, the prevention of traffic disruption and the protection of homes and property. When Roads Service becomes aware of roads which are flooded, where practicable, signs are erected advising of the possible risk to road users. However, in the event of widespread flooding, resources would be targeted to busier routes, carrying the greater volume of traffic.
Usage of the Door-to-Door Service
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the usage of the door-to-door service in the Ards area in the last 18 months.
(AQW 741/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: During the 18 month period from March 2007 to August 2008, 4235 trips were taken by members of the Door-to-Door transport scheme in the Ards Borough Council area. These comprise of 341 trips in the Comber operational area and 3894 in the Newtownards operational area and are a mixture of single and return journeys.
Penalty Charge Notices
Mr Bresland asked the Minister for Regional Development how many Penalty Charge Notices were issued for car parking offences in each of the last three years, broken down by parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 742/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: My Department became responsible for parking enforcement at the end of October 2006. The police were previously responsible for this function, and would therefore have information on the numbers of penalty notices issued prior to November 2006.
Information on Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued, is not maintained by parliamentary constituency. However, the table below details PCN numbers by District Council area in each year since November 2006.
Council Area |
Nov 06 to |
Apr 07 to |
Apr 08 to |
|---|---|---|---|
Antrim |
1,083 |
2,181 |
540 |
Ards |
976 |
4,369 |
1,375 |
Armagh |
1,587 |
4,238 |
1,233 |
Ballymena |
2,330 |
5,652 |
1,866 |
Ballymoney |
588 |
2,195 |
605 |
Banbridge |
1,014 |
1,839 |
687 |
Belfast (inc Castlereagh) |
14,797 |
47,878 |
18,968 |
Carrickfergus |
868 |
2,884 |
711 |
Coleraine |
2,330 |
6,923 |
2,797 |
Cookstown |
1,024 |
2,519 |
980 |
Craigavon |
3,817 |
6,713 |
2,087 |
Derry |
5,995 |
20,226 |
4,789 |
Down |
1,286 |
4,813 |
1992 |
Dungannon |
1,081 |
3,498 |
1,499 |
Fermanagh |
4,326 |
9,745 |
3,491 |
Larne |
398 |
896 |
319 |
Limavady |
654 |
1,886 |
626 |
Lisburn |
2,290 |
5,674 |
3,003 |
Magherafelt |
939 |
4,072 |
1,508 |
Moyle |
53 |
329 |
226 |
Newry and Mourne |
3,053 |
5,349 |
1,854 |
Newtownabbey |
843 |
1,827 |
535 |
North Down |
1,942 |
5,390 |
2,068 |
Omagh |
2,970 |
5,864 |
2,117 |
Strabane |
2,195 |
3,561 |
1,059 |
Total |
58,439 |
160,521 |
56,935 |
Restoration Footpaths and Roads
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development what statutory duties are currently in place that require service providers such as BT and Northern Ireland Water to restore footpaths and roads to their original condition.
(AQW 750/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: In relation to AQW 750/09, my Department’s Roads Service has advised that Utility providers have a statutory right to open roads and footpaths for the purpose of installing and maintaining their equipment. While Roads Service has no control over the number of these works, there are powers to regulate them, for the purpose of coordination and minimising disruption to road users.
Roads Service carries out regular inspections of utility reinstatements, to ensure that these works are completed in accordance with the technical requirements set out in the ‘Specification for the reinstatement of openings in roads’ statutory Code of Practice.
The Code of Practice prescribes the materials to be used and the standards of workmanship to be observed during road reinstatements. Roads Service records the results of inspections and where works are not carried out in accordance with the reinstatement specification, the appropriate utility is notified and instructed to arrange the necessary remedial works.
With regard to AQW 751/09, I can advise that Roads Service is aiming to strengthen the existing regulatory process, through new legislation contained in the Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007. This Order will enable new regulations to be developed, including powers that could require utilities to resurface the road to a greater extent than is currently required under the existing legislation.
Restoration Footpaths and Roads
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development what consideration he has given to introducing statutory duties on utility service providers to restore footpaths and roads to their original condition, particularly in the case of public realm schemes.
(AQW 751/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: In relation to AQW 750/09, my Department’s Roads Service has advised that Utility providers have a statutory right to open roads and footpaths for the purpose of installing and maintaining their equipment. While Roads Service has no control over the number of these works, there are powers to regulate them, for the purpose of coordination and minimising disruption to road users.
Roads Service carries out regular inspections of utility reinstatements, to ensure that these works are completed in accordance with the technical requirements set out in the ‘Specification for the reinstatement of openings in roads’ statutory Code of Practice.
The Code of Practice prescribes the materials to be used and the standards of workmanship to be observed during road reinstatements. Roads Service records the results of inspections and where works are not carried out in accordance with the reinstatement specification, the appropriate utility is notified and instructed to arrange the necessary remedial works.
With regard to AQW 751/09, I can advise that Roads Service is aiming to strengthen the existing regulatory process, through new legislation contained in the Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007. This Order will enable new regulations to be developed, including powers that could require utilities to resurface the road to a greater extent than is currently required under the existing legislation.
Residents Parking Schemes
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Regional Development if consultations regarding residents parking schemes in the (i) Lisburn Road; (ii) lower Malone Road; and (iii) Stranmillis areas, have commenced; and if not, when will they commence.
(AQW 774/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that it plans to carry out initial surveys in the Lisburn Road, lower Malone Road and Stranmillis areas during October 2008 . These surveys will identify any parking problems and establish whether they can be addressed by the introduction of residents' parking schemes.
However, further progress towards scheme design and implementation will depend on the outcome of my review of the issues and concerns arising from the initial five areas, where consultation on the proposals for residents parking schemes has already taken place.
Traffic Congestion
Mr W Clarke asked the Minister for Regional Development what measures he will introduce to alleviate traffic congestion in Newcastle, Co Down.
(AQW 839/09)
The Minister for Regional Development: The member will be aware that work on an Environmental Improvement Scheme in Newcastle, promoted by Down District Council and funded by the Department of Social Development and my Department, was completed at the end of June 2008.
As part of the scheme, streetscape works, improvements to the parking facilities, an extra pedestrian crossing and traffic calming measures have been introduced to reduce traffic speed and increase road safety.
I will be meeting with the Member on 7 October 2008 to discuss traffic matters in Newcastle and my Roads Service officials will be happy to investigate any issues arising from that meeting and take appropriate action, where possible.
Social Development
Muckamore Abbey Hospital
Ms Purvis asked the Minister for Social Development what resources are being spent in order to move Muckamore Abbey Hospital residents into appropriate supported housing.
(AQW 465/09)
The Minister for Social Development (Ms M Ritchie): As these two questions are linked I will answer them together.
During the next three years my Department will develop 38 new units at a cost of £4.6m for the resettlement of Muckamore Abbey Hospital patients.
Muckamore Abbey Hospital
Ms Purvis asked the Minister for Social Development how many supported housing units will be available to Muckamore Abbey Hospital residents in the next 3 years.
(AQW 467/09)
The Minister for Social Development: As these two questions are linked I will answer them together.
During the next three years my Department will develop 38 new units at a cost of £4.6m for the resettlement of Muckamore Abbey Hospital patients.
Credit Crunch
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to help vulnerable communities that are suffering from the credit crunch.
(AQW 493/09)
The Minister for Social Development: In May 2008 I launched a Benefit Uptake Programme to increase awareness of social security benefits. This will see over 115,000 people contacted about possible benefit entitlement. Social Security Agency staff, as part of day to day business, also provide a range of services to ensure that people are advised of their potential entitlement to benefits including outreach services. The Agency also recently commenced an advertising campaign to increase awareness of the Winter Fuel Payment for newly eligible customers.
On 26 February 2008 I launched my New Housing Agenda announcing a number of initiatives to assist people to get on and stay on the property ladder, including the Shared Equity and House Sales Scheme along with my recently approved Mortgage Rescue Scheme which will assist people who are in mortgage arrears.
I established a Fuel Poverty Task Force in May 2008 to identify measures to tackle fuel poverty, including short term recommendations to assist those most in need this winter. I have prepared a paper on Tackling Fuel Poverty, which has been circulated to Ministerial colleagues seeking their endorsement of a number of recommendations. I intend to bring this paper to the Executive at the earliest opportunity.
My Department’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy focuses on the 36 most deprived areas of Northern Ireland. It seeks to tackle complex, multi-dimensional disadvantage by working with the communities affected. In addition to Neighbourhood Renewal, the Areas at Risk Programme operates in a further 22 areas to address disadvantage.
Finally, the Community Support Programme, provides £1 million of ring fenced money specifically for the provision of advice and attracts match funding from the Council. This independent advice is vital to deal with difficulties emerging from the credit crunch such as mortgage repossession, bankruptcy, serious debt and fuel poverty.
Improving Housing
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money will be invested in the Ballymacruise housing estate, Millisle, to improve housing over the next 3 years.
(AQW 535/09)
The Minister for Social Development: As these questions are linked I will answer them together.
Over the next three years a total of £50,000 will be invested in a heating replacement scheme in the Ballymacruise housing estate, Millisle. £637,000 will be invested in heating replacement, external cyclical maintenance and multi element improvement schemes in the Victoria Gardens housing estate, Donaghadee and £171,000 will be invested in heating and external cyclical maintenance schemes in the Ashfield housing estate, Donaghadee.
Improving Housing
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money will be invested in the Victoria Gardens housing estate, Donaghadee, to improve housing over the next 3 years.
(AQW 536/09)
The Minister for Social Development: As these questions are linked I will answer them together.
Over the next three years a total of £50,000 will be invested in a heating replacement scheme in the Ballymacruise housing estate, Millisle. £637,000 will be invested in heating replacement, external cyclical maintenance and multi element improvement schemes in the Victoria Gardens housing estate, Donaghadee and £171,000 will be invested in heating and external cyclical maintenance schemes in the Ashfield housing estate, Donaghadee.
Improving Housing
Mr Easton asked the Minister for Social Development how much money will be invested in the Ashfield housing estate, Donaghadee, to improve housing over the next 3 years.
(AQW 537/09)
The Minister for Social Development: As these questions are linked I will answer them together.
Over the next three years a total of £50,000 will be invested in a heating replacement scheme in the Ballymacruise housing estate, Millisle. £637,000 will be invested in heating replacement, external cyclical maintenance and multi element improvement schemes in the Victoria Gardens housing estate, Donaghadee and £171,000 will be invested in heating and external cyclical maintenance schemes in the Ashfield housing estate, Donaghadee.
Housing Executive
Mr Simpson asked the Minister for Social Development what measures she has taken to ensure that the Housing Executive will be able to deliver its decent homes target by 2010.
(AQW 566/09)
The Minister for Social Development: A review of the maintenance investment requirements for NIHE stock is underway. This will include requirements to meet decent homes standards. A stock condition survey is being commissioned by DSD to assist in the review. The results of the survey are expected in May 2009.
Department Projects
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the successful projects her Department has completed in the last 12 months in the South Antrim constituency.
(AQW 591/09)
The Minister for Social Development: My Department has completed a range of successful projects, across a wide spectrum of our business, over the last 12 months. In relation to urban regeneration my Department funded a £75,000 Town Centre Promotions and Marketing Scheme in Antrim and also provided funding of £19,286 to four groups in the deprived Glenvara area of Newtownabbey. The Voluntary and Community Unit funded 28 Local Community Fund projects and 15 Community Volunteering Scheme projects throughout South Antrim at a cost of £181,408. Four Social Housing Schemes were completed in Randalstown (1) , Crumlin (2) and Newtownabbey (1) and a number of Improvement Schemes were also completed in Antrim and Newtownabbey.
Resource Centre Project in Rathenraw
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the community and business resource centre project in Rathenraw, Antrim; and what the estimated completion date is.
(AQW 592/09)
The Minister for Social Development: Work on the community and business centre project in Rathenraw, Antrim, commenced in May and had been progressing well with an expected completion date of June 2009. Unfortunately the contractor has now gone into liquidation. The project architect and the group are exploring all other options and are hopeful of early resolution so as to cause the minimum delay to the project’s successful completion.
Bonfire Clean-Up Costs
Mr Burns asked the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to her answer to AQW 119/09, to provide a breakdown of this expenditure by council area.
(AQW 667/09)
The Minister for Social Development: The information is not available by District Council area. However, the table below details the costs incurred by the Housing Executive district offices for the removal and reinstatement works associated with bonfires this year.
Bonfire clean-up costs
(by Housing Executive District Office area*)
North Belfast |
£12,772.84 |
East Belfast |
£1,506.37 |
South Belfast |
£3,514.86 |
West Belfast |
£5,196.25 |
Belfast Shankill |
£10,540.41 |
Antrim |
£8,808.99 |
Ballycastle |
£0.00 |
Ballymena |
£2,006.90 |
Ballymoney |
£1,513.00 |
Carrickfergus |
£3,910.59 |
Coleraine |
£14,496.50 |
Larne |
£100.00 |
Newtownabbey 1 |
£5,048.01 |
Newtownabbey 2 |
£5,768.40 |
Bangor |
£3,400.00 |
Castlereagh |
£6,287.90 |
Downpatrick |
£1,687.00 |
Lisburn ( Antrim Street) |
£5,002.50 |
Lisburn Dairyfarm |
£0.00 |
Newtownards |
£1,766.60 |
Armagh |
£0.00 |
Banbridge |
£0.00 |
Lurgan/Brownlow |
£2,564.00 |
Dungannon |
£3,944.00 |
Fermanagh |
£547.00 |
Newry |
£0.00 |
Portadown |
£3,136.00 |
Cookstown |
£240.00 |
Limavady |
£2175.00 |
Waterloo Place (Londonderry 1) |
£3,525.00 |
Waterside ( Londonderry 2) |
£525 |
Collon Terrace (Londonderry 3) |
£12,825.00 |
Magherafelt |
£1200.00 |
Omagh |
£480.00 |
Strabane |
£720.00 |
Total |
£125,208.12 |
* Housing Executive district office areas correspond directly with local council areas, with the exception of the Belfast City Council and Derry City Council areas.
Village area, South Belfast
Mr Spratt asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the regeneration of the Village area of South Belfast.
(AQW 692/09)
The Minister for Social Development: Since the Village area was declared an Urban Renewal Area in May 2008 the Housing Executive has been carrying out preliminary work to make an application to vest around 550 properties. This will be lodged with my Department later this year and all interested parties will be served with a Notice of Intention to Vest. Interested parties will then have the right to object to the proposals within 6 weeks of receipt of the formal Notice.
All residents in the proposed redevelopment area are also being visited to determine their future housing requirements and this process is almost complete.
Environmental Improvement Scheme
Mr P Maskey asked the Minister for Social Development when the Environmental Improvement scheme for the Andersonstown Road will commence.
(AQW 765/09)
The Minister for Social Development: Work is ongoing on the development of a significant Environmental Improvement scheme for the Andersonstown Road area. A draft scheme has been developed and consultation with local residents and traders about the proposed design is planned to commence in October 2008.
All scheme proposals are subject to the completion of satisfactory economic appraisal, agreement on scheme design and the necessary funding being available. On current plans it is expected that work on the ground should commence about the middle of next year. Engagement with the local community and traders in the area will continue during the work..
Fuel Poverty
Mr Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development what plans she has to introduce a benefits uptake campaign to assist in the relief of fuel poverty.
(AQW 767/09)
The Minister for Social Development: In May of this year I launched the 2008/09 Benefit Uptake Programme to increase awareness of social security benefits. This builds on the previous successful uptake programmes which have been in place since 2005 and resulted in £15 million of additional benefit paid to the most vulnerable in our society. The total cost of these programmes was £1.1 million.
In this year’s programme 115,000 people across Northern Ireland will be contacted to make sure they are not missing out on benefits.
Complementing this targeted approach, Social Security Agency staff, as part of day to day business, provide a range of services to ensure that people are advised of their potential entitlement to benefits.
The Social Security Agency also recently commenced an advertising campaign to increase awareness of the Winter Fuel Payment for newly eligible customers. Winter Fuel Payments provide assistance specifically to help older people with their winter fuel bills.
Income Support
Mr Bresland asked the Minister for Social Development how many people are in receipt of Income Support in each parliamentary constituency.
(AQW 769/09)
The Minister for Social Development: The information requested is set out in the table below. The numbers shown reflect the number of claims for Income Support where an amount of Income Support was in payment at 30 August 2008.
Belfast East |
4,084 |
Belfast North |
9,202 |
Belfast South |
4,406 |
Belfast West |
11,889 |
East Antrim |
3,173 |
East Londonderry |
4,495 |
Fermanagh and South Tyrone |
4,148 |
Foyle |
10,318 |
Lagan Valley |
3,225 |
Mid Ulster |
4,457 |
Newry and Armagh |
6,060 |
North Antrim |
4,511 |
North Down |
2,419 |
South Antrim |
3,474 |
South Down |
5,047 |
Strangford |
2,931 |
Upper Bann |
5,597 |
West Tyrone |
5,952 |
Unallocated Postcode* |
581 |
Total Claimants |
95,388 |
*In producing this analysis individual records were attributed to electoral ward and Council areas on the basis of their postcode. Not all records can be correctly allocated a ward or Council area using this method and some cannot be allocated at all.
Fuel Payment
Mr Savage asked the Minister for Social Development what plans her Department has to introduce a fuel payment this winter for people with disabilities.
(AQW 807/09)
The Minister for Social Development: Disabled people who satisfy the qualifying conditions are already included in the Winter Fuel Payment Scheme. Cold Weather Payments are also made to vulnerable groups, including those people who get a disability premium in their income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance regardless of age, when there is severe weather in their area.
Disabled people can receive disability benefits, and the disability premium in income-related benefits, in recognition of their extra costs. The care and mobility components in Disability Living Allowance for a person under 65 years old are used as broad indicators of the extra costs a disabled person has which include heating, laundry or special diets.
There are other schemes available to help with fuel costs such as the Warm Homes Scheme. Among the eligible groups for this Scheme are householders who claim disability related benefits such as Disability Living Allowance. This Scheme provides assistance towards insulating their homes with a grant of up to £850.
In response to the ever increasing cost of fuel I established a Fuel Poverty Task Force in May 2008, which brought together representatives from Government departments and the wider energy sector. I have prepared a paper on Tackling Fuel Poverty, which has been circulated to Ministerial colleagues seeking their endorsement of a number of recommendations emanating from the Task Force. I have brought this paper to the Executive for consideration.
Disability Living Allowance
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development the number of cases of Disability Living Allowance payments being made to people other than the lawful applicant, in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 843/09)
The Minister for Social Development: There are no payments of Disability Living Allowance being made to people other than the lawful applicant. The Social Security Agency pays all customers direct or in the case where they are deemed as being incapable of managing their own affairs, to their legal appointee. The SSA does not hold details of the number of approved appointees. When a customer avails of the Motability Scheme, payment of the higher rate mobility component is paid directly to Motability Operations on behalf of them. The table below shows the number of customers who have availed of the Motability Scheme over the last three years:
|
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
Number of customers |
24,956 |
25,627 |
26,556 |
Disability Living Allowance
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development how many people have received Disability Living Allowance payments as a result of their allergies, broken down by the following age groups (i) 0-18; (ii) 18-30; (iii) 30-50; and (iv) 50 years and over, in the last financial year.
(AQW 864/09)
The Minister for Social Development: The information requested is not held by the Department. While there are disability codes attributed to all Disability Living Allowance awards, there is no specific disability code relating to allergies.
Disability Living Allowance
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development how many people received Disability Living Allowance as a result of their allergies, in each of the last 3 years.
(AQW 892/09)
The Minister for Social Development: The information requested is not held by the Department. While there are disability codes attributed to all Disability Living Allowance awards, there is no specific disability code relating to allergies.
First-Time Buyers
Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development what action she is taking to boost the housing market for first-time buyers.
(AQW 898/09)
The Minister for Social Development: I would refer the member to the response provided to the question AQW 382/09 answered on 26 th September 2008 (Official written answer booklet 26 th September 2008).
Warm Homes Scheme
Mr Doherty asked the Minister for Social Development what action her Department is taking to reduce the backlog of applications to the Warm Homes Scheme.
(AQW 955/09)
The Minister for Social Development: I introduced prioritisation of applications to target the Warm Homes Scheme waiting list. All applicants aged over 70 have had their home surveyed and those with no central heating, solid fuel or Economy 7 will be assisted first. This will allow Eaga to ensure that those in greatest need will be assisted first.
I met recently with the Minister for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Michelle Gildernew, and agreed a £400k contribution from DARD’s Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion Fund to the Warm Homes Scheme budget to assist with improvements in energy efficiency in rural homes. The additional resources from DARD will assist around 630 homes which at present cannot be assisted by the Warm Homes Scheme because the cost exceeds the statutory grant limit.
I will continue to bid for additional resources for the Warm Homes Scheme through the in-year monitoring process.
CORRIGENDUM
Written Answer Booklet of 19 September 2008
(Volume 33, No WA3)
In page WA58, col 1, replace the answer to question (AQW 401/09) with;
NACCO management contacted Invest NI on Friday, 12 September 2008, to confirm that no decisions have been taken with regard to future job levels and that they will be undertaking a thorough review of forward production for the first and second quarters of their new financial year; January - June 2009.
On completion of this detailed assessment, staff at NACCO will be fully informed of the outcome and resulting decisions to be taken. This will be in advance of any public announcement.
Invest NI has offered the company significant financial assistance and remains in regular contact with the company. It will continue to work closely with the company to ensure its long term profitable future in Craigavon.